The Mitten State of Mind: One Thing to See or Do in All 83 of Michigan's Counties, Pt. 3

The sun rises over Lake of the Clouds in the Upper Peninsula’s Ontonagon County (Photo: Dave Hoefler)

The Mitten State of Mind: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Michigan is full of majesty, mystery, and might, each of which comes in many forms. From the classic architecture of Detroit to the pristine waters of the Grand Traverse Bay; from the perpetually awe-inspiring sight of the Mackinac Bridge to the far-flung forests of the Keweenaw Peninsula; from the sunset-soaked sands of the west coast to the lighthouse-lined shores of the east coast, there is no shortage of inspiration to be found.

This three-part series highlights just some of what the Mitten State has to offer, county by county. Welcome to Part Three, which covers the final 22 counties alphabetically, from Newaygo to Wexford. Let’s get started.

Newaygo

Newaygo County has a lot to offer to outdoor enthusiasts. That includes fishing charters and boat tours through Betts Guide Service & Outfitter; canoes, kayaks, and tubes available for rent from Wisner Canoes for a trip down the Muskegon River; and plenty of parks and trails. It’s what you’ll find in one of those parks that could make you look twice. At Riverfront Park in the county seat, a family of fish head statues makes for an unusual sight — certainly one that’s worth adding to your “Odd Michigan Places” bucket list.

Oakland

It may be called the Detroit Zoo, but the 125-acre home of more than 2,000 animals is actually located in the city of Royal Oak in the southeast corner of Oakland County — about 10 miles from downtown Detroit. Open year-round, the zoo brings in well over a million visitors annually, many of whom come to see the Arctic Ring of Life exhibit, which is among the largest polar bear habitats you’ll find in North American zoos. They also host various events throughout the year outside of their regular operating hours, such as Nocturnal Adventures.

Oceana

Pentwater is prime for a relaxing afternoon near the big lake, but sitting just to the south are the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, which give you a chance to kick things up a notch. Renting an ATV or other ORV and zooming up and down the dunes is the main attraction here, but it’s not the only thing the area offers. Swimming, boating, shopping, and a whole host of other entertainment options are also available.

SEE ALSO: How to Spend a Picture Perfect Day In & Around Pentwater

Ogemaw

Welcome back to Northern Michigan, where, in Ogemaw County, you’ll come across one of the most charming pit stops found along Interstate-75: Lumber Jack Food & Spirits. Guarded by a giant, wooden lumberjack, who can be found outside, perpetually taking a load off, this rustic, log cabin-style restaurant promises to transport you back in time as soon as you step inside. The menu features standard American fare (steaks, burgers, ribs, etc.) and the setting is guaranteed to make you feel like a real mountain man (or woman).

Sending the sand flying at Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Oceana County (Photo: Amber Kipp)

Ontonagon

The mountains are calling! Those found at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, to be specific. Okay, it’s not exactly the Rockies, but this state park is the largest in Michigan and it packs quite a punch, including a 35,000-acre, old-growth forest; more than 90 miles of hiking trails; a modern and rustic campground; and, yes, a ski area with 15 groomed trails. Absolutely not to be missed though? The breathtaking beauty of Lake of the Clouds.

Osceola

Straddling the edge of Northern and Central Michigan, Osceola County gives new meaning to the word “rural”. Which is why it’s a great place to go jump in a lake. Except we’re not talking about a lake; we’re talking about the Muskegon River. And we’re not talking about jumping into it (although you could); we’re talking about renting a canoe, kayak, raft, or tube from J&J’s River Run and going on a relaxing float. To get the full experience, you’ll want to shove off from Crawford Park along M-66 and breeze your way down to the Hersey Canoe Landing just off U.S.-10 (this map might be helpful).

