At the top of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, three parks showcase the best of the north. Petoskey's sandy bays, Wilderness's dark skies and endless shoreline, and Cheboygan's lighthouse views all capture the spirit of "Up North." Here, the air is cooler, the nights are brighter, and the lakes feel as wide as the horizon.

The southwest shores of Michigan is where rolling dunes meet wide sandy beaches, lighthouses stand tall against golden sunsets, and slight lakeshore towns buzz with summer life. From Holland's Big Red Lighthouse to Warren Dunes' towering sand hills, these parks feel like the Midwest's best-kept secret getaway.

The Thumb is Michigan's quiet shoreline. Here, sandy beaches stretch along Lake Huron, old lighthouses watch over the water, and small towns feel timeless. It is less crowded than the West Coast, but just as full of sunsets, campfires, and lakeshore hikes.

Michigan's islands are worlds apart, scattered across the Great Lakes. From horse-drawn carriages on Mackinac to wilderness cabins on Lime Island and city skyline views from Belle Isle, each one tells a different story. Add Beaver Island, remote and rugged, though not a state park, and you've got a collection of lake escapes unlike anywhere else in the Midwest.

Next time you're near Ann Arbor Michigan, Explore the Beautiful Paths @ Matthaei Botanical Gardens.