Come to Michigan and come hungry, the state’s passion for good food, wine and family festivals celebrating all of those things has to be seen to be believed.
Sugar Loaf Mountain, Marquette, Michigan
At around eight hours from the UK and with direct flights all year round, Michigan couldn’t be easier to reach. It’s a state that’s known for everything from its almost unfair share of the Great Lakes to its Dark Sky Preserves, legendary cities and extraordinary natural phenomena. You could visit for the beaches alone: Michigan’s coastline is 3,288 miles long.
Even a day’s drive gives you an idea of how rich and varied the landscape is, which brings us round to that good food we were talking about. The term ‘agriculturally diverse’, doesn’t instantly shout, holiday destination, but what that means in Michigan almost certainly makes it a very appealing place to visit with kids.
Fresh Michigan produce, Detroit Eastern Market
Farm-to-fork, fresh, local and delicious
Fresh and local is a matter of pride here, as so much is state-grown from grapes and cherries to asparagus and snap beans.
Michigan is also the third largest producer of apples in the US, with more than 14.9 million trees growing on 775 farms across the state. And if you’re thinking, apples are apples, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Despite producing no fewer than 16 different varieties over thousands of acres, such is the local love of Michigan’s apples that none are exported to the UK. So if you want to taste what makes them so different, you’ll have to come try a few on home territory: you can even pick your own here.
However, you can land anywhere from Traverse City to Detroit and really notice Michigan’s conscientious approach to food in its farm-to-fork restaurants. These exciting and innovative places to eat speak to the passion of locals chefs for the state’s produce, seasonal ingredients and food that comes to your fork practically as fresh as when it was harvested. And you really can taste the difference.
Autumn vineyard, Michigan
Pair Michigan’s good food with its great wine
If you don’t associate Michigan with wine, you’re in for a surprise. Turns out the state is so associated with wine, it has five certified American Viticulture Areas (AVA). That gives it wine country in the north, south, east and west, so you can practically fit in a winery almost anywhere you go.
Discover why the state makes incredible Ice Wine
The sheltered southwest gives you the chance to explore the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail which takes in no fewer than 15 wineries. This area also happens to have one of the longest grape growing seasons in the state. And if your taste run to big, full-bodied jammy reds, you’ll love what they’re producing round these parts.
Gorgeous, golden Michigan Ice Wine
Pair the legendary Dark Sky Parks in the north with a visit to the Sunrise Coast’s equally iconic wineries. This is where most of Michigan’s much praised Ice Wine comes from too and if you haven’t tried it yet, you are in for such a treat. It’s also a fairly good barometer for Michigan winemaking generally, as Ice Wine is incredibly tricky to make and Michigan clearly has the knack, as it’s now the US’s third largest producer.
Speaking of more northerly wineries, you’ll find about 50 in and around Traverse City, making it a shining star in Michigan’s Great Grape Harvest during autumn. Although the city is a stellar base for wine lovers all year round and its message is very much, come as you are; whether you’re an occasional partaker or a connoisseur. Also interesting to know that, as well as long hours of sunlight and rich soil perfectly nurturing its vines, Traverse City sits on the 45th Parallel, aligning it with European wine greats like Bordeaux and Piedmont.
Pick of the crop, Cherry Festival, Traverse City
Why do cherries mean so much in Traverse City?
Tuck into a cherry tart anywhere in the US and there’s a high chance that the fruity deliciousness started out in Michigan. In fact 70% of the country’s tart cherries are grown in Northern Michigan’s cherry orchards where gentle hills, temperate weather and good soil create the perfect growing conditions. Of course, sweet cherries are grown here too and while the season might be short, it’s so wonderful Traverse City – known as Cherry Capital of the World – holds a Cherry Festival in its honour every summer.
Downtown, Traverse City, Michigan
Visit at the end of June and you’ll catch the city in full swing with everything from parades and a Cherry Queen crowning to garden parties, family events, live music and lots and lots to eat. Of course the eating isn’t restricted to cherries-only, but you don’t want to miss Mooner’s Cherry Traffic Jam ice cream or home baked Grand Traverse cherry pies. This sweet festival has been running in some form since 1925 and families come from all over the state to celebrate, which says a lot for Michigan’s love of both cherries and a good time.
Tulip time, Holland, Michigan
Save the date for food, drink and family festivals
The Cherry Festival is far from the only one worth saving the date for in Michigan. The state likes to celebrate, a lot, so barely a month goes by without some annual event inviting you to eat, drink and generally make merry with some very enthusiastic locals. Far from a comprehensive list, here are a few festivals we think you might like.
Pick of the pumpkin patches, Michigan
Leave room for these events
- Every spring millions of tulips bloom in Holland – Holland, Michigan, that is. Nowhere near The Netherlands, but right on the shore of Lake Macatawa, this city is also where you’ll find the fabulous Tulip Time Festival in May.
- If it’s the second week in August, it’s the National Blueberry Festival in South Haven. This is one of the longest running fruit festivals in the US which is kind of fitting, as Michigan is also one of the country’s top blueberry producers.
- It’s worth making space in your Michigan trip to get to know some of the state’s truly extraordinary craft brewers. Alternatively you could visit in February and hit the Winter Beer Festival in Comstock Park. A bit about brews, but mostly to do with fun, this family event has everything from ice sculpting and cosy firepits to live music and great local eats.
- You might have carved a pumpkin or two in your time, but you’ve seen nothing until you’ve visited a Michigan Pumpkin Patch. Come in autumn and as well as seeing some mighty fine gourds growing, you can pick your own apples, try local cider and even introduce your kids to the fun of puzzling their way through a Corn Maze.
- Of course, you get a great taste of Michigan’s diversity at any farm-to-fork restaurant. But if you want to chat to a local, experience the freshness of produce first hand or just put together a picnic, find a Farmer’s Market and have a browse.
Now visit America As You Like It and find out more about Michigan and how to plan a family trip to the good food state
