Michigan Fly Drive

Hit the open road for an amazing 14-night fly-drive adventure around the USA state of Michigan! Explore at your own pace and experience Michigan's famous sights, authentic local cuisine, wine, and beer; iconic attractions, and so much more. This thrilling road-trip begins and ends in Detroit and takes in the wonders of Grand Rapids, Traverse City, the Leelanau Peninsula, Mackinaw City, the Upper Peninsula’s Munising or Marquette, Petoskey, and Frankenmuth.

Day One: Arrive in Detroit

Fly into Detroit where your Michigan road-trip gets underway with a three-night stay. You’ll have plenty of time to call into the Motown Museum where legends such as Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations, and Marvin Gaye recorded their greatest hits. Or to witness the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History’s collections and exhibits. Perhaps cruise the Detroit River aboard a Diamond Jack Riverboat or stroll down the City’s First Street at Detroit Historical Museum?

Days Two & Three: Explore Detroit

Your exploration of Detroit continues for the next two days. There’s be chance to cheer the Detroit Lions American football team to victory at a match at Ford Field; hour-long tours also take you behind-the-scenes. Explore the revitalised Detroit International RiverWalk; stopping en-route at the GM Renaissance Center to learn the history of General Motor. Head to Pewabic Pottery for a tour and to create your own tile. Walk, run, or bike at the Dequindre Cut below-street level greenway.

Day Four: Drive to Grand Rapids

Get behind the wheel for your 2.5-hour drive to Grand Rapids for a two-night stay. Explore the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and admire works by Auguste Rodin and Henry Moore. Meet the lions and tigers at John Ball Zoo and get hands-on with the exhibits at Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Delve into the life of the former President at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and experience the city's many breweries along the Beer City Ale Trail.

Day Five: Explore Grand Rapids and Beyond

Spend today exploring Grand Rapids and beyond. Indulge in retail therapy at Woodland Mall, Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids, and Grand Rapids Downtown Market. Have fun on the zip lines and rope bridges at TreeRunner Grand Rapids Adventure Park. Learn about the life of Judy Garland on a tour of Judy Garland Museum. Take your seat for a thrilling hockey game featuring Grand Rapids Griffins at Van Andel Arena or listen to a concert by Grand Rapids Symphony at DeVos Performance Hall.

Day Six: Drive to Traverse City

Your journey continues with a 2.5-hour drive to Traverse City on the shores of Lake Michigan where you can look forward to a three-night stay. Perhaps journey out to the Old Mission Peninsula or experience the sweeping vistas of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. Explore the unique shops, restaurants, and rooftop eateries on E Front Street. Seek out the city’s six historic lighthouses including the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Mission Point Lighthouse, and McGulpin Point Lighthouse.

Day Seven: Wine Tasting in Traverse City

Today you get to experience a wine tasting. Thanks to the wonders of the 45th Parallel (the shared latitude for Italy’s Piedmont region and Bordeaux in France), the Traverse Wine Coast has nearly 50 different wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms – from a traditional European ambiance to minimalist modern the tasting rooms themselves are sights to behold, many with stunning vistas. Ranging from crisp whites to complex reds, local winemakers have put the city on a lot of lists, including Travel Channel’s Top 10 Cities for Wine Snobs.

Day Eight: Explore Leelanau Peninsula

Today is your chance to explore the Leelanau Peninsula. Go in search of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse that nestles on the tip of the peninsula. Drive down to the coast of Lake Michigan to explore historic Fishtown’s old fishing shanties. Go hiking along Sleeping Beach Dunes National Lakeshore’s Heritage Trail with its Dune Climb and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Make a pit-stop at Glen Arbor to taste chocolate-covered cherries. End your day watching the famous Michigan sunset at Empire Beach.

Day Nine: Drive to Mackinaw City

Hit the open road for a leisurely two-hour journey to Mackinaw City for a one-night stay. Set at the very top of Michigan’s lower peninsula at the southern side of the Mackinac Bridge; Mackinaw City leads to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Colonial Michilimackin, Old Mackinak Point Lighthouse, and Le Sault de Ste. Marie Historical Site. You can also encounter tigers at Garlyn Zoological Park, take a riptide ride at Pictured Rock Cliffs, or travel by Mackinac Old Time Trolley through Mackinaw City.

Day Ten: Cross into the Upper Peninsula

Today begins with a 2.5-hour journey to the Upper Peninsula for a two-night stay in either Munising or Marquette. Munising is a haven for adventure seekers with its teeming waterfalls, historic lighthouses, boat and kayak tours, miles of trails, sandy beaches, stargazing, and close proximity to Pictured Rock National Lakeshore and Hiawatha National Forest. Marquette nestles on Lake Superior and boasts outdoor adventures like hiking Hogback Mountain, witnessing Presque Isle Park’s Black Rocks and also Wright Street Falls and Morgan Falls, exploring the vibrant breweries and tap houses, and even catching sight of the Northern Lights.

Day Eleven: Upper Peninsula Adventure

Explore more of the Upper Peninsula today. See how many of the peninsula’s 40+ lighthouses you can tick off your list such as Crisp Point Lighthouse, DeTour Reef Light, and Big Bay Point Lighthouse. Watch the freighters inch their way through the locks at Soo Lock Park and Visitors Center. Don’t miss a visit to Michigan’s largest waterfall – Tahquamenon Falls (sometimes call Root Beer Falls). Check out the area’s thriving wine scene at Leigh’s Garden Winery, Northern Sun Winery, and Threefold Winery.

Day Twelve: Drive to Petoskey

Your road-trip continues with a three-hour drive to Petoskey in northwest Lower Michigan for a one-night stay. Go in search of the iconic 20-mile Tunnel of Trees scenic driving route in Harbor Springs, Bay View’s Victorian Cottages, and the teeming Boyne Falls near Boyne City. Hunt for bargains in Petoskey’s Gaslight Shopping District or head to a rocky beach to find one of the unique coral Petoskey Stones. Bring your day to a close watching a live performance at Great Lakes Center for the Arts

Day Thirteen: Drive to Frankenmuth

Your penultimate destination for an overnighter is Frankenmuth; two hours from Petoskey. Frankenmuth is known as Michigan’s Little Bavaria with its German heritage and architecture. Enjoy splashing times at the indoor Splash Village waterpark or experience Christmas all year round as you shop for ornaments, lights, stockings, and collectibles at Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland. Toast your trip with a Solera Cream Sherry at St Julian Winery or a craft beer at Frankenmuth Brewery.

Day Fourteen: Return to Detroit

A 1.5 to 2-hour journey sees your arrival back in Detroit for your final night. Meet the 2,400+ animals at Detroit Zoo and admire Detroit Institute of Arts’ The Detroit Industry Murals painted by Diego Rivera and The Guardian Building’s Tiffany & Co glass clock. Ride the baseball Ferris wheel at Comerica Park – home field of the Detroit Tigers – and stroll down the City’s First Street at Detroit Historical Museum. Shop for last-minute crafts at Eastern Market or seek out designer brands at Twelve Oaks Mall.

Day Fifteen: Departure from Detroit

Check out of your final hotel and make your way back to the airport to drop off your hire car and board your flight back to the UK – hopefully with many happy memories to look back on of your road-trip through Michigan.