The Midwest is often associated with cornfields, county fairs, and open roads — and, after living here for 24 years, I’d argue that reputation is mostly accurate.
Michigan, however, is a different story. Visiting family and later attending college in the Mitten gave me a snapshot of the state, but still not the whole picture.
Through day trips, long-weekend getaways, and even odd jobs, I’ve chased every opportunity to explore. I discovered that Michigan is secretly teeming with hot spots and gems that defy its Midwestern stereotypes.
As much as I love the Midwest, I also have a soft spot for Europe’s medieval architecture, storybook villages, and quintessential charm.
After touching nearly every edge of Michigan, I found four spots with that distinctly European feel.
Visiting Holland feels like taking a quick trip to Amsterdam
Located just a 30-minute drive from Grand Rapids, Holland, Michigan, reminds me of the Netherlands — which makes sense, given that it was founded by Dutch settlers, whose descendants have preserved the heritage for close to 200 years.
The downtown is characterized by its brick buildings, indoor-outdoor cafés, and gift shops overflowing with wooden shoes, windmills, and other Dutch emblems.
Most notable is its Tulip Time festival — a nod to the iconic Keukenhof gardens near Amsterdam — which draws countless tourists to town every year. Aside from millions of tulips, the event includes parades, klompen (wooden shoe) dancing, and traditional Dutch costumes.
A lesser-known jewel is Nelis’ Dutch Village, a Netherlands-inspired theme park that offers rides, imported goods, and classic treats like stroopwafels and banket.
Holland’s pride and joy, however, is its centuries-old De Zwaan windmill, the only working Dutch windmill in the United States.
For cozy vibes and great German food, I love heading to Frankenmuth
Known as “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” Frankenmuth — located about 90 miles northwest of Detroit — brings Germany to mid-Michigan.
The city’s downtown area looks like a German postcard, with storybook-like buildings that combine alpine and medieval styles. Many feature steeply peaked roofs, cobblestone walls, and timbered facades, along with bold details like bright red accents and decorative flower boxes.
The food here is another indicator of German influence. Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Inn Restaurant is popular for its family-style chicken dinners and costumed wait staff, who serve Bavarian dishes — think kartoffelknödel, sauerbraten, and bratwurst — in dirndl dresses and lederhosen.
Right across the street is Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, a restaurant famed for its original chicken, schnitzel, and other authentic specialties.
Another signature element of Frankenmuth is its year-round Christmas spirit. I visited in December, which meant experiencing the magic of the holidays in a town that celebrates all year.
It also has the world’s largest Christmas store, an attraction that’s worth a trip in itself.
Mackinac Island is charming and historic
Mackinac Island’s rich history is captured by its historic landmarks and Victorian atmosphere. It sits right between the Upper and Lower Peninsula, which are connected by the Mackinac Bridge.
The island is home to Michigan’s oldest building, Fort Mackinac, which served as an 18th-century British military outpost and is now a must-see attraction. Its setting atop a limestone bluff adds to the old-world feel, as do the daily rifle-and-cannon demonstrations.
Cars are prohibited on the island, so bikes and horse-drawn carriages line the main strip. Whether traveling on foot, wheel, or hoof, trails connect the quaint shops and restaurants to hiking paths and scenic overlooks.
One of the most notable sights is Arch Rock, a limestone formation that, in my opinion, resembles Durdle Door in England.
For a taste of luxury, the Grand Hotel channels its English roots with daily afternoon tea, complete with finger sandwiches, pastries, and champagne.
Leland has a laid-back energy that makes me feel transported to a remote fishing town
Located on a peninsula between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau, Leland sits near the top of the mitten. Although it’s in the Lower Peninsula, it bears a likeness to somewhere much farther north.
With cold blue water, smokehouses, and weathered shanties along the docks, it’s hard to believe that Leland is in the United States at all. Dull, faded color palettes and simple wooden architecture amplify the high-latitude appeal.
Even though I went during the summer, Leland still felt calm, cool, and moody in the best way. There wasn’t much to do aside from fishing and tasting wine, but I found it to be a nice change from the bustle down the coast.
For those who want to feel like they’re somewhere far, far away from the Midwest, I can confirm: This remote town does the trick.
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