by Kelly Szymanski

Created on: September 20, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Michigan is a wonderful place to go on vacation. Summers are warm, winters are snowy, autumn is crisp and colorful and spring is bursting with life. When planning your vacation getaway, whether it is a day or two or a week or two, here are a few places to keep in mind.

The Leelanau Peninsula

Located at the tip of the little finger, the Leelanau Peninsula is a picturesque area of approximately 2200 square miles. There are numerous wineries, scenic trails (some for driving, some for hiking), and golf courses. Depending on the season you can go fishing, skiing, boating or snowmobiling. Climb the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, or take a ferry out to the Manitou Islands. Go to a casino or lay out on a white sand beach. In short, everything you could want in a vacation spot. Accommodation choices range from a cabin to a bed-and-breakfast to a beach front resort.

Traverse City

At the southern end of the Leelanau Peninsula, on the Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City offers the best of the Leelanau Peninsula combined with a beautiful city with a vibrant downtown. Every season has something to celebrate from the Cherry Festival in summer to the Cherry Capital Winter Wonderfest in February. Stay in a chain hotel far inland or in a resort right on the bay.

Frankenmuth

A little Bavarian city in the thumb area, between Detroit and Saginaw, Frankenmuth is famous for its chicken dinners (go early for Sunday Dinner or expect a long wait!), Bronner's Christmas Wonderland and, more recently, Frankenmuth River Place where you can shop, enjoy a fantastic mirror maze, or play laser tag. From May to October, enjoy a guided paddle boat ride on the Cass River. Every season has its delights, but it's Christmas all year long at Bronner's.

Macinac Island

Visiting Macinac Island is like stepping back in time. Leave your car on the mainland and take a ferry to the island. Take a cab (since no cars are allowed cabs are horse drawn carriages) to your hotel. Visit historic Fort Macinac, the Porch at the Grand Hotel and Arch Rock. No visit to Macinac Island is complete without a visit to one of the islands famous fudge shops (so many visitors come to the island for the fudge that tourists are called 'fudgies'). Prepare to do lots of walking, but if you prefer, you can rent a bike or even a horse.

Detroit

Ok, we all know it doesn't have the best of reputations, but it really is a fun place to visit. Museums, casinos, major league sports venues, the theater district, Greektown and the Detroit River Walk...the list really does go on and on. Seriously, you will not get bored.

Romeo

The Village of Romeo, located about 23 miles north of Detroit, is probably best known around the Detroit Metropolitan Area as the home of the Annual Michigan Peach Festival. Peachfest takes place every year over labor day weekend. Carnival rides, parades, craft shows and peaches. Golf courses, orchards and antique stores attract visitors to the area every weekend, all year long.

Dearborn

 Visit Greenfield Village at the Henry Ford Museum for a trip back in time. When you are done there, take a tour of the Ford Rouge Factory and finish your visit with a trip to the Arab American National Museum Be sure to enjoy plenty of authentic Middle Eastern food while you are there.

Honestly, the list goes on and on. There is much to see and do in a landscape that is as diverse as the people who share it. You'll be surprised at what you've been missing.

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