Michigan Off The Beaten Path

  Take in the beauty - Stop often!
by ciaobellamici
 
  • Take in the beauty - Stop often!
      Take in the beauty - Stop often!
    by ciaobellamici
  • Brys Estate Boutique VineYard & Winery
      Brys Estate Boutique VineYard & Winery
    by deecat
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by ciaobellamici
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by ciaobellamici
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by ciaobellamici
 

Most Viewed Off The Beaten Path in Michigan

1.

Heidelberg Project   Detroit

Heidelberg Project, Detroit

 3 Reviews  This is one surreal place. The area is not to far from downtown and pretty rundown. OK, VERY rundown if you aren’t from Detroit. In the midst of it all you come onto this street where the houses have... 

 See All 51 Off The Beaten Path in Detroit

2.

Windsor, Ontario   Detroit

Windsor, Ontario, Detroit

 3 Reviews  Consider popping over to Windsor so you can set foot in Canada. You can take the Detroit-Windsor tunnel or the Ambassador Bridge. Completed in 1930, the tunnel is still the world's only international... 

 See All 51 Off The Beaten Path in Detroit

3.

Cranbrook   Detroit

Cranbrook, Detroit

 3 Reviews  CRANBROOK is a concept and a state of mind. Located in the tony northern suburb of Bloomfield Hills, the progressive pre-K to 12 grade college prep academy+art museum+grounds was created on excess... 

 See All 51 Off The Beaten Path in Detroit

4.

Pewabic Pottery   Detroit

Pewabic Pottery, Detroit

 2 Reviews  This is where Mary Chase Perry started the whole Pewabic tile movement over a century ago. These ceramic tiles now decorate buildings and walls all over the world. The gallery/museum is a National... 

 See All 51 Off The Beaten Path in Detroit

5.

The Henry Ford   Detroit

The Henry Ford, Detroit

 3 Reviews  Henry Ford's obsession was to create a showroom of American manufacture. The main entrance is built in homage to Philadelphia's Georgian-style Independence Hall. Pictured here is the front staircase... 

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6.

Belle Isle   Detroit

Belle Isle, Detroit

 1 Review  Just a short distance up Jefferson Avenue from the RenCen is Belle Isle, a large (700 acre) city park and island in the Detroit River. (It's an island but accessible by road.) It contains many... 

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7.

Ford Homes Historic District   Detroit

Ford Homes Historic District, Detroit

 1 Review  Detroit may be the Motor City but Henry Ford's home town is DEARBORN, Michigan. The Henry Ford farmstead and his birthplace were here (subsequently removed to the confines of Greenfield Village). His... 

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8.

Henry Ford Estate   Detroit

Henry Ford Estate, Detroit

 1 Review  Automotive pioneer Henry Ford employed nearly 500 workers (carpenters, woodcarvers and stonemasons) to create his 'castle in the Midwest' in record time. Constructed of Ohio limestone, with rooms... 

 See All 51 Off The Beaten Path in Detroit

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Kirtland's Warbler Tours

by traveldave

I am a birdwatcher, and any serious birdwatcher who lives in North America must eventually go to Michigan to participate in the Kirtland's warbler tours that are operated by the United States Forest Service. This rare and endangered bird, numbering only 200 pairs, nests solely in a small area in central Michigan dominated by jack pines. The United States Forest Service manages the areas in which the warbler breeds by systematically burning portions of the forest to keep the jack pines at a certain height. The birds will not nest in mature pines, but will only breed where the pines are just a few feet tall.The breeding areas are off limits to the public, and can only be visited by joining one of the guided tours run by the United States Forest Service. Before the tour, participants meet at either the Ramada Inn in Grayling or the United States Forest Service office in Mio (pictured here)...

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Little Sable Lighthouse

by Stephen-KarenConn

One of the oldest brick lighhouses on the Great Lakes, and one of the prettiest, this lonely tower stands 107 feet tall on the shore of Lake Michigan. On the afternoon of our visit a storm was brewing over Lake Michigan which made for a particularly dramatic picture. Little Sable has the advantage of being part of Silver Lake State Park and is thereby protected. To find it, exit from US-31 at Shelby Road and head west away from the small town of Shelby. Follow that to 16th Avenue and head north, zigzagging over to 18th Avenue. Continue on Silver Lake Road to the lake and the Little Sable Lighthouse. There is a small admission fee to the state park. For a few dollars more you can get an annual permit to all Michigan state parks.

