Michigan Summer Travel Adventures: 5 places to fulfill your wanderlust
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Michigan Summer Travel Adventures: 5 places to fulfill your wanderlust
Tahquamenon Falls Brewery has been a family-run business for three generations. Hop Lot Brewing Co. landed on USA Today’s 10Best list for best beer garden in the nation two years in a row. Falling Rock Café & Bookstore offers both hiking fuel and chill respite for visitors to the U.S. Upper Peninsula is home to 17 waterfalls in the immediate area, according to Munising, Michigan’s official waterfalls website. The state’s most talked-about beer garden is located on a tree-lined property in Northern Michigan. It feels like you stumbled into a summer camp and you’ve been there for a few weeks, the owners say, but it’s a real treat for the eyes and ears. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy one of the most talked about beer gardens in the country, the brewery’s website says. The beer garden was named one of USA Today’s 10Best in the United States in 2012 and 2013, and it’s on the USA Today list again this year.
Whether you’re a year-round resident or one of the millions of tourists coming to the Mitten, there’s plenty to explore within the Great Lakes State.
We love our big billboard-worthy centerpieces like the rolling hills of wineries in Traverse City, the quaint downtown of Mackinac Island and the lively art, music and sports scene in Detroit.
MLive’s Travel team also brings you the side-road destinations, the didn’t-know-this-was-here local joints and, quite literally, the road less traveled. We’re lucky enough to be tourists in our state, so here’s a quick hit list of what we think you should check out this summer.
The Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub dining room lined with taxidermy animals on the walls at Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub
Let’s start all the way up in the Upper Peninsula.
One of our most famous state parks, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, is in a spring flush right now. Nearly 20 feet of snowmelt has the waterfalls roaring.
The gem that we’re loving this summer brings that Yooper spirit to life.
Tahquamenon Falls Brewery, sitting right at the entrance of the Upper Falls trailhead, has been a family-run business for three generations.
Not only is the building dropped right into the forest, but its roots truly exemplify Michiganders love for nature.
The land was purchased by logger Jack Barrett in 1949. Rather than make it his 33rd logging camp, he sold the majority of the land to the state with explicit instructions that it could only be used as a state park.
Barrett even went as far as including parameters for the parking lot in the land deed so that visitors would have to walk to the falls and feel the anticipation of roaring waterfalls.
In the winter it’s a snowmobile haven and then spring flushes it green and the brewery becomes a summer patio paradise with a huge pavilion and fireplace as its centerpiece.
RELATED: From logging camp to lager legacy, kick back at Tahquamenon Falls Brewery outdoor patio
The main seating area at Falling Rock Cafe and Bookstore in Munising, Mich. on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Falling Rock Café & Bookstore
If you continue chasing waterfalls throughout the U.P. then you’ll want to wind through Munising, home to 17 waterfalls in the immediate area.
Before you head out on your big hike, we recommend stopping at Falling Rock Café & Bookstore.
Lines are known to wind around the historic building at 104 E Munising Ave as hungry hikers come in search of fuel.
The crowd favorite is the breakfast burrito – known to sell-out on busy weekends. Early birds will also appreciate exclusive blends from Great Lakes Coffee Company that Falling Rock is roasting onsite.
If you come for lunch, don’t underestimate the beautiful simplicity of the grilled cheese sandwich on fresh bread. That ooey gooey cheese pull is just so satisfying.
Later in the evening you can catch some local musicians strumming in the cozy, wooden lounge and bookstore area. Not to mention this is a stellar spot to find some unique souvenirs and gifts from Michigan artisans.
RELATED: This longtime cafe offers both hiking fuel and chill respite for Pictured Rocks visitors
The entrance to Hop Lot Brewing Company Company in Suttons Bay, Mich. on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Hop Lot Brewing Co. & Beer Garden
If you find yourself on a scenic road trip down M-22 – which we recommend in all seasons – then pull off to enjoy one of the nation’s most talked-about breweries.
