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 West Michigan (and some of the Upper Peninsula) has to offer all in one handy list. Thanks to our Facebook readers for helping us find these gems.
Related: 100 Reasons Why We Love Michigan
25 Michigan Hidden Treasures You’ll Love
1Â ALLIGATOR SANCTUARY. Alligators in Michigan? That’s right! Bearded dragons and giant tortoises, too! In Athens, about 21 miles South of Battle Creek.Â
2 ANDERSON & GIRLS ORCHARD. 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! In Stanton, about 22 miles North of Ionia.
3 BOULDER RIDGE. A mini zoo filled with exotic animals. Easy to do half a day, but you’ll want to come back over and over! In Alto, about 26 miles East of Grand Rapids.
4 OUTDOOR DISCOVERY IN HOLLAND. Learn about and preserve nature! Walk the trails or snowshoe them in the winter. In Holland.
5 YANKEE SPRINGS REC AREA ON GUN LAKE. 5200 acres of #PureMichigan fun! Walking, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, swimming, camping, horse trails, snowshoe, ice fishing…In Middleville, about 33 miles south of Grand Rapids.
6 CRITTER BARN. 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! In Zeeland, about 6 miles West of Holland.
7 TAHQUAMENON STATE PARK. 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! About 20 minutes West of Paradise in the Upper Peninsula.
8 GARLYN ZOO. The largest zoo in the Eastern Upper Penninsula. Family run zoo with a child-friendly run atmosphere and family-friendly animals. Check them out next time you’re in the UP! About 6 miles East of Naubinway, and about 40 miles West of the Mackinac Bridge.
9 COPPER HARBOR. Beautiful views of the mighty Lake Superior surrounded by gorgeous scenery and quaint little shops. This U.P. destination is worth the travel! About 9 hours North of Grand Rapids by car, or 3.5 hours by plane plus a little bit of rental car travel.
10 KITCH-ITI-KIPI (BIG SPRING). 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. About 5.5 hours North of Grand Rapids, unless you’d like to take the ferry across to Milwaukee and go around the other way, then it’s 8.5 hours.
Related:Â 12 Michigan Summer Vacation Getaway Ideas for Your Family
11 WITTENBACH/WEGE. 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 showshoeing. In Lowell, about 15 minutes East of Grand Rapids.
12 CALVIN ECO-PRESERVE. 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! In Grand Rapids near Calvin College off the East Beltline Highway.
13 DEER TRACKS JUNCTION. 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! In Cedar Springs, about 20 miles North of Grand Rapids.
14 BINDER PARK ZOO. Looking for a big city zoo but don’t want to travel to the big city? Binder Park is for you! New lion exhibit newly opened in July 2017. In Battle Creek.
15 DAIRY DISCOVERY. 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. In Alto, about 25 miles East of Grand Rapids.Â
16 DOUBLE JJ. 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! In Rothbury, about 65 miles NorthWest of Grand Rapids.
17 LEWIS FARM MARKET AND PETTING ZOO. 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. In New Era, about 25 minutes North of Muskegon.
18 GILMORE CAR MUSEUM. 90 acres, multiple barns filled with over 300 vintage cars and motorcycles, and the authentic Blue Moon Diner! In Hickory Corners, about 50 minutes south of Grand Rapids.
19 AMBER ELK RANCH. Tour the ranch and meet world class bull elks among other animals. Also visit the petting zoo where you can meet many interesting animals. In Ludington.
20 SAUGATUCK DUNE RIDES. Entertainment! Fun! Excitement! All this and more as you explore one of Michigan’s natural wonders. In Saugatuck, about 9 miles South of Holland.
21 AIR ZOO. 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! In Portage, just a little East of Kalamazoo.
22 COOPERSVILLE FARM MUSEUM. Featuring Kids Crafts & Critters once a month, the museum is host to multiple activities every week including bingo, farmers market, and Jam Nights. In Coopersville, about 18 miles West of Grand Rapids.
23 OSWALD’S BEAR RANCH. 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. 12 miles north of Newberry in the UP.
24 MYSTERY SPOT. 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. In Saint Ignace, 5 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge.
25 MILL CREEK DISCOVERY PARK. 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. In Mackinaw City.
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