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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You could spend an entire summer just touring the 130+ Michigan breweries.
Or spend a day exploring Belle Isle.
Belle Isle is very high on my list to explore next. Can’t wait to go! Went to Short’s brewery last weekend also. Very fun!
Belle Isle as a child was the best place ever!
Ride all of the ferries in Mi. I don’t think I will get them all…Drummond Island, Mackinaw Island, Isle Royal, the Ferry from Ludington to Wisconsin, Bois Blanc, Lake Charlevoix, Manitou Island, Sugar Island……
Great idea! I still have many of those to complete.
The Ironton Ferry crossing the south arm of Lake Charlevoix or the Saugatuck Chain Ferry (only hand cranked ferry left in the U.S.)
4, 28, 31 (several times! ❤️), and 41 – born & raised in Michigan – best place on earth!!
Agreed! Love this state.
Fantastic List!! I would suggest adding a visit to Crossroads Village including a ride on the Huckleberry RR and the Genesee Belle Paddle Boat on Mott Lake (Genesee County) 🙂
All added to my list of new places to explore, thank you!
Visit the NOAA museum in Alpena (the only NOAA museum in the interior of this country, not on an ocean) and go on a glass bottom boat ride looking at shipwrecks.
Very cool fact! Thanks for sharing
Well, have done 14 of them, couldn’t count cross country skiing up the Taquamennon (sp?) River to the falls, cause we didn’t climb the mostly frozen falls. You need to experience the Music house museum in Traverse city area, castle farms in Charlevoix, pick a bucket of sun warmed blueberries, hike the painted rocks, walk the Mackinac bridge, definitely do the fall color tour to Leggs inn. Yep, lots of fun in all seasons in Michigan. My favorites are the sunsets and lighthouses.
Sunsets and Lighthouses are my absolute favorite. They will never get old. Thanks for the ideas!
I’m sorry, but the National Holocaust Museum is in Washington, D.C. Editors, where are you? There is a Holocaust Museum Center in Farmington, Michigan, however. Bad editing.
The Henry Ford (museum and Greenfield Village) should be near the top of this list, along with a Tiger’s game!!
Is it crazy that I’ve NEVER been to a Tiger’s game?! What’s wrong with me?!
No professional editors here! Completely self-run by yours-truly. Mistakes happen and I’m aware of the error.
Born in the UP, transplanted to the LP. I LOVE this state; I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I’ve done many of them. Add to the list. 1) Climb Sugarloaf Mountain off M550 in Marquette. 2) Drive to the top of Marquette Mountain for a GREAT view of the city and the lake. 3) Cycle the Leelanau Peninsula; awesome woop de doo hills, great views everywhere. 4) Soo Locks. 5) Ride your bike across the International Bridge at the Soo into Canada. 6) Ride ANY Michigan bike path. We have the most paths in the country. 7) Brockway Mountain Drive in the Keewanau. 8) Attend a Michigan PowWow. 9) Visit the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing. There are many more; but I need to get back to work!!
All fantastic ideas, Marie! Thanks for sharing, I’ll have to get started on those!
What about dead river falls in marquette? Jumping off the rocks right next to the waterfall is amazing. Plus there is a nice little hike to get there. Love it. One of my favorite places.
Packard Plant is a little hard to do as it is being demolished: http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20141017/NEWS01/141019867/crews-begin-demolition-of-packard-plant-in-detroit
Ouch! Sad article.
http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2017/04/28/detroit-packard-plant-rehab/101044112/
Old news. Rehabbing Packard Plant
Eastern market on a Saturday morning, then to the Riverwalk. Eat off of a food truck, yum.
I love food truck food! There’s just something about it.