Exploring Michigan by Train, Boat, or Hot Air Balloon
A journey through Michigan by train offers a unique window into the state’s natural beauty and small-town charm. The Pere Marquette Rail-Trail, stretching about 55 miles from Baldwin to Clare in the western Lower Peninsula, invites outdoor enthusiasts to explore gently rolling landscapes once served by the Pere Marquette Railway. This trail, which follows the course of an old railroad line, is perfect for cyclists and hikers alike, offering a mostly flat route that winds through dense forests and quaint villages. Around Clare, visitors can combine a trail day with a visit to the nearby historic Clisby Austin House museum, which delves into local railroad history. The best time to experience this trail is late spring or early fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage puts on a brilliant show of colors, making the journey all the more picturesque.
For those preferring a waterborne adventure, the Detroit RiverWalk in the heart of Detroit provides a striking contrast between urban energy and serene waterside views. Located just minutes from downtown Detroit, this revitalized stretch along the Detroit River offers boat tours that reveal the city’s skyline from the water, alongside historic sights like Belle Isle Park, accessible by a nearby bridge. Boarding a riverboat here lets visitors glide past notable landmarks such as the Renaissance Center and the Ambassador Bridge, with narrated tours highlighting the city’s rich industrial and maritime history. Sunset cruises are particularly magical, as the golden light plays on the water and urban lights begin to twinkle. The Detroit RiverWalk is exceptional for its blend of metropolitan vibrancy and accessible waterfront tranquility.
Up north near Traverse City, the Kalkaska County Historical Museum sits within a charming small town about 30 miles east of Traverse City. While it’s not a travel mode itself, the museum offers insight into how early Michigan transportation shaped the region. It features exhibits on the logging trains that once crisscrossed dense northern forests, essential to the area’s development. Nearby, visitors can hop aboard the Michigan Legacy Art Park trail, which combines hiking with outdoor sculptures along a peaceful wooded path. This connection of history, art, and nature underlines how transportation once linked communities, industries, and cultural expression in northern Michigan. The late summer months bring pleasant weather here, perfect for combining museum time with an outdoor adventure.
On the shores of Lake Michigan, the town of Saugatuck, about two hours west of Grand Rapids, beckons with its historic harbor and opportunities for boat excursions. From here, guided sailing trips and pontoon boat tours explore the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan, including visits to Oval Beach, famed for its soft white sand and stunning dunes. The tours often include stories about Saugatuck’s past as a lumber port and a hub for Great Lakes shipping. The town itself blends art galleries, cozy shops, and waterfront dining, making it a perfect base for a boating getaway. Summer is the peak season, when the waters are warm and the lakeshore buzzes with festivals and outdoor concerts.
Crossing the water theme to the Upper Peninsula, a hot air balloon ride over the rural landscape near Marquette offers an unforgettable aerial perspective. Marquette lies on the southern shore of Lake Superior, about 300 miles northwest of Detroit, and is surrounded by vast forests, rolling hills, and sparkling inland lakes. Balloon flights here typically launch from the outskirts of town, drifting slowly above Lake Superior’s rugged shoreline and the dense woods inland. This region’s remoteness and clear air create some of Michigan’s most breathtaking panoramas. Dawn flights are especially spectacular as the first light touches the water and autumn brings a vivid tapestry of fall colors. This experience reveals the quiet majesty of northern Michigan’s wilderness in ways no ground-level journey can match.
Returning to rail travel but in a more historic vein, the Michigan Central Railroad Depot in Ann Arbor, about 45 minutes west of Detroit, serves as a gateway to exploring the state’s rail heritage. The depot itself is an architectural gem, blending Beaux-Arts elegance with modern renovations. While the station remains a functional Amtrak stop, the nearby Ann Arbor Railroad Museum offers context with exhibits on steam engines, model trains, and the role of the rails in supporting the city’s growth and the University of Michigan’s rise. From Ann Arbor, visitors can take scenic train rides toward Detroit or Kalamazoo, enjoying glimpses of farmland and suburban neighborhoods along the way. Springtime is ideal for this trip, when the gardens around the station and university bloom in vibrant color.
In the southwestern corner of the state, the St. Joseph River in the town of Niles, about 90 minutes southwest of Kalamazoo, hosts a variety of boat tours that navigate the river’s calm waters. These excursions highlight the area’s French colonial roots and the historic forts and settlements along the riverbanks. The river itself is lush and wildlife-rich, with opportunities to spot great blue herons, turtles, and various songbirds. The town of Niles complements the experience with its historic downtown, featuring brick-lined streets and quaint shops. Late spring and early summer offer the best conditions for river tours here, combining mild weather with the full bloom of riverside foliage.
No exploration of Michigan’s waterways is complete without a visit to Mackinac Island, perched in Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. About an hour’s ferry ride from Mackinaw City, at the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula, the island forbids cars, relying on horse-drawn carriages and bicycles. But for those arriving by boat, the ride itself is a highlight, with ferries leaving from several nearby ports and providing sweeping views of the straits where Lake Michigan meets Lake Huron. Once on the island, visitors can explore Fort Mackinac, a well-preserved 18th-century military post, and stroll along the scenic Mackinac Island State Park trails. The island’s unique blend of natural beauty, historic charm, and slow-paced transportation makes it a must-see destination. Summer and early fall are best, when the weather is warm and the island’s famous lilacs are in bloom.