Imagine being able to take a day trip to scale sand dunes, take a ferry to a car-free island, enjoy Greek food, get lost for a couple of hours on a 982-acre island park of paradise in the middle of a major city, and experience “The Motown Sound.”

What beautiful travel destination am I referencing? Michigan, of course, but more specifically the Upper (U.P. for short) and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. Yes, there is a difference.

I’m sharing with you my favorite ten things to do in Michigan.

As a child, I would spend the summer with my grandparents, who lived in Inkster, Michigan, a suburb outside of Detroit, Michigan.

Until I was old enough to fly on my own, my mother would fly with me from to Michigan, hand me off to my grandparents, and yes you guessed it, got right back on a plane a flew back to Minnesota to go work a second job to save up to buy school clothes and supplies.

My grandfather was a pastor of an A.M.E church. Both my grandparents were heavily involved in their community. The three of us would take road trips to attend church conferences and visit family along the way.

Pretty much, my summer was about exploring the beauty and charm of Michigan.

When people mention the city of Detroit, a couple of things come to mind. General Motors (GM), Motown, and Northern Soul music. The debate is still out whether the birth of techno music (electronic dance music) started in Chicago or Detroit.

Upper Peninsula

Visiting the U.P. whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter will give you different scenic views of the wilderness, lighthouses, waterfalls, Great Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and appreciation of the magnificent state and national parks of the Midwest.

Mackinac Island

The Mackinac Bridge connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Mackinac Island is car-free. One way of getting there is by ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace.

Cost per person for a 40-minute round-trip ride to and from Mackinac Island is under $20. A day trip to Mackinac Island isn’t enough.

Free, self-park secured, and valet parking allows you to explore the island, whether it’s for the day or an overnight stay at one of the island’s hotels.

An overnight stay at the Grand Hotel will take you back time to the days of horse-drawn carriages and bikes. Built-in 1887, the hotel has 397 rooms. The 600 feet porch offers spectacular views of the Straits of Mackinac.

How does kicking back in a rocking chair sound?

Retail stores and fudge shops fill the 4-square-mile island sidewalks. Indulge in horse and carriage tour for a leisure ride to take in the true beauty of the island.

80% of the island is surrounded by Michigan’s first state park, Mackinac Island State Park.

If you plan on visiting in the winter, flying is another option.

When the conditions are cold enough, an ice bridge connects the island to St. Ignace. Islanders zip over to get supplies and gas via snowmobile before the ice bridge lasts a few weeks before melting away.

Ice fishing is a popular winter activity in my home state of Minnesota. I haven’t tried it, but I have walked onto a frozen lake. While the lake may be frozen, the sound of cracks and air bubbles underneath is enough for me to stay on land.

I can’t imagine snowmobiling across a frozen lake, but then again, someone might ask me what I was thinking of jumping out of a plane to get an unrestricted view of Mother Nature.

Brockway Mountain Drive

For a breathtaking view of Lake Superior, take a scenic drive through Copper Harbor. The top of Brockway Mountain stands at 735 feet.

On a clear day, you can see Isle Royale from 50 miles away. Take is Isle Royale Queen IV ferry for an overnight stay to view the Milky Way and the Northern Lights.

Curious about what secrets lie below Lake Superior? Explore different shipwreck sites sitting 10-20 feet below in the water and a historic lighthouse in a glass bottom boat off Grand Island in Munising, Michigan.

Isle Royale National Park

Michigan’s only National Park Isle Royale is surrounded by Lake Superior nestled in between Minnesota, Canada, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

No cars are allowed on the island.

The island is accessible by ferry, private boat, or seaplane for day and overnight trips. Ferry boats operate between Houghton, Rock Harbor, and Copper Harbor, Michigan and Grand Portage, Minnesota.

The National Park Service website provides more detailed information about places to go, things to do plan, transportation, and loading options.

Sault Sainte Marie

If you’re into nature and landscape photography, obsessed with waterfalls like I am, or looking for a perfect place to take a selfie a visit to Tahquamenon Falls will leave you in awe a craving an ice-cold root beer float.

The dark brown color of tannins from spruces and cedars of water crashing down is why Tahquamenon Falls is given the nickname by the locals “Root Beer Falls.”

