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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So glad Beaver Island made the list. It’s my favorite place in Michigan.
I love the Island my mom used to live there year round for about 10 years, it was the best years of her life!!! My daughters and I went up to stay with her as much as we could!!!
One of mine also!!! Do you know Eileen W.
So glad to see so much love for the island on here. You guys rock. Also one of my favorite places in Michigan, I visit every summer!
I have done number 7,20,22,27,28,30,35,44 and 45.
You need to add taking a ride thru “The Tunnel of Trees” on M119 and visiting Legg’s Inn.
Agreed
M119 ain’t got nothing on U.S. 41.
I will have to check those out, thanks for suggesting!
Don’t forget picture rock. Iron mountain, Big bear dunes, and oh so much more. Michigan has some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I traveled all around the state for 11 days and stayed in a different place every day. Would do it again in a heartbeat.
I have done 3, 4, 6, 13, 18, 21, 22, 26, 28, 30, 31, 33, 38, 39, 42, 44 & 45! Drk Sky PArk is next. Watched cliff jumpers in Marquette, but would never do it!
Jumping would be much easier if the water wasn’t so cold! But I make myself do it at least once a year. 🙂
If you visit Hell, don’t forget to go to Paradise. These are great suggestions! I also loved watching the bears at the Newberry dump. It doesn’t take much to enertain you in Michigan. LOL Also the Cascades at Jackson should be on your bucket list.
Thank you! It sure is hard to get bored in Michigan 🙂
Paradise is a definite must! Beautiful area. Haven’t been to the dump in Newberry yet but try to go at least once a year to Oswalds Bear Ranch up there.
We use to go to the Blaney Park dump to watch the bears! Man, that was 40 years ago!
And Christmas, and ” The Gay Bar” in the tiny village of “Gay” in the UP. Also Grand Marais Insummer and winter. Don’t forget to visit Alden Spice Mill in Alden on Torch Lake, especially in the fall when their garden is full of carved pumpkins.
Rent a log home for a week in Northern Michigan. Homeaway #304337. Sit in a hot tub and enjoy a glass of wine while you watch the stars or watch the sunrise over a lake with a cup of coffee in the morning. Kayak between breweries in Traverse City, visit Interlochen Arts academy for a concert.
Thanks for your list. I will provide it for our cabin guests.
Great list! Every one is worthy of a spot on anyone’s bucket list. Could easily add another 90 to this. Michigan is so awesome! 🙂
10000% agree! 🙂
I’ve done a good share of these and many more.
How about, Visit the troll under Cut River Bridge. At least knock on his door, he’s not home very often 🙂
Ride the steam train at the Buckley Old Engine show.
Cut River Bridge is a beautiful place to take a walk. Its also not a far away place. A hop, skip and jump over the Mackinac Bridge.
Agreed! Very beautiful area
cut river gorge below the bridge is the real secret! you can take the hiking trail down from the rest stop across the rd from the bridge and you have the secluded beach (usually) all to yourself with a view of the bridge!!
I like those, thanks for sharing!!
I did kayak to Turnip Rock this summer – awesome trip. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Agreed! I finally did it in September and it was so much fun. We also made it out to the lighthouse. 🙂
Shalee, how far out is the light house from Turnip Rock? We are planning to kayak to the rock next summer and going to a lighthouse would be great too.
The lighthouse is about 3 miles offshore (although it looks much closer). However, it is definitely doable on a nice day. In the coming weeks I’ll actually have a post up about “The Thumb” and our kayaking adventure. Keep on the lookout for that, it could be very helpful! Thanks!
You should also catch a sunrise. I get them every morning. Winter ones are spectacular.
That is a great suggestion, I love catching Michigan sunrises whenever I’m on the east side. Very lucky you get them every morning!
If you rent a cottage in Paradise you could catch that sunrise.
You missed a really important event – walking the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day! That’s on my bucket list!
Good one! I would love to do that.
Hey don’t forget Cops and Doughnuts in Clare, MI it has such a cool story and history and the doughnuts are FABULOUS!!’
I LOVE cops and doughnuts! Especially the one topped with Bacon. Great Suggestion!
Gosh, I’ve got a good amount already done but certainly not all. I know I conquered Sleeping Bear Dunes as a child…I’ll have to start my “done it” and “want to do it” list..
good idea! Sleeping Bear Dunes was one of my favorites as a child
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