Ultimate Michigan bucket list: 31 things you didn't know you must do
From the sandy shores of Michigan's beaches to dog sledding in the Upper Peninsula and the beautiful landmarks you'll find downstate, the Great Lakes State has countless gems to behold.
There are so many things to do in our state that the Free Press' Ultimate Michigan bucket list probably contains items you didn't know you needed to do.
For this list, we tapped expertise from every corner of the Free Press newsroom, dipping into the knowledge of employees who have scoured Michigan for decades — and those who have made discoveries as newly minted Michiganders.
Here are 31 things you didn't know you needed to do:
Take a shipwreck tour on a glass-bottom boat
We've all heard songs and stories about Great Lakes shipwrecks, but have you seen them? Take this accessible and affordable trip through the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where you'll see several wrecks and stay dry, thanks to tours on a glass-bottom boat. The attraction in Lake Huron's Thunder Bay recently drew the attention of the New York Times, which offered a rave review that stated in part there is, "something undeniably stirring about being in the sanctuary."
— Dave Boucher, Michigan government and politics reporter
Spend the night in a lighthouse
Have you ever wanted to spend a night in a lighthouse? Well, head to Big Bay In Michigan's Upper Peninsula and book an evening at Big Bay Point Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast, one of the few surviving resident lighthouses in the U.S. Built in 1896 on a cliff overlooking Lake Superior, the lighthouse acted as a signal post between Granite and Huron islands. In the '60s, the lighthouse was sold into private ownership and is currently in the hands of Nick Korstad, who lives on-site and runs the B&B. Korstad has filled the inn with loads of maritime-inspired decor including the original third order Fresnel lens that was built in France in 1895. The 120-foot light tower — which is accessible to guests — offers amazing sunset views over the big lake.
— Kathy Kieliszewski, senior news director-visuals
Ice climbing at Pictured Rocks
That’s right — it’s cold, you’re tethered to a rope, and the only thing between you and a vertical wall of ice is the sharp metal of ice axes and crampons. There’s no arguing that ice climbing takes a whole lot of determination and a pinch of courage, but there’s also no better way to experience winter along Lake Superior's frozen sandstone cliffs. One of the best ways to try this sport safely is at the annual Michigan Ice Fest, which offers demo gear and a wide range of classes, as well as nightly slideshows from some of the best climbers on Earth. Simply put, it’s an experience not to be missed. Sign up early as the Michigan Ice Fest grows in popularity every year.
— Brian Kaufman, executive video producer
Find evidence of life from 300 million years ago
Hundreds of millions of years before there were Great Lakes, Michigan was covered in a primordial sea. Evidence of the corals, plants and other aquatic creatures that lived at that time can be found by strolling the Lake Huron shoreline, looking for fossils. Ancient corals, crinoids (a relative of starfish), trilobites and other long-extinct marine animals have left their imprints on many shoreline rocks in a beautiful way. A stroll along Lake Huron at Lakeport State Park, located at 7605 Lakeshore Road in Lakeport, is sure to bear fruit. Or try Fort Gratiot County Park a few miles down the road, off M-25 on Metcalf Road. Leave some for everybody else, though — the state limits fossil finds on state land to 25 pounds per person, per year.
— Keith Matheny, Great Lakes and nvironment reporter
More: Where to find 5 of Michigan's coolest rocks
A coffee (or a cocktail) at Spkrbox
By day, Spkrbox presents as a coffee shop, offering espresso drinks and light bites. After hours, though, the venue duals as a cocktail bar and lounge. Encased in floor-to-ceiling windows, guests can dance into the wee hours of the night to the beats of a live DJ while overlooking downtown Detroit with views of Capitol Park
— Lyndsay C. Green, estaurant ritic
The Arcadia Bluffs experience
Take in one of the most dramatic scenes in the state at the Bluffs Course in Arcadia, on the western shores of Lake Michigan. Wide fairways and firm terrain weave between towering dunes, with high-wall bunkers protecting large, bounding greens. Be sure to make a dinner reservation about one-and-a-half hours before the sun sets for the perfect nightcap of food, drinks, views and bagpipes. Then wake up the next day, drive four minutes down the road from the Bluffs and face a rare and unique challenge — "complexity veiled by simplicity" — on the geometrical tees, bunkers and greens of the South Course.
— Marlowe Alter, assistant sports editor
Eat barbecue in Dearborn
While eating at Westpoint BBQ in Dearborn, you'll see people entering and leaving all day, sometimes with multiple bags of food. The longtime restaurant has been operating since 1985. It offers a variety of barbecue favorites, including pulled pork, ribs, chicken, hamburgers and seafood, along with a long list of other dishes. When ordering, ask for the broasted potato wedges instead of the French fries.
