Each year, I want to shine a spotlight on some of my favorite hidden gems in Michigan we explored the previous year. While many are new sights to us, some are such great treasures that we returned back to them this year. I guarantee you won’t find any other Michigan bucket list like mine! Here are my recommended Michigan hidden gems to explore in 2023.
Charlevoix in northwest Michigan’s lower peninsula, is a beautiful place to visit any time of year. In the summer, it is a popular destination to enjoy its state parks, inland lakes, Lake Michigan beaches, boutiques, and charming attractions. However, Charlevoix and many of its top attractions are open year round. In fact, the best time to visit may just be after the peak summer crowds disperse. My family and I spent a weekend getaway where we explored the best things to do in any season in Charlevoix.
There’s a little something for everyone in Charlevoix. If you love architecture and history, stay in or tour the Earl Young mushroom houses and explore Castle Farms. For nature and scenery lovers, visit Mt McSauba and Fisherman’s Island State Park. Finally, for the art and foodie appreciators, almost all of Charlevoix’s restaurants remain open throughout the year! Now let’s dive into the best things to do in any season in Charlevoix. I’ve also provided a wonderful weekend getaway itinerary to make your trip easy.
To kick off another marvelous Michigan summer, my family and I headed northeast for a family friendly weekend trip to Alpena. When deciding where to visit for our first summer trip, Alpena was an easy choice. Their tourism board has a fantastic list of over 49 different family friendly activities in the area, which we used to help plan our trip.
With only three days to take advantage of all Alpena has to offer and a long bucket list, to avoid overwhelm, my husband and I each picked one attraction from the list we wanted to visit. I picked visiting Ocqueouc Falls – the only universally accessible waterfall in the United States, and my husband choose going on a Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tour. For our toddler son, we decided a visit to Dinosaur Gardens would be fun.
After we chose our priorities, we added other sights and activities nearby our top three to our itinerary. If you and your family love history, nature, and a bit of quirkiness, this is the perfect family friendly trip to Alpena guide for you!
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