How to Celebrate Michigan in the Summer

Summer time in Michigan can have many highs and several lows. And I don’t just mean the temperature! There are humidity and water levels to take into consideration when deciding how to spend the day. Michigan’s state motto is “Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam, circumspice,” which is Latin for “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.” This means we are literally surrounded by water. Michigan is also half comprised of water—41.5%! Consequently, a lot of summer activity in this state does revolve around water. But that isn’t all there is to do, and hopefully you will find activities on this list to suit all of your summer time needs.

Hit the beach.

After all of those water facts, I had to get this one out of the way. There is so much to do at the beach! And Michigan is home to a number of award-winning beaches, named so by such diverse media as Conde Naste Magazine, Good Morning America, National Geographic Traveler Magazine, and Out Traveler. Lake Michigan beaches tend to be sandy and are particularly known for their dunes both north and south.

Go swimming, sailing, fishing, sunbathing, or build a sand castle—the possibilities are endless! The water of the Great Lakes tend to be warmer than at ocean beaches, so that may be more inviting to many. Watch out for the rip currents, though, and always be mindful of weather patterns and waves. Stay safe when you visit the water! While we call them lakes, the Great Lakes are very large bodies of water and should be respected.

Michigan is also home to several inland lakes and rivers that are perfect for swimming, paddling, and fishing.

Visit a winery.

There are over 100 commercial wineries operating in Michigan. In addition to traditional grape wine, Michigan is the leading producer of fruit wines—like cherry and apple! The primary wine growing region is the Greater Traverse City area, where roughly 51% of Michigan wine grapes are grown. Second to this is the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, located in Southwest Michigan, which grows 45% of the state’s wine grapes. Most of Michigan’s wineries are located in the western half of the state, benefiting from the lake weather and longer growing seasons.

In addition to tasting rooms, many wineries also have inns attached or nearby, as well as restaurants. And because so many vineyards are located within 25 miles of the Lake Michigan shore, a stay at the inn can offer the delights of the winery and a day at the beach.

Cool off at a water park.

Michigan’s largest amusement and water park, Michigan’s Adventure, is home to 15 water attractions and 7 roller coasters. The largest indoor water park is Avalanche Bay, located in Boyne Falls, and features rides, slides, pools, hot tubs, and an arcade. For a list of water parks near you, check out Michigan Water Parks at Ultimate Waterpark.

You can also find smaller places to play, such as the water park at Rolling Hills County Park in Washtenaw County with slides and a lazy river.

Spend a day at the zoo.

There are over a dozen zoos located in Michigan, each with unique offerings (Yes, even in the Upper Peninsula with its frigid winters). The Detroit Zoo has a penguinarium and a place where you can walk with kangaroos hopping all around you (don’t stray from the path). Hand-feed giraffes lettuce from one of the US’s largest giraffe herds at Binder Park Zoo’s Wild Africa. Get up close and personal with an alligator at the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary & Zoological Gardens.

If you prefer animals of the aquatic variety, there are also several aquariums located around the state.

Head to the Motor City.

Michigan’s largest city, Detroit, is home to a number of museums, gorgeous architecture, delicious food, and other attractions like Belle Isle (which has a number of attractions of its own).

With over 65,000 works of art, the Detroit Institute of Art’s collection is in the top 6 in the US. There's also the Museum of Contemporary Art, Detroit Historical Museum, Motown Museum, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Arab American National Museum, Holocaust Museum, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, and Michigan Science Center. In nearby Dearborn is The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village.

If you love architecture, check out this Downtown Detroit’s Essential Architecture: A Walking Tour.

As for food, try Detroit’s favorite foods and dishes to get started.

Say hi the Mighty Mac.

The Mackinac Bridge connects Michigan’s two peninsulas and is an eight mile gorgeous drive (in pleasant weather). Stop in St. Ignace on the northern end or Mackinaw City on the southern to frolic in the water and snap a picture of the beautiful bridge. You can also take a chartered boat out on the water and go underneath, perhaps on your way to Mackinac Island, a wonderful and unique place to spend a day or two—or more! You can visit one of the historic forts while you are in the area, on the mainland and on the island. And don’t forget to get a bite of fudge before you leave!

If you want a different perspective of the bridge, consider the Annual Bridge Walk every Labor Day.

Go stargazing.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is an excellent place to see the night sky! (Especially if you want to see the Northern Lights). But across the state, there are six state parks with designated Dark Park Preserves. Emmet County’s Headlands Dark Sky Park, located in the norther Lower Peninsula, is an internationally designated Dark Sky Park.

Late July to early August is when you can view the impressive Perseid meteor shower. Several parks offer viewing parties. Other smaller late July meteor showers are the Alpha Capricornids meteor shower and the Southern Delta Aquarids meteor shower.

What a stellar way to spend those hot summer nights!