Michigan

Framed by four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan is all about the great outdoors—cherry blossoms in spring, swimming and boating around Lake Huron in summer, fiery foliage everywhere in fall, and skating and ice fishing on Lake Michigan come winter. Revitalized Detroit has become a cultural capital. Its dynamic food scene runs from East African dishes at Baobob Fare to the seasonal fruit pies at Sister Pie. Culture is everywhere, from outdoor walls that get fresh murals each year courtesy of the festival BLKOUT Walls to the Detroit Institute of Arts and Motown Museum.

Isle Royale National Park on Lake Superior in Michigan with pine trees all along the coastline

Isle Royale National Park is among the natural wonders along Lake Superior in Michigan.

Arlene Waller/Shutterstock

Overview

Planning your trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to Michigan.

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Read Before You Go
Hotels
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Resources to help plan your trip
Create an art-filled fall with these exhibits that feature everything from contemporary Korean art to never-before-seen paintings from Basquiat.
When you think of Detroit you often don’t think of natural sites and green spaces. Visions of factories spewing smoke come to mind, but Detroit is in Michigan: a state known for pristine beaches and lovely public land. While you might have to head further out of the city center to experience Michigan’s true natural beauty, Detroit and its surrounding areas do offer spots for reflection and relaxation. Here are our top five outdoor spaces in or near Detroit.
Craft cocktails are all the rage the world over and Detroit is no exception. Chic watering holes have been sprouting up all over town, from Downtown to Corktown to the city outskirts. Bartenders have made it their duty to create specialty drinks out of housemade or high-end spirits and customers have rejoiced. The jury is still out on who crafts the best drinks but you’ll have a fun time deciding your favorite in a city where drinking is a spectator sport.
Due to the construction boom in Detroit, new hotels are popping up left and right and there’s something for everyone and every budget. From hipster-chic hotels to luxury icons to cozy inns, Detroit offers a variety of accommodations to suit any taste. Most properties are situated in Midtown, Downtown, Greektown, and Corktown, so you can rest assured you’ll be near all the action.
Detroit-style pizza, Coney Island hot dogs, and amazing Middle Eastern food are just three staples of the Detroit food scene. Here are some tops spots to try them.
New York and Washington D.C. may have more cultural institutions per square mile but Detroit has plenty to offer any visitor looking for something that’s not food-, drink-, or sports-related. Start the day at the Detroit Institute of Arts, a world-class museum that almost had to sell its paintings a few years back. Luckily, you can still enjoy your Rembrandts and Rodins in peace. Take in a play or an opera or learn about the stars. You’ll need more than a day to see the cultural sites here.
From boutiques featuring artisanal wares, to one of the most historic open-air markets in the world, to a haven for bibliophiles, Detroit offers a wide range of shopping destinations for every person on your gift list. Stroll through miles of books at John K. King Used & Rare Books or look for that elusive vinyl reissue at Records for the People. You won’t be disappointed in the Motor City.
From Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin to Grand Portage State Park in Minnesota, hikers, campers, and outdoor adventurers will want to add these 12 best state parks in the Midwest to their list.
Veer off the beaten path to small-town U.S.A.
Amanda Alexander, an attorney and founding executive director of the Detroit Justice Center, knows her city is at a crossroads. How it responds could set an example for the rest of the country.
A visit to any of these bold works of art, emblazoned on city walls across the country, is a reminder of the urgency of our many different battles for equal rights, both past and present.
Live the island life—or at least dream of it during the cold front—at these tiki-inspired bars across the country.
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