Top Five Popular Attractions: Caledonia, Michigan to Bay City, Michigan

Are you ready for a road trip in Michigan? If you're looking for some interesting places to visit during your journey from Caledonia to Bay City, you're in luck! Here are the top five popular attractions that you shouldn't miss along the way.

The Halfway Point: Perry, MI

Before we dive into the top five places to see on this road trip, let's introduce the halfway point. Perry, MI is a charming small town located in Shiawassee County, just about halfway between Caledonia and Bay City. This community was first settled in the 1830s, and nowadays it has several historic landmarks, such as the Richardson Romanesque-style Perry City Hall, built in 1894. And if you happen to visit Perry in July, don't miss the Michigan Lavender Festival at Cherry Point Farm and Market. The festival offers live music, artisan vendors, yoga classes, and, of course, fields of lavender.

Top Five Places to See List

1. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - This natural wonder is located in northwest Michigan, about 60 miles west of Traverse City. The Sleeping Bear Dunes are a series of sand dunes that rise up to 450 feet above Lake Michigan. Visitors can hike the dunes, swim in the lake, or take a scenic drive along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. There are also campgrounds and picnic areas available.

2. Mackinac Island - This small island in Lake Huron is famous for its Victorian architecture, horse-drawn carriages, and absence of motor vehicles. The only way to reach Mackinac Island is by ferry, but once you're there, you can bike, hike, or take a carriage ride to explore the natural and historical attractions. The most iconic spot on the island is the Grand Hotel, which has been there since 1887 and features a long porch with rocking chairs and panoramic views of the lake.

3. Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park - This botanical garden and sculpture park is situated in Grand Rapids, MI. It spans over 150 acres and features indoor and outdoor gardens, a tropical conservatory, a Japanese garden, a children's garden, and a Michigan's farm garden. The sculpture collection includes works by famous artists such as Auguste Rodin, Dale Chihuly, and George Segal.

4. The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation - This museum is located in Dearborn, MI, and it showcases the history of American innovation and technology. It has over 26 million artifacts, ranging from steam engines to presidential limousines to the chair that Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in. The museum also has a separate section called Greenfield Village, which features over 80 historic buildings, such as Thomas Edison's laboratory and the Wright Brothers' workshop.

5. Soo Locks - The Soo Locks are a system of locks and canals located on the St. Marys River, which connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron. The locks allow large ships to bypass the rapids of the St. Marys River and navigate between the two lakes. Visitors can watch the ships passing through the locks from a viewing platform or take a boat tour to get a closer look at the lock system and the ships.

Conclusion

Now that you know the top five places to see on your trip from Caledonia to Bay City, let's talk about the best route to take. If you're coming from Caledonia, you can take I-96 West to US-31 North, which will take you to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. From there, you can head east on US-31 to Mackinac Island. After you've explored the island, take I-75 South towards Grand Rapids, where you can visit Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Finally, head east on I-96 towards Dearborn, where you can see The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, and then drive north on I-75 to reach the Soo Locks. From there, it's just a short drive to Bay City!