Michigan Road Trip
Michigan Road Trip: From Pine Trails to Blue Waters
An old family friend, someone I’ve known since childhood, recently invited me to journey through Michigan, from the quiet curves of the Lower Peninsula to the wild beauty of the Upper. I had long dreamed of this. Of hiking forested trails that whisper with pine and wind, of diving into emerald and cobalt waters that shimmer like glass beneath the summer sun. I didn’t hesitate. My heart said yes before my lips could form the word.
We made a loose plan but left the rest in the hands of Mother Nature, trusting her rhythms more than any itinerary. She rewarded us generously. What unfolded was a trip full of wonder. An untamed and spontaneous, stitched together with laughter, long drives, and the kind of quiet awe that only nature can summon.
Route Overview
Our journey took us through:
Bay City
St. Ignace
Au Train / Munising
Mackinac City
Mackinac Island
Traverse City
Leland
Glen Arbor
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Traverse City (again)
Each stop carried its own rhythm, charm, and landscape. Small towns wrapped in silence, lakeshore stretches that seemed to melt into sky, and tiny diners serving up slices of regional life.
Bay City: A Quiet Start
I flew into Detroit early and met my friend, who had a quick business meeting in Bay City. While he worked, I explored the downtown area. It’s quiet, like many towns in Michigan, but full of small, endearing details. I popped into Old City Hall and browsed their impressive cocktail and wine list, It’s 5 o’clock someplace, afterall! It was a quick meeting and we were eager to hit the road.
Crossing to the Upper Peninsula: St. Ignace
We headed north, driving across the iconic Mackinac Bridge, which connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. In St. Ignace, we only stopped at the visitor center which turned out to be incredibly helpful. A kind woman gave us tips for the area and nudged us to book our hotel for Au Train and Munising immediately. She wasn’t wrong , rooms fill up quickly in high season.
We took in the view of the bridge and sparkling blue water from a park nearby. A beautiful start.
Drive to Au Train: Scenic & Snack-Filled
From St. Ignace to Au Train, the drive was peaceful and scenic, winding along shorelines and through stretches of pine. We passed countless roadside pasty shops, local whitefish fry stands, and old barns that seemed to lean softly with time.
Travel Note: What’s a Pasty?
You cannot drive through the Upper Peninsula without seeing signs for pasties , a regional tradition that deserves a moment of its own.
How to Say It:
It’s “pass-tee”, not paste-ee or pah-stee.
What Is It?
A pasty is a savory meat pie, often filled with beef, potato, onion, and rutabaga, though you’ll now find varieties like chicken pot pie, jalapeño bacon, or vegetarian. It’s hot, hearty, and totally comforting. Locals are split on the dipping sauce — some swear by ketchup, others by gravy. Try both and see where your loyalty lies.
Au Train
We made it to Au Train in time to check in and head out to The Brownstone Inn, where we had a deeply satisfying dinner. The food, the cozy vibe, the low hum of travelers coming through. It felt like the start of something real. Our hotel was interesting, to say the least, but we were grateful for a bed, and not having to sleep in the truck!
Afterward, we explored the nearby beach at sunset, and it was nothing short of magical. Sky met water in a blend of soft fire and mirrored blue. I could have stayed there for hours.
Munising, MI: Shipwrecks, Waterfalls, and Sandfly Shenanigans
The moment we rolled into Munising, we knew this little town was going to charm us senseless. Small, scenic, and wrapped in pine and lake breeze, Munising has that just-right balance of quiet magic and quirky corners.
Our first stop? A glass-bottom boat tour with Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tours. Let me tell you, this was not your average cruise. Our guides were downright fabulous: part history professor, part stand-up comic, and fully entertaining. We floated over the ghostly remains of two sunken ships, their rib cages still visible beneath the glassy surface of Lake Superior. Spooky? Yes. Beautiful? Absolutely.
