Detroit
Situated on the Detroit River, Detroit serves as a key gateway to Michigan. Its walkable downtown and revitalised riverfront reflect a city shaped by industry, music, and continual reinvention.
Campus Martius Park forms the centre of downtown life, while the Detroit Riverwalk runs along the waterfront with views across to Canada. The QLINE streetcar connects Downtown and Midtown along Woodward Avenue, linking key cultural districts.
The Detroit Institute of Arts is home to Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals, while the Motown Museum highlights the city’s musical heritage. Eastern Market, one of the oldest year-round public markets in the US, brings together food stalls and murals, while Corktown offers independent restaurants and nightlife in some of the city’s oldest street
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is one of Michigan’s most unique and memorable experiences. With no cars allowed, transport is by bicycle, horse-drawn carriage and on foot, creating a pace of life that feels largely unchanged for more than a century.
Named the number one Best Summer Vacation in the USA by U.S. News & World Report, the island is a National Historic Landmark recognised for its preserved Victorian character and strong seasonal appeal.
Reached by ferry across the Straits of Mackinac, it is home to historic hotels, pastel-coloured Victorian-era homes and Fort Mackinac. A shoreline loop offers wide views across Lake Huron and towards the Mackinac Bridge.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes is one of Michigan’s most visually striking natural areas. Towering sand dunes rise above Lake Michigan, creating elevated viewpoints across forest, shoreline and offshore islands.
The area combines scenery with accessibility, with hiking trails, dune climbs, scenic drives and beaches all within a protected national lakeshore. Inland lakes and surrounding woodland add variety, while nearby towns provide accommodation and dining options.
Traverse City
Located on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City combines a relaxed lakeside atmosphere with a growing reputation for food, wine and outdoor experiences.
The surrounding Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas are known for vineyards, orchards and scenic driving routes, making the area particularly well-suited to slow-paced itineraries. In summer, beaches, marinas and forest trails are complemented by food festivals and outdoor events.
Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids has established itself as one of western Michigan’s most dynamic cities. Set along the Grand River, it offers a walkable downtown, strong cultural identity and an exciting food and drink scene.
Public art is central to the city, particularly during the annual ArtPrize event, which transforms streets and buildings into a city-wide open-air gallery. Former industrial spaces have been repurposed into breweries, restaurants and creative venues.
Upper Peninsula
North of the Straits of Mackinac, the Upper Peninsula stretches into forest, shoreline and vast open space, where distance and scale define the journey as much as the destinations.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a standout highlight, where coloured sandstone cliffs rise above Lake Superior and scenic routes link waterfalls, forests and small towns.
Low light pollution in many areas allows for clear night skies, reinforcing the sense of remoteness that defines travel here.
How to get there
Detroit is served by regular non-stop services from London Heathrow with Delta Air Lines, with a flight time of around eight hours. Indirect options are available from UK regional airports via U.S. hubs including New York, Chicago and Atlanta.
From Ireland, Dublin also offers a direct year-round service to Detroit with Delta Air Lines, with a flight time of just under eight hours.