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The Kirtland's Warbler Monument

by traveldave

The small town of Mio has erected the Kirtland's Warbler Monument in the local park. The town recognizes the importance of the Kirtland's warbler to its economy (many birdwatchers from all over the world visit each year, and they spend a lot of money on motels, restaurants, and other local businesses). Other towns within the range of the warbler also attract visitors with activities and events, such as the Kirtland's Warbler Festival held in Roscommon.The monument was constructed of stone, and features a large model of the warbler behind glass panels and a plaque with information about the bird.

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Ramble along a river in Wolverine

by elkeva

I am ashamed to admit that I have no idea what the name of this river is that runs along just outside of Wolverine. The most unexpected, besides the glorious beauty of nature, a couple of local people took me around. I went for a drive off the beaten path looking for wildlife which I never got to see. There are bear, elk, turkeys and all in the area. I got to see the fall colours which take one's breath away and the tracks used by the snowmobiles - the area is very dependent on their snow. There are places in the middle of absolutely nowhere to camp if that were one's thing. Even the drive to Wolverine from Petoskey is a great ride. Ah.. and the riber - it runs clean and cold and many a Petoskey Stone is found. My host kayaks down the river in the afternoons. For anyone looking to get away from the usual touristy things.

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St. Julian's Winery in Paw Paw

by dlandt

Having been to a lot of these country wineries over the years, you start to see that some are more than just run of the mill and St. Julian's is one of them. Perhaps because this is a true commercial winery whose wines are readily available in the region as far away as Chicago, they run a very nice tasting room and also offer tours of the facility. The original and largest of their tasting rooms is in Paw Paw, a little west of Lansing, but they have four others, including a new one in Frankenmuth. Their range of wines is pretty extensive, and includes kosher and Concord wines, but I think they do whites better than reds. They also have afabulous salad dressing that you can taste and purchase at a reasonable price. Mon-Sat 9:00am - 6:00pmSunday 12:00pm - 6:00pm

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Grosse Ile

by ant1606

The Detroit River, connecting Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie, marks the boundary with neighboring Canada and is home to a bunch of islands. Most of these are part of the US territory, Grosse Ile being the largest as its French name suggests. Two bridges connect the island to the US mainland, the one to the north can be crossed from Riverview for a fee which is not applied to bicycles. Beautiful homes abound here, many even have a private wharf facing Canada. A natural canal runs diagonally across Gross Ile - which is actually composed of several separate stretches of land - and some houses here feature huge weeping willows. This is one of my favorite cycling grounds for the quietness, the scenery and scarce road traffic. Meridian Road is probably the one with the heaviest motor traffic but a dedicated cycling path runs along it and prevents sharing the road.

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Wyandotte

by ant1606

Just a few miles south of Detroit city center lies Wyandotte, a clean and quiet suburb located in the "Downriver" area, that is along the Detroit River in between Lake St. Claire and Lake Erie. Several historical buildings erected in late 1800 sport their elegance on Biddle, the main street, and one of these is the former Alkali Company - now BASF.A city park faces the river and Canada shores across. The green public area gathers admirers of this placid views and families, busy with barbecue practices, and lots of children at play. Boat river tours depart next to the independent wharf where fishermen try the luck of their lines.I enjoyed cycling around Wyandotte and nearby Grosse Ile which is accessible via a bridge, toll-free for bicycles.A number of events, mainly grouped during the summer months, transform Wyandotte into a lively place. I witnessed the Street Art Fair on Biddle, the...

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Upper Peninsula - Pictured Rocks State Park

by ant1606

This was the first established National Lakeshore. Washed by the immense Lake Superior, main features are its colorful sandstone cliffs and sand dunes immersed in a pristine environment.Close to Munising, Castle Rock stands in front of turquois waters and is easily accessible with a short walk. The gently sloping Bridalveil Fall is visible from this point although a boat ride would yield its best.

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UP Cut River Bridge

by dlandt

So there you are driving along two lane Hwy 2 and watching the bumper of some neo-zone nitwit who thinks 45 is the maximum speed limit. You think you want to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. All of a sudden, the Cut River comes up! What an opportunity! 230 steps to the bottom and then back up! Guaranteed to stretch the legs and lungs of even the hardiest VTers. Once at the bottom, you find yourself on the scenic shore of Lake Michigan, soaking up the views and drifting on fresh Great Lake air. Can life get better? Sure it can. Have a few cold ones up in the well maintained park above.

