The Mitten State of Mind: One Thing to See or Do in All 83 of Michigan's Counties, Pt. 2

Michigan is full of majesty, mystery, and might, each of which comes in many forms. This three-part series highlights just some of what the Mitten State has to offer, county by county. Welcome to Part Two, which covers 32 counties alphabetically, from Hillsdale to Muskegon.

MichiganLogan T. HansenJuly 29, 2022travel, Michigan, travel advice, travel guide, travel guidance, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel ideas, Great Lakes State, Turnip Rock, Great Lakes, The Mitten State, mitten state, Hillsdale County, Tri-State Marker, Billingstown Ohio, La Tierra Sanctuary, hiking, hiking trails, Houghton, Houghton County, Mont Ripley, Upper Peninsula, Upper Peninsula Tours, Copper Harbor, Copper Country Falls Tour, Michigan Tech, Michigan Technological University, Portage Lake, The Portage, skiing, snowboarding, winter sports, the great outdoors, outdoor adventure, outdoor recreation, winter travel, winter getaway, summer travel, kayaking, canoeing, Mackinac Island, Huron County, Port Austin, Port Austin Kayak, Port Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Thumb, Ingham County, Michigan State Capitol, National Historic Landmark, self-guided tour, lighthouse, Ionia County, Saranac, Iosco County, Tawas Point, Tawas Point Lighthouse, Tawas Point State Park, fishing, Midwest Cape Cod, Lower Peninsula, migratory birds, bird watching, swimming, camping, Iron County, Ski Brule, Nordic trails, Wisconsin, sleigh rides, family trip, family-friendly, family vacation, Isabella County, Mount Pleasant, Soaring Eagle Casino, Bucks Run Golf Club, Jerry Matthews, Quarry Grill, Bucks Run Putting Island, Golf Digest, Golf Digest's Places to Play, Jackson County, Falling Waters Trail, Aaron Dimick, People for the Parks & Trails of Jackson Michigan, Cascades Waterfall, Kalamazoo County, Air Zoo, Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, Portage, Flight Innovation Center, amusement park, Michigan's Adventure, Wildwater Adventure Park, Kalkaska County, Skegemog Lake, Skegemog Lake Wildlife Area, Torch River, biking, mountain biking, Kent County, Grand Rapids, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Frederik Meijer, Japanese rock garden, The New York Times, 52 Places to Go in 2016, 52 Places, 52 Places to Go, Auguste Rodin, Ai Weiwei, West Michigan, Keweenaw Peninsula, Keweenaw County, Isle Royale, Isle Royale National Park, Manistee National Forest, Huron-Manistee National Forest, Lake County, Bear Track, Old Grade, Gleason's Landing, Bowman Bridge, Shrine of the Pines, Pere Marquette River, Lapeer County, Lake Inn, Lake Nepessing, Lapeer Country Club, craft beer, Up North, Northern Michigan, Leelanau County, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Fishtown, Leland, Lenawee County, Michigan International Speedway, Faster Horses, MHSAA, NASCAR, NASCAR Cup Series, Livingston County, Schell Family Farm, Parshallville Cider Mill, Spicer Orchards, cider mill, Ghostly Grove, Lansing, Detroit, Fenton, Pinckney, Tahquamenon River, Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Oswald's Bear Ranch, Newberry, black bears, Upper Falls, Lower Falls, Grand Hotel, Arch Rock, Macomb County, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, Ford House, Albert Kahn, Lake St. Clair, Cotswolds, National Register of Historic Places, Grosse Pointe Shores, Manistee County, Sleighbell Weekend, Sleighbell Parade, Ramsdell Theatre, Victorian Sleighbell Parade, beach, beach life, beach day, beach getaway, Secret Garden, Aaron Burden, Marquette, Marquette County, Sugarloaf Mountain, michigan.org, Pure Michigan, Yooper, Mason County, Ludington, Ludington State Park, Saturday Night Live, SNL, Stefon, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, Big Sable Point, Big Sable Point Lighthouse, Nordhouse Dunes, Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area, MTV, Dan Cortese, Mecosta County, Ferris State University, 13th, Ava DuVernary, Jim Crow Museum, Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, Menominee County, J Wells State Park, Green Bay, Menominee, Cedar River, Midland County, Herbert Dow, Dow Gardens, canopy walk, forest canopy walk, Pines Home, Missaukee County, Lake City, Airbnb, Lake City Family Diner, The Patio on Main, Rustic Hog Barbecue, Rustic Hog BBQ, Monroe County, Sterling State Park, Toledo Ohio, University of Michigan, walleye fishing, James Monroe, Montcalm County, Frugthaven Farm, Klackle Orchards, Klackle doughnuts, Thunder Bay Resort, Montmorency County, Hillman, elk preserve, murder mystery weekends, golf, golf course, Muskegon County, USS Silversides Submarine Museum, Hackley and Hume, Hackley and Hume Historic Site, Shivering Timbers, rollercoaster, theme park, waterpark, two parks for the price of one, White Lake, Whitehall, Muskegon, day trip, daytripping, day tripping, day tripsComment

The Mitten State of Mind: One Thing to See or Do in All 83 of Michigan's Counties, Pt. 1

Michigan is full of majesty, mystery, and might, each of which comes in many forms. This three-part series highlights just some of what the Mitten State has to offer, county by county. Welcome to Part One, which covers the first 29 counties alphabetically, from Alcona to Gratiot.

