Beaches are a relaxing attraction of Michigan's West Coast, located well within 500 miles of Detroit.
If a quick weekend getaway is calling your name, look no further than a host of engaging hot spots, all easily situated within 500 miles of Detroit, Michigan. Packed with a visitor to-do list encompassing everything from city nightlife to nature experiences to lots of beach fun, these distinct destinations deliver small-town character and plenty of urban spirit.
Grand Rapids
About 120 miles from Detroit, Grand Rapids, Michigan has an energetic and hip downtown marked by vibrant dining and nightlife venues, along with sporting and entertainment options and a scenic river walk. The 125-acre Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is another attraction located only a few miles from downtown and, for art lovers, the Grand Rapids Art Museum features collections dating from 1400 to the present with an emphasis on European and American paintings and sculpture.
The city also serves as the gateway to Michigan's West Coast, according to Experience Grand Rapids, where more low-key beach towns, such as Grand Haven, Holland, Muskegon and Saugatuck/Douglas are a short 35- to 45-minute drive away from the urban scene of downtown. Take a stroll along the more than 2-mile-long boardwalk from downtown to the beach in Grand Haven, where the city also has a historic shopping district. Holland features expansive beaches stretched across Lake Michigan's shoreline, as well as attractions and museums influenced by its Dutch heritage. Visual and performing arts take center stage in Saugatuck/Douglas and Muskegon is a good fit for amusement and water park fans, boasting the state's largest, called Michigan's Adventure, along with three state nature parks.
Mackinac Island
Known for its starring role in the late 1970s film, "Somewhere in Time," Mackinac Island is a place famous for maintaining a Victorian-era community and lifestyle. Here, horses take the place of automobiles, a tradition that dates back to the 1800s. Ferries bring guests from Mackinaw City, located about 250 miles from Detroit, to the island, where 24-hour horse-drawn taxis and carriage tours are available for further transportation. According to the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, it's a four-season destination offering reasons to visit year-round, including state park hiking and nature walks in the spring, the summer's Mackinac Island Lilac Festival and old-fashioned Fourth of July festivities, fall's back-in-time tribute to "Somewhere in Time" along with Halloween parties, and Nordic skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.
Lansing
Approximately 90 miles from Detroit, Lansing, Michigan is the capital city, making it a hub for historical attractions, along with plenty of arts and culture. For vacationers, the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau emphasizes such activities as a tour of the State Capitol Building, constructed during the Gilded Age, followed by a stop at the nearby Michigan Historical Museum, with galleries spanning prehistoric times through the late 20th century. Or, visitors can indulge in retail therapy at one of Lansing's three major shopping centers, then get in some tee time at Hawk Hollow or Eagle Eye Golf Club, both offering championship golf courses. The Potter Park Zoo is a 58-acre facility that is open year-round and caters to families with its wildlife exhibits and ongoing special events. Wrap up the weekend with a show at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, the state's largest performing arts venue that brings to its four stages Broadway shows, musicians, dance companies and other entertainers.
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