The best way to start the new year is to plan an exciting trip every month. While there are plenty of mainstream attractions to visit, why not try out one of Michigan’s many hidden gems? There’s something for everyone including America’s oldest aquarium, a unique winery, and a 125-year-old library above a fudge shop.
January - Hanson Hills Recreation Area
Rebecca Creque/Google Embrace winter by visiting this underrated ski area in Grayling that offers downhill skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, snowshoe trails, and groomed cross-country skiing trails. Don’t know how to ski or snowboard? Learn something new this year; join Hanson Hills professional snow sports school, and discover a new hobby. 7601 Old Lake Rd, Grayling, MI 49738, USA
February - Belle Isle Aquarium
Belle Isle Conservancy Opened in 1904, the oldest operating aquarium in the United States is located in Belle Isle Park in Detroit. The historic building’s interior is impressive with green opaline glass tiles lining its vaulted ceiling. The aquarium is wheelchair accessible and children will love looking at the different species of fish in the collection. Inselruhe Avenue, Inselruhe Ave, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
March - Harbor Springs Library
Emily Tieman via OIYS The lovely small town of Harbor Springs has many popular attractions such as the tunnel of trees and Pond Hill Farm. But there is a charming and secret spot that very few tourists know about. Above the fudge shop is a 125-year-old library with a gorgeous interior complete with multiple old-fashioned library ladders. Looking out the windows you get a birds-eye view of downtown and it’s a perfect place to sit and unwind after a day of traveling. 206 S Spring St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, USA
April - Crazy Quarters Arcade
Bay Area Chamber of Commerce/Facebook Feel like a kid again when you step into the Crazy Quarters Arcade with over 70 retro games. The basement has a speakeasy-style pinball room where you can spend hours playing games, plus it’s wheelchair accessible. This is an affordable rainy day activity for the whole family. 304 Center Ave, Bay City, MI 48708, USA
May - Japanese Cultural Center
Scott Rittenberry/Google Cherry blossoms are blooming in the month of May and there’s no better place to view them than the Japanese Cultural Center in Saginaw. The stunning gardens opened in 1971 and are just as breathtaking today. There is also a tea house on-site which makes for a very relaxing experience. 527 Ezra Rust Dr, Saginaw, MI 48601, USA
June - Brunette Park
ProEnglishSchool/Google Pack a picnic basket and some meat to grill at this quaint roadside park in the Upper Peninsula. There is a combination of sandy and rocky shores at this park and it’s a great place to view majestic Lake Superior. Gay Lac La Belle Road, Gay Lac La Belle Rd, Michigan, USA
July - Round Barn Winery
Round Barn Winery & Estate/Google This family-owned and operated winery in Baroda has live music and concerts all summer long. You can enjoy a delicious wine tasting while you view the beautiful turn-of-the-century Amish round barn that looms over the lush vineyard. 10983 Hills Rd, Baroda, MI 49101, USA
August - Krafft Beach
Discover the Blue Take a dip in Lake Huron at this secluded beach in Port Huron. When you park there is a 600-foot walk to the beach but the hike is worth it when you take off your shoes and sit down on the warm sandy shores. There is limited street parking so get here early and enjoy a gorgeous sunrise. 1108 Krafft Rd, Fort Gratiot Twp, MI 48059, USA
September - Estivant Pines
Angel Gaikwad-Burkey/Google Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary is a 508-acre sanctuary in Copper Harbor. You can hold on to the last few days of summer and get a glimpse of fall when you explore the winding hiking trails. Burma Road, Burma Rd, Grant Township, MI, USA
October - Gull Meadow Farms
ItsThatEasy Gaming/Google A wonderful place to get lost in a corn maze is Gull Meadow Farms in Richland. Everything you’re looking for in an October day is here like award-winning apple cider, freshly baked donuts, a petting zoo, and a pumpkin patch that will keep your family busy all day long. 8544 Gull Rd, Richland, MI 49083, USA
November - Pine Street Mercantile
Brandon L Smith/Google Local Kick off the holiday season at Pine Street Mercantile antique store in Muskegon. This delightful shop is filled with vintage finds like shabby chic furniture, mid-century-modern decor, and vintage clothing. The entire shop transforms in November for the annual Christmas open house and you’re sure to find a few nostalgic Christmas decorations from your childhood. Pine Street Mercantile, 866 Pine St, Muskegon, MI 49442, USA
December - Critter Barn
Critter Barn/Facebook Kiddos will love visiting this non-profit farm with over 200 animals to view, pet, and feed. During the month of December, there is a live nativity seen in a heated barn. Friendly sheep, goats, cows, pigs, donkeys, chickens, ducks, and turkeys await your visit. 2950 80th Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464, USA
Have you visited any of these hidden gems? Let us know which one is your favorite in the comment below!
