road winding through a tunnel of trees in autumn

Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees: Complete Guide to the M-119 Scenic Drive

It’s one of northern Michigan’s not-so-best-kept-secrets: a beautiful drive north of Harbor Springs that takes you under a leafy ceiling of leaves…deep greens in the spring and summer and beautiful reds and golds in the autumn months. Michigan’s tunnel of trees is a perfect spot for Michigan fall color tour, and it’s worth exploring in the summer and winter months, too.

Sleeping Bear Dunes national lakeshore in Michigan is one of things to do in michigan in the summer

25 Best Things to Do in Michigan This Summer (From Someone Who Does Them Every Year)

There is magic to be found in a Michigan summer.
The list of things to do in Michigan in summer is endless, so I’ve created a summer vacation bucket list filled with pure Michigan fun.
Summer in Michigan means cool blue water for swimming and boating, endless miles of trails for hiking, and tons of Michigan beaches for exploring.
If you made it through winter in Michigan, you deserve to experience the beautiful warmth of summer! From splash pads to farmers markets, from county fairs to hot air balloon festivals, there are tons of fun activities to add to your ultimate Michigan bucket list of summer activities.
Here are 25 of the best things to do in Michigan in summer.

A row of grape vines at a Traverse City winery

Best Traverse City Wineries: Old Mission + Leelanau Picks

Situated between Michigan’s pinky finger (also known as the Leelanau Peninsula) and the rest of the mitten, Old Mission Peninsula juts out into Grand Traverse Bay, splitting it into East and West arms. Because of this, Old Mission has some of the best views in all of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. This is Michigan’s wine country, and nothing pairs better with the gorgeous view of the bay than a glass of Michigan wine from one of the many lovely wineries found along the Old Mission Peninsula wine trail.

street lined with parade-goers

Cheeseburger in Caseville 2026: Complete Festival Guide

Smell the cheeseburgers wafting through the air? Hear the sounds of Jimmy Buffet songs mingled with the laughs of partygoers on a Lake Huron beach?

Yep. It’s August again, and time for the Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival.

This highly-anticipated event is held mid-August and has become an essential part of Caseville, a fun resort town known for its beautiful beaches and casual, laid-back vibe.

st patricks day michigan

St. Patrick’s Day in Michigan 2026: The Best Events, Parades & Festivals Across the State

No one does St. Patrick’s celebrations quite like Michigan: from St. Paddy’s parades and festivals to 5K Races and pub crawls, there’s something for everyone.

If you’re looking for what to do on St. Patrick’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day Events near me, read on. We’re sharing everything you need to know about St. Patrick’s Day in Michigan!

picture of horse passing mackinac island lilacs

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival 2026: Your Complete Guide to Michigan’s Most Beloved Flower Festival

The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is one of the best flower festivals in the country.

When the lilacs bloom on Mackinac Island, their sweet, elegant aroma welcomes summer to northern Michigan and dresses the island in a debonair shade of purple.

For the 74th year, the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival will bring visitors from all around to celebrate the blooming of the over 250 different types of lilacs found on the island and whose plants have persisted there for over 200 years!

the mackinac bridge : bridge facts

Mackinac Bridge Facts: Everything You Want to Know about the Mighty Mac

Ready to learn some Mackinac Bridge facts? One of the major tourist attractions in Michigan, this bridge that spans the Mackinac Straits (where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet), plays an important role in Michigan history.
For all vacationers, travelers, and those just looking for a good time in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, here’s a guide to the Mackinac Bridge, or the largest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere.

the belle isle aquarium in detroit

Belle Isle Aquarium: A Complete Guide to Detroit’s Historic Gem

Detroit’s Belle Isle Aquarium is one of southeast Michigan’s best-kept secrets.
Want to go eye-to-eye with a Moray Eel? Or have an unforgettable encounter with an Albino African Clawed Frog? How about peeking in on some Michigan Gar Pike?
You can do all of these things at the Belle Isle Aquarium, a family-friendly aquarium on Belle Isle in Detroit. You’ll find a huge collection of fish from the Great Lakes region, and get an up close look at some local species of fish and other aquatic life.
Read on to discover everything you need to plan a visit to this amazing public aquarium in southeast Michigan.

michigan new years eve ball drops

17 New Year’s Eve Ball Drops in Michigan to Celebrate 2026!

Looking for the perfect way to ring in the New Year?

Great News! You don’t have to travel all the way to New York City and Times Square to watch a fabulous New Year’s Eve ball drop.

