12 Best Things to Do in Michigan on the Coast (A Local’s Guide)

Last Updated: March 2026

Michigan has 3,288 miles of Great Lakes shoreline — more than any other state except Alaska — and I’ve spent most of my life exploring it. The beaches, dunes, lighthouses, and lake towns along Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior are genuinely some of the best outdoor experiences in the country. This is my curated list of the coastal and Great Lakes experiences worth your time, organized so you can plan by season and by which lake you’re visiting.

Be sure and check our Michigan Beach and Travel Map for reference points on all of the destinations below.

M-22 Scenic Highway: Michigan’s Greatest Drive

M-22 is Michigan’s most celebrated scenic route — 116 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline connecting Manistee to Traverse City through some of the most beautiful coastal landscape in the Midwest. Every time I drive it, I find something new. The road winds through dune country, old fishing villages, orchard country, and wine regions, with the lake appearing and disappearing through the trees like a long, slow reveal.

Start at Inspiration Point in Arcadia — a free pull-off with sweeping elevated views of Lake Michigan that genuinely stop you in your tracks. North from there: Frankfort and the Point Betsie Lighthouse, one of Michigan’s most photogenic lighthouses right at the water’s edge. Point Betsie is wheelchair accessible with a paved path to the lighthouse grounds. Dogs are welcome on leash.

The M-22 highlight is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, towering sand dunes, and some of the clearest water in the Midwest. Drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive for the famous Lake Michigan Overlook (450 feet above the water), then hike the Empire Bluff Trail for a less-crowded alternative with equally jaw-dropping views. Weekly park pass required — purchase here. The Dune Climb and the Overlook are both paved and accessible for wheelchairs. Note: dogs are not permitted on the Dune Climb or backcountry trails, but are allowed in campgrounds and on paved surfaces on leash.

Further north: Fishtown in Leland, a tiny cluster of weathered fishing shanties that smells of smoked fish and feels completely frozen in time. Worth 30 minutes. Then the Leelanau Peninsula for wine tasting, farm stands, and the charming towns of Suttons Bay and Northport. Full guide: our M-22 stops guide.

Best Times to Visit: Summer for beaches and swimming · Fall for one of the best color drives in the Midwest

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore stretches nearly 35 miles along Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula — 200-foot sandstone cliffs streaked with mineral colors, hidden sea caves, waterfalls, and beaches of white sand and cold, impossibly clear water. It’s one of the most genuinely spectacular natural landscapes in the country and it’s completely free to enter.

The best way to see the cliffs is from the water — either by kayak (guided tours run June through August) or by sightseeing boat tour (May through October). Golden hour on the cliffs from the water is one of those Michigan memories that doesn’t fade. Hikers can access Miners Castle, Miners Beach, and Chapel Falls on day trails. The Miners Beach area has a paved accessible path to a Lake Superior beach — one of the few genuinely ADA-accessible experiences in the UP. Dogs are allowed on leash in most areas of Pictured Rocks; check NPS rules for specific trail restrictions.

Winter at Pictured Rocks is extraordinary if you’re willing to bundle up — the ice caves along the shoreline form dramatic frozen curtains and columns that draw visitors from across the Midwest. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice climbing are all available. A genuinely different experience from the summer crowds.

Best Times to Visit: Mid-summer through fall · Winter for the ice caves and quiet
Where to Stay: AuTrain Island View Lodge — four-bedroom lodge in Munising, 20 minutes from the park, with a sprawling deck and Lake Superior views. Also solid: Comfort Inn and Suites Lakefront Munising — clean, recently updated, good breakfast.

Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island sits in Lake Huron between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas — car-free, horse-drawn carriage streets, Victorian architecture, and fudge shops that have been operating since the 1880s. It’s Michigan’s most iconic destination for good reason. The moment you step off the ferry and hear only horses and bikes, the pace of everything slows down.