A visit isn’t complete without visiting the Museum Ship Valley Camp filled with exhibits and artifacts from shipwrecks like the Edmund Fitzgerald and learn about the history of the soo locks.

Did you know there is a Sault Sainte Marie in Ontario, Canada? The sister city can be explored by crossing the International Bridge.

Instead of driving yourself, sit back and let someone else do the driving by taking the 2.8-mile journey via the International Bridge Bus. Explore the Canadian wilderness by going on an Agawa Canyon Train Tour.

Crossing the United States border into Canada requires a valid passport, passport cards, NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI card. Be sure to check

Lower Peninsula

Torch Lake

In addition to being the music and global center of the automotive industry, the treasured Midwestern state that borders three of the Great Lakes, Michigan is known for its scenic lakeshores, clear and tropical blue waters.

You, too, can experience your slice of the Caribbean, as Michigan offers a lot of beautiful beaches with warm sand. Just a disclaimer. Michigan lakes are beautiful, clear, and COLD!

Torch Lake may look like the Caribbean Sea, but as someone who has visited the West Indies and swam in the Caribbean Sea, depending on how you like cold water, a dipping of the toe might be all you can tolerate!

Sleepy Bear Dunes

When you think of large sand dunes, I’m sure the first location that comes to mind is the African Sahara. Lucky for you, you don’t have to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to experience Earth’s natural wonder shaped by glaciers.

I visited Sleepy Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as a kid and was in awe of the large amounts of sand so much that I like the other kids thought the easiest way to enjoy the outdoor experience was to climb the dunes. Say what?

If you have a lot of energy to burn, climbing to the top of the dune with a rewarding view of Glen Lake is worth the effort. It takes 3-4 hours, but the fun part is once you get to the top, getting down to the bottom is much faster.

I remember running down and losing my footing and rolling down the sand dunes with a perfectly exfoliated face. That extra glow of dead skin leaving my face made the experience worthwhile.

The sand is hot, so if you’re thinking about treating the dunes like a day at the beach and climbing the dune slopes shoeless, dune grassroots have a stealth way of making an appearance by stabbing you in the feet.

If you have it on your bucket list to visit all 61 National Parks and love the action-packed experience of sandboarding down the rolling dunes, these national parks are a must-see:

• Indiana Sand Dunes Lakeshore
• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado
• White Sands National Park, New Mexico
• Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley

Port Austin

Spend the day kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding exploring Turnip Rock and sea caves in the shallow waters of Lake Huron.

Detroit

Motown Museum

In 1959, Berry Gordy established Motown Records. It was a first African-American owned record label whose cultural influence and sound brought together gospel, blues, pop, and R&B.

Hitsville U.S.A was Motown’s first headquarters where songs were records by Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Lionel Ritchie and the Commodores, Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, and Stevie Wonder to name a few.

The Motown Museum is located at 2648 West Grand in Detroit, Michigan.

The influence of Black American soul music sometimes referred to as “northern soul” can still be felt today.

Bell Isle Park

Situated in the middle of Detroit, Michigan, the island park sits in the Detroit River. The 982-acre island park is the perfect day trip to enjoy the outdoors.

Climb the life-size statue of James Scott for a selfie or get up close with the wildlife at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo. Give yourself permission to be a kid and take a ride down Belle Isle’s giant slide.

Cool down on a hot summer day with a dip in the refreshing waters of the Detroit River.

Greektown

You don’t have to fly to Greece for a frappé coffee, baklava, or moussaka. Spend a few hours experiencing an authentic Greek lunch in the historic commercial and entertainment district in downtown Detroit. Michigan.

Located in a small corner in the heart of downtown Detroit along Monroe Avenue between Brush and St. Antoine Streets, the area was first settled by Greek immigrants in the 1830s.

Popular restaurants that will New Parthenon, Golden Fleece, Laikon Cafe, Cyprus Taverna, Pegasus Taverna, Pizza Papalis, and Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Cafe.

Places to Stay

• Holiday Inn Express – St. Ignace – Lakefront
• Holiday Inn Express Sault Ste. Marie
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bad Axe
• Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown