Trifter

     Let me just start off by saying that Michigan has TONS of stuff to do there! Whatever you’re interested in, Michigan has it! (Well, pretty much!) But for this article, I’m only focusing on the lake.
     Lake Michigan borders over half the coast Michigan, so there are plenty of places to choose from for sightseeing and fun! There are lots of beaches, and they are better than your typical lake beach! Aside from the lack of salt, it feels like you’re at the ocean! The lake is so large, you can’t see across it, so the whole ocean effect really comes into play there. The sand is really soft, and there’s plenty of it! But a big plus is that you don’t need to worry about sharks or jellyfish! The only downside is that you won’t find any big fancy shells on these beaches.
     Most of the coastal towns offer a variety of attractions. Many where you can just park your boat at the dock and go from there! And believe me, there are plenty of them, ranging from a small fishing boat or speed boat up to million dollar yachts! You have your normal souvenir stands, most with a good variety of tourist trinkets. But there are actually quite a few unique shops that offer you more memorable gifts! Then there are your town festivals! Depending on the occasion and what you’re interested in, it’s a great opportunity to experience the Lake Michigan town environments. ( A big one is the Coast Guard festival held in Grand Haven.) And of course you have a lot of options for your dining pleasure! Anything from a fast food joint to a five star restaurant with a view of the water is available!

     There are tons of piers and lighthouses to see. You can walk out on quite a few of the piers, but usually it’s at your own risk. There are wave advisories due to that when the waves are high enough, they have been known to wash people off the piers, so caution should be exercised. But if you want a close up look at the lighthouses, it’s a nice view! ( The photo above was taken at the Pere Marquette Park in Muskegon.) And for an even closer look at the lake, there is a ferry that runs between Michigan and Wisconsin.  I’ve posted a photo of it below.

     Of course you have your normal run-of-the-mill type of attractions with a few amusement parks and mini golf courses, but there are some unique things offered that are worth your time to check out. In particular, I recommend that if you are near Grand Haven, be sure to stay for the fountain show. It’s held every night down by the water. The fountain is lit up with colored lights with water shooting in multiple directions as it goes along to the rhythm of music. It draws quite a crowd, so be warned if you plan on traveling there by boat because the harbor is usually filled there for the show. (Sorry, my camera couldn’t take photos of it at night.)
     These are only a few of the things you’ll find to do there, but due to the fact that I was only in a small section of it, I can’t really tell you about the other areas. But wherever you choose to go, I’m sure you’ll find plenty of things to keep you occupied!