This includes a few road trip options and details for some particular stops, Detroit, stops within about 3 hours from Ann Arbor, and things to do Up North (5 hours from Ann Arbor).
Road Trips
Michigan’s west coast, and Lake Michigan
This route is from Ann Arbor and does not include as many stops as the next. However, there is a great list of things to do at each stop. https://www.gocatchthedrift.com/michigan-road-trip/
We would recommend you add visiting Leelanau Peninsula, Traverse City, and Suttons Bay (a favorite of ours). A few days on Leelanau Peninsula for hiking, berry picking, and wine tasting is amazing. A winery bike tour (on electric bikes) is well worth the exercise. (more details below)
Sleeping Bear Dunes is NOT to be missed! We loved our hike up the Dunes. We recommend a cool, cloudy day! https://lpwines.com/, https://visitlp.com/, https://www.michigan.org/city/suttons-bay.
Details are below on Charlevoix, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Suttons Bay, Mackinaw Island, South Haven, and Saugatuck. (All recommended!)
A longer option includes Chicago: https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/lake-michigan-road-trip/
Detroit to Chicago
This route stays in the southern part of Michigan. https://www.theneighborhoodhotel.com/best-road-trips-detroit-to-chicago/
Michigan Upper Peninsula
If you are interested in a more “wilderness” kind of road trip the Michigan Upper Peninsula is gorgeous. It is almost completely tiny towns, and a huge wilderness. The north coast faces Lake Superior and is amazing. https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/yoop-loop-upper-peninsula-road-trip/
We loved Munising, Pictured Rocks (a Kayak tour almost required), and a very short Ferry Ride to Grand Island for a hike. The road trip above skips all those (but they are on the route) so I’ve included links to that stop separately. https://www.munising.org/, https://www.munising.org/explore/pictured-rocks-national-lakeshore/, https://www.munising.org/activities/kayaking-pictured-rocks/, https://www.munising.org/explore/grand-island/
Detroit to Niagara Falls
Here is an option from Detroit to Niagara Falls. https://wanderlog.com/drive/between/58218/58391/detroit-to-niagara-falls-drive
Detroit to Toronto
An option for Detroit to Toronto. https://www.destinationontario.com/en-ca/travel-resources/road-trips-detroit-charming-small-town-or-big-city-getaways
A few additional Detroit to Canada road trip suggestions. https://departingdtw.com/2019/02/24/detroit-to-canada-road-trips/
Detroit
The Detroit area has many great things to see and places to eat. The Detroit Industry Murals by Diego Rivera at the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Henry Ford Museum in nearby Dearborn. The DIA is an outstanding art museum, but it is the Rivera masterpiece that is the main draw. The iconic Mexican muralist created the massive 27-panel fresco from April 1932 to March 1933. It is a tribute to the city’s manufacturing heritage and labor force.
Motown Museum
This small museum is the former home of Motown Records’ founder, Berry Gordy, and was the studio where many of Motown’s biggest hits were recorded. You can tour the house and see the studio where Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye recorded some of their most iconic songs. 2648 Berry Gordy Jr. Boulevard, 2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, https://www.motownmuseum.org/
Henry Ford Museum of Innovation
The Henry Ford Museum of Innovation in Dearborn, MI, is a massive collection of exhibits dedicated to America’s history of innovation. The museum includes an extensive collection of classic and vintage cars, airplanes, and trains, as well as exhibits on modern manufacturing and engineering. 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, https://www.thehenryford.org/
About 3 hours from Ann Arbor
Woods Luxury Camping
6708 118th Avenue, Fennville, MI 49408, 616-404-0004, Information: [email protected]
Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland
25 Christmas Ln, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, (989) 652-9931, https://www.bronners.com/
Frankenmuth
Michigan’s “Little Bavaria,” Frankenmuth is located just an hour north of Detroit. Frankenmuth has all the old-world charm of Germany, with classic architecture, dining, culture, and a world-renowned Christmas market. https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/frankenmuth-michigan-guide/
South Haven
Cute town with great breweries and food. Also has sail charter options on Lake Michigan. https://www.southhaven.org/
Saugatuck
Cute town with Paul’s favorite breweries. We did a sailboat charter out of here on a large boat about 50 ft for a sunset cruise. We loved it! Saugatuck and South Haven, along with Holland, Grand Haven, and Muskegon, would be a great 3-4 day trip! https://saugatuck.com/
Things to do UP North – 4-5 hours from Ann Arbor
If you’re up for a longer road trip, the Up North is the place to go! September will be glorious. Options include Traverse City, the Leelanau Peninsula on Grand Traverse Bay, and Lake Michigan.
One of our favorites is Suttons Bay. It is about 25 minutes north of Traverse City and faces Grand Traverse Bay. Suttons Bay and that whole region has many wineries and cideries that make their own cider.
Suttons Bay and Northport
~5-6 hours from Ann Arbor. Northport is 30 minutes north of Suttons Bay and on Grand Traverse Bay’s shores.
https://www.traversecity.com/plan/trip-ideas-and-itineraries/day-trips/leelanau-county
Mackinaw Island
~5 hours from Ann Arbor. You park your car and walk on the ferry. There are no cars on the island. It’s beautiful and supposed to be amazing.
https://www.mackinacisland.org
Other options are:
Charlevoix
~5 hours from Ann Arbor. Wonderful town with a great art scene and great food! https://www.visitcharlevoix.com
Petoskey
~4.5 hours from Ann Arbor. Go searching for a Petoskey Stone (you can actually find them from Suttons Bay, all along the north coast and on the coast of Lake Huron! Also home to the original Kilwins ice cream. https://petoskeyarea.com/
Harbor Springs
~4 hours from Ann Arbor. Great food and cute town along the lake. https://www.cityofharborsprings.com/