Michigan, a seemingly obvious summertime getaway representing the Great Lakes of the nation, is largely unexplored, with immense state parks and shorelines left for the sole enjoyment of restless venturers. The Wolverine State boasts a real adventureland with four lakes: Huron, Superior, Michigan, and Erie, and it is split into the Upper Peninsula in the north and the Lower Peninsula in the south, with a connection by the five-mile Mackinac Bridge. Choose adventures for your group along the forested Upper Peninsula with low hills and access to Michigan's highest mountain, Mount Arvon, at 1,979 feet. The mostly flat Lower Peninsula, "the Mitten," with thousands of miles of shoreline, boasts destinations like the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Arcadia Dunes

Choose among the 15 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails around Lake Michigan to hide from the sun, take a rest-stop picnic, or get lost and let the natural world envelop you in a cool embrace. You can spend days exploring, from boardwalks to beautiful wildflower meadows, and head to the observation deck for sunset with incredible views of the calm waters. This tame slice of heaven, modestly called Arcadia Dunes, is located just south of Crystal Lake, along west Michigan’s M-22, in the C.S. Mott Nature Preserve.
Chapel Rock And Beach Trail

Take the gravel access road to the Chapel Rock trailhead for remarkable beauty and scenic trails fanning out three miles each way through notable landscapes. Choose adventure to your liking, from sandstone gorges to Chapel Falls picnics, or head straight to the Lake Superior beach with Chapel Rock itself. The lonesome, sandstone, water-washed precipice with a fir tree atop is the most instagrammable and heart-wrenching sight, calling for a close-up on a swim. The cold waters feel most refreshing after the hot hike, and the beckoning beach is the perfect place to lounge after diving in.
Detroit’s "Little Venice"

Here, the ruthless bootleggers and "Purple Gang" would illegally move booze from Canada into their alcohol-free country. Now, you can enjoy a drink of your choice with a water view. Take a ride down the canal in your own kayak or join outfitters like Riverside Kayak Connection for an atmospheric paddle through the state's rough piece of history. It is a perfect laidback adventure for a summer day, where the photogenic Fisher Mansion and the resident waterfowl will accompany you in a tranquil, removed feel from the city.
Fisherman’s Island State Park

Take a stroll through the pristine 2,678-acre park where the sea breeze collides with the forest's fresh breath along wildlife trails, all fringed by five miles of the pristine Lake Michigan shoreline. Immerse yourself in the authentic Wolverine State atmosphere and one kind of beauty, difficult to find elsewhere, that feels like you've found your own slice of paradise. Enjoy easy access at low lake levels, 1.5 miles south on US-31 from Charlevoix, turning west for another kilometer on Bell Bay Road to the entrance. Choose a modern or rustic campground in the dunes along the lakeshore, with a nearby picnic area by the beach and miles of hiking trails.
Old Town Lansing

The family-friendly district is a perfect outlet from the businessy side of Lansing to support a local piece of the state's history with its rich and vibrant streetscape, both lively and quaint under the historic ambience in the air. Check out MEAT Southern BBQ and Ozone’s Brewhouse for food and drinks, and don't forget to stop by Great Lakes Art and Gifts for home decor, memorabilia, and unique souvenirs for friends.
Olive Shores

Choose a spot along the crowdless beach to relax or enjoy scenic recreation with a close group. You will beat the mid-day heat of summer in the embrace of west Michigan’s natural beauty, with nothing better than those beautiful sunsets over the water and lakeside evening cookouts—the quintessential elements to experience on a getaway from it all in the Great Lakes State. Olive Shores' series of hiking trails through beech-maple-hemlock forest, perfectly lush in the second half of summer, will call you back soon for fantastic foliage.
Sand Point Beach

This heavenly slice retains its hidden gem status and is often overlooked along the Upper Peninsula. Come to immerse yourself in a real retreat that your heart desires, end the summer on a high note, and have memorable experiences. Relish in the tranquil vibe on a real getaway that finally helps you achieve relaxation by exchanging the city haze for lazy gazing at Munising Bay and strolls to the beauty of East Channel Lighthouse.
St. Joseph

Seek respite in this real beachgoer's slice of paradise under the sun by the cooling waters and refreshing nature for hikes just steps away. St. Joseph beaches are easy to find for easygoing strolls and scenic relaxation by the waters, or thousands of sprawling acres of State Parkland. Choose from modern and rustic campsites with all amenities to stay in between hiking trails and sand dunes ventures. Find playgrounds, picnic areas, a covered pavilion, volleyball nets, and, of course, the miles of sandy shore for easygoing recreation.
9 Great Lake Michigan Beach TownsLake Michigan, one of North America's five Great Lakes, provides an enormous shoreline that stretches across parts of Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, and of course, Michigan.
Twelve Mile Beach

The getaway is perfect for every group, taste, and age seeking to stay active or relax in unobscured views, and you can even bring your leashed pet to the beach. Find a day-use area with nearby picnic spots at the east end of Twelvemile Beach Campground, just a short walk from the parking lot and a long flight of photogenic, descending steps from the bluff to the beach. Another 1.5-mile trail at the end of Little Beaver Lake Road to Lake Superior leads to the western end of the beach, with more hiking through the Beaver Basin Wilderness zone.
7 Of The Friendliest Towns In MichiganThe midwestern state of Michigan is the kind of place that puts a smile on any visitor’s face.
Enjoy easy access from Detroit and other big cities to the underrated summertime hotpots, as well as from neighboring Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin in the south and Canada in the east, north, and west. From state parks to the 400-foot dunes along clear Lake Michigan, the state is covered 40 percent by water for all your summertime dreams. Choose a small town or the old town center of Lansing, and you will have access to water after a short drive from anywhere in the state to diversify your second half of your summertime vacation. From there, the islands like Isle Royale, a national park in the middle of Lake Superior, offer a remote atmosphere for total solitude.