5 Scenic Drives to take in Michigan
A popular pastime in Detroit in the 1950s and 1960s was recreational driving, or cruising. It was most popular in the northern suburbs along M-1 (Woodward Ave), however Michigan is known for many other cruising strips. If you’re from the Detroit area, then these will ring a bell: US-24 (Telegraph) and M-3 (Gratiot Ave). But if you are looking for nice scenic drives, then this post is for you!
*Note: I’m aware that these are uncertain times limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While I will continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, I don’t expect or encourage you to check them out immediately. I firmly believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and I hope my blog posts will inspire your future adventures! Check online or call ahead for hours. When traveling, please do so safely and responsibly by practicing social distancing and wearing a cloth mask or face-covering while in enclosed areas or near others.
Hines Drive (Detroit)
This scenic drive is named after one of the most important innovators in the design of modern roads, Edward N. Hines. During heavy rain periods, the road can often be closed because it served as a flood plane for the Rouge River. The park stretches through Northville, Plymouth, Livonia, Westland, Garden City, and Dearborn Heights and it’s 17-mile parkway connects 20 park segments that offer multi-faceted recreation. In the spring, you can see the flowers blooming throughout the park. In the summer, the park is full of outdoor activities and events for all ages! In the fall, Hines Drive explodes in color. And lastly in the winter, Hines Drive turns into a Christmas Wonder with an outdoor light show tour.
Hines Drive was built in 1949 with land that was donated by Henry Ford and along the way, there are a number of historic mills, some of which Henry Ford used to make automobile parts. Starting in Dearborn, though not directly on Hines Drive, the Henry Ford Estate (4901 Evergreen Rd., Dearborn) is just a short job away and a wonderful landmark to start your scenic drive. Further down the trail, you will come across Nankin Mills (33175 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland). This building dates back to 1842 when it operated as a grist mill. Henry Ford purchased it in 1918 and transformed it into an automotive factory. Despite some renovations, Ford worked hard to maintain the integrity of the historic building, including the original tongue and groove hardwood flooring fastened to the support beams with wooden pegs - a great historical stop!
Along the drive, you can swing into Plymouth, one of Michigan’s oldest communities. It was settled in 1825 and now has a vibrant downtown with plenty of shops and restaurants surrounding a beautiful park. The park hosts many major community events, such as the popular Fall Festival, Ice Sculpture Spectacular, and Art in the Park. In addition to it’s beautiful downtown, Plymouth has a number of well-preserved historic homes within walking distance and its Historical Museum is an affordable stop! Ending in Northville, this community was incorporated as a city in 1867 and is known for it’s rolling hills and attractive countryside. The city retains a small-town atmosphere with Victorian-era architecture in its Historic District. Downtown is full of old-fashioned street lamps, benches, specialty shops, galleries, theaters, restaurants, preserved landmarks, and often live music.
2. Lakeshore Drive (Detroit) & the nautical mile
Jefferson Avenue, Detroit east to Lakeshore Drive, Grosse Pointe and St. Clair Shores
This scenic drive is one of the most iconic drives in southeastern Michigan. Traveling east on Jefferson Avenue, which runs parallel to the Detroit riverfront, will lead you through history and its mansions that dot the drive. Grosse Pointe Park is one of the wealthiest areas in the state and home to some incredible views of Lake St. Clair. We like to drive the neighborhoods and marvel at the amazing architectures. You can even encounter historic properties like the Edsel and Eleanor Ford house and its gardens. After leaving Grosse Pointe, you’ll be driving along the Nautical Mile, a beautiful waterfront district in St. Clair Shores with marinas and some tasty, seafood restaurants.
This drive can be beautiful in almost any season, and most beautiful at sunrise. While there is no denying the beauty of the Grosse Pointe area, it’s not exactly known as an entertainment destination. The Nautical Mile, being the hub of Metro Detroit boating, is boasting with dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
3. M-22 (Sleeping bear dunes)
M-22 is known for it’s views on the Northside of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, but most people miss out on the southern tip that offers a scenic coastal highway. It was voted the Best Scenic Autumn Drive by USA Today in 2015 and will be erupting in colors in a matter of weeks. This 116 mile road will capture everything that Northern Michigan means. You can find plenty of stops with food, quaint shops, artisan goods, and so much to see and do.
You can begin your trip with a stroll through Manistee, take a canoe trip, go for a wine tour, stand on the 45th Parallel, shop quaint downtowns, dine at mouthwatering destinations, pick apples in the fall, visit a number of lighthouses, and even go fishing. Of all the scenic drives, M-22 has it all and can easily be a multi-day trip!
4. M-26 (Copper harbor)
If you’re looking for a real, rustic, scenic drive, M-26 is one of the top scenic drives in Michigan’s Upper peninsula. M-26 runs along the shores of Lake Superior on the north shore of the Keweenaw between Eagle River and Copper Harbor. It encompasses parks, beaches, waterfalls, lighthouses, and miles of unsurpassed beauty.
If you’re looking for something to do up in Copper Harbor, you can read about our trip in our blog post HERE! Copper Harbor is a place that holds many memories near and dear to my heart, and so many more to my husband, Charlie. It is truly a beautiful and quaint town, and watching a sunset off the porch or the Aurora Borealis from a remote area should be high on your bucket list!
5. M-119 (Tunnel of trees)
Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees is ranked among the most scenic roads in the nation. It begins at the north end of Petoskey, officially becomes the Tunnel of Trees in Harbor Springs, and ends at Cross Village. This drive has many attractions to stop at along it’s way. M-119 becomes very narrow and follows the Lake Michigan coast for about 20 miles. In the autumn, the hardwoods and evergreens knit a boasting ceiling of electrifying colors. And in the spring, the forest floor is littered with fresh flower buds.
You can read all about our trip and where to visit in our blog post HERE! We’ve visited the Tunnel of Trees twice now, and both trips had different experiences. Our most recent one was greeted with live music and an array of farm/artisan stands in Good Heart. If you are planning a fall tour of Michigan, this drive should be high on your bucket list!
