Moon Michigan: Lakeside Getaways, Scenic Drives, Outdoor Recreation

by Paul Vachon

Overview

Moon Michigan reveals the best of the Great Lake State's charming small towns, vibrant cities, and vast, untouched wilderness. Inside you'll find:

• Strategic, flexible itineraries for 3-to-4-day trips to Mackinac Island, the Upper Peninsula, wine country, Detroit, and Ann Arbor
• Unique experiences and can't-miss sights: Get your fill of vintage vehicles at Detroit's industrial museums, like the GM Showroom or the historic Ford House, or immerse yourself in the sounds of the Motown Museum. Watch hundreds of technicolor butterflies in the Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House, nibble on rich fudge, and unwind on a romantic carriage ride around the island. Browse the art galleries of Ann Arbor, sip chardonnay on a scenic tour of wine country, or explore Michigan's booming craft beer scene along an ale trail
• The best outdoor activities: Embark on Michigan's best hikes, from family-friendly day treks to rugged dune-scaling adventures. Hit the links at the top golf resorts, cruise along the Pictured Rocks, or relax on a serene, sunny beach. Spend a day fishing and boating and spot moose, elk, and black bears in their natural habitats. Set up camp under a crystal-clear summer sky or cross-country ski through pristine winter snow
• Expert advice from Detroit local Paul Vachon on when to go, how to get around, and where to stay, from campsites and motels to golf resorts and lakeside lodges
• Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
• Thorough information on the landscape, climate, wildlife, and history

With Moon's local insight and practical tips, you can experience Michigan your way.

Exploring more of the Midwest? Try Moon 52 Things to Do in Chicago or Moon Ohio.

About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you. 

For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781640497382
Publisher:	Avalon Publishing
Publication date:	09/12/2023
Series:	Travel Guide
Edition description:	8th Revised ed.
Pages:	472
Sales rank:	89,870
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 7.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Lifelong Michigander Paul Vachon's introduction to the Upper Peninsula was a childhood trip to the fascinating Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie. From that point forward, he developed a love for travel in general, and for Michigan in particular. Over the years, Paul has visited virtually every corner of the Great Lakes State. One of his favorite pastimes is heading "up north" on I-75 to any of a myriad of Michigan destinations. Paul has also traveled extensively within and outside of the United States. His international destinations have included the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Guatemala, Denmark, Italy, Israel, and Egypt.

Paul began his writing career in 2008 and covers topics as diverse as travel, Detroit history, business, education, and green living. He is the author of three books on Detroit-area history: Forgotten Detroit, South Oakland County, and Legendary Locals of Detroit.

Paul lives with his wife, Sheryl, and their son, Evan, in Oak Park, a suburb of Detroit. You can learn more about Paul by visiting his website, paulvachonwrites.com.

Table of Contents

Discover Michigan 6

9 Top Experiences 8

Planning Your Trip 15

Romance on Mackinac Island 19

Top 10 Beaches 20

Fall into the Upper Peninsula 22

Top 5 Hikes 23

Wine Tasting Tour 24

Top Golf Resorts 25

Michigan Sampler 26

Wildlife Watching 27

Music and Motor Cars 29

Detroit 30

Detroit 34

Windsor, Ontario 69

The Suburbs 71

Ann Arbor 84

Ypsilanti 97

Chelsea 98

The Thumb 100

Flirt and Vicinity 105

Frankenmuth 114

Saginaw 120

Grindstone City to Lakeport 124

Port Huron 129

Grand Rapids and the Heartland 133

Grand Rapids 137

Lansing and East Lansing 145

Jackson and Vicinity 151

Battle Creek 155

Kalamazoo and Vicinity 160

Mount Pleasant 165

Midland 167

The Southwest Coast 171

St. Joseph Wine Country 175

South Haven 186

Saugatuck and Douglas 190

Holland 198

Grand Haven 203

Muskegon and Vicinity 206

Traverse City and Michigan Wine Country 212

Traverse City and Vicinity 216

The Leelanau Peninsula 229

Charlevoix and Vicinity 238

Petoskey and Vicinity 248

Mackinac Island and Northeast Michigan 258

Mackinaw City 262

Mackinac Island 266

Cheboygan and Vicinity 276

Rogers City to Alpena 279

Oscoda to West Branch 284

Grayling and Gaylord 292

Extern Upper Peninsula 300

St. Ignace and Vicinity 304

Manistique Area 309

Munising Area 314

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 319

Lake Superior Shore 326

Sault Ste. Marie and Vicinity 333

Western Upper Peninsula 338

Isle Royale National Park 343

The Keweenaw Peninsula 348

Ontonagon to Ironwood 358

Iron River to Iron Mountain 366

Menominee to Escanaba 369

Marquette and Vicinity 372

Background 380

The Landscape 380

Plants and Animals 384

History 387

Government and Economy 391

People and Culture 395

Arts and Entertainment 398

Essentials 402

Transportation 402

Visas and Officialdom 409

Sports and Recreation 411

Food and Drink 418

Accommodations 420

Travel Tips 422

Health and Safety 424

Information and Services 428

Resources 431

Glossary 431

Suggested Reading 432

Suggested Viewing 437

Internet Resources 438

Index 441

List of Maps 452

Editorial Reviews

"Moon handbooks are always a pleasure to read. The writing is crisp, the research impressive, and the recommendations practical and down to earth."—Chicago Tribune

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From the Publisher