Oscoda

If you’re a fan of the wild, wild West, boy, does Oscoda County have just the thing for you. Nestled among the trees of the Huron National Forest, about five miles south of Lewiston, is where you’ll find Coopersville USA, a miniature Old West-style town complete with a saloon, a brothel, a gallows, and lots of John Wayne imagery. According to Roadside America, a man by the name of Spike Cooper began constructing this tiny town in 2013 as a tribute to the famed actor. Of note: a woman from Romeo, Michigan, who visited in the fall of 2021 called it “the strangest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Otsego

Crystal Mountain is to Benzie County, as Treetops Resort is to Otsego County. With 80 acres of ski terrain, including 23 downhill runs and roughly 8.5 miles of cross country trails; five award-winning golf courses and two pro shops; five on-site dining options; 226 guest rooms and suites; and a full-service spa and salon, Treetops is an Up North institution. And, if for some reason you need something more, downtown Gaylord is but a stone’s throw away.

Ottawa

It’s the beach, stupid! With approximately 25 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, the beach is the place to be in Ottawa County. Specifically, we’re talking about the sandy surfaces found in Grand Haven (North Beach Park and Grand Haven State Park), Port Sheldon (Windsnest Park), and Holland (Tunnel Park and Ottawa Beach at Holland State Park). But if you despise sand between your toes, you could instead take a detour to Nelis’ Dutch Village (open April to September), a small, Netherlands-centric theme park right along highway U.S.-31.

SEE ALSO: Under the Radar: The Not-So-Little Beach Tucked Away Along West Michigan's Shoreline

The iconic red lighthouse at Grand Haven State Park in Ottawa County (Photo: Ian Hutchinson)

Presque Isle

Wow, okay, a lot to work with here. As the tip of the Mitten State’s pointer finger, Presque Isle County comes packed with miles and miles of Lake Huron shoreline, a number of islands ripe for exploring, and natural attractions like Ocqueoc Falls and Besser Nature Preserve. That’s all well and good, of course, but the main attraction is probably Presque Isle itself. Though not actually an island (the name is French for “almost an island”), this narrow peninsula is where you will find both the New and Old Presque Isle Lighthouses, each of which were built in the 19th century.

SEE ALSO: 5 Michigan Locations Associated with Creepy Urban Legends

Roscommon

Did someone say lake life? The two large inland lakes here — Higgins and Houghton — are the main attractions in this central Up North county. You’ve got your lakeside cottages, your boat and jet ski rentals, your family-owned restaurants and small businesses; a summer paradise in the middle of the Mitten. A trio of state parks (North Higgins Lake State Park, South Higgins Lake State Park, and Houghton Lake State Forest Park) welcome in campers during the warmer months, which is also when you can stop by the famed Nibbles Ice Cream Store (open May to September).

Saginaw

Saginaw County offers us another no-brainer: Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. The 7.35-acre retail space constitutes the world’s largest Christmas store, where, it is said, you can find every Christmas decoration, trinket, tree, and Nativity scene known to mankind. Frankenmuth, where Bronner’s is located, also comes packed with loads of charm, and is known as “Little Bavaria” due to the amount of pride the city takes in its German heritage.

SEE ALSO: The Bavarian Christmas Wonderland Sitting in Michigan's Backyard

St. Clair

There’s plenty of maritime fun to be had in St. Clair County, which is separated from Canada by the St. Clair River, and that includes visiting the oldest lighthouse in all of Michigan. The Fort Gratiot Light was built all the way back in 1829 to help guide vessels entering the rapids at the head of the river, which is part of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the shipping route that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean (AKA kind of a big deal). The lighthouse is one of the few in operation that allows visitors to climb the tower and step out onto the catwalk.

St. Joseph

We’re going to take this one in a slightly different direction, as St. Joseph County in southwest Michigan is home to a fairly unique cemetery. Lakeside Cemetery in the small town of Colon is famous as the final resting place of more magicians than any other cemetery in the world. Harry Blackstone, the first magician to pull a rabbit out of a hat; Ted Banks, an English magician who once toured with Charlie Chaplin; and Jack Gwynne, who built props for Harry Houdini, are all buried here, as are several others. The magic extends into town, as well, where you can visit a magic shop like Abbott Magic Co. or catch a live magic show.

