Is Michigander a state of mind? Or is it a status that can be gained over time through experiences?
Native Michiganders probably don’t give these questions much thought. But transplants often are left wondering about their status. In August I'll mark my 20th year in Michigan. There are days I feel like a Mitten veteran and others I'm reminded of my relative rookie status.
So where do you rank on the Michigander meter? I asked readers to help me assess my ranking. In true Michigander form, I was inundated with responses. If there's one thing I've learned, Michiganders love their state. I love this state, too.
So on Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of summer, here’s a bucket list of Michigan must-sees and must-dos that’s sure to up your Michigander cred.
The non-negotiables
Mackinac Bridge: The Mighty Mac connects Michigan’s two peninsulas. It’s the fifth-longest suspension bridge and it’s absolutely majestic. Drive over the bridge and enjoy the views. Stop in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace and walk down to the water to see the bridge from ground level. *Bonus points if you walk the bridge on Labor Day.
Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore: This might be the most beautiful of the many beautiful places in Michigan. The Dune Climb is a popular destination; it’s a rite of Michigander passage to climb to the top. Make sure you continue on to Lake Michigan. If you don’t want to work that hard, take the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.
Capitol building: It’s where the business of the people is done. It’s also an incredible display of architecture and design. If you attended grade school in Michigan, you’ve probably laid on the glass floor of the rotunda. If you haven’t, do it. (You’re not too old.) Take advantage of a free tour to deepen your appreciation for a state landmark.
Pictured Rock National Lakeshore: There is so much to see here, starting with the magnificence of Lake Superior itself. The colorful sandstone cliffs give Pictured Rocks its name. See them via boat, kayak or from the miles of hiking trails along the lakeshore. There is something for everyone – from the casual tourist to the serious hiker.
Detroit: It’s the biggest city in Michigan and shouldn’t be ignored. What you do in the city is up to you. Check out the Detroit Riverwalk, the Motown Museum or The Henry Ford (technically in Dearborn). Don’t leave the city without grabbing lunch at Slows BBQ. If barbecue isn't your thing, there are plenty of other great restaurants.
Ideas from the experts (our readers)
Never underestimate the passion of Michiganders. I heard from dozens– some who flaunted their seven-plus decades of native Michigan living – who offered ideas from north of the tip of the Upper Peninsula to the west coast on Lake Michigan and the east coast in the Thumb. The list has been narrowed to 20 places or things I’ve yet to experience. How many have you done?
Eastern Market: This Detroit gem has been on my must-do list for years. It’s one of the oldest and largest year-round markets. At the Saturday market, shoppers will find fresh produce from hundreds of vendors. There are shops and restaurants, too. Plan to make this an all-day outing.
Belle Isle: Known as the “jewel of Detroit,” the 982-acre park offers wooded areas with nature trails, the Belle Isle Aquarium, Anna Scripps Whitman Conservatory and more right in the city of Detroit. The island is now a state park. Runners, walkers and cyclists gravitate to the 6-mile exterior road loop.
Frederik Meijer Gardens: There is plenty of room to roam at 158-acre gardens. Opened in 1995, the site offers indoor and outdoor gardens, nature trails, sculpture galleries and a permanent sculpture gallery collection. The variety of the internationally recognized gardens offers something for visitors of all ages.
Elk Rapids Public Library: A library on a must-see list. YES! was the emphatic response. The Elk Rapids Public Library is next to the harbor on Grand Traverse Bay. Grab a book and sit in one of the rocking chairs overlooking the water.
Play euchre: Michiganders consider this a Michigan game; it’s not, but since multiple people suggested playing euchre as a must, I’ve included it. A reader suggested one must play in a euchre tournament to earn Michigander points. I’ll be on the lookout for one – and for a partner!
The Crim: It’s a festival of races in Flint, the longest of which is 10 miles. It was started in 1977 by Michigan House Speaker Bobby Crim. Thousands come out to race and cheer. The races raise money for health and wellness initiatives in the community.
Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland: Opinions vary on Bronner’s. “You have to go see it.” “It’s not that special.” “Everyone goes to Bronner’s at least once.” Every Michigander, that is. Billed as the world’s largest Christmas store, it’s open 361 days a year. Rumor has it you can find just about any kind of Christmas decoration you’re looking for.