Bike the 8-mile perimeter road for lake views on all sides — bike rentals are everywhere and adaptive bikes are available for riders with mobility needs. Fort Mackinac sits above the harbor and offers a genuine look at Michigan’s military history. The island’s trail system includes several accessible paved paths near the harbor and main street. Most of the island’s interior trails are unpaved and not wheelchair accessible — the perimeter road is the best accessible route. Dogs are welcome on leash everywhere on the island except inside attractions.

Don’t leave without Mackinac fudge — every shop makes it fresh and the smell alone is worth the ferry ride. It’s genuinely one of Michigan’s great food experiences.

Best Time to Visit: Summer and early fall · Island is open May through October

Where to Stay: Full guide to the best Mackinac Island hotels and Mackinaw City hotels. Top picks: Island House Hotel (Victorian inn, lake views, walkable), Best Western Harbour Pointe Lakefront in St. Ignace (private beach, accessible rooms, full breakfast).

Silver Lake Sand Dunes

Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Oceana County cover over 2,000 acres of Lake Michigan shoreline dunes — the only place in Michigan where you can legally ride off-road vehicles on open sand dunes. A dune buggy ride here is one of those experiences that’s impossible to adequately describe before you’ve done it. The feeling of cresting a 60-foot dune with Lake Michigan suddenly appearing below you doesn’t get old.

A short drive through Silver Lake State Park takes you to Little Sable Point Lighthouse — one of Michigan’s most photogenic, rising 107 feet above the Lake Michigan shoreline. You can climb it for sweeping dune and lake views. The Silver Lake State Park beach is dog-friendly with leashed dogs permitted on the beach and trails. The ORV area itself does not permit dogs during riding hours. The lighthouse grounds and beach are accessible via a packed sand path — contact the park for current accessibility conditions.

Best Time to Visit: Summer

East Tawas, Tawas City, and Tawas Point Lighthouse

East Tawas and Tawas City sit on Tawas Bay on Michigan’s Lake Huron Sunrise Coast — one of the most underrated stretches of coastline in the state. The Tawas Point Lighthouse inside Tawas Point State Park is a working lighthouse on a narrow sand spit that juts into Lake Huron, surrounded by water on three sides. I’ve climbed to the top a handful of times and the view of the curving point is unlike anything else in Michigan.

Tawas Point State Park has a sandy beach, picnic areas, and a 2-mile nature trail through the point. The beach and lighthouse grounds are ADA accessible with paved pathways. Dogs are allowed on leash throughout the state park including on the beach — one of the better dog-friendly Lake Huron options. Newman Street in East Tawas has good shops and ice cream worth stopping for.

Headlands International Dark Sky Park

Headlands International Dark Sky Park at 15675 Headlands Rd in Mackinaw City sits on Lake Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac — one of the darkest night skies in the lower 48 states, accessible from the same area as Mackinac Island. The park sits on a forested peninsula where Lake Michigan meets Lake Huron, with shoreline trails by day and star gazing platforms by night.

The best months for the Northern Lights near Mackinaw City are April, October, and November. The park is open year-round and free to visit. The main trail system is unpaved but relatively flat — passable for determined wheelchair users in dry conditions. Dogs are welcome on leash throughout the park and on the shoreline. Combine with Mackinac Island or the Mackinaw City waterfront for a full long weekend.

Where to Stay: Best Western Plus Inn Dockside has a private beach and hot breakfast. Crown Choice Inn and Suites has a great outdoor pool and Lake Michigan views.

Seasonal Events Worth Planning Around

National Cherry Festival — Traverse City, Early July

The Cherry Festival runs for eight days in early July in Traverse City on Grand Traverse Bay — one of Michigan’s biggest summer events, anchored by the Blue Angels air show over the bay, carnival rides, live music, and cherry-everything food from local vendors. Grand Traverse Bay has excellent accessible beaches and downtown Traverse City is very walkable. Dogs are welcome on the bay beaches on leash — avoid the crowded festival footprint itself during peak hours. Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsula wineries are worth building into any Traverse City trip regardless of the festival.

