Michigan Essential Info
Overview
The Great Lakes aren't the only great thing about Michigan! Do some urban exploring in Detroit, visit the charming island of Mackinac (it's so charming that cars are banned from the island, and fudge is their main export) or fall in love with Tahquamenon Falls State Park. If all of that isn't enough to convince you to visit, then just watch a Pure Michigan commercial!
Basics
Best Time To Go
May-Jun, Sep-Oct
Current Weather
33 °F
Mostly Cloudy
Fun Facts
- The world's largest limestone quarry is located near Rogers City, Michigan.
- The first air-conditioned car was manufactured in 1939 by Detroit's Packard Motor Car Company in Michigan. The "Big Three" auto giants, Ford, General Motors and FIAT Chrysler Automobiles are also headquartered in the Michigan.
- Battle Creek, Michigan, is the cereal capital of the world due to the presence of the Kellogg Company.
- Michigan has the nation's longest freshwater shoreline.
- Petoskey stones, the state stones of Michigan, are made from 350 million-year-old fossilized limestone.
- Detroit is the birthplace of Motown Records. The original headquarters, Hitsville U.S.A., is now a museum where you can listen to greats like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Funk Brothers, Temptations and Supremes.
- Northern Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes are made up of miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450' above Lake Michigan, lush forests and clear inland lakes, making it a top summer travel destination.
- The Porcupine Mountains, or Porkies, are a group of small mountains spanning the northwestern Upper Peninsula of Michigan near the shore of Lake Superior.
Popular Foods
- Cherries - The National Cherry festival is held in Traverse City, a popular vacation destination year-round, every July! Stop by Cherry Republic for anything cherry you can imagine - cherry salsa, chocolate covered cherries cherry jam, cherry summer sausage, cherry wine, cherry beer, cherry mustard....
- Blueberries - Michigan is the number one state in highbush blueberry production. The sandy soil in southwest Michigan produces over 100 million pounds every year. The brief, peak season is mid-July to mid-August. There are many U-Pick fields and stands that sell fresh berries by the lbs, jams, bakery items and other produce. Seriously, you have to try the blueberry donuts at Bowerman Blueberries in Holland.
- Coney Dogs - Chili, onions and mustard on a hot dog. And if you're really letting loose add cheese. Two next-door-neighbor hot dog locales: Lafayette and American Coney Island have an ongoing competition that often leads to patrons hitting up both in one visit!
- Detroit Style Pizza - Sicilian-style square pizza. Buddy's Pizza is a local favorite. Jets, Little Caesars and Dominos are also headquartered in Michigan.
- Pasties - Savory meat hand pies that are popular in the UP (Upper Peninsula). Brought in by miners, pasties have made their way into hip Detroit area restaurants like Sister Pie and Dangerously Delicious Pies.