If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula, Look Around You
Every state has some amazing hidden treasures, but Michigan seems to be bursting with them! We’ve compiled some of the best hidden gems Michigan has to offer all in one handy list. Thanks to our Facebook readers for helping us find these gems.
35+ Michigan Hidden Treasures You’ll Love
Alligator Sanctuary
1698 M-66, Athens, MI 49011
Alligators in Michigan? That’s right! Bearded dragons and giant tortoises, too!
Anderson & Girls Orchard
2985 N Sheridan Road, Stanton, MI 48888
Parakeets, ice cream parlour, petting zoo, and u-pick fruit, too! Don’t forget to grab some orchard-made cider and amazing donuts while you’re there, too!
Boulder Ridge
8313 Pratt Lake SE, Alto, MI 49302
A mini zoo filled with exotic animals. Easy to do half a day, but you’ll want to come back over and over!
Our Review >>
Outdoor Discover Center
4214 56th St, Holland, MI 49423
Learn about and preserve nature! Walk the trails or snowshoe them in the winter.
Yankee Springs Recreation Area
2104 Briggs Rd S, Middleville, MI 49333
200 acres of #PureMichigan fun! Walking, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, swimming, camping, horse trails, snowshoe, ice fishing.
Critter Barn
9275 Adams St, Zeeland, MI 49464
Meet and interact with all sorts of farm animals! Animals include rabbits, chickens, ducks, cats, hogs, cows, sheep, goats, donkeys, turkeys, pot-bellied pigs, geese, a pony and a horse.
Tahquamenon State Park
41382 West M-123, Paradise, MI 49768
Two of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls are located at this amazing U.P. Michigan State Park. Amazing scenery, plentiful walking trails, camping, and even row boat rentals near one of the falls!
Garlyn Zoo
W9104 US2, Naubinway, MI 49762
Meet and interact with all sorts of farm animals! Animals include rabbits, chickens, ducks, cats, hogs, cows, sheep, goats, donkeys, turkeys, pot-bellied pigs, geese, a pony and a horse.
Copper Harbor
Upper Peninsula, about 9 hours North of Grand Rapids
Beautiful views of the mighty Lake Superior surrounded by gorgeous scenery and quaint little shops. This U.P. destination is worth the travel!
Kitch-Iti-Kipi (Big Spring)
Palms Book State Park, Manistique, MI 49854
No matter the time of year, this is the perfect destination! Multiple fissures in underlying limestone keep water flowing at a constant 45 degrees. A raft awaits to pull you across this delightful natural wonder.
Wittenbach Wege
11715 Vergennes St SE, Lowell, MI 49331
An outdoor learning center nestled among 140 acres of lush forests, rolling prairies, abundant wetlands and open fields all waiting to be explored! The trails are open 365 days a year for walking, hiking, and snowshoeing.
Our Review >>
Calvin Eco-Preserve
1750 E Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Perfect for walks and hikes, the eco system boasts trails along water front with unequaled views of native flora and fauna. Birders love this preserve and you will, too!
Our Review >>
Deer Tracks Junction
7850 14 Mile Rd NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319
Making national news for Dragon, an adorable white-faced deer fawn, Deer Tracks offers so much more! Check out the DTJ safari, the play area, and the hands-on-farm and stay for the ice cream!
Our Review >>
Binder Park Zoo
7400 Division Dr, Battle Creek, MI 49014
Looking for a big city zoo but don’t want to travel to the big city? Binder Park is for you!
Our Review >>
Dairy Discovery
12877 84th St SE, Alto, MI 49302
Are you ready to get close to cows and find out how a real dairy farm works? Dairy Discovery is the place to learn all about cows and milk! Kids love seeing a working farm up close.
Double JJ
5900 S Water Rd, Rothbury, MI 49452
You might want to spend a week at this ranch-resort! Offering horseback riding, golfing, and an amazing water park you’ll have no time to be bored!
Lewis Farm Market and Petting Zoo
4180 M-20, New Era, MI 49446
Shopping for the adults, attractions for the kids, and come away with seasonal fruit and fresh cider! Wagon rides, pedal carts, gem mining, singing chickens, rubber duck races and more.