— Chanel Stitt, business reporter
The magic of Marshall
Take a day trip to Marshall or stay overnight at a B&B downtown in the historic district, home to all kinds of unique shops. Located about 90 minutes west of Detroit, the tiny town was founded in 1830. It was a top pick to be Michigan’s capital, so much so that a Governor’s Mansion was even built there. But the town lost by one vote to Lansing. Today, it is home to the famous Schuler’s Bar and Pub and Dark Horse Brewery. Marshall also is known for its architecture including the world-famous Honolulu House built in 1860 by Abner Pratt, a former chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and U.S. consul to Hawaii under President James Buchanan. On the way to Marshall, stop at a couple of wineries near Jackson and head for the tasting rooms.
— Jamie LaReau, automotive reporter
Where the Mushroom Houses reign
On your next stop to Charlevoix, head off the main drag and be sure to check out the famed stone houses, affectionally known as the Mushroom Houses. Constructed mainly from giant boulders stone builder Earl Young is said to have found in the Lake Michigan town 100 or so years ago, the houses are architectural must-sees — part mystical, part marvel. You'll find some of them right in town and others farther along Lake Michigan in a neighborhood called Boulder Park. My fan-girl visit (and any recent knowledge I have about these houses) is thanks to a one-hour guided tour in an open-air GEM electric car offered through mushroomhousetours.com. But you can also see the houses on a self-guided walking or driving tour. Worth the time and the smiles.
— Sally Tato Snell, assistant autos editor
Greenmead Historical Park in Livonia
Located at Newburgh and 8 Mile Roads, Greenmead is a gem. It is a miniature Greenfield Village. It has some of Livonia's original and oldest homes and businesses, built when Livonia was first settled in the 1830s. There is an old church (in fact many couples choose to get married in it and have a reception in a nearby turn-of-the-century hall). The main house, called the Simmons-Hill House, was the mansion that was on the site when Livonia was established and is about 180 years old. At Christmas, it is gorgeously decorated, and provides a peek into what a holiday life was like back then. Greenmead also does a biannual Flea Market that is well worth attending to find unique items for a great price.
— Jamie LaReau, automotive reporter
Dead River Falls, Marquette
Tucked away on Marquette's back roads is a beautiful set of falls that requires a bit of semi-treacherous trekking to reach. Perfect in summer and fall, this secluded spot is swimmable and great if you're feeling a little bit adventurous.
— Tovah Olson, manager-content strategy
Enjoy a scenic pier in Monroe County
Evans Pier and Public Beach is a city-owned recreation area along the Lake Erie shoreline in Luna Pier. It's a hidden treasure of Monroe County, where it is a favorite scenic spot among locals. Follow I-75 to Exit 6, take Luna Pier Road east into Luna Pier and the shoreline park at the end of the road quickly comes into view. You'll find fantastic views of the lake from the boardwalk and swimming beach, especially around sunrise and sunset. Bring your fishing gear to cast a line off the pier, and your camera to snap photos of nearby boats and the lighthouse building. The beach is open dawn to dusk; the pier is open 24 hours. Park admission is free, but parking spaces for visitors require paid passes from the kiosk near the beach or via mobile app; signs with instructions are on-site (parking instructions via pdf here).
— Paula Wethington, digital producer
UAW Black Lake Conference Center campground
The campground located in Onaway is tucked away in the woods within the UAW Black Lake Conference Center on Black Lake. The grounds are beautiful. There's plenty to do with a beach, indoor pool and golf course on the property. Visitors should be aware that only American and Canadian union-made vehicles are allowed on-site. All others must use a parking facility outside the entrance.
— Tanya Wildt, web editor
Go strawberry picking
Mid-June is prime strawberry time in Michigan. Spend the day picking your own bright red sweet, sun-ripened berries. There are dozens of U-pick farms from which to choose, including Whittaker's Berry Farm in Ida, Rowe's Produce Farm in Ypsilanti, Donahee Farms in Plymouth, and Verellen Orchards and Cider Mill in Washington Township. Fresh strawberries are delicious just the way they are or sweetened with a little sugar and served with shortcake and whipped cream or baked in a pie.
