Meet me in Michigan
I was born in Michigan, and if I can find a way to visit my friends and family, I always say Yes, Michigan. My dad’s family has deep roots in the midwest, and my mom’s family immigrated to Grand Rapids from Vietnam in 1975. Ten years later, I arrived and grew up in East Lansing while my parents attended Michigan State University. My little sister Cindy is a sophomore at University of Michigan and I’ve been back a bit more often since she and my dad have been spending so much time there. It’s not a visit without pizza (preferably Godfather’s Taco Pizza) with my dad, a meal with more of the clan, a field trip with my sister, and enjoying the water. I don’t need much to be happy there, but it doesn’t mean that there isnt an abundance of amazing things to see and do.
Grand Rapids is officially Beer City USA with an Ale Trail of +80 craft breweries. Between the John Ball Zoo, Meijer Gardens, the massive Calder sculpture La Grande Vitesse (which is one of my earliest fond memories of art moving me,) and a dedication to providing the community ample opportunities to experience live music, art and culture- it’s a great place for a low key vacation. Last time I visited we caught the putrid Corpse Flower in bloom at Meijer Gardens, explored the sculpture park, and recovered with a Founder’s Rubaeus under a giant Chihuly chandelier. This year I just went straight for the Founder’s Brewing and tried a multitude of impressive seasonal releases.
I know it’s not a place that usually tops people’s wishlists, but it absolutely should be. Michigan has a lot to offer. I’m pretty sure “cabin culture” was invented here as most Michiganders have a place “up North.” “Up North” isn’t a particular place, it’s just north of where you usually are, and tends to be by one of Michigan’s 11,000 inland lakes. The Great Lakes feel like oceans, they are vast and beautiful. There are over 120 lighthouses and more picturesque covered bridges than you could possibly hope to visit in a single trip.
Honestly, I am itching to plan a personal vacation in Detroit. My dad is an auto industry expert and we’ve never done any of the multitude of car things in Motor City. My wishlist for Detroit is long, we didn’t go there much growing up, but I’d really like to go see the Motown Museum, Guardian Building, the Ford Museum with the Rosa Parks bus and the chair Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Michigan is farm country, and seasonal fun is always on the menu. You really can’t beat it for fall festivities and apple activities, the cherry blossom festival in Traverse City every spring is spectacular. Summer time is prime. I’m so happy watching sunsets and fireflies while eating homegrown corn on the lake. I lived for B93 Birthday Bash and Michigan Fest every summer growing up. I’m positive my dad taking me to those concerts every year are a massive part of why I devoted so much of my life to the music business.
My favorite Michigan treasures are quirky but lovely. I suggest an autumn visit to the Upper Peninsula. Take the ferry to Mackinac Island, where cars are banned and bikes and horse drawn carriages are abundant. The whole beautiful beach town is full of Queen Anne mansions, bright colors, and wafts of warm fudge, which the island is famous for. “Somewhere in Time” starring Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeves was filmed here and serves as your itinerary template for the beautiful things to see and do in this crazy time warp town. They even host an annual themed weekend around the movie the last weekend of October, if that’s something you’re interested in. The Grand Hotel with its 660 foot porch full of rocking chairs and views of the Mighty Mac Bridge are irresistible. The quirky interior and uniquely themed/decorated rooms inside are worth an exploration. A walk or bike ride through town or out to Fort Mackinac and the Arch Rock are a must. You could continue on up the UP and see Sleeping Bear Dunes, Lake of the Clouds at Porcupine Mountains Park, and Pictured Rocks. It doesn’t really matter what you plan, leaf peeping and fresh air are famous up here and you definitely want to experience it for yourself.
Every season is great, but I’m not a huge fan of the winters. You don’t have to wait for Christmas to get in the spirit though. Bronner’s is the world’s largest Christmas store and puts a smile on my face just thinking about it. It’s a huge Michigan tradition for a reason, and it’s the gateway to Frankenmuth, which feels like teleporting to Germany. Covered bridges, a glockenspiel pealing the Pied Piper's tale, riverboat cruises, onion domes, massive chicken dinners, beautiful buildings and scenery for miles. Cindy swears it’s her happy place, and you’ll know exactly why as soon as you cross under the giant Wilkommen arch. It’s just something you need to do at least once. This year we kidnapped Cindy from campus for a birthday chicken dinner, antiquing, and exploring this beautiful itty bitty bit of Bavaria together. We had a blast!
It won’t just take nostalgia and family ties to keep you coming back to Michigan. It really is something you have to experience for yourself. I know I grew up to be a big city girl, but the midwest is special. These really aren’t just flyover states. Take some time, find what fuels you- because I guarantee you, the cars Michigan is so famous for can steer you on an excellent adventure.