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Visit the Keweenaw Peninsula

by Toughluck

The Keweenaw Peninsula is far northern Michigan in the Upper Peninsula, UP in the vernacular. From Detroit, it's another world and 14 hours of travel by car. It can be more a part of Minnesota or Wisconsin as it's easier to get to the Keweenaw from there. Less traveled than much of the U.S., with northern climate of cool to cold nights and cool days, it's a retreat from the heat of the mid-section of the U.S. (Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Milwaukee). You'll find plenty to do and see. My favorites include:Isle Royale National Park called Royal, Isle in VT;Eagle Harbor;Hougton, gateway to the peninsula;Copper Harbor, tip of the peninsula;Calumet heart of the peninsula.Don't forget that the peninsula is completly surrounded by Lake Superior the largest body of freshwater in the world (based on surface area).

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Unique Places in Michigan

Top 3 Hotels in Michigan

The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport  Detroit

 1 Review and 443 Opinions  Traveling with my mother on a morning flight, so decided to stay at the Westin at DTW. Chipped... 

 Hotels in Detroit

Main Street Inn and Suites  Mackinac Island

 2 Reviews and 182 Opinions  The Main Street Inn has been our Lodging since they opened 4 years ago. They are perhaps the... 

 Hotels in Mackinac Island

Traverse Bay Lodge  Traverse City

 2 Reviews and 105 Opinions  Service and manager are horrible. I used to be a repeat custoemer here, but service and... 

 Hotels in Traverse City

1,467 Hotels in Michigan
 
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Reviews and photos of Michigan attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Michigan sightseeing.

Experience Michigan
Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Michigan
  1. Detroit Off The Beaten Path
  2. Mackinac Island Off The Beaten Path
  3. Traverse City Off The Beaten Path
  4. Grand Rapids Off The Beaten Path
  5. Ann Arbor Off The Beaten Path
  6. Marquette Off The Beaten Path
  7. Frankenmuth Off The Beaten Path
  8. Lansing Off The Beaten Path
  9. Kalamazoo Off The Beaten Path
  10. Houghton Lake Off The Beaten Path
  11. Dearborn Off The Beaten Path
  12. Holland Off The Beaten Path
  13. Houghton Off The Beaten Path
  14. Mackinaw City Off The Beaten Path
  15. Mount Pleasant Off The Beaten Path
  16. Saugatuck Off The Beaten Path
  17. Port Huron Off The Beaten Path
  18. Sault Ste. Marie Off The Beaten Path
  19. Battle Creek Off The Beaten Path
  20. East Lansing Off The Beaten Path
  21. South Haven Off The Beaten Path
  22. Petoskey Off The Beaten Path
  23. Munising Off The Beaten Path
  24. Copper Harbor Off The Beaten Path
  25. Grand Haven Off The Beaten Path
  26. Muskegon Off The Beaten Path
  27. Warren Dunes State Park Off The Beaten Path
  28. Midland Off The Beaten Path
  29. Saint Joseph Off The Beaten Path
  30. Calumet Off The Beaten Path
  31. East Tawas Off The Beaten Path
  32. Grand Rapids Off The Beaten Path
  33. Cadillac Off The Beaten Path
  34. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Off The Beaten Path
  35. Grandville Off The Beaten Path
  36. Royale, Isle Off The Beaten Path
  37. Alpena Off The Beaten Path
  38. Harbor Springs Off The Beaten Path
  39. Dundee Off The Beaten Path
  40. Glen Arbor Off The Beaten Path
  41. Marshall Off The Beaten Path
  42. Monroe Off The Beaten Path
  43. Adrian Off The Beaten Path
  44. Frankfort Off The Beaten Path
  45. Mattawan Off The Beaten Path
  46. Indian River Off The Beaten Path
  47. Leland Off The Beaten Path

More Cities in Michigan

 

Questions and Answers

pbdancing profile photo

Q:  Anyone know any interesting small towns in Michigan? Places with a few nice bars and restaurant and traditional buildings... 

Beausoleil profile photo

A: There are lots of small towns in Michigan. A couple that come to mind are Holland, Michigan that celebrates their Dutch heritage and the other is Frankenmuth, Michigan... 

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