Rebecca Creque/Google
Embrace winter by visiting this underrated ski area in Grayling that offers downhill skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, snowshoe trails, and groomed cross-country skiing trails. Don’t know how to ski or snowboard? Learn something new this year; join Hanson Hills professional snow sports school, and discover a new hobby.
7601 Old Lake Rd, Grayling, MI 49738, USA
Belle Isle Conservancy
Opened in 1904, the oldest operating aquarium in the United States is located in Belle Isle Park in Detroit. The historic building’s interior is impressive with green opaline glass tiles lining its vaulted ceiling. The aquarium is wheelchair accessible and children will love looking at the different species of fish in the collection.
Inselruhe Avenue, Inselruhe Ave, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
Emily Tieman via OIYS
The lovely small town of Harbor Springs has many popular attractions such as the tunnel of trees and Pond Hill Farm. But there is a charming and secret spot that very few tourists know about. Above the fudge shop is a 125-year-old library with a gorgeous interior complete with multiple old-fashioned library ladders. Looking out the windows you get a birds-eye view of downtown and it’s a perfect place to sit and unwind after a day of traveling.
206 S Spring St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, USA
Bay Area Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
Feel like a kid again when you step into the Crazy Quarters Arcade with over 70 retro games. The basement has a speakeasy-style pinball room where you can spend hours playing games, plus it’s wheelchair accessible. This is an affordable rainy day activity for the whole family.
304 Center Ave, Bay City, MI 48708, USA
Scott Rittenberry/Google
Cherry blossoms are blooming in the month of May and there’s no better place to view them than the Japanese Cultural Center in Saginaw. The stunning gardens opened in 1971 and are just as breathtaking today. There is also a tea house on-site which makes for a very relaxing experience.
527 Ezra Rust Dr, Saginaw, MI 48601, USA
ProEnglishSchool/Google
Pack a picnic basket and some meat to grill at this quaint roadside park in the Upper Peninsula. There is a combination of sandy and rocky shores at this park and it’s a great place to view majestic Lake Superior.
Gay Lac La Belle Road, Gay Lac La Belle Rd, Michigan, USA
Round Barn Winery & Estate/Google
This family-owned and operated winery in Baroda has live music and concerts all summer long. You can enjoy a delicious wine tasting while you view the beautiful turn-of-the-century Amish round barn that looms over the lush vineyard.
10983 Hills Rd, Baroda, MI 49101, USA
Discover the Blue
Take a dip in Lake Huron at this secluded beach in Port Huron. When you park there is a 600-foot walk to the beach but the hike is worth it when you take off your shoes and sit down on the warm sandy shores. There is limited street parking so get here early and enjoy a gorgeous sunrise.
1108 Krafft Rd, Fort Gratiot Twp, MI 48059, USA
Angel Gaikwad-Burkey/Google
Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary is a 508-acre sanctuary in Copper Harbor. You can hold on to the last few days of summer and get a glimpse of fall when you explore the winding hiking trails.
Burma Road, Burma Rd, Grant Township, MI, USA
ItsThatEasy Gaming/Google
A wonderful place to get lost in a corn maze is Gull Meadow Farms in Richland. Everything you’re looking for in an October day is here like award-winning apple cider, freshly baked donuts, a petting zoo, and a pumpkin patch that will keep your family busy all day long.
8544 Gull Rd, Richland, MI 49083, USA
Brandon L Smith/Google Local
Kick off the holiday season at Pine Street Mercantile antique store in Muskegon. This delightful shop is filled with vintage finds like shabby chic furniture, mid-century-modern decor, and vintage clothing. The entire shop transforms in November for the annual Christmas open house and you’re sure to find a few nostalgic Christmas decorations from your childhood.
Pine Street Mercantile, 866 Pine St, Muskegon, MI 49442, USA
Critter Barn/Facebook
Kiddos will love visiting this non-profit farm with over 200 animals to view, pet, and feed. During the month of December, there is a live nativity seen in a heated barn. Friendly sheep, goats, cows, pigs, donkeys, chickens, ducks, and turkeys await your visit.
2950 80th Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464, USA
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