Beaches

Summertime may be almost over but there’s still time for a last-minute Michigan getaway. With more than 3000 miles of Great Lakes coastline, endless inland lakes, and forests to hike, there is still time to find a summer fun adventure in pure Michigan.
Let’s face it: Michigan travel is some of the best travel in the United States. We’re spoiled here, with great state parks, fun beach towns, national lakeshores and more. From the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Tahquamenon Falls in the U.P; to Grand Rapids and even small town Ann Arbor, Michigan, everywhere in between, Michigan has tons of great places for weekend getaways. You can find tons of fun travel spots just hours or minutes from metro Detroit, Grand Rapids
Whether you’re looking for romantic getaways or a great place to take the family or simply want to get outside we’re sharing 15 fabulous last minute getaways in Michigan. Labor Day is just around the corner, so read on for some great vacation ideas for a weekend trip or getaways in Michigan before the summer’s out.

It may well be the most scenic drive in Michigan, and that’s saying a lot for a state known for its stunning natural beauty.Set in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a 7.4-mile loop through the heart of dunes, taking you through hardwood forests filled with beech, maple, and birch to breathtaking vistas of Lake Michigan, Empire, Glen Haven, Glen Arbor, and the surrounding inland lakes and dunes.

Ever wonder why vacationer’s from across the Midwest flock to Michigan beaches every summer? The answer is simple: the wide, sandy beaches of Michigan’s Great Lakes are almost Caribbean-like. With a freshwater coastline almost 3,200 miles long, the beautiful beaches of Michigan are a best-kept secret.

No matter where your interests lie, there are fun things to do in Michigan. Michigan attractions range from the natural (think towering sand dunes or Isle Royale) to popular tourist attractions like the Detroit Institute of Arts or the Henry Ford Museum. You kind visit a Michigan museum or discovery center, or try exciting outdoor activities like boating, swimming, hiking, and even dog sledding.

From our expansive Great Lakes to smaller serene inland lakes, a day at the lake is a Michigan summer staple and finding the right lake for a swim can make or break a trip. With hundreds of lakes to choose from all around the state, the choice can be a tough one.

So we’ve made it easy by gathering a list of the best lakes in the state, including both inland and part of the Great Lakes waterways. At these lakes you can go swimming, water skiing, fishing, or boating with confidence, knowing that it’s one of the most beautiful and clean lakes in the state.

With 4,481 acres of land, painted with rolling hills, wooded hiking trails, a waterpark and two sandy beaches, it’s no wonder Kensington Metropark in Milford MI is a premier nature park in Metro Detroit.

The Grand Haven beaches are some of the best beaches in West Michigan. From busy, bustling beaches with tons of amenities (and people, too) to quiet, natural beaches surrounded by towering dunes and wide open spaces, the beaches of Grand Haven are pretty amazing.
The best part? Most of them are dog-friendly, and that means your beach day just got even better. Although there are great beaches downtown, if you’re willing to drive a little bit, the beaches in the Grand area are pretty great, too.

With endless miles of pristine public beaches from Port Huron to Mackinaw City, the Lake Huron beaches are some of the best in the entire state.

From quiet, secluded beaches to busy, bustling spots filled with fun beach activities, there’s a beach for everyone on Michigan’s spectacular Lake Huron coastline.
Whether you’re planning a quick day trip or a longer vacation, you’ll also need to know more about the sparkling sands and aqua waters of Lake Huron. We’re sharing a list of 20 of our favorite Lake Huron beaches to help you plan your perfect trip to a Michigan beach.

Longing for the relaxation of a quiet Lake Michigan beach?

Eager to explore a quaint Michigan beachtown with a laid-back, small-town vibe?

If so, put beautiful New Buffalo, MI in Berrien County on your travel list today.

We’ve been visiting New Buffalo and the Harbor Country our entire life and want to tell you: there is something special about this hidden little beachtown, tucked away snug of the shores of Lake Michigan.

From the moment you exit the expressway (it’s just off I-94, if that’s how you choose to come), you can’t help but take a deep breath and feel the magic, like a soft lake breeze that sweeps over your entire being.

Silver Beach County Park in St. Joseph is one of the top beaches on Lake Michigan.

Consistently found on every list of “best lakeside beaches,” Lake Michigan beaches are known for their sparkling clear water, clean beaches, and views that seem photoshopped. Silver Beach is no different: wide, clean beaches; strikingly blue water and some of the best views in southwest Michigan.