There are some gorgeous rides in northern Michigan. Miles and miles of white sand beaches along the west coast, and awesome views of Lake Superior in the upper peninsula. It depends on what kind of activities you like, but there are many opportunities for hikes ranging from minutes to days, lots of places to rent canoes, kayaks, motorboats, and take tour rides on big water in small craft and ships (pictured rocks in Munising is outstanding). If you like shopping, there are many tourist areas along the west coast, with a wide variety of excellent dining, and Mackinaw Island has dozens of shops.
If you like wilderness, the state park and national forest system offers lots of options. And there are many, many historical sites, from abandoned mining towns (Fayette), to farms and farm villages, light houses, an abandoned farming community on the Manitou Islands, and plenty of civil war re-enactments. And then there's the historical fort Michlimacinac and the world's longest suspension bridge connecting our upper and lower penninsulas. Fishing is good, and there is an extensive and growing rails-to-trails systems that allows walking and bicycling along converted railroad lines (yes, you can find places to rent bikes). If you go in the autumn, there are stunning views of trees changing color. And if you decide to drive a car, we've got some fabulous cross-country skiing and snow shoeing in winter. Trails range from commercially maintained to no trail at all--you make your own in wilderness areas. (Compass, topo map, and survival gear required!)
There is camping in abundance, from places where $100,000+ motor-homes go, to places you can only reach by backpacking or canoeing.
And the sand dunes! Truly awesome. Most people from outside our state can't get their heads around the idea of miles of huge sand hills that descent into beautiful blue water inland seas. Look up Sleeping Bear dunes national lakeshore for sanddunes, or Silver Lake state park if you want an opportunity ride an off road vehicle on them.
We lived in Texas for three years--couldn't wait to get back to Michigan for real seasons and all the natural beauty. I remember driving into the state after a two-year absence and just being awed by the huge trees, miles of forests and beaches, and beautiful fresh-water seas with sunsets to die for. And speaking of things to die for: Mackinaw Island fudge, the upper-peninsula pasties, and traditional smoked fish. OMG, so good! And if you're a native, you probably love some of our venison (deer meat) dishes. My father is of mixed race heritage (partly Ojibwe, native American). As a child, a large proportion of our meat was wild game that he got by hunting. Some of it is delicious (and some isn't). For the most part, you can't buy that in restaurants, you have a know someone. And of course we have a rich network of vineyards and wine producers (mostly on the west coast), and Grand Rapids is a leading center of craft beer brewing nationally. Some of the craft brews are just amazing.
And speaking of native, the Native American communities have some world-class gambling casinos (which I have mixed feelings about), and several annual pow-wows where you can experience the cultures of the Three Fires tribes (the Anishnabe: Objibwe, Ottawa, and Pottawatomie).
I'm probably leaving out half of it. And people wonder why so many of us rarely vacation outside of our own state. Well, its just soooo good here.
What we don't have are high mountain peaks (too bad), or significant dangers from venomous snakes, scorpions, or things in the water that will eat you. For that, you'll need to head south or west.
So where should you go? Michigan. Absolutely. And unless you plan to spend a year, you'll want to come back again and again to see more of it.