Hop Lot Brewing Co. & Beer Garden landed on USA Today’s 10Best list for best beer garden in the nation two years in a row. Come check out for yourself what the travel experts and thousands of voters experienced in Sutton’s Bay.
RELATED: Northern Michigan brewery grows into an epic year-round beer garden
Pulling into the tree-lined property it feels like you’ve stumbled into a secret summer camp and lucky for you, the counselors are going to let you sit and stay awhile.
With firepits and picnic tables dotting the massive garden the Up North hospitality is immediate. The brewery continues to expand its campus which already has an outdoor bar, kitchen, cornhole area, live music stage and kid’s sandpit area. If you’re looking to catch a game while you’re there, the brewery just opened its tented bar and seating area with a giant projector screen.
You know a Michigander built this place when everything you could do inside is now fully available – and better – outside.
Port Oneida Rural Historic District within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
The Carsten and Elizabeth Burfiend Farm in Port Oneida Historic District at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Whether you’re spending a day, a weekend or a week in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore you’ll find something new and unique at each turn.
Yes, we recommend peeking over the edge at Pyramid Point, stopping for photos along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and watching a sunset dip below the Dune Climb (we do not recommend running down and getting stuck though).
You should stop at all of those iconic Sleeping Bear spots, but don’t miss a rare piece of Michigan history in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District.
Michigan is unique to have forested sand dunes and while hiking to the peak of the dunes to see the beautiful blues below is the Instagram draw, it’s more than worth it to traverse through these forests.
RELATED: Hike past century-old farms and bluffs formed by glaciers in Sleeping Bear’s historic district
Within the historic district you’ll find century-old farmhouses, 145 historic structures and three trails.
Glaciers moved over this land thousands of years ago and left behind tall ridges and barren soil, setting up a hard life for the European immigrants who settled along this beautiful stretch of Lake Michigan in the 1850s.
The district has preserved so much of their way of life it gives you new appreciation for running water. Seriously can you imagine climbing up and down sand dunes with buckets of fresh water?
RELATED: Basket weavers, potters and woodworkers needed to bring 1800s fair to life at Sleeping Bear
Check it out for yourself during the Port Oneida Fair, Aug. 8-9, where dozens of traditional trades and crafts will be demonstrated at five historic farmhouses.
RELATED: Sleeping Bear on a mission to save rare 19th century apples from extinction
One particular highlight is the humble orchard across from the Kelderhouse farm, where the park is reviving antique apple trees planted from the grafts of 19th century trees.
This is also the trailhead for Bay View’s Farm Trail, which is one of the two trails accessible by Track Chair meaning hikers of all mobility can enjoy this one-mile trail stretch of gradual hills leading to the lookout point for a panoramic view of Sleeping Bear Bay as it bleeds in Lake Michigan.
RELATED: Summer reservations open for Sleeping Bear’s Track Chairs and wheelchair bikes
Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park
Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park, located at 462 N Scenic Dr in Muskegon, keeps its cross-country ski and snowshoe trail open, groomed and lit every night for hikers. Hike the Lights turns on at sunset and off at 10 p.m. Admission is free in the spring, summer and fall.Lindsay Moore
If you’re looking to try something and add a bit of adventure to your summer getaway, we recommend Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park.
As the name alludes, this park runs one of four luge tracks in the country in the winter alongside its epic ice rink and forested ice-skating trail. In the summer, it’s an outdoor playscape for kids and adults alike.
RELATED: Looking for a night hike? Muskegon Luge’s 4-mile trail system keeps the lights on
In the summer you’ll find folks flying high through the trees on the 1,400- foot dual zipline, climbing up the rock wall, learning archery or taking a chill stroll at night through the Hike the Lights trail which leads out to a bonfire garden.
The adventure park sits within Muskegon State Park and connects to the state park’s various trails leading to the inland Lost Lake and Lake Michigan beaches and campgrounds so you can make a full trip out of your visit.
RELATED: New boardwalk will keep your shoes dry on this muddy trail to Lost Lake
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