How to Explore Michigan Like a Local

Where can you find stunning coastline, charming shoreline towns, and a variety of restaurants serving up dishes with locally sourced ingredients? All signs point to Michigan—the perfect destination for sustainable adventure. To learn all about why eco-minded travellers will love this Midwest state, we tapped Michigan local and sustainable travel enthusiast Emily Kay.

Outside: What sets Michigan apart as a travel destination?

Emily Kay: One thing (among many) I love about Michigan is how versatile it is as a state. From lakes and sand dunes to vineyards and forests, there’s an incredible amount of beauty and experiences to be had, no matter the season.

What are your favourite sustainable travel experiences in Michigan?

While “sustainable travel” can be a broad term, I like to keep in mind important elements such as supporting local businesses and the environment while visiting a destination. Below is a roundup of some of my favourite places and experiences that prioritize sustainability.

• Mackinac Island: An entire island with no cars where you get around via bicycles and horses? Not sure if modern travel can get more sustainable. Beyond that, Mackinac Island is such a unique place filled with charm. My favourite things to do are bike around the island and discover the many surprises like historic forts and natural monuments along the way, explore the Grand Hotel, admire the gorgeous colourful houses that look like they are straight out of a scene from Cape Cod, take a carriage ride, and eat lots of fudge.
• Glamp at the Fields of Michigan: If you want an all-inclusive experience that embraces life’s simple pleasures, look no further than the Fields of Michigan. My husband and I spent a weekend there last summer for his birthday, and it was one of our all-time favourite Michigan experiences, which is saying a lot! We enjoyed a farm-to-table dinner where the chef served locally sourced food, rode bikes through blooming sunflowers into downtown South Haven, picked blueberries in their private field, and made s’mores by the campfire. Bonus: The tents have comfortable beds, private showers, and toilets. It was perfect.
• Visit Coastal Towns: Michigan’s shoreline towns are perfect for walking and biking vacations, which is about as low impact as it gets. There are so many great towns filled with amazing shops, delicious restaurants, and things to do—I can’t pick just one. A few of my favourites are Saugatuck, Holland, Grand Haven, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Leland, and Traverse City. Great plan: Try stopping at a few towns along M-22. 
• Take In the Scenery: No matter where you are in Michigan, there’s always an outdoor adventure to be had. A few favourites include Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, both stunning natural sites that are a must in terms of travel experiences. Another fun thing to do is take a road trip and tour the many lighthouses along the 5,150 kilometers (3,200 miles) of shoreline. 

What sustainable travel tips can you offer people who are visiting Michigan’s lakes and woods?

Reduce, reuse, recycle—and pick up after yourself! Michigan is such a treasured place, and its natural beauty is truly so unique—not to mention our natural resources, such as fresh water, which are vital to the ecosystem. As someone who was born and raised here and who frequents the shores as much as possible, I’ve seen firsthand how factors like pollution can affect the lakes and land. It’s quite heartbreaking but entirely preventable with effort from locals and visitors alike. I think we all need to be more mindful of the environment and how our actions play into it, travelling or not. 

How do you enjoy Michigan’s locally grown food?

I live in the metro Detroit area, and one of my all-time favourite restaurants near my hometown is Sylvan Table. The warm and inviting atmosphere is staged in a 300-year-old barn situated on acres of farmland, and the kitchen serves dishes made from local sources. I’ve never had a dish there that I haven’t loved. 

In terms of experiences, a great way to enjoy local food is to embrace all that Michigan’s seasons offer. In summer and fall, one thing my family and I always have on our bucket list is adventuring to local farms to handpick local fruit. My favourite fruits to pick are strawberries and blueberries; both make great homemade jams. 

Another way to embrace locally grown food is to frequent farmers markets. They’re a huge part of Michigan culture, especially in the warmer months. One of the best I’ve been to while travelling is the Holland Farmers Market. Year-round, my favourite is the Eastern Market in Detroit, where you can get everything from local produce to Michigan-made goods. Our family loves a weekend morning where we get produce from the market, then enjoy brunch in the area afterward. It’s the perfect outing for exploring the city. 

What are your favourite Michigan brands and artisans? 

I’d be remiss not to mention favourites like Shinola or Carhartt, which as brands embody the hardworking spirit of Detroit. But I also love smaller, mission-led brands like The Mitten State. The brand partners with organizations and institutions to raise money for higher education, food banks, community programs, parks, and natural resource conservation in Michigan. It’s the perfect place to purchase Pure Michigan memorabilia for your friends, family, and yourself. 

In terms of artisans, a favourite of mine is Sweetwater Floral, founded by Kalin Sheick, a talented floral artist who has won awards for her designs. Her team recently opened a shop near Walloon Lake, which is on my list of places that I need to visit soon. 

One incredible resource is Michigan’s Creative Coast, which is all about celebrating the state’s immensely talented people.

And if you’re interested in reading more about why I love this state, I’ve written a few personal blog posts about the topic:

Moving Back to Michigan: Two Years In, Why We Love This State

Why I Love Calling Michigan “Home”

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan tourism information, your trip begins at Michigan.org. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.