— Kristen Jordan Shamus, health and gender reporter
Catch a Detroit City FC match
It's not just soccer, it's an experience. Detroit City FC fans are small but mighty; the team draws a loyal and spirited crowd of thousands to each match at Hamtramck's Keyworth Stadium. Half the stadium stands and chants for all 90 minutes, and colored smoke bombs go off with each goal DCFC scores. Some fans start off at the Fowling Warehouse and march over to the game together. The team plays in the USL Championship League. General admission tickets are just $12, and the team plays from March to October.
— Emma Stein, reporter
Kayak the Au Sable River
As the Au Sable River wends toward Oscoda on the shores of Lake Huron, the scenery exerts as much of a pull as the water. At some of its widest parts, the river cuts through a gorge with towering bluffs that remind you of your smallness in such a landscape. As it gets closer to town, the river narrows and the scenery draws closer. A series of switchbacks provide multiple chances to see something stunning. Fish keep pace beside your kayak as if to say hello. A white-tailed deer, in ghostlike silence, nips out of the trees for a drink before disappearing into the dark leaves. An American bald eagle browses the lunch menu from 50 feet above and then glides down to a log for a drink and a quick bath. Mornings are the quietest part of the day and the best time to see the wildlife. If you don’t own a kayak, they’re easy to rent nearby and worth the price.
— John Wisely, reporter
Turnip Rock
This magical site in the clear, shallow waters off Port Austin is accessible only by kayak or canoe or paddleboard. It's a 7-mile round trip adventure. The trip takes anywhere from two to four hours, depending on kayakers' fitness level.
— Phoebe Wall Howard, automotive reporter
A castle fit for a magical stay
The Henderson Castle Resort Spa and Restaurant, 100 Monroe in Kalamazoo, is absolutely exquisite, from its lavishly decorated rooms filled with antiques to its fine dining. And it's incredibly affordable compared with similar venues. The resort has a vineyard from which it makes its own wine. A bonus: The castle also is rumored to be one of the most haunted places in Michigan. It's a perfect getaway for an overnight or weekend visit, not far from the Gilmore Car Museum or one of the oodles of craft breweries in Kalamazoo.
— Maryann Struman, Freep Now editor
Visit a Michigan ghost town
There are dozens of abandoned towns that dot both Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Most were once busy mining or lumber towns that were deserted when the jobs went elsewhere and then the people did, too. This photo is from the town of Central, in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, which once had a population of 1,200 but where most former structures are now overgrown by forest. The copper mining town was dependent on Central Mine, which operated from 1856 to 1898.
— Paul Egan, Lansing bureau chief
More: For some in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a ghost town is home
Follow the Huron River on your bike
Bike enthusiasts are still waiting for the day when the scenic Huron River Drive in and around Ann Arbor will be closed periodically to motorized traffic. But until then, be sure to check out the ever-expanding Border-to-Border trail that takes you off-road and onto a beautiful paved path along the Huron River. Check out this site for the latest on the trail, which hopes to span the entirety of Washtenaw County.
— Matthew Dolan, investigations editor
Beaches and golf in Harbor Springs
Home to beautiful beaches and some of the top golf courses in the state, Harbor Springs is quintessential Up North Michigan in the summer. It's close enough to Mackinac Island to make a quick day trip and also is on the other side of the bay from Petoskey if you want to do some shopping. In the winter, two of the biggest ski areas in the state are just 10 minutes away. It's as good as it gets in the itten!
— Tony Garcia, sports reporter
More: These 6 public golf courses in Michigan are among the best in the country
Chef Greg's Soul-N-The Wall in Detroit
2022 marks the 20th anniversary of Greg Beard's Detroit carryout restaurant, Chef Greg's Soul-in-the-Wall. However, through his Boogaloo sandwich, Beard is able to transport customers back to a special time beginning in the 1960s when the popular Brothers Bar-B-Que first served the one-of-a-kind creation at a few different locations across the city, including the current location of Chef Greg's restaurant (10009 Curtis at Wyoming in Detroit's Bagley community). Beard's sandwich is not from a recipe passed down by Brothers, instead, it represents his very best effort to replicate a uniquely Detroit comfort food. Today, Chef Greg offers four versions of the Boogaloo, featuring either ground beef, ribeye steak, chicken or vegetables served with caramelized onions, melted cheese and the Boogaloo sauce made famous by Brothers, on a toasted 8-inch bun.
