17 Most Unique Places in Michigan For Unforgettable Experiences

Traveling is all about new experiences and doing things you wouldn’t normally do at home. This can include going to watch a play, eating a new kind of food, or even trying something new like skydiving. If you live in or are traveling to Michigan, there are tons of different and unique things to do. Here are the 17 most unique places to visit if you’re looking for a unique experience.

Greenfield Village

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to go back in time, wonder no more. Henry Ford opened this village that’s still operating today. You can walk through a working farm and even ride around in the infamous Model-T that changed the course of history for the automobile. You can look into how Thomas Edison solved the lightbulb mystery and go through the home of a famous poet. There’s tons to see and do here, including riding a train around, and the memories you make will last a lifetime.

Silver Lake Sand Dunes

Driving through sand dunes is some of the most fun you’ll ever have. At Silver Lake Sand Dunes, you’ll rent a Jeep and drive around on mountains of sand, with views that will stun you. It also backs up to Silver Lake, where you can hang out at and relax at once you’re finished up driving around. Exploring Michigan and driving through sand dunes are a must add to any list.

Eben Ice Caves

Thanks to its location in the upper peninsula of Michigan, the Eben Ice Caves are a great spot to take a trip to. The unique trail leads to some of the most amazing ice structures. It can be tough to get to, as you need to drive down a dirt road and park next to a farm. It’s also important to remember to wear warm clothes and protective shoes. Once you’re there, the drive and hike will have been worth it.

A Sunset Over Lake Michigan

Visiting Lake Michigan is one of the most memorable things you can do. One thing you have to do when visiting the lake is make sure to take in a nice sunset. It’s one of the few places in the United States where you can see the sunset over an entire body of water, as if you were at the ocean. Lake Michigan has tons of cool qualities, but being able to watch the sunset might just be the coolest of all.

Porcupine Mountain

Getting exercise is never a bad thing. This is even more true once you hike up Porcupine Mountain. At the top, you’ll be met by the Lake of the Clouds. This trail is 3.5 miles long and is commonly referenced as the best hiking trail in the entire Midwest. When you go, make sure to bring lots of sunscreen and water. It’s also smart to bring small snacks to enjoy along the way.

Great Lakes Heritage Center

If you’re looking for something fun, educational, and free, then you’ve come to the right place. The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is the perfect place to visit thanks to their many exhibits, labs, and even a shipwreck. There’s a gift shop you can go to in order to commemorate the day. This is a great way to spend time learning about one of the coolest parts of Michigan, the Great Lakes.

University of Michigan Football Game

While it’s common and easy to go to a football game, in Michigan, they’re unique. First off, the stadium holds up to 107,000 people. Being surrounded by that much energy going towards the same place will be one of the coolest things you experience. Michigan fans are also some of the most passionate, so odds are you’ll have a memory of a fan or two in the stands. Going to a game can be something that you take home with you.

Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum

Another free and fun museum to visit is Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum. There, you’ll see some of the oldest games that were coin-operated, new video games, and tons of model airplanes. You can bust out some loose change you have in your pocket and play games that you grew up on. There’s also some amazing neon hanging for you to take a look at and appreciate.

Wellington Farm Park

Much like the first place on our list, Wellington Farm Park is another place that will bring you back in time. It teaches you the history of what life was like during the Great Depression in the 1930s. There are tons of interactive crafts and fun things to go around and see. It’s always interesting to look back and see how far we have come in terms of technology and living in just 100 years. Michigan has a unique and cool way of teaching history.

Cherry Point Lavender Farm

Michigan is known for harvesting some of the most beautiful plants and flowers. One of the most common flowers to come from Michigan is the lavender flower. The best time to visit here is during the summer, when the lavenders are in full bloom. It’s a great place to go if you’re looking for a romantic evening, or to go enjoy and take tons of pictures for Instagram at.

Frankenmuth, Michigan

One of the coolest villages in Michigan is a Bavarian-themed one in Frankenmuth, Michigan. There are wine and chocolate tastings for you to enjoy. You can dine at the famous inn after spending the day at the water park. The world’s largest Christmas store is in Frankenmuth, Michigan. No matter what you’re looking for out of the day, this unique and amazing town in Michigan won’t disappoint.

Tiller’s International

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make art from wood? Look no further than Tiller’s International. Here, you will learn all you need to about woodworking and metal working. There’s just something to be said about being able to find anything that you’ve made and show it off. You have extra pride and joy and it means just a little bit more than if you just bought it. You can also learn how to make gifts for people, as homemade gifts are never going out of style.

Belle Isle

One of the many unique islands in Michigan is Belle Isle. It’s incredibly beautiful and located right next to downtown Detroit. On the island, you can get close enough to the Canadian border that you feel like you’re already there. The summers are wonderful since it’s warm and being next to the water cools you off.

Headlands International Sky Park

If you’re looking for a place to take a load off and just enjoy the scenery, Headlands International Sky Park is the perfect place for you. The best time to go is at night, as there’s virtually no light pollution destroying your view of outer space. Bringing a blanket, some food, and some drinks goes along perfectly with visiting Headlands International Sky Park.

Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary

Looking at something and knowing it’s been around for over 600 years can make you appreciate how it’s stood by for so long. That’s what the estivant pines have been able to do in Michigan. This sanctuary has trees that stand over 125 feet tall and are double the age of the United States. Thousands of different animals call this area home, so it’s the perfect place to come search out multiple species. This sanctuary is a must see for any unique Michigan experience.

Ford Rogue Factory Tour

The birth of the automobile changed history, and Henry Ford mastered it. Going on the Ford Rogue Factory Tour can help you have a great appreciation for how it all happened and how we got to where we are today. Henry Ford is truly one of the most iconic people, given him designing the five-day, 40-hour work week. Detroit has many cool places to visit, but the Ford tour should be at the top of your list.

Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore

The final place on our list to check out is the Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore. This is the second time a sand dunes tour has made the list, but it’s worth it. Adventuring on sand dunes and exploring all that the area has to offer truly makes it special. You can drive atvs up and down the sand dunes, take a sled down them, and even bury yourself. Make sure you’re safe when you bury yourself or sled down, you don’t want to get burned.

Michigan has some of the most unique and best experiences to visit, whether you’re alone or with a big group. No matter what, it’s important to get out and make new memories trying new things. Odds are, you won’t ever regret trying something new.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock.com