.png){kind=logo}
State Bucket List
Michigan is two peninsulas, four Great Lakes, and more freshwater coastline than any other state in the lower 48. The Upper Peninsula alone packs Pictured Rocks, Tahquamenon Falls, and Lake Superior sea kayaking into a stretch of wilderness that most Americans have never visited -- and that's exactly what makes it worth the drive.
From the car-free Victorian charm of Mackinac Island to the crystal-clear swimming at Tawas Bay, Michigan rewards the traveler who gets off the interstate. The state's outdoor adventures range from easy family beach days to challenging multi-day kayak expeditions along sandstone cliffs that rise 200 feet above Lake Superior.
These eight Michigan adventures represent the best of what the Great Lakes State has to offer -- curated from Outdoor Taste + Tour's on-the-ground reporting across the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
Tawas Bay's calm, clear waters and sandy shoreline make it one of Michigan's best sea-kayaking destinations. Paddle out to Tawas Point State Park for lighthouse views and shorebird watching.
Paddling beneath the 200-foot sandstone cliffs of Pictured Rocks - streaked with mineral colors and carved into arches and caves - is one of the most spectacular kayaking experiences in North America.
The UP road trip hits Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks, the Keweenaw Peninsula, and Clyde's Drive-In - all connected by two-lane roads through birch forest and Lake Superior shoreline.
The UP's 4 million acres of national forest, waterfalls, and Lake Superior shoreline make it one of the most underrated camping destinations in America. Pictured Rocks is the crown jewel.
No cars allowed - just horses, bicycles, and fudge. Mackinac Island sits in the Straits of Mackinac and packs Victorian architecture, 8 miles of shoreline, and 70 miles of trails into 3.8 square miles.
The M-185 is the only state highway in America with no motor vehicles. Rent a bike and circle the island on this flat, scenic road with the Straits of Mackinac on one side and limestone bluffs on the other.
Tawas Bay's warm, shallow water and sugar-sand beach make it one of the best freshwater swimming destinations in the Midwest. The lighthouse at Tawas Point is a short walk from the best swimming spots.
Mackinac Island fudge is so famous that tourists are called 'fudgies.' Watch it made on marble slabs at Murdick's or Joann's, then eat it while it's still warm. This is the most unapologetically indulgent food experience in the Midwest.
In-depth articles for every adventure on this list that has an OTT guide.
Kayak the Shoreline of Lake Huron at Tawas Bay
Water Adventures
Sea Kayak the Pictured Rocks Cliffs
Water Adventures
Road Trip Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Scenic Drives
Camp in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Camping
Spend a Car-Free Weekend on Mackinac Island
Beaches & Lakes
Bike the 8-Mile Shoreline Road on Mackinac Island
Beaches & Lakes
Swim the Crystal Waters of Tawas Bay, Michigan
Beaches & Lakes
Eat Mackinac Island Fudge Fresh off the Marble Slab
Food & Drink
Michigan Travel Guides
We'll notify you when new OTT guides drop for Michigan -- plus seasonal picks, gear roundups, and hidden gems you won't find anywhere else.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.