Where to Stay: Cherry Tree Inn and Suites (right on Grand Traverse Bay, kitchenettes) · Hotel Indigo (rooftop bar, bay views) · Grand Traverse Resort and Spa (private beach, golf, spa)

Holland’s Tulip Time Festival — May

The Tulip Time Festival in Holland runs for ten days each May — six million tulips, Dutch dancing, parades, and the most photogenic small-town streets in Michigan. Windmill Island Gardens has a working 250-year-old Dutch windmill imported from the Netherlands and is fully ADA accessible with paved paths throughout the grounds. Holland State Park beach has ADA-accessible parking, restrooms, and a beach wheelchair available for loan — call ahead to reserve it. Dogs are welcome on leash on Holland State Park beach outside designated swim areas.

After the festival grounds, walk down to Holland State Park to see the iconic “Big Red” lighthouse and catch one of the best Lake Michigan sunsets in West Michigan. Full Holland guide here.

Where to Stay: City Flats Hotel Holland (one block from downtown, modern, clean) · Hampton Inn Holland (reliable, indoor pool, arcade, good breakfast)

Detroit’s Belle Isle Park — Year-Round

Belle Isle is a 982-acre island park in the Detroit River — technically a Great Lakes experience, sitting between the US and Canada in the strait connecting Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. In summer it offers swimming beaches, kayaking, picnic areas, and the James Scott Memorial Fountain. In winter, the ponds freeze for pond hockey, blue ice forms along the Detroit River shore, and I’ve spotted bald eagles three consecutive winters watching from high in the trees. The park is fully ADA accessible with paved roads throughout. Dogs are welcome on leash in most park areas — not permitted on designated swim beaches.

Where to Stay: Atheneum Suite Hotel in Detroit’s Greektown — clean, well-appointed, near Greektown restaurants and casino.

Michigan’s Great Lakes Beach Towns

Michigan’s Great Lakes beach towns are the backbone of the summer experience here — farmers markets, lakefront restaurants, lighthouse walks, and long evenings watching the sun drop into Lake Michigan. Nearly every beach town has accessible beach areas and most welcome leashed dogs on at least part of their shoreline — always check the specific town or state park rules before arriving with a dog.

Top picks: St. Joseph (Silver Beach is ADA accessible with beach wheelchair loan program), South Haven, Holland, Ludington, Frankfort, Marquette (Lake Superior), and Copper Harbor (UP). On Lake Huron: Port Austin and Turnip Rock, Harbor Beach, and the Sunrise Coast from Tawas north through Alpena. Full guide: Michigan’s Ultimate Beach Town Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fun Things to Do in Michigan

What is the most beautiful place in Michigan?

The Lake Michigan Overlook on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is the most stunning single viewpoint in Michigan — a platform 450 feet above Lake Michigan with views stretching to Point Betsie in the south, the Manitou Islands offshore, and Sleeping Bear Point to the north. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior is Michigan’s other world-class natural wonder and arguably more dramatic.

Are Michigan beaches good for swimming?

Michigan’s Lake Michigan beaches are among the best freshwater swimming beaches in the world — warm water in summer, soft sand, and no saltwater or ocean hazards. Lake Superior stays cold even in August (typically 55–65°F) but is exceptional for scenery and shoreline walks. Michigan has more than 3,200 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. The state also has over 11,000 inland lakes, many with excellent sandy-bottom swimming.

Are Michigan beaches dog-friendly?

Many Michigan beaches welcome leashed dogs — but rules vary significantly by park and municipality. Most Michigan state park beaches prohibit dogs in designated swim areas but allow them on leash on trails and non-swim shoreline. Consistently dog-friendly options include Fisherman’s Island State Park near Charlevoix, Silver Lake State Park beach, Tawas Point State Park, and most beach town public access points outside swim areas. Always confirm current rules before your visit as seasonal restrictions apply.

Keep Exploring Michigan

→ Michigan Beach Towns: The Complete Guide to Every Lake Michigan Town

→ Best Beaches in Michigan: The Complete Lake Michigan Guide

→ M-22 Scenic Highway: Every Stop Worth Making

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