— Scott Talley, neighborhoods reporter
Play golf, 1898-style
Near what's now the first tee box at Wawashkamo Golf Club on Mackinac Island, the heathen British fired cannon volleys to repel American invaders in August 1814. The British held the high ground, but the U.S. ultimately gained control of Mackinac, and the scenic hilltop and surrounding fields and woods now hold a links course that's virtually unchanged since Scotsman Alex Smith designed it in 1898. Each of the nine holes has two tee boxes, so the course plays as a par-72 with 18 distinctive looks. You can bring your own clubs, rent something familiar from the pro shop, or — for a fully magical trip to the past — rent hickory sticks. Pro tip: Some of the locals will hit a ball from each tee box and play them both all the way to the hole, allowing a full round in only 2½ hours.
— Neal Rubin, columnist
Take a kayak brewery tour
Did you know you can kayak down Boardman River while also stopping by Traverse City's plethora of breweries? Try the Paddle for Pints or the Kayak, Bike & Brew structured tours — or just bring a kayak to Boardman Lake and do it yourself, if you'd like! This route allows you to stop by the likes of The Filling Station Microbrewery, Right Brain Brewery, Rare Bird Brewpub, Workshop Brewing Co. and North Peak Brewing Co., among others.
— Brian Manzullo, social, search and audience editor
Deluxx Fluxx in Detroit
This underground bar, arcade and nightclub is a go-to for a thrill at every turn. Craft cocktails, classic video games and an air hockey table, live performances and sought-after DJs make Deluxx Fluxx a place for all. If you're not one for the dance floor, a glow-in-the-dark room with neon accents is ideal for Instagram photos and TikTok videos. Deluxx Fluxx has recently opened a second location at the historic Webster Hall in New York City. See it in its original location in Detroit first!
— Lyndsay C. Green, restaurant critic
More: The Top 10 best new restaurants in metro Detroit for 2022
See the northern lights
Michigan is one of the best places in America to see the northern lights, and not just because it's situated along the upper mainland United States. It has seven excellent dark sky parks for stargazing, including the Headlands International Dark Sky Park, a 600-acre, wooded preserve along the Lake Michigan shoreline near Mackinaw City. The wintertime provides ample opportunities to see the aurora borealis phenomenon at least several times a year, so just keep tabs on the geomagnetic forecast and pack your bags the next time conditions are just right.
— Brian Manzullo, social, search and audience editor
A cozy night at the drive-in
Michigan once had more than 100 drive-in theaters during their heyday in the 1950s; now, there's roughly only a dozen. And you don't just have to go in the summer, either; you can catch a double feature at the Ford-Wyoming,
More: Michigan's 11 drive-in theaters
— Melanie Maxwell, deputy director of photo/video
Beaver Island
One of the most isolated places in Michigan, Beaver Island lies 32 miles from the state’s northwest coast. It requires either a two-hour ferry ride or an ear-rattling small plane ride to get there, and even then only in good weather. Only about 500 people live here all year among 54 square miles of beaches and woods, most clustered in a tiny strip of old homes, small shops, quirky little hotels, sun-faded boat docks and a couple of bars and restaurants. With few tourists compared with other Michigan travel destinations, it remains like a time capsule of old-fashioned small-town life preserved by its remoteness.
— John Carlisle, columnist
Gluten-free? Try a Batch beer
Enjoying a beer — ANY beer — off the menu is definitely a bucket list item when you’re avoiding gluten. Swing by Batch Brewing Co. when you’re in Detroit’s Corktown (aptly at 1400 Porter St.) and enjoy a night on the patio with gluten-reduced (not gluten-free) brews that taste so good they make you forget anything’s missing. Try Hank the Tank, a brown ale, or Zwickelbier, an unfiltered German lager (the Zwickel’s also available in cans). The beer list changes regularly; a recent black IPA was a real gem. Doughnuts are the other half of my bucket list. If you know of a good gluten-free baker in the city, please tell us about it in the comments.
— Anjanette Delgado, executive editor
Jump off the Black Rocks
The internet is going to call this "cliff diving," but don't let that freak you out. Jumping off the Black Rocks into Lake Superior is exhilarating and freezing and fun all at the same time. You'll see Northern Michigan University students sunbathing on the precipice on nice days, but everybody's encouraging and the jump is a fun one. Worth a swing by when you're in the Upper Peninsula!
— Emily Lawler, state government and politics editor
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and Oudolf Garden, Detroit
Get lost in the greenhouse on Detroit's Belle Isle and a winding Dutch-inspired garden next door. Go on a global adventure and see plants and flowers from around the world. It's the perfect daytime adventure in the warm months and even the winter when you need to travel in your own backyard.
— Clara Hendrickson, Report forAmerica Corps member
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan bucket list: 31 things you didn't know you must do
