From visiting the Detroit Zoo and glamping in the Fields of Michigan to eating a deliciously messy Detroit Coney dog, you need to add these 19 experiences to your Michigan
bucket list. Whether you’re a lifelong Michigander or you’re visiting the Great Lakes State for the first time, there are endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, great eats, gorgeous drives, and more in this beautiful state. But where should you start?
To help you out, the car insurance
comparison super app
, Jerry
, has put together the ultimate Michigan bucket list. We’ll go over some of the best places to visit, eat, swim, and sip, in Michigan before you die. Outdoor activities for your Michigan bucket list
1. Spend the night in one of the country’s most remote national parks
Where: Isle Royale in Lake Superior
Why: One of the nation’s most remote national parks, Isle Royale
, is a great place to hike, camp, or just enjoy the sights, sounds, and smell of nature. Spending a night or two at the Rock Harbor Lodge
is a bucket-list must. It’s quiet, lovely, and offers amazing views. How much? $7 park entrance fee per person per day. Rock Habor Lodge room rates vary based on size and time of year.
2. Glamp it up on a blueberry farm
Why: Glamor + camping = glamping. You definitely want to enjoy a classy and luxurious camping experience on a vibrant and gorgeous blueberry farm at the Fields of Michigan
near South Haven. How much? Prices vary based on accommodations
3. Drive a dune buggy on sand dunes
Why: You haven’t lived until you've shredded some sand on one of Michigan’s awesome dunes. Add a day at Saugatuck Dune Rides
to your bucket list. A fun activity for kids. How much? $25/hour for adults; $14/hour for children ages 3 to 11
4. Explore shipwrecks in Munising
Why: Take a shipwreck tour on a glass-bottom boat. For two hours, you can enjoy a narrated, close-up look at the Bermuda (1860-1870) and the Herman H. Hettler (1889-1926). History buffs, especially fans of naval history, will want to put this at the top of their Michigan bucket lists.
How much? $36 for adults; $32 for seniors and military; $12 for children ages 6 to 12; $1 for children under 6
5. Soak in Michigan wine country
Where: Throughout Michigan
When: Hours vary by winery
Why: Michigan wine country
features four certified American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) that let connoisseurs sip their way through lush wineries that cultivate different varietals. How much? Rates vary by winery
6. Go stargazing at The Headlands, an International Dark Sky Park
Why: Enjoy an evening of gazing up at a sky full of stars at The Headlands
in Mackinaw. You will feel all the wonder of the night sky while also feeling like part of a much greater universe. How much? Free, but you can make a donation
7. Bike through a trail in the city
Why: Biking a trail or taking a bike tour can help you discover all that makes Detroit great from its architecture to its vibrant downtown neighborhoods.
8. Escape to one of Michigan’s islands
Why: Leave the city behind and enjoy a day or a few days at one of the Manitou Islands. They offer seclusion, stunning scenery, and lots of outdoor fun like paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and more.
How much? Depends on the details of your trip
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The meals and treats that should be on your Michigan bucket list
9. Mackinac Island Fudge
Why: People travel great distances to eat this legendary fudge. It’s decadent, rich, and usually available in a ton of different flavors. We recommend May’s Candy Shop
, which just happens to be the oldest on the island, so there’s some history here to be enjoyed. 10. Detroit Coney Dog at American Coney Island
Where: 114 W. Lafayette Blvd, Detroit
When: 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. daily
Why: Before you die, you gotta try Michigan’s version of the Coney dog, a beef hot dog smothered in chili and mustard and topped with raw onions. Even though you should eat it with your hands, most of it will end up on your shirt.
11. Buddy’s Detroit Style Pizza
Where: 17125 Conant St, Detroit
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays
Why: Foodies need to have Detroit-style pizza on their bucket list. Trust us—Neapolitan and Chicago deep dish pizzas have been done to death and both pale in comparison. This square-shaped pizza is made great thanks to the double-stretched dough, an abundance of cheese, and sauce on top of the topppings (yes, you read this right). The crispy edges of the crust are the cherry on top.
How much? $23.99 for Large Super 6 Mile, but prices vary per location
12. Pasties at Lehto’s Pasties
Where: 1983 US-2, St. Ignace
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Why: Pasties are a meat pie and a part of the local history, originally enjoyed by miners before becoming a beloved food state-wide. The most traditional fillings are beef and potatoes, chicken, or pork.
How much? $7.50 for beef pasties
13. Bite into a Paczki at New Palace Bakery
Where: 9833 Joseph Campau Ave, Hamtramck
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday
Why: Make sure your bucket list includes a trip to New Palace Bakery on Paczki Day. If you love soft pastries, you’ll go nuts for this Polish one that oozes gooey and flavorful jelly. It’s a Michigan tradition that everyone should try at least once.
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Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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14. Get the sweet small-town experience at the Maple Syrup Festival
When: Every year on the last weekend in April
Why: Lots of quaint corners of Michigan hold amazing festivals, but one of the best is the Maple Syrup Festival. Spend a day arm wrestling or trying to win a pancake derby or an exciting game of Bovine Bingo. Maybe the real magic of the Maple Syrup Festival is that it lets you cross multiple things off your bucket list.
15. Traverse the wild of Oswald's Bear Ranch
Where: 13814 Co Rd 407, Newberry
When and how much: Call (906) 293-3147 for hours of operation and rates
Why: If you’ve always wanted to see a bear up close or want to watch someone else snuggle with a bear then visit Oswald’s Bear Ranch
. Here, you can watch dozens of rescued and orphaned bears romp and play through vast woodlands. 16. Attend a concert at St. Andrew’s Hall
Where: 431 E Congress St, Detroit
When: Based on the event schedule
Why: An iconic concert venue, the stage at St. Andrew’s Hall
has been graced by Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Liz Phair, and countless others. This converted school gym offers amazing concert sightlines and ambience. If you’re a concertgoer who lives anywhere close to Detroit, you should put this high on your bucket list. 17. Drive through the Tunnel of Trees
Where: Canopied section of M-119 from Harbor Springs to Cross Village
Why: The narrow portion of the M-119 between Harbor Springs and Cross Village is canopied by trees. In the fall, you can drive under a vibrant arch of orange, brown, and red foliage. It provides a calming presence and makes for a truly sublime drive.
18. Play a round at A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort
Where: 627 Ag A Ming Drive, Kewadin
When: 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Why: This gorgeous golf course is also challenging enough for the most experienced golfer. A-Ga-Ming
also offers lodgings, dining, or just an amazing day of hitting balls off a tee. How much? Call 231.264.5081 or 800.678.0122 for rates
19. Take a selfie on the Canadian border
Where: South end of Belle Isle
Why: On the south end of Belle Isle, you can position yourself within the border of two countries. You can snap a pic with the Detroit River in the background and with you standing between the shoreline of Windsor and also a bit of downtown Detroit.
Live your best life with affordable Michigan car insurance
Knocking items off your bucket list is a lot of fun and super satisfying. Amid all the fun, don’t forget to take care of the boring stuff like reviewing your car insurance policy! With some help from the car insurance super app, Jerry
, you can ensure that you have the right policy without overpaying. The process is as easy and fast as sending a text. All you have to do is download the Jerry app, enter some basic information, and then let Jerry search for quotes from 55+ top insurance providers. The goal is to find customized rates in beautiful Michigan just for you. On average, Jerry users save over $800 annually by shopping for car insurance right in the app!
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