Stuck in Michigan this summer? Don’t fret! Michigan is home to plenty of unique and exciting destinations, as well as some picturesque places. From the Upper Peninsula to Detroit, Newsprint shows you some of the best places to spend your Michigan Summer.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes is an officially designated United States National Lakeshore on the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula. It has about 35 miles of coastline along Lake Michigan and the North and South Manitou Islands. This park is known for its scenic sand dunes, as well as for its forests, beaches, museum, historic farm district and ancient glacial phenomena.

Graffiti Alley in Downtown Ann Arbor                                

Located on East Liberty Street in downtown Ann Arbor, this alley is completely covered with graffiti. It is remarkably artistic, and is an interesting and fun place to visit. Street performers dance or play music throughout the day.

The Butterfly House- Mackinac Island

Although the trip to Mackinac Island is long, The Butterfly House makes the ferry ride worth it. Hundreds of butterflies with brightly colored and beautifully patterned wings call 18 square feet of tropical garden in the Butterfly House their home.

Petoskey Waterfront Park and Downtown Area

The Petoskey Waterfront Park is a vacation spot for swimming, boating and fishing, within walking distance of an assortment of locally owned stores and restaurants. Some well-known shops are Bondurant, a cute boutique; McLean and Eakin, a bookstore that has helpful staff members and interesting books; and Expressions, a stylish clothing and accessory store. Petoskey is also full of great restaurants that are unique to the area. Some places to satiate your appetite are City Park Grill, a restaurant and bar known for its delicious biscuits; and Roast & Toast, a café with great breakfast and lunch dishes.

The Detroit Zoo

Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! The Detroit Zoo is home to all sorts of animals from around the globe. From the Holden Museum of Living Reptiles to the Penguinarium, a wide variety of animals reside at the Detroit Zoo. The Zoo  also has a 3D/4D Theater and several rides, like the Wild Adventure Ride, which is a zoo-based virtual reality voyage.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

On the shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula, this officially designated Lakeshore is known for its colorful sandstone cliffs. The cliffs were created by the high mineral content in the rock and are home to many waterfalls, including Munising Falls, Miners Falls, and Mosquito Falls.

Detroit Institute of Arts

Home to the world famous Rivera Court and to countless other priceless pieces, the DIA is a beautiful collection of art. You can find works of Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Henri Rousseau, and Claude Monet. If you aren’t an art aficionado, tours are available throughout the day.

Porcupine Mountains

A group of small mountains near the shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula, the Porcupine Mountains are an oasis for wildlife. They are teeming with trees and wild animals, and have plenty of hiking trails and campsites. If you don’t mind staying in a rustic environment, camping in the forest overnight can be an amazing experience. The Porcupine Mountains contain the Lake of the Clouds, and others for swimming and canoeing.

Breevort Lake

Just 15 miles north of the Mackinac Bridge, Breevort Lake is a secluded summer destination known for its beautiful sunsets. A great place for fishing, boating, swimming, and water-skiing, this lake is the epitome of northern Michigan summers. If you don’t feel like braving the waters, you can always venture the North Country Trail and Sand Dunes hiking trails nearby.