Careers

In order to make the entire coastal drive along the West Side Michigan, start somewhere near New Buffalo and head north to Mackinaw City (Route I-94 to I-196 to US-31, generally speaking). This also happens to be fairly close to Chicago’s international airport – about 1.5 hours away – so if you’re flying in, start there, rent a car and head to New Buffalo!

Regardless of the route you choose to take, one of the most gorgeous and must-see drives in all of Michigan is through the Tunnel of Trees. Highway M-119 starts on the north end of Petoskey; however, the 20 mile stretch of natural beauty doesn’t begin until you reach Harbor Springs. This narrow, winding path is lined with a gorgeous variety of deciduous trees and evergreens and provides stunning views of Lake Michigan.

Home to more lighthouses than any other US state, there are over 100 lighthouses in Michigan and no two are the same!

Lake Michigan’s shoreline consists of more than 20. Although there isn’t a practical application to lighthouses these days, they sure make spectacular models in lakeshore photography, offering unobstructed views from the top!

Charlevoix is one of the best places to visit in West Michigan, and it’s easy to see why! Among many other things, it is known for its small-town charm, beautiful beaches, Mushroom Houses – yes you read that correctly! – and Castle Farms.

If you’re the kind of person who just wants to kick back and relax on the beach, do a little boutique shopping, or sip a glass of wine while watching the sunset over Lake Michigan, this place is also for you.

Found in many of the little beach towns along the coast of Lake Michigan, there’s plenty of opportunities to experience one of Michigan’s fun and exciting festivals.

Here’s a list of some of the big ones: Tulip Time, Apple Fest, Electric Forest in West Side Michigan, National Cherry Festival, ArtPrize, International Wine, Beer, & Food Festival, and Paw Paw Wine & Harvest.

If it’s snowing, get your sleds and snowshoes ready! Are you into extreme sports? Take it to the big hills like the ones at Boyne Mountain and Crystal Mountain where you can ski and snowboard among many other things.

Conversely, if you’re visiting in the warmer months, rent a cabin on the lake, go camping, or hit the trails. For a more thrilling experience, you could dabble in some water skiing, skydiving, or rent some all-terrain vehicles (ATV) to hit the trails even harder.

Not everywhere you go is going to offer giant piles of sand, but here in West Side Michigan, we have that too! In fact, ranked among the top of many Best Sand Dunes in the US lists is Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was even named the Most Beautiful Place in America back in 2011! It is definitely a sight worth seeing and if you’re up for a little physical activity, go ahead and climb!

Michigan happens to be known for its numerous microbreweries and countless varieties of craft beer – it’s actually becoming publicly recognized as the Great Beer State! You can experience an enormous amount of flavors across the state. Seriously, it seems like just about every city has its own brewpub. Grand Rapids – also known as Beer City USA – has over 80 breweries alone!

For the beer enthusiast, there’s no shortage of options. Stop in for a brewski at one of Michigan’s first beer artisans Bell’s Brewery located in Kalamazoo. Enjoy one of the many unique flavors like Blue Magic, Thai Peanut, or Concrete Dinosaur at Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City.

Similar to the microbreweries, there are lots of wineries across the state – more so on the lakeshore because of the rich glacial soils.

Because there’s so much fresh fruit in Michigan, there’s plenty of opportunities to make great wine. Grapes are abundant here! Specifically, juice-making grapes like Concord and Niagara. The 45th parallel, where Michigan is situated, also plays an important role in winemaking. That’s why wine from places like France and Italy are so delicious!

Naturally, Lake Michigan offers some beautiful sunsets. Maybe it’s the picturesque views of the sun slowly being captured by the horizon. Perhaps it’s watching the gorgeous pink and orange colors dance across the water. Or, the experience of watching it from a boat in the middle of the lake with no land in sight; or kicking back and winding down on the beach with a cool beverage in hand during a warm summer evening.

Say Hi to the Mighty Mac (the Mackinac Bridge), experience Colonial Michilimackinac, and enjoy the many flavors of fudge!

Mackinac Island is a place to escape the hustle and bustle of a modern city. Pay a visit here and you’ll see why it’s one of the most unique things to do in West Michigan.

Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the island allowing for a more peaceful, exhaust-free environment. Bicycles, however, are highly encouraged and welcomed. Walking or pedaling around the island are the main modes of transportation, but you can also tour the island on a horse-drawn carriage.