Top 10 Must See Places in Michigan!

While attending EMU you are not limited to just Ypsilanti and the surrounding cities
in the area. Michigan is a huge place and has a variety of things to offer for people to see. So I have compiles a list of the top 10 places that I think are a must see when your in Michigan.

10. The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village

The Museum not only shows the life of Henry Ford and the history of the Ford Motor Company but also shows artifacts from America's history as well. Some of these artifacts are the bed used in army camps by President George Washington, the chair President Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated and the limousine President John F. Kennedy was riding in when he was assassinated.

Next to the museum is Greenfield Village which is a living history museum that shows life in America in its early days. It also includes a farm, Thomas Edison's workshop and a Ford's Model T car.

9. Frankenmuth

Frankenmuth a.k.a "Muth" a.k.a. "Little Bavaria", is a little German city in Michigan. The town was founded by Bavarian immigrants from Germany back in 1845 and the town (as well as the surrounding towns) still holds on to these roots. The city is mostly known for Bronner's Christmas Wonderland which is supposedly the worlds largest Christmas store.

Me and my family used to visit every year to visit the Bavarian-themed shops and restaurants. It really is an interesting little town and I recommend anyone in Michigan to stop by.

8. Mackinac Island

To get to this gorgeous little place you take a ferry boat and once you finally get there you are taken back to a Victorian time. Motorized vehicles are banned so bicycles, horseback, and horse-drawn carriages are the norm. The island is a national historic site and the majority of the island is a national park. I have never been there myself but the island hosts lilac, fudge, and music festivals.

7. Sleeping Bear Dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes is a National Lakeshore that takes up a large portion of Michigan's eastern coastline. This park was mainly established for its beauty and it includes forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena.

I have never been to this park either but in 2011 the area won the title of "The Most Beautiful Place in America" from Good Morning America.

6. Great Lakes

Michigan is surrounded by three lakes: Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie. Lake Michigan has the largest surface area of any freshwater body in the world and tons of people come here to camp, swim, picnic, fish and hike. On the coastline of the lakes include beach towns, wineries, golf courses, lighthouses, and amusement parks. I have had the privilege to visit all of these lakes as well as 4 of the 5 total great lakes (the fourth being Lake Ontario). All of them are equally gorgeous so you only need to visit one.

5. The General Motors Building

The General Motors Building is the tallest building in Michigan and is still home to General Motors and sits in the city of Detroit. Inside the building includes shops, restaurants, a hotel, and other businesses that you can visit. Also the building houses a movie theater that me and my friends used to regularly visit which shows movies for 5$ before 6:00 p.m. Behind the building is the river walk which sits on the Detroit river across from Canada. You can walk up and down this riverfront and just enjoy the sights or go get an ice cream and ride the carousel. It is a nice change from the hustle and bustle of the city.

4. Dearborn
The city of Dearborn was the home of Henry Ford and is the world headquarters of the Ford Motor Company. Even though this city was settled by French farmers in the 18th century, it is known for having the most people of middle eastern descent outside of any middle eastern country. So because of this fact it is not uncommon at all to see signs in Arabic or buildings, shops, and restaurants dedicated to middle eastern culture.

3. Belle Isle

Belle Isle is an island state park located on the Detroit River and is between the US and Canada. It is connected to Detroit by the MacArthur bridge and is the largest city-owned island park in the US. The island is home to the Belle Isle Aquarium, the Belle Isle Conservatory, the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, the Detroit Yacht Club on an adjacent island, the James Scott Memorial Fountain, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, a Coast Guard station, a municipal golf course and many other numerous monuments.

 

2. Ambassador Bridge/Detroit-Windsor Tunnel


The Ambassador Bridge is a suspension bridge that connects Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, in Canada. It is the busiest international border crossing in North America and is one of the only two Canada–US border crossings, the other being the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel. The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is an underground tunnel connecting Detroit with Windsor, Ontario in Canada. So if you are planning on visiting Canada these will be your ways of getting there.

1. Motown Historic Museum

Because I am an avid music lover my top place to see in Michigan is Hitsville USA/Motown Historic Museum. It was the first studio and offices of Motown Record Corporation  where the company got its first start to produce hit records. You can go in and see where stars like Smoky Robinson and the Miracles, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Temptations, the Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye stood as they recorded music. Also it was not only a recording studio but was once the home of Berry Gordy Jr. who is the founder of Motown. You can view exhibits explaining the company's entire history, listen to Motown music and buy souvenirs.

There are so many things Michigan has to offer, too many to list but I hope that my list helps you to narrow your decision on a place to visit or tour during your stay here.

by Kemia