Michigan is an absolute paradise to be in during the summer season. There are tons of ways to enjoy some fun in the sun with festivals, hiking trails, enjoying the Great Lakes and more! From alligator sanctuaries to waterfalls, our list is here to help inspire you for the upcoming summer season. Here are some of the best things to do in Michigan during the summer!
1. Alligator Sanctuary- Athens
Home to hundreds of rescued, donated and adopted reptiles, the Alligator Sanctuary in Athens is a unique summer adventure for the whole family to enjoy. See the gators perform their daily training activities, such as learning to remember colors and shapes, to respond to several different word commands. Peruse the Jungle of the Amazon to see lizards, giant toads, river fish, special tropical plants and more. Admission includes access to all animal exhibits, shows, the gazebo, observation deck and the greenhouse. There are special tours as well, such as the Twilight Tour or the annual Spring Release, where the gators are released into their summer habitats. To view their “CrocVision TV” livestream and purchase your tickets, check out their website here.
2. Michigan Wine Country
Explore “the Napa of the Midwest” this summer! As of 2016, Michigan was fifth in the country for wine production. With over 140 wineries to choose from across the state, nearly 4,000 acres are devoted to more than 50 varieties of wine grapes. With so many of the state’s wineries near to the lake’s beautiful sandy beaches, impressive sand dunes and charming towns such as Saugatuck, Holland and Traverse City, it’s no surprise they have become part of Michigan’s booming tourist trade, attracting an estimated 1.5 million visitors a year. Enjoy your summer in peace and have a glass at one of the Midwest’s finest wineries.
3. Ocqueoc Falls- Ocequeoc
Visit the largest waterfall in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and swim the day away! The only universally-accessible waterfall in the United States, you can see where the Ocqueoc River has cut a channel through the limestone bedrock that underlies the entire region. Due to the limestone, you can actually see salmon swim through these underground channels during spawning season! Ocqueoc Falls provides over six miles of hiking, biking and cross-country skiing trails throughout the scenic site, with the Silver Lake Trail loop stretching over 20 miles long and can connect you to the vast snowmobile trail system in northern Michigan. Get ready to climb and explore the falls and don’t be afraid to get a little wet!
4. Discover an Urban Trail
Michigan has over 1,300 miles of biking trails to explore, and urban trails are no exception. From the Wheelhouse Detroit to the infamous Lansing River Trail, there are miles and miles of trails for you to explore this summer. With Michigan’s Rail to Trail initiative, over 2,478 miles of former railroads have been turned into biking trails, including some urban trails. Many of these trials will also lead you to downtown hotspots, like the Potter Park Zoo or the Impression 5 Science Center, and some cities like Grand Rapids have a new biking app that provides guidance to fun downtown places.
5. Turnip Rock- Port Austin
A trip to Turnip Rock in Port Austin is unmistakably one of the best activities for kayakers on Lake Huron. Considered one of the most beautiful places in Michigan, this rock has been carved over time by the force of constant wave action. The trip consists of a 7 mile out-and-back trip via the Point aux Barques trail. The shallow waters surrounding Turnip Rock allow you to get out and enjoy the area as well as snap a few photos while you are there, or perhaps even have a picnic lunch. Be sure to wear suitable footwear if you are going to exit the kayak as the rocks are slippery!
6. Michigan Adventure- Muskegon
From the time you arrive, you’ll see that Michigan’s Adventure is the perfect place for your family fun! At Michigan’s Adventure you can find over 60 rides, slides and attractions, including seven roller coasters. Your family adventure begins at Camp Snoopy, featuring kids attractions for thrill-seeking guests. Continue your journey at WildWater Adventure, home to Funnel of Fear, three wave pools, slides of all kinds, the Half Pint Paradise, and more. A great summer day out for the whole family, Michigan’s Adventure is sure to be a blast! Don’t forget your sunscreen!
7. Get your Vitamin Z
If you are looking to get wild this summer, then definitely add a Michigan zoo to your summer itinerary. Michigan has over 26 unique zoos and petting zoos, so there is always something to see! Head over to the Detroit Zoo to see over 2,600 animals and over 265 species in their award-winning exhibits such as the Great Apes of Harambee and the Arctic Ring of Life. Pop over to the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing and enjoy their Zoo Nights- a casual, happy hour style event that will feature tastes from local restaurants and beverage companies. Take the opportunity to see the zoo after-hours, visit with the animals, and enjoy yard games with friends all while savoring tasty treats! Visit the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This zoo just added three majestic tigers to their wildlife exhibit. Not only are there a ton of animals to see, there is also a zip line, and camel rides available, for the adventurous. Go wild this summer and get your daily dose of Vitamin Z!
8. Hunt for Petoskey Stones- Petoskey
Michigan’s state stone, the Petoskey stone, is unique to the Great Lakes and can be found along the shores of Michigan’s lower peninsula. Not surprisingly, rock hounds have found that one of the best places to search for these elusive stones are at Petoskey State Park just outside the aptly named city of Petoskey. Though there can be exceptions, your best chance of finding a Petoskey stone is in the presence of other stones, so find an uncrowded and rocky beach for a good starting place! As another tip, keep an eye out for the rare “Pink Pets” Petoskey Stones- their pink hue is a result of the iron that is in the calcified coral. Bring a picnic lunch and your flip-flops and good luck on your search!
9. Saugatuck Dune Rides- Saugatuck
Saugatuck Dunes State Park is home to 2.5 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline, coastal dunes and over 13 miles of trails. Take these trails in double time with the Saugatuck Dune Rides! An iconic, local attraction that has been operating since the 1950s, you and your family will ride over Lake Michigan’s sand dunes for 40 minutes of exciting fun. Learn the history of the lost town of Singapore from their educated, entertaining drivers and check out the local vegetation and wildlife. Pro tip: Get your tickets early- they sell out quickly!
10. Greenfield Village- Dearborn
Experience firsthand the sights, sounds and sensations of America’s inspiring historical districts, where over 80 acres brim with resourcefulness and ingenuity. Here, 300 years of American perseverance serve as a living reminder that anything is possible. Step foot in the lab where Thomas Edison had his lightbulb moment or the workshop where the Wright brothers taught us to reach for the sky. Take a ride in a real Model T, walk through four working farm or watch world-class artisans perform their crafts. Take a walk down Main Street and experience the hustle and bustle of a small town’s center from more than a century ago. Explore Greenfield Village this summer, where America’s can-do spirit inspires you to go out and get it done!
