7 Incredible Michigan Getaways & Adventures

Michigan's best experiences aren't always the ones on the front of the postcard.

After decades of exploring thousands of miles of Great Lakes shoreline and hundreds of destinations, I've pulled together seven of my favorite Michigan adventures — the kind of trips that turn into your best memories of the summer.

From climbing some of the largest freshwater sand dunes in the world to hunting for 350-million-year-old fossils and even spending the night in a historic lighthouse, this guide is your inspiration for experiencing Michigan in a whole new way.

The 7 adventures inside:

🌊 Spend the night at a historic Great Lakes lighthouse

🏖️ Climb Michigan's amazing sand dunes (beyond just Sleeping Bear)

💎 Hunt for Petoskey stones — Michigan's 350-million-year-old treasure

🌅 Discover Michigan's quiet, uncrowded Sunrise Side

🛶 Float down a crystal-clear Michigan river

🎣 Explore historic Fishtown in charming Leland

🗺️ Plus a map of must-see getaways across the state

Each adventure comes with my personal "Don't Miss" highlights and an insider Jill's Tip — the kind of local know-how that makes the difference between a good trip and an unforgettable one.

Perfect for:

Weekend getaways from Chicago or Detroit, Great Lakes vacation planning, and anyone who wants to experience Michigan like a local instead of a tourist.

The details:

📄 Beautifully designed PDF, instant download

🖨️ Print it or keep it on your phone

📱 Works on any device