//
U.S. state
Photo: Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Michigan (pronounced "MISH-uh-gin") is an American state in the upper Midwest and the heart of the Great Lakes region. It has many attractions, famous landmarks, and scenic state and national parks and forests. In addition to the great ones, it has about 12,000 inland lakes, 38 deep-water ports, more miles of coastline than any state but Alaska, and more lighthouses than any other U.S. state. Its agriculture features tourist-friendly fare such as cherries, blueberries, peaches, apples, and wine. Its cities include a major metropolis, university towns, and countless rustic villages.
Southeast Michigan is the region of Michigan closest to Ohio and the Canadian province of Ontario. Although the name is commonly used to mean "the Detroit area", and the state's megalopolis is an important presence, it contains considerably more than the Motor City.
West Michigan is roughly the westernmost third of the "palm" of the Lower Pensinsula of Michigan. It includes most of the Lake Michigan shoreline, as well as the nearby cities and towns, farmland, and woodland.
Central Michigan is a region of the state that had a population of 1,879,076 (2010 Census). Most area residents live in and around the hub cities of Flint, Lansing, Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City.
Northern Michigan should not be confused with the Upper Peninsula. Although a bit inaccurate, the term "Northern Michigan" is used to refer to only the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan...
The Upper Peninsula (known throughout Michigan and in surrounding areas as "the UP", or sometimes "the Yoop") is a region of Michigan. It is not connected (except by a bridge) to the rest of the state, but is connected at its southwestern end to Wisconsin.
Has been produced in Michigan as long as Native American tribes have lived here, and it can also be found in the form of maple candy.
By car
Driving into Michigan can be accomplished by one of the highways that enter and extend through Michigan.P. city of Sault Ste. Marie.
By train
Amtrak provides daily rail service on three routes to Michigan, out of its hub in Chicago. The Pere Marquette travels through St. Joseph and Holland to Grand Rapids.
By bus
Intercity bus service is offered by Greyhound and Megabus.
By boat and ferry
Seasonal car and passenger ferries operate across Lake Michigan, connecting Milwaukee and Manitowoc, Wisconsin with Muskegon and Ludington, Michigan, respectively.
By train
Amtrak's three daily rail routes from Chicago connect certain cities in southern Michigan (see "Get in").
By bus
The most extensive intrastate public transit system is the Indian Trails bus network and with Michigan Flyer (East Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Detroit Metropolitan Airport), which reaches most population…
By plane
Most intrastate air service is out of Detroit Metro; there is no regular service between the state's small regional airports.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Traverse City · Regional · TVC
Loading places around the airport…
State capital, home to Michigan State University
home to the University of Michigan, and a major destination for football, festivals, and the arts
Michigan's first and largest city, the Motor City
Second largest city in Michigan, a conservative, pleasant town
Beaches and Tulip Time
Home of Western Michigan University
Largest city in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and a gem in its own right
Artsy beach resort
Upper Peninsula border town, "The Soo" is home to the Soo Locks.
Isle Royale National Park is a national park comprising Isle Royale and the surrounding waters and small islands, a wilderness preserve in northwest Lake Superior. It's easily identified on maps of the Great Lakes: Lake Superior resembles the profile of a snarling wolf; Isle Royale is the eye.
Former copper mining region, known for history, bird migrations, rock collecting, winter sports.
Mackinac Island is a resort island in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Near Munising in the Upper Peninsula.
Sleeping Bear Dunes is a United States National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan near Traverse City in Northern Michigan. It consists of miles of sand dunes on the Lake Michigan shoreline and the islands of North Manitou and South Manitou.
Articles and travel topics about Michigan and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.