In fact, in Michigan, you needn’t travel further than your nearest Great Lake (and sometimes, even closer). Of course, in Michigan, we do it our way. Ever seen a giant, sparkling cherry, suspended in midair, come crashing to the ground? How about a mitten dangling in the sky and then falling to the ground at midnight?

car driving through michigan christmas lights display

Michigan Christmas Lights Shows: 2025 Guide Mapped

Nothing does a better job of getting us in the Christmas spirit than a magnificent display of holiday lights. With the sun setting earlier, the bright lights emit a rainbow of colors that makes up for shorter days by brightening the night. Whether you’re looking for a walkable outdoor experience immersed in glimmering decorations or want to cruise through a show from the comfort of your car, there is a show that will be sure to delight you. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best Christmas light shows in Michigan, from the southernmost corners to the Upper Peninsula.

main street at Greenfield Village's Holiday nights Christmas event

Holiday Nights Greenfield Village Guide

A visit to Greenfield Village Holiday Nights is one of the favorite family traditions and a perfect yuletide activity at holiday time. In fact, a pure Michigan Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a stroll down Main Street at Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village, the smell of roasting chestnuts filling the air.
One of the premier holiday celebrations, Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village is annual holiday tradition for countless visitors who flock to the Henry Ford Museum in Wayne County for this annual Christmas event.

An abandonded haunted house in black and white

30 Haunted Places in Michigan

As summer winds down and the fall season stares us down from around the corner, the time to get into the spooky spirit is upon us.

What better way to embrace that eerie feeling than with some ghost stories scary enough to keep you up at night?

Luckily, we have no shortage of ghost stories here. From populous Wayne County to the most remote destinations in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan is full of unique haunted destinations. These Michigan spooky spots lay claim to bone-chilling ghost stories and there’s enough evidence of paranormal activity to make you believe them.

Pour yourself some hot cider and grab a cinnamon donut, curl up in a blanket and read on to learn about Michigan’s most haunted attractions.

an old, haunted house in Michigan on a grey cloudy day

20 Best Haunted Houses in Michigan (2025 Guide + Map)

Looking for haunted houses in Michigan? Be prepared to be scared!Fall in Michigan means cooler weather and beautiful fall leaves, but there’s another side to the fall season…
In October, the atmosphere grows increasingly spooky as michigan-halloween-activities, with scary stories of ghosts and goblins that gobble up children, or spellcasting witches and wild werewolves who wander the woods at twilight on haunted trails.

Then, we take it one step further and visit haunted houses to become part of these stories and become frightened by our own imaginations in real life.

the neterance to a dark and mysterious-looking corn maze in Michigan

10 Best Haunted Corn Mazes & Hayrides in Michigan (2025 Guide)

Do you love haunted houses? Give the Top Ten Haunted Corn Mazes in Michigan a try. With Halloween just around the corner, there are plenty of fun – and scary – themed attractions to visit across Michigan.

If you’re a fan of haunted houses, try the next best thing: haunted corn mazes. It has the same fear factor as a haunted house or mansion, but the brisk, autumn air, and pitch black night sky mixed with the moonlight make it that much spookier. Make sure you bring a friend, or two. You won’t want to venture off in these mazes alone.

beautful fall foliage alonf a Michigan fall color drive

Best Michigan Fall Color Drives for 2026 (Map)

The best fall color drives in Michigan can be found just about everywhere this season, from the lower peninsula to the peninsula.
There are some scenic drives though, where the fall color is just breathtaking, whether it’s a scenic byway like M-22 in northern Michigan, Brockway Mountain drive in Copper Harbor, or Petoskey Michigan on the sparkling shores of Lake Michigan.
A scenic drive or fall getaway to see the changing colors seems to be on everyone’s Michigan fall bucket list this year, so we put together a list of the 9 of the best scenic fall color drives in Michigan.
Read on to start making your Michigan travel plans to see the beautiful fall foliage in Michigan

A corn maze

25+ Best Michigan Corn Mazes to Visit This Fall (2025 Guide)

Looking for a Corn Maze in Michigan? You’re in the right place. It’s fall in Michigan, and that means it’s time to round up some friends and head to the nearest farm.
Getting lost in a corn maze is one of the top fun family fall activities and we’re sharing some our favorite spots to visit this season. The Michigan corn mazes are much more than a field of corn stalks, though: some are true works of art; carefully carved by farmers to share messages, logos, and fun designs.

pumpkins in a fall display

Best Fall Festivals in Michigan: 2025 Guide

Fall festivals in Michigan are the best way to celebrate the arrival of autumn, which is arguably the prettiest season in our state. All of the leaves are changing colors, the air is crisp and fresh, and the family-owned fruit stands along M-22 and other scenic highways are starting to switch out the berries and jams for apple cider and fresh vegetables. Fall festivals here include pumpkin patches, apple harvests, arts and crafts, and much more. Check out this list to find an amazing fall festival near you.