After getting our fill of shipwreck lore, we wandered back into town for some light caffeination and unexpected art appreciation. Enter Gallery Coffee Co., a delightful mash-up of café, bar, and art gallery. Yes, all at once. I sipped my coffee, marveled at the ceiling (seriously, the ceiling), and browsed antique shelves like a character in a coastal novel.
Next up was the equally quaint Falling Rock Café & Bookstore, where the coffee is strong, the shelves are packed, and the vibe is pure small-town literary heaven. If you like your lattes with a side of used books and local gossip, this is your place.
We were eager to be outside, so we grabbed a local waterfall map (yes, that’s a thing here) and picked a handful of nearby trails to explore. Each path led us to cascading falls tucked in the forest like secrets. The air smelled like pine needles and damp earth. Our shoes got muddy. It was glorious.
Later that evening, my friend bravely decided to try the food truck outside our hotel, famed for its whitefish. He declared it “tasty,” but let’s just say his stomach had other opinions. I played it safe and ventured solo into town, landing at The Driftwood Deli & Café. This little vegan-friendly brewery surprised me in all the right ways. I ordered a local beer (who even am I?) and a delicious veggie bowl that felt like a small miracle in the land of meat pies. This spot would become our go-to from then on.
Beer + veggie bowl at The Driftwood
Grand Island by Bike: A 21-Mile Love-Hate Romance
The next morning, we brought the fat-tire mountain bikes (Thank you for bringing these, Mike!) and ferried ourselves over to Grand Island (ferry link), an underrated slice of adventure heaven just off Munising’s coast. Our route? A 21-mile loop around the entire island, complete with panoramic cliff views, dense forest, and many enthusiastic yelps. I may have caught the Mountain Biking Bug
Biggest takeaway: bug spray. Do not underestimate the sand flies. They do not care that you’re on vacation. They will find you.
Despite the itchy ambush, the ride was epic. We worked those thighs uphill, coasted downhill like kids, and stopped often to breathe in the views. Somewhere along the trail, I decided to strip down and dive into the lake. And by dive, I mean inch in slowly while squealing at the arctic temperature. It was cold, it was refreshing, and yes, it took me way too long to commit.
That evening, we returned to The Driftwood. Mike’s sandwich came with pretzels, an unexpected bonus and a little metaphor for Munising itself: humble, satisfying, and just quirky enough.
Kayaking Pictured Rocks: A Breathtaking Finale
Our last day in Munising may just be my favorite memory of the trip. We went on a three-hour kayak tour along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore with Paddling Michigan. We debated renting kayaks ourselves, but booking a tour turned out to be the right move.
Our guide was funny, patient, and full of geological trivia. We paddled past cliffs that looked painted, under waterfalls that misted our faces, and through narrow, echoing caves that made me feel like a tiny Indiana Jones in yoga pants.
Pictured Rocks is wild in every sense. The cliffs glow in rust, teal, ochre, and green. Waterfalls spill like ribbons from the rock. At one point, we squeezed our kayaks between towering walls of stone, bumping and giggling like beginners, which we absolutely were.
I finished that paddle with aching arms, a full heart, and wet socks. Totally worth it.
Munising Quick Hits
Stay: Somewhere close to downtown or the water for easy access to both food and nature
Eat: The Driftwood Café (vegan options) or a whitefish food truck if you’re brave
Do: Kayak the cliffs, bike Grand Island, hike to waterfalls, sip something strong at Gallery Coffee Co.
Munising, you weird and wonderful little town. You completely stole our hearts.
More to Come…
From here, our journey would continue to Mackinaw City, where we’d catch the ferry to the enchanting Mackinac Island. We’d meander past the vineyards of Traverse City, stroll through the historic fishing village of Leland, and climb the golden dunes of Sleeping Bear.
But I’ll save those stories for Part Two.
This trip reminded me of the quiet beauty that lives in the unplanned. In the open road. In the small towns you pass without intention. There is a kind of magic in letting go of the plan and allowing the land to lead you.
