Mackinac Island, one of the Best Places to Visit in Michigan, appears to have been lifted straight from a children's book. In this area, bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are the only legal modes of transportation. Attend an art exhibit, go kayaking on the water, groove to live music, or simply unwind while listening to the gentle sounds of the waves lapping the shore. Consider joining a walking tour with Mackinac Revealed if you want to discover the island's less well-known places with a native.

Visitors to Mackinac Island will experience a sense of time travel thanks to the island's old-world charm, which includes Victorian architecture and horse-drawn carriages. Since 1898, when cars were made illegal on the island, visitors, or "Fudgies," as the inhabitants refer to them, can only travel there by ferry or plane. Once on the island of Mackinac, travelers can sample some of the fudge that is famous across the world, visit historical sites like Fort Mackinac, and explore the state park that occupies more than 80% of the island. Despite the fact that Mackinac Island is open all year round, keep in mind that many of its attractions are closed in the winter.

Rankings:

• #1 in Best Places to Visit in Michigan

Location: Michigan

This village in western Michigan is proud of its Dutch ancestry. The downtown area is transformed into a celebration of all Dutch holiday customs throughout the holiday season, complete with wandering carolers and the open-air Christmas market known as Kerstmarkt. The town's countless tulip flowers are celebrated in the spring during the Tulip Time Festival, which features entertaining parades, events including traditional Dutch dance, and live musical performances.

Come and experience the authentically Dutch ambiance and flavors of Holland, Michigan, where you may stroll through the tulips in the spring or view a functioning Dutch windmill. On the shores of Lake Michigan, there are a number of beaches where you may unwind or go sailing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. Rental gear is offered from a number of outfitters. One of the best places for a romantic getaway in Michigan is Holland.

You can visit the Kruizenza Art Museum or the Holland Museum if you like art and history, while music fans can go to a performance by the Holland Chorale or the Holland Symphony Orchestra. The Critter Barn petting zoo will be appealing to kids.

Rankings:

• #2 in Best Places to Visit in Michigan

Location: Michigan

Grand Rapids, one of the Best Places to Visit in Michigan, has a fantastic blend of old-world architecture, educational museums, and family-friendly outdoor activities. Before visiting the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and the Grand Rapids Art Museum, take a self-guided walking tour of this enormous open-air museum at Heritage Hill to see an extraordinary collection of historic architecture that dates back to 1844.

All art enthusiasts should visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, and active visitors can go hiking in Millennium Park, ziplining at the John Ball Zoo, or kayaking along the Grand River Heritage Trail before quenching their thirst on one of several craft brewery tours.

This city in western Michigan, which is situated on the banks of the Grand River, is frequently disregarded in favor of the more well-known metropolises that are located across Lake Michigan, such as Chicago and Milwaukee. However, Michigan's second-largest city provides a worthwhile retreat because of its array of cultural attractions, breweries, and closeness to Lake Michigan's beach towns. Grand Rapids, which gets its name from the Grand River that runs through the city, was first inhabited by Hopewell Indians 2,000 years ago. A lumber boom that brought in craftspeople, carpenters, and woodworkers helped it gain notoriety as "America's Furniture Capital" more than a century later.

Grand Rapids doesn't disregard its heritage even though it has developed into a sophisticated metropolis with internationally renowned attractions. At the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (Ford is arguably the most well-known native son of the city), visitors can brush up on national history. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is one of the country's oldest museums. While taking in the attractions, indulge in a few beers to discover why Grand Rapids is known as "Beer City, USA," or browse the local markets to see why the region is frequently praised as one of the top growing regions in the world.

Rankings:

• #4 in Best Places to Visit in Michigan
• #17 in Best Weekend Getaways in the Midwest

Location: Michigan

The University of Michigan probably comes to mind when you think about Ann Arbor. In some ways, the two are interchangeable; while school is in session, you can't help but run into students on Main Street, and when football season rolls around, it's impossible to avoid the excitement that permeates the air. Ann Arbor, though, has a unique identity in other respects. The city's hidden fairy doors and distinctive festivities like Apple Daze in the fall and FestiFools in the spring serve as evidence of its peculiarity.

Even former President Barack Obama enjoyed the renowned Reuben sandwich at Zingerman's Deli, proving that Ann Arbor has what it takes to wow foodies. It's not a coincidence that the town is known as the "City of Trees"; tourists may kayak and trek along the verdant Huron River Water Trail or take in the splendor of the peony season at the Matthaei Botanical Garden in the early summer. No matter what time of year you go, you'll probably learn something new about Ann Arbor and wonder why you didn't plan a vacation to this Michigan treasure sooner.

Rankings:

• #2 in Best Weekend Getaways in the Midwest
  
• #5 in Best Places to Visit in Michigan

Location: Michigan

In the summer, visitors and locals flock to Saugatuck, which is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. You can choose from a number of beaches (popular ones include Saugatuck Dunes State Park and Oval Beach), boat cruises on the lake, or a space in the sand at one of the many beaches. Just be sure to allot some time so that you can peruse the things offered at the town's unique boutiques.

All tourists may find much to do in Saugatuck, especially during the summer when there seems to be something going on every day! One of the most romantic weekend trips in Michigan is to the quaint hamlet of Saugatuck.

Initially a port and lumber town, Saugatuck rose to prominence as an important center for the arts and as a popular tourist destination by the end of the 19th century. In the summer, visitors to Michigan come from all around because of its proximity to Lake Michigan, numerous art galleries, and charming downtown area.