Our Review >>
Gilmore Car Museum
4180 M-20, New Era, MI 49446
90 acres, multiple barns filled with over 300 vintage cars and motorcycles, and the authentic Blue Moon Diner!
Amber Elk Ranch
2688 W Conrad Rd, Ludington, MI 49431
Tour the ranch and meet world class bull elks among other animals. Also visit the petting zoo where you can meet many interesting animals
Saugatuck Dune Rides
6495 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck, MI 49453
Entertainment! Fun! Excitement! All this and more as you explore one of Michigan’s natural wonders.
Air Zoo
6151 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002
Let your imagination soar with airplanes and rides galore! Fun rides for the entire family, a 3D movie theater and vintage planes, with a view of the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport!
Our Review >>
Coopersville Farm Museum
375 Main St, Coopersville, MI 49404
Featuring Kids Crafts & Critters once a month, the museum is host to multiple activities every week including bingo, farmers market, and Jam Nights.
Oswald’s Bear Ranch
13814 Co Rd 407, Newberry, MI 49868
The largest bear-only ranch in the US boasting 29 roaming black bears in 4 habitats. Come to view the bears and cubs in barrier free viewing areas.
Mystery Spot
N916 Martin Lake Rd, St Ignace, MI 49781
An unusual attraction with phenomenal “happenings.” Take guided tours of the Mystery Spot, enjoy the two ziplines, the human maze and an 18 hole putt putt course.
Mill Creek Discovery Park
9001 W, US-23, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Trek through treetops, zipline and scale the five-story climbing wall. Situated on 600 acres, enjoy the beautiful views and trails. Kids will love the Water Power Station and Forest Friends Play Area.
Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland
25 Christmas Ln, Frankenmuth, MI 48734
If you love Christmas, this one might not be “hidden.” This giant Christmas store is open year round and filled with every decoration imaginable. Kids can even use the in-store phone to call Santa!
Zehnder’s Splash Village
730 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734
Trek through treetops, zipline and scale the five-story climbing wall. Situated on 600 acres, enjoy the beautiful views and trails. Kids will love the Water Power Station and Forest Friends Play Area.
American Museum of Magic
107 E. Michigan Ave, Marshall, MI 49068
Did you know Michigan has what’s been called the “Smithsonian of American Magic?” If you have magic-loving kiddos, this is a must-see. In addition to a giant collection of mysterious items, there are magic shows included with admission at 1:00pm on Saturdays.
Lake of the Clouds
311 Steel St, Ontonagon, MI 49953
Enjoy the majesty of Michigan’s own mountain range. Lake of the Clouds is a majestic freshwater that empties into Lake Superior. Pictures don’t do it justice!Â
Old Town Lansing
1232 Turner St, Lansing, MI 48906
Sure, it’s fun to see the State Capital, but just a quick jaunt on the River Trail will bring you back in time. You’ll see what Lansing was like in Michigan’s past, but also enjoy the food, fun, and outdoor activities of the present.
Our Review >>
Pruess Pets
1127 N. Cedar St. Lansing, MI 48906
More than just a pet store — this is almost a zoo! Bring your own pets for socialization and fun, and bring your kids to meet some super cool animals and even have the option of feeding a giant koi fish ($1).
Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens
1809 Eastman Ave, Midland, MI 48640
Here, you’ll find 54 acres of beautiful Michigan majesty, including woodlands, ponds, an apple orchard, meadows, and streams. You’ll also be able to take part in the newest attraction: the nation’s largest canopy walk. It is 1,400 feet long and 40 feet above the ground. What better way to take in Pure Michigan!
Cherry Point Farm & Market
9600 W. Buchanan Rd, Shelby, MI 49455
If you’re truly seeking the “pleasant” part our “pleasant peninsula,” you must see the lavender labyrinth at Cherry Point. Visitors can see the full bloom between mid-July and early-August. You can, of course, stock up on all things cherry and lavender while you’re there
Curwood Castle
224 Curwood Castle Dr, Owosso, MI 48867
A bonafide castle right here in our home state! Formerly the writing studio of adventure author James Oliver Curwood, it is now a museum open to the public.
