The Michigan Bucket List
November 15, 2014
THE ORIGINAL MICHIGAN BUCKET LIST | AS Shared Over 200,000 Times on Facebook
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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?
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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.
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Detroit International Jazz Fest (largest free jazz fest in world).
Heidelberg Project aka Midget Town in Detroit
DIA
A Michigan beercation (so many great breweries besides in the grand rapids area).
The Paulding light in the UP
Beercation…I like that!
It’s sad that I’ve lived in MI my whole life and have only done a few of these things! BUT my Detroit Bucket List is very crossed off, so whenever you venture to this side of town I’ll help you cross a couple of must do’s in the D! 🙂 Mitten love!
Yes! I cannot wait! Eager to finally meet you!! 🙂
1,7,15,22,28,30,31,32,38,41,43,44,and 45. Looking to do many more, Great article. Michigan is a great place to live. This is only a small sub set of what there is to do here in our great state. Thank you again.
Agreed, I absolutely love living here. Thanks for the compliment!
Shipwreck tours in Munising is Awesome! Add that to your Bucket list!
Added! Thanks for the idea!
1,6,7,13,15,17,18,21,22,26,27,28,30,31,33,35,39,41,42,44,45
Isle Royale should be #1, also, add ,Wilderness state park, in the winter. North Manitou island , backpacking. Cabela’s in Dundee. The “Thumb” area .
Thanks for the additions, all great ideas! Explored the “Thumb” for the first time last month and had an amazing time.
Done 1,4,6,7, 11(but it’s really impossible to get lost), 13, 15,17,21,22,26,28,30,33,35,38 (and Paradise too), 41,45. Nice list.
Thank you!
Stay away from the Packard Plant – It’s private property ON TOP OF not being safe for a bunch of hipsters to be “exploring”.
Hey! I refuse to be called a “Hipster”, more like “explorer” ;). Thanks for the tip! Good to know, I was unaware it’s on private property.
I’ve been able to enjoy the following things in Mich. 7, 9, 13, 15, 18, 21. 22, 26, 28. 30, 33, 35, 38, 39. There are still lots more to see and do in Mich. Like: Visit Greenfield Village, Go down in copper mines in Hancock, Visit Frankenmuth, Bike ride around Mackinac Island, See Pictured Rocks, Cross the ‘Mighty Mac’ bridge, Visit the Heidelberg project in Detroit, Tulip festival in Holland, Tour Capital in Lansing, visit Mich. cider mills, climb a ‘fire tower’ in northern Mich. etc. the list goes on and on!
LOVE your list! Couldn’t agree with you more, there are so many amazing things to explore in Michigan.
Every single post that refers to Michigan as the “mitten” is just so grossly idiotic. Being unnecessarily cutesy about geographic landmass simply reiterates why such a large portion of our state is underrepresented and disrespected, and does nothing proactive to change the mindset surrounding it. The UP is not your footnote or tourist paradise.
Boom goes the dynamite. However, I think judgmental assholes tend to disrespect our state more…but that’s just my opinion.
😉
If you feel so strongly about dissin’ the mitten, why did you even bother to read this article? If people disrespect us because we call it the Mitten, they’re only displaying their own ignorance. Probably the same people who think the U.P. is part of Canada. They don’t care to know and I don’t care to know them. The UP is probably one of the most under appreciated places in the country by those who’ve never been there. Which, ironically, is what makes it one of the most amazing places. Jackwagons who want to develop every scrap of open land leave it alone. *stepping down off of soapbox* Michigan♡
Bizz, you would probably like Disney world or Disney land. Most of us “explorers need something more.