Rankings:

• #3 in Best Places to Visit in Michigan

Location: Michigan

With 26 miles of sandy shoreline, Muskegon boasts the longest city on the western coasts of Lake Michigan. Numerous historic lighthouses as well as two state parks, including Hoffmaster State Park, may be found in the area. The park provides outdoor pursuits like hiking, camping, and dune climbing.

Additionally, Muskegon is home to a number of historical sites and museums, such as the restored houses at the Hackley & Hume Historic Site. Michigan's Adventure, the biggest theme park in the state, is located only a few miles from the city. Among the more than 50 rides available here are roller coasters, a water park with wave pools and slides, mini-golf, and go-karts.

Travelers who prefer to spend their vacations getting back in touch with nature are drawn to Muskegon. While Muskegon State Park is home to two campgrounds, several hiking and biking paths, and 26 miles of immaculate Lake Michigan beaches, there are many opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities like fishing and boating there. Ride the roller coasters at Michigan's Adventure or fly down the luge track at the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex for an even greater excitement.

Rankings:

• #6 in Best Places to Visit in Michigan

Location: Michigan

The sunny beaches, soaring dunes, inland lakes, and lush forests that make up the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore provide the ideal setting for an exciting back-to-nature getaway. The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, where you can pick up maps and see an orientation movie, is a wonderful spot to begin your trip.

You can go for a picturesque drive, engage in some dune climbing, hike or bike along the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, or go kayaking or paddling on the lovely Loon Lake, where you'll also get to see some animals. Spend some time exploring Glen Haven Village's historical district.

Sand dunes that rise more than 450 feet above Lake Michigan dominate Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which is renowned for its beautiful splendor. Visitors can climb the sand dunes to the top to take in the view or picnic at the bottom. Nearly 100 miles of hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing routes are also available in the protected region, including the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, which circles the shoreline past numerous dune formations and bodies of water.

Rankings:

• #7 in Best Places to Visit in Michigan

Location: Michigan

To the untrained eye, this small community of 15,000 people could appear to be just another picturesque lake town. Be assured, though, that Traverse City is much more. Over the years, this tourist resort in northern Michigan has developed a reputation as a cultural and culinary hotspot, which undoubtedly boosted its already stunning curb appeal. Every year, Traverse City hosts the Traverse City Film Festival, one of the biggest film festivals in the nation. Additionally, one of the biggest events in the nation is held there every year during the National Cherry Festival.

At the southernmost point of Traverse Bay, Traverse City enjoys a prime location with easy access to countless miles of fantastic beaches. The "city" exudes small-town charm and offers a wide range of recreational opportunities for visitors of all ages, including a vibrant arts scene where you can catch performances by the Traverse City Orchestra at the City Opera House, the Interlochen Center for the Arts, and the Dennos Museum Center.

While foodies may enjoy brewery and vineyard tours and fantastic farm-to-fork restaurants, outdoor enthusiasts can immerse themselves in a variety of water sports or explore the various hiking and bike trails in the area. For excursions to lighthouses and museums, set aside some time.

Rankings:

• #8 in Best Places to Visit in Michigan

Location: Michigan

When you visit the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, you will have the opportunity to explore more than 40 kilometers of breathtakingly beautiful Lake Superior shoreline. A varied scenery with beaches, dunes, waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, lovely forests, and lakes may be seen there.

90 miles of trails allow trekking against this scenery, some of which include backcountry camping. Other activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, swimming, and diving in the winter; and picnicking, boating, and camping in the summer. Day walks, evening programs, and boat tours are just a few of the guided tours and events offered by rangers.

In Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Pictured Rocks, the country's first national lakeshore, with a view of Lake Superior. Its stunning, varied scenery draws outdoor enthusiasts all year long. Depending on the season, visitors can view everything from spring wildflowers to vibrant fall foliage to stunning ice sculptures on the lakeshore's roughly 100 kilometers of hiking trails. In addition, guests can go boating and swimming in the warmer months and ice climbing and cross-country skiing in the winter. But keep in mind that there are no lifeguards on duty at the lakeshore's beaches, so visitors should exercise caution when entering Lake Superior's erratic waves.

Rankings:

• #9 in Best Places to Visit in Michigan

Location: Michigan

One of the most well-liked tourist spots in the state is this village on Lake Michigan's northeastern shore. Petoskey is home to three significant ski resorts with more than 160 slopes and numerous terrain parks, however it is perhaps best recognized as a destination for cold-weather getaways. Other winter sports like ice skating, snowmobiling, and sledding are also available for visitors to attempt. There is the famous Gaslight Shopping District, which is crammed with a variety of stores and eateries, for tourists who are less daring.

The picturesque lakeside towns of Harbor Springs, Petoskey, and Bay Harbor are all part of the Petoskey Area in northern Michigan, which makes it a desirable vacation spot. Try one of the many scenic routes to take advantage of the vibrant color during the most beautiful time of year to visit, which is fall.

The Boyne Mountain chairlift, the trails in the Avalanche Mountain Preserve, the beaches, a variety of water activities, hiking, and biking are all available in the summer. There are three ski resorts and the Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark for wintertime entertainment. There are several live entertainment alternatives as well as a number of museums for rainy days.

Rankings:

• #10 in Best Places to Visit in Michigan

Location: Michigan