MichiganLogan T. HansenFebruary 8, 2022travel, travel guide, travel advice, Michigan, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel recommendations, travel tips, travel ideas, travel planning, travel appreciation, travel guidance, travel junkie, travel bucket list, Great Lakes State, Great Lakes, Escanaba, Upper Peninsula, mitten state, Chippewa County, Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon River, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Mother Nature, the great outdoors, outdoors, outdoor adventure, Grand Traverse Bay, Grand Traverse County, Alcona County, Churchill Pointe Inn, Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, lighthouse, Lake Huron, Hubbard Lake, Lower Peninsula, Alger County, Pictured Rocks, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Lake Superior, kayaking, Allegan County, Oval Beach, Conde Nast, Conde Nast Traveler, Saugatuck, Lake Michigan, Alpena County, Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Lady Michigan, Shipwreck Alley, shipwrecks, Antrim County, up north, Torch Lake, Torch Lake Monster, Arenac County, Charity Island, Charity Island Lighthouse, Saginaw Bay, bird watching, Baraga County, Mt. Arvon, L'Anse, hiking, biking, jogging, cross-country skiing, cross country skiing, Huron Mountains, Barry County, Gilmore Car Museum, history, Bay County, Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, BaySail, Benzie County, Inspiration Point, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville, Frankfort, Beulah, Crystal Lake, Platte Lake, Berrien County, Warren Dunes State Park, camping, Branch County, Capri Drive-In Theater, U.S.-12, Binder Park Zoo, Calhoun County, Wild Africa, Cass County, Dowagiac, Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary, Charlevoix, Charlevoix County, Charlevoix the Beautiful, Beaver Island, Beaver Island Hideaway Campground, Beaver Island Music Festival, Cheboygan County, Mackinaw City, Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island, Black Mountain Recreation Area, off-roading, snowmobiling, cheboygantrailways.com, Sault Ste. Marie, Soo Locks, St. James Harbor, St. James, Cops & Doughnuts, Clare County, Clare City Bakery, Clinton County, Uncle John's Cider Mill, US-127, Mid Mitten Cider Fest, Fall Craft & Gift Show, Crawford County, Hanson Hills, Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Grayling, Grayling Winter Sports Park, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, winter travel, summer travel, disc golf, archery, mountain biking, Midwest, Delta County, Escanaba in da Moonlight, Jeff Daniels, Fayette Historic State Park, Northern Sun Winery & Vineyards, Ludington Park, Little Bay de Noc, Dickinson County, Pine Mountain Ski & Golf Resort, Pine Mountain, ski jump, Eaton County, Dimes Brewhouse, BrickHaven Brewing, Sanctuary Spirits, Dimondale, Grand Ledge, Emmet County, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Genesee County, Flint, Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, Stepping Stone Falls, Saginaw Street, TripAdvisor, architecture, Anthony Bourdain, art, murals, Gladwin County, Hard Luck, ghost town, Au Sable State Forest, nailhed, Gogebic County, Big Powderhorn Mountain, Big Snow Resort, Blackjack Mountain, Indianhead Mountain, Traverse City, Old Mission, Old Mission Peninsula, winery, vineyard, Gratiot County, Fred Meijer Heartland Trail, Alma, Greenville, Montcalm County, wildlife, nature, travel junkiesComment

TripSavvy Says Michigan is Great for Outdoor Enthusiasts — They're Not Wrong

At the start of 2020, national travel publication TripSavvy declared Michigan an “underappreciated outdoor playground,” naming it the year’s top travel destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Provided this planet is full of all kinds of natural wonders, anyone unfamiliar with the Great Lakes State might balk slightly at such a designation. But those of us “in the know" aren’t the least bit surprised.