Sleeping Bear Dunes with lake michigan in bakcground

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Complete Visitor’s Guide (2026)

Information and tips about visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes area. Find the best beaches in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area. Find information about Lake Michigan beach activities and beach amenities in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area and Lake Michigan area. Learn where to swim, eat, stay and play in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area and Lake Michigan area.

The mackinac bridge

Mackinac Bridge Walk: Labor Day 2025 Guide (Updated parking Info)

Ever dreamed about crossing the Straits of Mackinac on foot?

You can, of course, thanks to the amazing feat of modern architecture that is the Mackinac Bridge.

You can do it in the company of thousands of others, too, at the annual labor day Mackinac Bridge Walk, when participants in the walk traverse to the midpoint of the towering bridge from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. and then turn back. Some continue on, walking the entire bridge on foot or in wheelchair.

The labor Day Bridge Walk isn’t just for the super – physically fit; you’ll be joined by strollers and wheelchairs, too, all eager to cross the Mackinac Bridge and get a certificate at the completion of the event.

It’s a fun event that has attracted crowds for more than 50 years, growing in popularity each year.

View of bay with colorful leaves on old mission peninsula

Exploring Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan: My Perfect Day Trip Itinerary

Are you ready for a journey through the 15+ best things to do and see on Old Mission Peninsula? If you’re looking for wine-ins, dine-ins, and the good life in old Michigan, you’re in luck: Old Mission Peninsula has everything you need for a perfect getaway all year long.
In the summer, the Lake Michigan breezes are refreshing, and the fall colors in the vineyards are stunning against the backdrop of the bay.

outside of zehnders restaurant in frankenmuth michigan

Frankenmuth Restaurants: Best Places to Eat in Frankenmuth, MI (Zehnder’s, Bavarian Inn and MORE!)

Situated on the picturesque Cass River, Frankenmuth, Michigan is not only surrounded by gorgeous landscape, but the town itself is steeped in rich German ancestry, influencing the architecture, culture, and cuisine of the city.

Maybe you’ve heard of Frankenmuth as a Michigan Christmas must-visit, or from the viral New York Times article about visiting the town during the holidays and discovering the fabulous restaurants?

The restaurant scene specifically is bustling – and for good reason. Between famous Bavarian dining and local spots serving up their own specialties, there is something for everyone in Frankenmuth.

Here are some of our favorite restaurants near Frankenmuth complete with all the best food in town.

the south haven lighthouse

Lake Michigan Lighthouses: 19 Beautiful Lights Worth the Trip

With over 115 lighthouses, Michigan is home to more lighthouses than any other state – and nearly half are found on the Lake Michigan coast.

Even just along the Lake Michigan shoreline, you’ll find lighthouses of all kinds, ranging from bold red pierhead lights, tall columns that tower over the sandy beaches they guard, and even ones with keeper quarters attached (some of which are available for stays).

Read on to learn more about these mysterious landmarks – some of which are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Michigan music festivals

BEST 2025 Michigan Music Festivals: Pop, Rap, Jazz, Classical, Rock and More

Music festivals are a must-do activity for any lover of the summer months, and Michigan’s music scene is hot! Cites across Michigan offer plenty, all covering a different genre and fitting into a unique niche.

Musical fests offer a great opportunity to kick back and enjoy the Michigan outdoors. This list covers a total of 15 music festivals to keep your eye out for when making your summer plans in Michigan.

top things to do in copper harbor mi

Copper Harbor, Michigan: 15 Best Things to Do at the Top of the U.P.

Copper Harbor is the most northern city in Michigan, located right at the top of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the most northern part of the Upper Peninsula.
One of the top destinations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Copper Harbor MI offers breathtaking views and endless waterfront. It also has something for every type of nature lover, whether it be hiking, canoeing, fishing, or camping.
In addition to an amazing trail system in Keweenaw County, you’ll also find waterfalls to explore, and great places for bird watching.

A beautiful garden in Michigan

Best Michigan Botanical Gardens to Visit in 2025

Spring has sprung in Michigan and with the snow gone, the grass becomes greener every day. Budding trees invite the migratory birds back home and bees bumble around newly bloomed flowers. The way the world seems to come alive during spring beckons us out of our houses to break our hermetic winter ways.

For any and all nature enthusiasts and plant lovers, beautiful botanical gardens and nature centers are the perfect way to get outside and celebrate the coming of the new season. See an endless variety of plants, both native and exotic, learn about how plants work and contribute to ecosystems, and gain a new appreciation for the green machines in our own backyards.

From herb gardens and house gardens to public gardens complete with a sculpture exhibition, there are stunning Michigan botanical gardens throughout the state to explore. So go ahead, plan a road trip or field trip to check one of these amazing gardens.

Read on to learn about some of our favorite gardens to visit in Michigan.