Eat a Caseville cheeseburger: This is another repeat recommendation. The time to visit, so I hear, is during the Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival, which spans 10 days in the town on Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay. There is a cheeseburger eating contest (no, thank you) and an award for “Best Cheeseburger.” The 2017 winner was the Cheeseburger Cristo – a hamburger with Swiss cheese served on Texas French toast, with Canadian bacon, powdered sugar and dipped in syrup.
Ride the USS Badger ferry from Ludington: When your state is surrounded by water on three sides (hence, peninsulas), you have a special relationship with water. So does the USS Badger, a ferry that docks in Ludington and transports people across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The only remaining coal-fired passenger steamship operating in the US makes daily treks mid-May through mid-October.
Saugatuck: This is a constant recommendation. Michiganders love Saugatuck. Beaches, restaurants, unique shopping opportunities and vibrant art scene make this a year-round destination. It’s a place where people seem to return time and again. Is there a stronger endorsement for visiting?
Seaman Mineral Museum: A veteran Michigander who says he’s experienced a lot of the state called the museum “one of the most remarkable things I've found within our borders.” Housed at Michigan Tech in Houghton, this reader says “it is something the Smithsonian Institution would envy, and a must-see stop for anyone visiting the Keweenaw region.” That’s enough to convince me to visit.
Isle Royale: A true bucket list item. It’s not an easy place to get to, but visitors say it’s worth the effort. It’s a rugged island and among the least-visited national parks. Go for the day, stay for several. You’ll find wildlife, inland lakes, hiking trails and more.
Quincy Mine Hoist Tour: When you plan your trip to the U.P., make sure the mine tour in on your agenda. Cooper mining has a rich history in Michigan and this mine in Hancock is devoted to educating visitors about that history. Both surface and underground tours are available. True Michiganders would advocate for the underground tour.
Drive H-58 from Munising to Grand Marias: The winding road through the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore gets a whole lot more traffic since it was paved in the late 2000s. The 42-mile stretch through the 73,000 acre national park offers breathtaking views of Lake Superior and some must-see sites, including Miner’s Castle, the Au Sable Lighthouse, the Log Slide and the Au Sable Dunes. Don't be in a hurry on this drive.
Silver Lake Sand Dunes: It’s not Sleeping Bear, but it’s gorgeous nonetheless. I saw the dunes on my Northwest Bicycle Tour, but didn’t stop for climbing up or tumbling down. The dunes are divided into three parts – one for off-road vehicles, one for Mac Woods Dune Rides, and one for hiking, walking and sandboarding (who knew?). Visitors can access both Lake Michigan and Silver Lake from those dunes, which are part of Silver Lake State Park.
Jumping in Lake Superior: The bucket list item is more suited to the young and adventurous. The largest great lake is always cold. Dipping your toes might be more your speed, but you’ll relish the bragging rights of jumping in with both feet. A popular spot is Black Rocks in Marquette.
Search for Petoskey stones: A novice might assume one would search for Petoskey stones (which are really fossils) in Petoskey. But hunters can find them anywhere on the Lake Michigan shoreline. One key to finding them: patience. Another: seek out rocky beaches. If you get skunked on your hunt, move to Plan B and buy one in a souvenir shop.
Hate Ohio State: Is this really necessary? Apparently. It’s easier with Urban Meyer as the Buckeyes’ football coach. But hate a whole university, in another state? The state of Michigan is clearly superior to the state of Ohio. Can’t we just gloat from the high ground?
See a game in the Big House: Whether you’re a Spartan or Wolverine (one reader insisted every Michigander must choose), Saturdays in Michigan Stadium are something special. It’s the largest stadium in the United States and holds more than 107,000 people. U-M’s rich history (not recent) as a football powerhouse permeates the experience.
Detroit Turkey Trot and/or Thanksgiving Day parade: Thanksgiving is a big deal in Detroit. So why not go over and check it out? The Turkey Trot races start as early as 7:30 a.m., leaving you time to burn a few calories before Thanksgiving dinner. If running isn’t your thing, check out the parade, which steps off at 8:50 a.m.
This is a not a definitive list. There are at least 20 more places to see and events to experience. But this seems like a fine place to start – and will keep me busy through the end of the year.
Stephanie Angel is state editor for the USA TODAY Network – Michigan. Contact her at sangel@lsj.com or on Twitter @stephanieangel.
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