Highest-rated free things to do in Michigan, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Michigan, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Michigan.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Michigan using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Pere Marquette Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (476 reviews)
- Address: 3510 Channel Drive Beach St. Road Muskegon, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. McGulpin Point Lighthouse & Historic Site
- Rating: 4.5/5 (611 reviews)
- Address: 500 Headlands Road Mackinaw City, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Greektown
- Rating: 4/5 (818 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Wagner Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (523 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Grand Haven Lighthouse and Pier
- Rating: 4.5/5 (655 reviews)
- Address: 1001 Harbor Ave. South Pier Grand Haven, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Fishtown
- Rating: 4.5/5 (462 reviews)
- Address: 203 West River St. Leland, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Great Lakes Crossing Outlets
- Rating: 4.5/5 (883 reviews)
- Address: 4000 Baldwin Road Auburn Hills, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Somerset Collection
- Rating: 4.5/5 (505 reviews)
- Address: 2800 West Big Beaver Road Suite 300 Troy, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Empire Bluff Trail
- Rating: 5/5 (316 reviews)
- Address: Empire, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Miners Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (617 reviews)
- Address: Munising, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Mission Point Lighthouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (924 reviews)
- Address: 20500 Center Road Traverse City, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Meyer May House
- Rating: 5/5 (462 reviews)
- Address: 450 Madison Ave. Southeast Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Munising Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (775 reviews)
- Address: Sand Point Road Trailhead Behind Visitor Center Munising, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. University of Michigan
- Rating: 4.5/5 (623 reviews)
- Address: 915 East Washington St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Brockway Mountain Drive
- Rating: 4.5/5 (630 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. South Haven Lighthouses
- Rating: 4.5/5 (701 reviews)
- Address: Water St. South Haven, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Detroit Historical Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (456 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Sugarloaf Mountain
- Rating: 5/5 (576 reviews)
- Address: County Road 550 Marquette, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Eastern Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (498 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Frankenmuth River Place Shops
- Rating: 4.5/5 (888 reviews)
- Address: 925 South Main St. Frankenmuth, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Silver Beach County Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (815 reviews)
- Address: 101 Broad St. Saint Joseph, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Miners Castle Rock
- Rating: 5/5 (884 reviews)
- Address: Munising, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Front Street
- Rating: 4.5/5 (936 reviews)
- Address: Traverse City, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Lakenenland Sculpture Park
- Rating: 5/5 (582 reviews)
- Address: 2800 State Highway M28 East Marquette, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. The Guardian Building
- Rating: 4.5/5 (767 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Presque Isle Park
- Rating: 5/5 (1,004 reviews)
- Address: Peter White Dr. Marquette, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Detroit RiverFront
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,480 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Mackinac Island State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,991 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Soo Locks
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,723 reviews)
- Address: 225 East Portage Ave. Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Arch Rock
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,807 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
