The Michigan Bucket List
November 15, 2014
THE ORIGINAL MICHIGAN BUCKET LIST | AS Shared Over 200,000 Times on Facebook
Thank you for supporting!
Michigan is perhaps the most underrated state in the United States. For those that live here, we know how special it is. I’m just going to get straight to the point here with my Michigan Bucket List. These are the top 45 things to do in the Mitten before you die.
(Scroll to the end for the printable version - as listed on Etsy)
1. Hike the Porcupine Mountains
2. Hot Air Balloon At Sunset
3. Complete the Michigan “Shore-to-Shore” trail
4. Sleep on the beach
5. Zipline Boyne
6. Transport to the Sahara at Silver Lake Sand Dunes
7. Road trip M-22
8. Witness the galaxy at the International Dark Sky Park
9. Visit the National Holocaust Memorial
10. Cliff jump in Marquette
11. Disconnect at Nordhouse Dunes
12. Explore Grand Island in winter
13. Soak in the beauty of Tahquamenon Falls
14. Surf Lake Michigan
15. Check out a Grand Rapids Brewery
16. Climb Copper Peak Ski Jump
17. Go sailing
18. Spend the day on Torch Lake
19. Go on a Fall Color Tour
20. Visit Isle Royale
21. Conquer Sleeping Bear Dunes
22. Dog Sled in the U.P.
23. Experience Electric Forest Music Festival
24. Kayak to Turnip Rock
25.Visit the Toy Museum on Beaver Island
26. Climb a Lighthouse
27. Explore ‘The Ledges’ in Grand Ledge
28. Catch a Sunset on The Lakeshore
29. Ice Climb a frozen waterfall
30. See the Soo Locks
31. Hike Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
32. Camp in a Hammock
33. Road-trip around “The Thumb”
34. Spend the night at Big Bay Point Lighthouse
35. Go Mushroom Hunting
36. Sled at the Highlands Castle in Canadian Lakes
37. Get Stranded on South Manitou Island
38. Go to Hell
39. Bike around Mackinac Island
40. Bathe in a waterfall in Munising
41. Visit Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
42. Tour the Historic Ghost Town of Fayette
43. Snowboard/Ski At a Town Resort
44. Rent a Cottage “Up North”
45. Spend a Weekend Off-The-Grid
PRINTABLE MICHIGAN BUCKET LIST
Purchase the downloadable and printable version of The Michigan Bucket list on my Etsy shop here.
How Many Items Have You Completed on The Michigan Bucket List? What is Your Favorite Item On The List?
Find me on Facebook (shaleewandersblog), Instagram and Twitter to follow along with my adventures through The Mitten (@Shaleewanders) and subscribe to be sure to get the most update-to-date information on the newest posts!
At any given moment, Shalee is either lost, hunting for ice cream, or obsessively planning her next adventure.
Born and raised in rural Michigan, she began exploring the shores of Great Lakes as a teen, often sleeping in her car to save money. Eventually, her urge to explore pushed beyond her Midwest borders. Today, Shalee shares her tips and stories to thousands of readers interested in adventure and outdoor tourism. Her pack now includes two spunky hiking cats and her partner, Josh. Learn more about her here.
Join the Adventure
Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.
[…] created “The Michigan Bucket List” on her blog, which has acquired more than 175,000 views and recommends places like Sleeping Bear […]
Lordy, Lordy Shalee– you have done a ton for a 21 year old!! Congratulations. I’ve done about half the things on your list. Stuff you need to add: 1) the graffiti-filled Dequindre Cut bike/jogging path in Detroit 2) Pewabic Tile factory in Detroit 3) John K King Bookstore (4 floors and over a million books) 4) our world class DIA 5) downtown Rochester Christmas lights 6) Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit 7) Ice skating at campus Martius 8) Chelsea’s Purple Rose Theatre 9) Art Prize in Grand Rapids 10) Tony’s at Birch Run 11) Achatz Pies were voted #1 in America! 12) Air Zoo of Kalamazoo 13) Morel Mushroom Festival in Boyne! And I have so many more….Good luck with your adventures. Suzie
Add “attend Les Preludes concert at the end of the summer season at the Interlochen Center for the Arts!”
33 of them! (Don’t want to type them all in…) Except for 15 months, have spent 69 years in Mich.
Bravo Joellen! You must have some UP roots! Suzie
[…] The Michigan Bucket List. Michigan is an awesome place! I’m also completely in love with this blog {check out the gorgeous pics on her Instagram}. […]
International Freedom Festival fireworks (in June NOT 4th of July). ANY of the museums and gardens, like the Dossin Great Lakes museum on Belle Isle (and many more too numerous to mention. And a correction the USS Silversides is a diesel powered sub). Canoeing or tubing on a river, such as the Pere Marquette, Pine, Au Sable, Muskegon, Two Hearted, even the Huron (although I wouldn’t recommended the Huron for tubing). Charter (or pier) fishing for trout, salmon, walleye, or perch. Visit Big Spring (Kitch-iti-kipi). Tour a copper and or iron mine, and while you are up there stop at Da Yoopers tourist trap.
Loved this! I have a suggestion for another one you could add to the list:
Walk the “Ice Bridge” to Mackinac Island.
My sisters and I did this in February of 2014, and it was an amazing experience! To see the island in the winter is almost surreal. The hustle and bustle of summer is nowhere to be found. The sidewalks are empty. The shops are closed down. Instead of bicycles, the street is lined with snowmobiles. You can grab lunch, and a beer, at the Mustang Lounge…but don’t come looking for fudge.
Round trip, it is roughly 11 miles worth of walking, but it is worth every mile. To see the Mighty Mac from standing out on Lake Huron is just awesome. If you ever get the chance, drive to St. Ignace and walk the ice bridge.
Mackinac Island in the winter is awesome. Snowmobiling or Cross country skiing is also a great way not only to cross over but to see the island in all its winter glory!! Just realise that the “Ice Bridge” can be very dangerous and conditions can change in minutes. Always excercise caution when planning an excursion out onto the open ice.
My hubby and I had our first date in Hell and honeymooned in Paradise!!!
Also, watch a sunrise on Lake Huron- amazing! I have plenty of pics if you need!
Every one should drive M22