Voted by you: 10 Michigan gems to add to your summer bucket list

• Bridge Michigan readers have picked the top 10 Michigan summer bucket list items
• Readers initially submitted more than 150 ideas
• The picks range from riding a dune buggy to climbing the highest point in Michigan to sleeping in a lighthouse

We asked readers like you to help us put together the ultimate Michigan summer bucket list. 

We told you we weren’t interested in hearing about the things we all already know and love, like Pictured Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes, but we wanted suggestions that might be a little bit more surprising.

You gave us more than 150 suggestions that we whittled down to a list of just a couple dozen. From that whittled-down list, you voted for your favorites, which we present to you today in the final Michigan Dreaming Ultimate Summer Bucket List! 

We also have your top picks for land and water trails and scenic drives.

This summer, our outdoors life reporter, Laura Herberg, will tell the stories of some of the items on the list. We’ll also offer opportunities for you to check some of them off at events with Bridge Michigan staffers.

The top ten items on your Michigan summer bucket list:

#10 — Ride the Silver Lake dunes

Sand dunes make for memorable —  and surprisingly difficult — hiking opportunities. But, when you decide to traverse those natural features on buggies, you take the adventure level up to 10. 

If you don’t have your own off-road vehicle, you can take in views of Lake Michigan and Silver Lake on a seven-mile dune tour ride with Mac Woods, a company that’s provided the service since 1930. Or rent a vehicle for up to four people with SunBuggy Silver Lake or go on a guided sunset tour with Silver Lake Buggy Rentals.

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#9 — Go to the top of the Copper Peak ski jump

See three states and Canada on a clear day from the top of “the world’s largest artificial ski jump” in Ironwood. 

Paused for use as a ski jump in 1994, Copper Peak’s stunning 800-foot hilltop serves as an attraction for tourists sans skis until the jump is restored to its former glory, a project toward which the state has granted $20 million.

Until then, visitors can take a chair lift to the top and an 18-story elevator to an observation deck. For the 2025 season, Copper Peak plans to initially just open the chair lift and elevator on Sundays starting Memorial Day weekend. 

#8 — Meet the athletes at MI Dog summer sled dog center

If dog sledding makes you think of winter, think again! During the offseason, you can head to MI DOG in Newberry, about 15 miles from Tahquamenon Falls, and meet long-distance musher Laura Neese and her team of sled dogs (which includes sled dogs in training — aka puppies!). 

The visit includes a presentation by the human and canine team and opportunities to take pictures holding puppies.

#7 — View ancient engravings at Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park

Michigan’s largest known collection of early Native American teachings carved in stone is on display at Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park in the Thumb. 

The relic is referred to as “ezhibiigaadek asin,” or “written on stone” in Anishinaabemowin, a language of the Ojibwe/Chippewa people. It includes depictions of Indian figures such as the Eagle Man, the archer and the water panther, thought to be up to 1,000 years old. The park is co-managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Saginaw Chippewa Nation. The petroglyphs are open for viewing Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

#6 — 'Climb' to the top of Mount Arvon, Michigan’s highest point

At 1,979 feet, Mount Arvon is the highest point in our state. 

It’s located in the Upper Peninsula’s Huron Mountains, about 50 miles from Marquette. The trail to the top is just 0.1 miles out and back and, according to AllTrails.com, it takes an average of two minutes to complete. 

Still, the path includes a breathtaking view along the way and some surprising features at the culmination.

#5 — Make jam with monks in the UP

The Jampot is a store run by a small group of monks at Poorrock Abbey located near Eagle River in the Upper Peninsula. After selling their first jar of preserves in 1986, the Jampot today sells fruitcake, confections, coffee beans and jams and jellies made from berries picked nearby. You can purchase their goods online or in person at the Jampot on select days, May through October. 

Bridge Michigan isn’t sure the average customer can make jam with the monks, but we are sure going to try!

#4 — Cheer all night long at the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon

The Au Sable River Canoe Marathon is a 120-mile-long race that starts in the evening in Grayling and finishes the next day in Oscoda. 

While the competition, which lasts 14 to 19 hours, is a true feat for paddlers, the event is billed as “the world’s toughest spectator race,” as hardcore fans stay up all night, moving to about a dozen different bridges and dams to cheer the paddlers on. 

This year’s race kicks off at 9 p.m. on July 26.

#3 — Sail on a tall ship

A tall ship is typically used to refer to a boat with sails held up in a traditional manner. Picture the Mayflower or a pirate ship in your head and you’re probably picturing a tall ship. 

Michigan has a handful of such ships — often replicas of past ships — that sail the Great Lakes to this day and are available for passenger trips. 

There’s the Friends Good Will in South Haven, Schooner Manitou in Traverse City, the Schooner Serenity in Saugatuck, the Schooner Huron Jewel on Drummond Island and BaySail tours in Bay City. 

They offer a variety of outings from brunch sails to sunset cruises to overnight options.

#2 — Take the seaplane to Isle Royale

Considering it’s the least-visited National Park in the United States, it feels like just making it out to Isle Royale would be something to celebrate. 

But arriving by seaplane? Talk about special. 

Isle Royale Seaplanes offers one-way, roundtrip and “three-way” trips, which are when you get dropped off one place and picked up somewhere else. Ticket prices range from $275 to $396 per person. 

Daily flights for the 2025 season are offered from Hubbell, Windigo and Rock Harbor through Sept. 20.

#1 —Sleep in a lighthouse

With at least 120 lighthouses, Michigan has more than any other state. 

But did you know that, in addition to visiting and climbing the stairs of many of these landmarks, you can also sleep in some of them? 

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association lists several spots with opportunities to volunteer and sleep in lighthouses, including the Au Sable Light Station, Crisp Point Lighthouse and the Detour Reef Light. Although you’re volunteering, you may still be asked to pay to stay, sometimes thousands of dollars. 

Others, like Big Bay Point Lighthouse and Charity Island Lighthouse, have been converted to short-term rental units. 

You can check out a map of all Great Lakes lighthouses here.

But wait, there’s more!

As part of the voting process, we also asked you to weigh in on the best land and water trails and scenic drives. Here’s what you said:

Best place to hike, bike or ride:

#1 - Walk around Estivant Pines Wilderness Nature Sanctuary near Copper Harbor

#2 - Hike to the Highbanks River Trail from Iargo Springs to Lumberman’s Monument near Oscoda

Best place to paddle or tube:

#1 —Tube down the Au Sable River

#2 —Paddle the Manistee River between the headwaters in Deward and Lake Michigan

Best scenic drive:

#1 —Adventure up Brockway Mountain Drive near Copper Harbor

#2 — Take M-22 through Manistee County to the Arcadia Overlook

If you venture to any of the places listed above, remember to be considerate visitors. We recommend following the guidelines of the Respect Marquette County campaign, especially when going to places that might be a little bit more off the beaten path.