A colorful sign invites you inside Zehnder’s, a long-running Frankenmuth fixture filled with Bavarian charm (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Sanilac

Let’s head over to the Thumb, where, in Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park, you can get a peek at Michigan’s largest known collection of early Native American teachings carved in stone. In the Anishinaabemowin language, these carvings, or petroglyphs, are called Ezhibiigaadek Asin, which means “written in stone.” They are said to pre-date Columbus’ arrival and represent various aspects of Native American spirituality. In addition to the petroglyphs, the 240-acre state park also boasts an interpretive hiking trail along the Cass River.

Schoolcraft

One place name sticks out above the rest when it comes to Schoolcraft County: Kitch-iti-kipi. Found on the other side of Indian Lake from Manistique (the county seat), Kitch-iti-kipi, or “Big Spring”, is Michigan’s largest freshwater spring, with more than 10,000 gallons per minute gushing from fissures in the underlying limestone at a constant temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The crystal-clear water, which you are able to ride over in a self-propelled observation raft, brings visitors to Palms Book State Park year-round.

Shiawassee

Strap on your silver-plated armor, grab a lance, and locate a round table, because Shiawassee County is taking us back to medieval times, sort of. Curwood Castle, built in 1922 and fashioned after a 17th century French chateau, sits on the banks of the Shiawassee River in the city of Owosso. Originally the writing studio of James Oliver Curwood, it is now a museum that welcomes visitors inside in the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Outside the castle walls is a park straddling the river, which of course provides prime photo-taking opportunities. If you really want to see history come alive, however, it’d be best to visit during the annual Curwood Festival, typically the first full weekend of June.

Tuscola

I’m a firm believer in the movie-going experience, which is why, when it comes to Tuscola County, we’ve got to recommend a visit to the Vassar Theatre in the small town of the same name. This single-screen, Art Deco theater made its debut in 1937 and is still going strong all these decades later as a centerpiece of downtown Vassar. In addition to regularly showing new releases (with ticket and concession prices that are a complete steal), the theater is also available for private screenings and video gaming sessions.

Van Buren

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Michigan has some spectacular beaches. In Van Buren County, the cream of the crop can be found in South Haven, a Lake Michigan hot spot as far as beach towns go. The fine folks in South Haven kept things simple for you, too, giving their two primary stretches of sandy goodness the names North Beach and South Beach. With either option, you’ve got your lighthouses, your concession stands, your playgrounds — the works. Another fun spot for water sports and the like that’s real close by, however, is Lake Arvesta Farms, which features two inflatable aqua parks and plenty of other recreational ditties.

Curwood Castle lies in wait on the banks of the Shiawassee River in the city of Owosso (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Washtenaw

There are plenty of natural areas worth a visit in Washtenaw County, but the main attraction here is a fairly big one. Of course I’m talking about the Big House — Michigan Stadium — where the University of Michigan football team plays its home games. Watching the boys throw the pigskin around with 100,000 of your closest friends in the largest stadium in the U.S. is an experience everyone ought to have at least once.

SEE ALSO: Where to Eat & What to See & Do in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Wayne

It’s very, very tempting to go with something in Detroit here, such as attending a Lions, Tigers, Pistons, or Red Wings game, or checking out the various farmers markets that pop up in the city’s Eastern Market district year-round, but here we’re going to set our sights slightly westward of the Motor City. Over in Dearborn, you’ll find The Henry Ford, a large indoor and outdoor museum complex and National Historic Landmark that is great to visit regardless of the time of year (but especially during December, when Greenfield Village hosts its annual Holiday Nights extravaganza).

Wexford

All manner of outdoor activities are popular in these parts (which I guess you could say for much of Michigan, really) and that includes skiing and snowboarding. For those wintertime ventures, the place to be in Wexford County is Caberfae Peaks, which boasts some of the biggest vertical drops and longest ski runs in the Midwest, and a truly rustic Northern Michigan experience. It helps that their rates are extremely affordable, too.

SEE ALSO: The Rustic (& Affordable) Northern Michigan Skiing Experience You Need in Your Life

-LTH