While growing up in Michigan, I have had the luxury of living in one of the most beautiful states in the United States. Sure, our seasons get a little crazy and the summer never seems to come soon enough, but we really are blessed to live in a peninsula state. Surrounded by four great lakes, we have over 3,000 miles of beautiful waterfronts and beaches in Michigan, which we all enjoy during the summer along with many out of state visitors that our tourist towns attract. Michigan is home to two national lakeshores, a former National Park and many more beautiful places to visit. Here is a list of the top five places that you must see in Michigan this summer!

1. Sleeping Bear Dunes (Empire, MI)

Sleeping Bear Dunes is a national lakeshore located in the lower peninsula. The dunes received their name from an old tale, "The Legend of the Sleeping Bear". This area is great for camping, canoeing and boating, and many other recreational family activities during the summer season.

2. Petoskey, MI

Petoskey is a very popular vacation destination and is also located in the lower peninsula of Michigan. It is nestled along the southeastern shore of Traverse Bay. Petoskey offers beautiful water and very clean beaches for the summer days, and is also a very well known winter destination while home to three beautiful ski resorts.

3. Ludington, MI

Ludington is a state park located on the beautiful coast of Lake Michigan. Ludington has four camp grounds and over 350 campsites in the state park spreading across about 5,000 acres.

4. Mackinac Island, MI

Located on Lake Huron, Mackinac Island is a four square mile summer destination for many tourists during the sunny season. Mackinac Island is a national historical landmark because of its ties with the American Revolutionary War. Fort Mackinac was the battle site for two battles between the British and Americans in 1812. The Island was also once classified as a United States National Park, but now considered a state park. Every tourist knows of the legendary eight mile bike ride around the island, the horse carriage rides, or the great little shops on main street that sell all sorts of sweets and goodies.

5. Pictured Rocks (Alger County, MI)

Pictured Rocks covers about 42 miles of lakefront on Lake Superior and has about 73,000 acres and is a national park in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore got its name from the very bright and vibrant colors, caused by the large amounts of minerals in the cliffs. The sea caves in the cliffs are very popular and attract many kayakers!