Get Michigan Travel inspiration in your inbox and Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter Now!
Make the most of summer in Michigan with guides to the best beaches, lakes, outdoor festivals, and adventure activities. Find top swimming spots, boating destinations, hiking trails, and must-visit beach towns. Our summer category is your go-to resource for warm-weather escapes, waterfront dining, family vacations, and classic summer events in Michigan.
In search of the perfect beach day, we headed to northern Michigan and one of our favorite vacation destinations: the sandy beaches of Oscoda, MI. This fun Lake Huron beach town has the perfect setting for all kinds of recreational activities from swimming and kayaking to hiking and biking to fishing and paddle boarding to…you get the picture
Looking to do some camping in or near Oscoda MI? The Huron coast of Michigan isn’t called the Sunrise Side for nothing, and there are so many amazing camping sites in Oscoda where you can get up with the sunshine, camped out right on the edge of a lake. Or you can wake up in the woods, listening to birdsong and smelling pine trees.
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.
Travel Guide for Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula | Vacation planner for the Keweenaw Peninsula | Porcupine Mountains | Lake of the Clouds | Upper Peninsula Waterfalls | Skiing | Snowmobiling | Hiking |Camping | Fishing | Iron Mountain | Houghton
Charming Suttons Bay in northern Michigan’s Leelanau County is filled with fun shopping, restaurants and the beautiful beaches of Grand Traverse Bay. Visit this quaint village and surrounding area to find wineries, breweries, hiking biking and endless opportunity for outdoor activities.
Last Updated: March 2026 South Haven, Michigan is a town of 4,500 people with a restaurant scene that routinely…
Lake Huron is synonymous with wide, sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters. It’s a perfect spot for swimming, splashing and playing in the freshwater surf.
We’re sure that Lake Huron’s stunning coast is a true natural Michigan treasure, and we think you’ll agree once you’ve visited.
We’re sharing everything you need to know about visiting Lake Huron in Michigan.
We’re also giving you an interactive Lake Huron Travel Map, to make sure you don’t miss a spot on this beautiful coast.
Read on to discover everything you need to know to start planning or visit to this magical Michigan coastline.
River camping is a fun and exciting way to experience the many beautiful bodies of water Michigan offers.
There’s something so enticing about packing up, situating yourself in a canoe or kayak, and floating down the river to experience Michigan’s natural beauties. Whether you enjoy fishing, rowing, or just want to take on a challenge, river camping is sure to provide something for you to enjoy.
There are so many rivers to choose from in Michigan, and it may be overwhelming to narrow down which ones you want to visit on your trip.
This list compiles ten of our favorite spots you should consider on your next river camping trip, with suggested boat launching coordinates to accompany the descriptions.
Lexington | Lexington MI Travel Guide | Where to eat, shop, stay, and enjoy Lexington Michigan | Visit charming Lexington and the beautiful Lake Huron beaches | Lakeport State Park | Lexington State Harbor | Cottages to rent in Michigan
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.
Looking for the best beach towns to visit on Lake Huron? You’re in luck, because I grew up spending every summer on Lake Huron’s sparkling shores, and still do now. The Lake Huron coast is a beautiful place to visit, unique and charming towns waiting for you to explore from Mackinaw City in Northern Michigan to Port Huron on the Thumb Coast.
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.
If you’re planning a trip to explore Mackinac Island, chances are good that you’ll be taking Mackinac Island ferry boats to get there.
Whether you leave from St. Ignace or Mackinaw City, these two Mackinac Island Ferries, Shepler’s Ferry and Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry, will get you there.
Discover East Tawas and Tawas City, MI, also known as the Cape Cod of the Midwest. Set on beautiful Tawas Bay, these cute Michigan beach towns are a perfect travel destination for visitors looking for beautiful beaches and outdoor activities.
Last Updated: March 2026 Torch Lake is 19 miles long, up to 285 feet deep, and has turquoise water…
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.
Discover the scenic Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and explore all of the popular tourist attractions along this dramatic Lake Superior Shoreline. Miners falls, Chapel Rocks, Grand Sable Beach and Sable Falls and Hurricane River.
