Michigan Free Travel Guides

Michigan—a state with the world's longest freshwater coastline, lakes that look like oceans, miles of beaches, acres of cherry orchards, and friendly, hospitable people. Ordering a Free Michigan Vacation Brochure will spell out the endless vacation opportunities.

Michigan boasts more than 100 public beaches, sand dunes and sandstone cliffs, two National Lakeshores and a marine sanctuary in the Great Lakes, more than 100 lighthouses, and numerous maritime museums. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy lakes, campgrounds, wildlife refuges, 99 state parks and recreation areas, rivers, and thousands of miles of hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling trails.

Order a free Michigan Vacation Guide to learn about more and more vacation opportunities that await you in Michigan—the place to be year round!

Gordon's Guide

Check out vacations and adventure travel in Michigan Michigan Travel Deals

If you’re planning a vacation to Michigan in the near future, you’re probably looking for travel deals.  The tourism industry is alive and well in Michigan and as a result, there are plenty of deals on hotels, cars, and attractions to be had by all.

A good resource for Michigan travel deals is the states official tourism website, found at Michigan.org.  Here you’ll find tons of information about the state as well as ideas of what you can do during your vacation.  A special tab on the menu titled “deals” gives a list of discounted hotels, attractions, and retail opportunities.  For example, a visitor can stay at the Bluewater Inn and Suites in Bluehaven, Michigan for two nights for just $99.  That’s less than $50 per night!

Besides deals on accomodations, the site also offers discounted tickets to popular area attractions, such as the Longway Planetarium.  Tourists can enjoy enormous savings by booking their tickets through the states tourism site, or by mentioning the site when they call to make reservations or purchase passes to events.

Another great way to save money during your Michigan vacation is by showing your group discount card.  Members of AAA, AARP, and the United States Military are able to get additional discounts at many restaurants, attractions, and hotels throughout the state.  Even if a retailer doesn’t display a sign advertising a discount, you can always ask if they have any offers available.  It never hurts to ask, and you may be handsomely rewarded!

Michigan Overview

Michigan, also known as the Great Lakes state, has been drawing tourists to it’s abundant shores along the Northern border of the United States for generations.  The state boasts the longest freshwater coastline of any state in the United States.  It also has the longest freshwater coastline of any political division in the world!

Michigan shares a border with four of the five Great Lakes.  There are more than 64,000 inland lakes and ponds in addition to the great lakes.  There is so much water in and around the state, that at any given location you are never more than six miles from a natural source of water, or 85 miles from a Great Lakes shoreline!  

More than nine million people live in Michigan, making it the 8th most populous state in the Union.  In terms of area, Michigan ranks 11th in the United States.  The American automotive industry is one of the key players in the Michigan economy.  Detroit is known for it’s manufacturing facilities where many brands of American cars are assembled.

Michigan is sometimes referred to as the wolverine state, though sightings of the vicious animal are extremely rare.  You are more likely to see white tailed deer or robins than wolverines in the state, though the University of Michigan’s mascot is a wolverine, so going to a game can ensure you a glimpse of the famed animal.

The varied landscape and rich culture of Michigan makes it an exciting vacation destination.  No matter what types things you like to do on your vacation, rest assured that Michigan has just what you’re looking for!

Places of Interest in Michigan

Michigan draws in thousands of tourists each month thanks to it’s many places of interest.  The state is home to some of the best hidden gems in the country, and deciding where to kick off your Michigan vacation my seem difficult because of the numerous destinations to choose from.  Rest assured that no matter what types of things you enjoy seeing, Michigan has something for you.

Michigan is perhaps best known as the automotive capitol of the United States.  Tourists to the Northern state will enjoy walking through the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.  Here you can see some of the most important vehicles in American history, such as the Model T, and the Limousine that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in.  Admission to the museum is $17 for adults, and $12.50 for children aged 5 and over.  Children under the age of 5 are free.

For a unique evening out, go on a themed dinner cruise through the Soo Locks.  The Soo Locks are a world famous set of parallel locks that allow ships to pass from Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes.  The two and a half hour long dinner cruises take passengers through the locks, and along the scenic coastal region of the Great Lakes.  Diners will also enjoy a themed meal, such as Hawaiian, Italian, or Western cuisine.  Adult tickets for the dinner cruise are only $44.

You may not think of Michigan as being a big producer of wine, but the state has a number of small, gourmet wineries.  Visitors can participate in samplings and holiday events, such as a Valentines wine tasting for couples, or wine by the lake events.  Events take place all year long, and a number of vineyards participate.

No matter what you like to see and do on your vacation, you’ll find something interesting in Michigan.  The state’s hidden gems will leave visitors wanting to find out more about the quiet Northern state!

Parks and Activities in Michigan

Michigan is flanked by the Great Lakes and has the longest freshwater coastline.  Outdoor activities are plentiful and a variety of year-round options such as hiking and biking provide numerous activities for visitors to the state to get outdoors and enjoy what nature has to offer.  The numerous state parks located throughout the state offer a wide array of activities to fit many different interests.

Camping is a favorite amongst outdoor enthusiasts visiting Michigan.  There are no shortage of campsites throughout the states parks and National Forests.  Forest Lake National Park in Alger county has 26 campsites to lure visitors to the scenic area.  There are also fishing areas, hiking trails and a boat launch to provide hours of entertainment during your stay.

Michigan also has a public off-road trail system for ATV’s, dirt bike, and other recreational vehicles.  There are 3,200 miles of trails in the states forests.  In parts of the state, designated trails in state forests are the only places riding off-road vehicles are permitted.

In the winter time, Michigan experiences bursts of heavy snowfall, which can leave several inches of fresh snow behind.  Outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy winter sports, such as snowmobiling will find that Michigan is an ideal place to frolic in the white precipitation.  The Bill Nicholl’s Snowmobile Trail offers 55 miles of trails to satisfy every type of rider from novices to advanced snowmobiling enthusiasts.

No matter what type of outdoor activities you enjoy, you’ll find plenty of things to do and ways to get out doors in Michigan.  The states large volume of parks and forests provides endless opportunities to get outside and enjoy natures finest offerings!

Getting to Michigan

No matter how you prefer to get around in Michigan, whether you opt for the car, an airplane, or a train, you’ll find traveling to and around the Great Lakes state easy and even fun in some cases.  The states unique geography has created several travel obstacles, but the state has worked hard to overcome each one of them and provide a safe, efficient transportation system.

If you choose to travel to the state of double peninsulas by car, you should know that there are four major interstates intersecting Michigan.  Interstate 75 runs North to South, connecting Flint, Detroit, and Saginaw to Ontario, Canada.  Interstate 69, near the Ohio border, connects to the blue water bridge, entering Ontario.  Interstate 94 enters the state from the West, and also ends in Ontario.  Finally, Interstate 96 runs East to West, but joins interstate 94, which leads to Ontario.

There are several airports throughout Michigan, several of which are International airports.  The Detroit Metropolitan Airport, near Romulus, Michigan,  is one of the top 10 busiest airports in the United States, and one of the top 24 busiest airports in the world!

There are four rail lines that service Michigan, including two passenger lines, one of which connects to Canada.  While the majority of rail service in Michigan is devoted to freight, the state does a brisk business in scenic rail tours and commuter rails headed into Detroit.

No matter how you choose to travel to Michigan, you will enjoy the numerous transportation options available to you.  Traveling to and around the state is easy, and both tourists and residents enjoy the dedication the state has shown towards making getting to and around Michigan simple.