Kelly Anne Wolgamott Vice President of Pure Michigan chats to Justin Macartney

Michigan is actually a fantastic — and sometimes underrated — destination, especially if you like a mix of cities, small towns, lakes, forests, and (of course) sport.

Here’s a broad overview of what Michigan offers:

🌆 Cities

• Detroit: Known as the "Motor City," Detroit is famous for its music (Motown, techno), automotive history (home of Ford, GM), and a vibrant cultural revival. It has four major league teams (NFL Lions, NBA Pistons, NHL Red Wings, MLB Tigers) and a lively downtown with museums, galleries, and new restaurants. Key spots include the Detroit Institute of Arts, Motown Museum, and Eastern Market.
• Ann Arbor: A beautiful, leafy college town that’s home to the University of Michigan. It's famous for its arts scene, bookstores, restaurants, and one of the biggest stadiums in the world, Michigan Stadium (known as "The Big House").
• Grand Rapids: A lively mid-sized city known for its craft breweries, art scene (ArtPrize festival), and close access to beaches along Lake Michigan.

🏖️ Nature and Outdoor Adventures

• The Great Lakes: Michigan is unique because it's bordered by four of the five Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie), so it has over 3,200 miles of shoreline — more coastline than any US state except Alaska!
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Huge, dramatic sand dunes along Lake Michigan. It's a popular spot for hiking, picnicking, and climbing.
• Upper Peninsula (U.P.): A wild, remote, and stunningly beautiful region filled with forests, waterfalls, and rugged coastlines. It feels almost like stepping into another country. It’s perfect for hiking, skiing, kayaking, and snowmobiling.
• Mackinac Island: A charming, historic island between Michigan’s two peninsulas where no cars are allowed — transport is by horse-drawn carriage, bike, or foot. It’s famous for its fudge, Victorian architecture, and relaxing atmosphere.

🎶 Culture and Food

• Music: Detroit is the birthplace of Motown and has a deep connection to jazz, techno, and hip-hop.
• Food: Michigan is famous for cherries (especially Traverse City), Coney Island hot dogs (Detroit style), craft beer (especially in Grand Rapids, called “Beer City USA”), and farm-to-table dining.
• Festivals: Whether it's the Tulip Festival in Holland (yes, there’s a Dutch town), the National Cherry Festival, or endless summer music fests, there’s something happening year-round.

🏈 Sport

• Besides the four major pro teams, Michigan has some of the most passionate college sports fans in the US. University of Michigan vs Michigan State University (the Spartans) is a huge rivalry across sports like American football and basketball.
• Also popular: minor league baseball, auto racing (NASCAR at Michigan International Speedway), and hockey at all levels.

✈️ Getting There

• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is the main international gateway with direct flights from London and other major cities.
• Car rental is highly recommended if you want to explore beyond the cities because public transport between towns can be limited.

In short: Michigan has a bit of everything — from gritty, reborn cities to serene lakeside villages, plus massive sports culture, rich music history, and breathtaking outdoor scenery.

https://www.michigan.org/