I have found some of the most pristine beaches in the Upper Peninsula along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a mix of soft sand beaches and rocky beaches, too.
Looking for a fun place to vacation with a seemingly endless sandy shoreline perfect for swimming and splashing?
If you enjoy exploring historic lighthouses, discovering ice cream stores with authentic, old-fashioned soda-fountains, trying new craft beer offerings, sandy dunes adventures, and visiting butterfly gardens, Port Austin, Michigan is the place for you.
Read on to discover a Michigan beach vacation spot that brims with fun during the summer month and put Port Austin on your bucket list today.
Looking for your very own cinematic pure Michigan trip? While the state has many opportunities to enjoy those looming structures once used and some still used to aid navigation for boaters back to the shore, the best place to see lighthouses is on Lake Huron in northern Michigan. Indoor tours of these Lakehouses of Lake Huron as well as some beautiful scenery surrounding make these the best date location, family fun day, or a solo trip anyone can make any one of these following destinations the perfect day trip.
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.
Natural Michigan means clean freshwater lakes, endless streams and rivers, waterfalls, forests, and even towering sand dunes. The natural wonders of pure Michigan are endless, an ongoing outdoor adventure with endless opportunities for hiking camping, horseback riding or simply relaxing in Michigan’s natural communities. From the upper peninsula to the lower peninsula, Michigan’s natural features inventory is endless.
Looking for a fun place to vacation with a seemingly endless sandy beach perfect for swimming and splashing?
You’ll want to check out Caseville, Michigan , a summer resort-town gem located at the tip of Michigan’s “Thumb” area.
The coast of Michigan’s thumb area has been a favorite vacation destination for beach-goers who love the soft sand and warm waters of Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay.
If you’re looking for a Michigan beach vacation spot that brims with fun during the summer months, put Caseville on your bucket list today.
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.
Michigan’s state stone, the Petoskey stone and its lesser-known cousin, the Charlevoix stone
are favored unique treasures for beach-goers. Though elusive and sometimes tricky to find, these stones remain a beloved symbol of our Great Lakes and the magnificent shores along them. So how do you find the elusive Petoskey stone?
Planning some camping in South Haven, Michigan?
It’s that time of the year, when the days are longer and warmer and all you want to do is spend all day basking in the sun. It’s when any whiff of campfire smoke sends a wave of nostalgia through your bones and all you can think about is how badly you want to cook some s’mores.
It’s time to go camping.
South Haven Travel Guide | Discover South Haven’s BEST beaches and plan a South Haven beach vacation | Find ADA and Wheelchair friendly beaches | Dog-friendly beaches | Best Family-friendly travel spots in South Haven | South Haven Breweries | South Haven wineries | South haven Vacation rentals | Best Beaches in Lake Michigan
If you’re in need a romantic getaway or relaxing beach vacation, the cozy Saugatuck hotels and Bed and Breakfast’s are just what you need.
The winning combination of stunning landscapes studded with sandy dunes and Lake Michigan combined with a vibrant downtown filled with one-of-a-kind boutiques and wineries, breweries and restaurants has everyone planning an escape to this vacation hideaway in west Michigan, not far from Grand Rapids, MI.
Shhhh…we’re going to let you in on some of Michigan’s best-kept secret beaches. These are the beaches that you only learn about if you ask a “local”… the clandestine spots that the people who live near these beach keep to themselves. Sometimes, those “in-the-know” will share this exclusive information with you if you ask really, really nicely :). We have asked nicely, and that it what we will share with you.
There is no shortage of hotels in Mackinaw City, one of the top tourist destinations in Michigan.The challenge is finding the right place for your stay, whether you’re headed for Mackinac islands historical sites, crossing the Mackinac Bridge to St. Ignace, or simply visiting downtown Mackinaw City. Mackinaw City, MI, is set at the tip of Michigan’s mitten, on the shores of Lake Huron. It overlooks the straits of Mackinac, where you’ll see a Mackinac Island ferry or two going back and forth across the water all day long.