Sanilac Petroglyphs State Historical Park
8251 Germania Rd, Cass City, MI 48726
A “petroglyph” is a rock carving. This state park has rocks covered in petroglyphs, thought to be carved by Native American tribes Hopewell or Chippewa, between 300 and 1,000 years ago.
Midwest Miniatures Museum
20 South 5th St, Grand Haven, Michigan 49417
Come see tiny displays of what Michigan life looked like at the turn of the 20th Century! The details are amazing. The miniatures are so fun to see, your kids won’t even realize they’re learning!
James C. Veen Observatory
3308 Kissing Rock Ave SE, Lowell, MI 49331
View the night sky as you never have before! On select Saturday nights April-October) visitors will receive a tour of the facility and a chance to use their powerful telescopes. Be sure to call the “starwatch” number (616-897-7065) to double check the sky is clear enough to view before heading out.
Traverse City Fairy Trails
1490 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684
Here’s an awesome way to get your family out in nature without it feeling like a chore. You can hike along some beautiful trails — just keep an eye out for fairies! Little fairy homes made with natural found materials are scattered along the path. You can even add your own!Â
What’s your favorite Michigan Hidden Treasure? Tell us in the comments below!
More to Explore
Sandcastles children’s museum in ludington
Impressions 5 museum
Coopersville & Marne train
Oswald’s Bear Ranch – 12 miles north of Newberry.
We love Lake Michigan in the summer!!!! Almost any park is great!! We really love duck lake area for little kids!! The benefits of the big lake with less risk because of the canal!!
We also love Schwallier’s Country Basket!!! Such a cute apple orchard with lots of kids activities and not too commerialized!!
Blanford nature Center is great too!!
I am so happy for this list though!! So many places I haven’t been!! Some things I need to check out for sure!! I need to get to Anderson and Girls and the Deer Tracks Junction!! On the way to the Deer Tracks Junction there is a great ice cream/farm stand called the Red Barn!! We love that place too!!!
I think we forget how blessed we are to have so much fresh fruit and vegies at our finger tips!! A lot of places don’t have that!!! So many great farm stands!!!
We enjoy Silver Lake area; dune rides, nice shallow inland lake with boating activities/rentals, mini golf, go karts,camping, dune climbing, Lake Mi beach area.
Robinette’s Apple House, donuts, cider, horse drawn wagon rides in fall, maze too. Fun spot to eat lunch, or donuts and cider.Bounce area.Shop.
John Ball Park Zoo. Pet the Wallabys, MantaRays and sharks, parakeets.Zip line, rope course, tram.
Of course, Boulder Ridge.We absolutely love going there. Clean, well kept, animals not found at John Ball Park Zoo( except a couple), picnic area, safari bus ride around the back ,giraffees, camels, and new animals each year. Love it!My husband and I will even go without the kids/grandkids.
Betsy…I think #5 is supposed be on Gun Lake. 🙂
Stephanie,
Thank you! The number of times I’ve been there…I really DID know that…
-Betsy
Not far from Lewis Farm is the Country Diary farm. Super fun to do with kids. They not only have the cows but they bottle their own milk, make cheese and ice cream.
Kimberly,
I love Country Dairy! I’ve been there so many times! I agree, they are one of the best places! Maybe they’ll make our next reader-recommended list!
-Betsy
Laura Kresge for your brother and his family
Cool!
Ruth Drevers – ideas for Kylie and Lucy 🙂
The cover photo looks like a jumping pillow. Where is that?
Chris,
It’s Lewis Farm Market! #17
-Betsy
Yes it lewis farm
I believe that pic is from Lewis Farms in New Era. They have two jumping pillows there. Lots of fun.
Yes, you are right!
-Betsy
Oswalds in the upper peninsula..! A bear rescue… You can walk around and see the bears pretty closely… Buy apples to throw to feed them …and get up close you feed bear cubs. 🙂
that was my thought. Is the picture in michigan?
Kelly,
That picture is of #17, Lewis Farm Market!
-Betsy
Great places . . . But where is the the activity at shown in the main photo?
I believe this is the jumping pillow at Uncle John’s in St. John’s.
It’s actually the Jumping Pillows at Lewis Farm Market, #17.
-Betsy
That is at Lewis’s Farm Market.
Jackie,
That’s the Lewis Farm Market! #17
-Betsy