MichiganLogan T. HansenJanuary 24, 2020travel, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel advice, travel guide, Michigan, Pictured Rocks, Great Lakes State, Aaron Burden, TripSavvy, Great Lakes, Upper Peninsula, U.P., M-2, Isle Royale, Belle Isle, Detroit, Kitch-iti-kipi, Turnip Rock, Port Austin, Motor City, Motown, cider, cider mill, Northern Michigan, Southeast Michigan, West Michigan, Charlevoix County, Beaver Island, Beaver Island Music Festival, Lake Michigan, Grand Traverse County, Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City, Old Mission Peninsula, daytripping, day trip, day trips, wine, winery, Leelanau County, Leelanau Peninsula, Manistee County, Little Manistee River, Little Manistee, kayaking, canoeing, outdoors, the great outdoors, Mother Nature, Oceana County, Pentwater, Wexford County, skiing, Caberfae Peaks, Saginaw County, Frankenmuth, Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor, Wayne County, Greenfield Village, Holiday Nights, summertime, Alger County, Pictured Rocks Cruises, Pictured Rocks Kayaking, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Chippewa County, Sault Ste. Marie, Soo Locks, Soo Locks Boat Tours, Paradise, Tahquamenon River, Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Lake Superior, Houghton County, Keweenaw County, Keweenaw Peninsula, Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island, Fort Mackinac, Rocket League, The Gay Bar, Gay Michigan, US-2, St. Ignace, Muskegon County, White Lake, Whitehall, Ottawa County, Kirk Park, Grand Haven, Grand Haven State ParkComment

The Michigan Day Trip Tour, No. 6: St. Ignace, Gateway to the U.P.

From the Porcupine Mountains to Pictured Rocks, and a whole heck of a lot in between, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is filled with plenty of treasures for travelers to explore. As anyone who has been up there could tell you, it’s truly a world unto itself. While there is much to see and do beyond the bridge, it all gets started with the first city you run into after crossing the Straits of Mackinac: St. Ignace.

MichiganLogan T. HansenAugust 22, 2019travel, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel guide, travel advice, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, Great Lakes State, Mackinac Bridge, St. Ignace, Castle Rock, US-2, U.P., UP, up north, Straits of Mackinac, Lake Michigan, Chief Wawatam Park, Michigan Day Trip Tour, day trip, day trips, day tripping, daytripping, The Michigan Day Trip Tour, Sault Ste. Marie, Pictured Rocks, Yooper, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, Fort Mackinac, Fort Michilimackinac, colonial era, Colonial House Inn, Museum of Ojibwe Culture, Father Marquette, Father Jacques Marquette, Saint Ignace Historical Walking Tour, history, history lesson, Gateway City, St. Ignace Mission, Lake Huron, Great Lakes, Paul Bunyan, Babe, big blue ox, tourism, Straits State Park, Bridge View Park, North Country Trail, St. Anthony's Rock, Mystery Spot, mini golf, miniature golf, zip line, tourist trap, Driftwood Restaurant & Sports Grill, The Galley Restaurant, Java Joe's Cafe, The Gangplank, The Gangplank Pub & Grub, Joe's Diner, food, Bessie's Homemade Pasties, pasties, pastyComment

Mirror, Mirror On the Wall, Which Great Lake is the Greatest of All? — The Great Lakes, Ranked

As one of the largest sources of freshwater in the world — first in total area and second in volume only to Russia’s Lake Baikal — it’s difficult to imagine anyone making the argument that the Great Lakes aren’t named appropriately. But what if we were to compare the individual lakes with one another? Which of the Great Lakes is the greatest? The least-great? Now that’s a debate worth having.

Michigan, North AmericaLogan T. HansenMay 13, 2019travel, travel inspiration, travelspiration, Great Lakes, Great Lakes State, Michigan, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, H.O.M.E.S., HOMES, fresh water, Alan Labisch, Montreal Falls, Copper Harbor, Keweenaw Peninsula, Upper Peninsula, Lake Baikal, Russia, algae, algae blooms, Ohio, Cedar Point, America, USA, Cleveland, Buffalo, St. Lawrence River, Toronto, Atlantic Ocean, Huron language, Lake of Shining Waters, Mackinac Island, Manitoulin Island, Live Science, livescience.com, mitten state, Pictured Rocks, Isle Royale National Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Nordhouse Dunes, Grand Haven, Charlevoix, Pentwater, Leland, Fishtown, Charlevoix the Beautiful Comments

If Mackinac Island Were 9 Photos, It (Probably) Would(n't) Be These

Had I known I was going to slap together a photo essay in advance, I probably would have gotten some other shots, as well, but I think this group of images does the day-long stay on the island a sufficient amount of justice.

MichiganLogan T. HansenAugust 29, 2017travel, Mackinac Island, Mackinac Bridge, Canvas & Paddle, Doud's Market, Fort Mackinac, Governor's Honor Guard, Arch Rock, Great Turtle Kayak Tours, bike rental, bicycling, MyNorth.com, photo essay Comments

7 Must-Do's for Your Trip to Northern Michigan This Summer

Everything you could possibly want out of a Northern Michigan summer — short of venturing to the Upper Peninsula — can be found here.

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