Information about ADA Accessible beaches, Barrier-free and Handicap Accessible beaches, Dog-Friendly beaches and family-friendly beaches in the Grand Haven and Holland areas and activities for visitors. Find information about Lake Michigan beach activities and beach amenities in Grand Haven and Holland areas. Information about hotels, cottages and other lodging accommodations in Grand Haven and Holland areas. Information about where to eat and dining options in Grand Haven and Holland areas. Find information about recreational activities in the Grand Haven and Holland areas.
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.
If you haven’t visited the beautiful Mackinac Island MI, it should be at the top of your Michigan bucket list. Nothing is quite like it – the lakeside views while biking on the coast; the quaint, car-free village with a connected community; the mouth-watering fudge on virtually every corner of the island.
With a Mackinac Island Michigan guide like this one, you’ll be able to plan your vacation and explore Mackinac without missing anything. Whether you’re getting ready for a solo trip to Mackinac or you’re visiting Mackinac Island with kids and other family, there is an endless supply of things to do and enjoy during your stay. Also, if you’re looking for Mackinac Island date ideas, you’ve come to the right place!
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!
With over 100 Great Lakes lighthouses to see, visit, tour and explore, it’s really no wonder we love them so much, but did you know that some Michigan lighthouses offer the chance to stay overnight? Whether through B&B operations, rental opportunities, or the chance to become a volunteer keeper, staying overnight in a lighthouse on the Great Lakes should be on everyone’s Michigan bucket list.
Traverse City is located in Michigan’s Northwest Region of the Lower Peninsula and is home to miles of picturesque hiking and biking trails, endless local breweries and wineries, miles of sandy shores along turquoise blue waters, and a quaint downtown life perfect for shopping, enjoying local restaurants, and family fun!
Michigan Islands?
That’s right. When you think about the mitten-shaped state of Michigan, the word “island” doesn’t come to mind. Beautiful lakes? Check. Amazing hiking trails? Check. Culinary craft? Check. All four seasons? Check. The list goes on and on.
But now, Islands?
Michigan offers all there is to have in a state and more, and now these 17 Must-Visit Michigan Islands are ones to add to the top of your to-do list when it comes to new treasured experiences in Michigan. From populated islands to remote isles, there is an island in Michigan for you.
For a memorable escape and a unique adventure, these Michigan Islands will have you forgetting you’re located in the Midwest.
Information about ADA-Compliant, Dog-friendly and family-friendly beaches in Charlevoix and Petoskey and Harbor Springs and activities for visitors. Find information about Lake Michigan and Little Traverse Bay beach activities and beach amenities in Charlevoix and Petoskey and Harbor Springs. Information about hotels, cottages and other lodging accommodations in Charlevoix and Petoskey and Harbor Springs. Information about where to eat and dining options in Charlevoix and Petoskey and Harbor Springs. Find information about recreational activities in the Charlevoix and Petoskey and Harbor Springs as well activities for visitors such as Kayaking, Hiking and Biking and more.
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.
Welcome to Holland, the west Michigan home to tulips, beach towns, and one great trip idea! When you visit Holland, there are some essential things you have to do before you leave. We know the highlights of this beautiful little town, and we don’t want you to arrive unprepared.
Whether you’re going for a Holland day trip or planning to stay a few nights, we’ve got you covered.
For Metro Detroiters, the perfect destination for a quick getaway is a short drive to downtown Detroit to visit the jewel of the city, Belle Isle.
Belle Isle State Park, a spectacular 982-acre island in the middle of the Detroit River, is the perfect example of natural beauty in the midst of a metropolis.
Trip planning ideas for Traverse City, MI | BEST beaches in Traverse City | Attractions & Activities | Lodging and Dining | Vacation Planning Ideas | Best Lake Michigan Beaches | Grand Traverse County Travel | Travel | Family-Friendly Vacation in Traverse City | ADA and Wheelchair Accessible beaches in traverse City | Old Mission Peninsula | Traverse City Wineries