Either way, load up the car and see what Michigan has to offer.

Mackinac Island

Distance: 246 miles

Drive Time: 3.8 hours

When Mackinac Island became the second national park after Yellowstone National Park in 1875, it served as a burial ground for American Indians from the area, said Chris West, executive assistant for the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.

This fact and others that add to the rich historical context of the island have drawn tourists for hundreds of years, he said.

“Historical and cultural tourism – that’s what Mackinac Island is all about,” he said.

Pitch a tent at Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping, located at 9730 US-23 in Mackinaw City. The campground sits on a mile of Lake Huron shoreline and offers views of the island and Mackinac Bridge. For a night at the rustic lake site with no electricity, the cost to pitch a tent is $27.

For a speedy romp on the waves, take a ferry ride on the Star Line, 711 S. Huron Ave., in Mackinaw City, and spend the day exploring the island’s many attractions.

Visit various natural sites like rock formations Devil’s Kitchen and Skull Cave on a hiking or biking tour. Free hiking tours meet at 2 p.m. daily at the Father Marquette Statue in Marquette Park, located across the street from the Mackinac Island State Harbor. Biking tours meet at 10 a.m. at Mackinac Wheels, also near the harbor. Sunset tours are offered at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays starting at the Chippewa Hotel.

Mackinac Island is known for more than its natural beauty. Savor your sweet tooth in the area’s renowned fudge shops. The island has six fudge companies with multiple locations, West said.

East Tawas

Distance: 140 miles

Drive Time: 2.2 hours

Experience the sunrise side in East Tawas.

Take a tent to Tawas Point State Park, 686 Tawas Beach Road, in East Tawas. The campground sits on Tawas Point, the peninsula that separates Tawas Bay and Lake Huron. Campground cost is $27 per night. In addition, a parking permit is required to visit Michigan state parks. The permit costs $6 per day or $24 a year for a car registered in-state.

It’s summer and getting up before noon is not on the to-do list, but the early wake-up call is worth it – especially near the lake. Remember to bring a blanket to beat the lake’s morning breeze, and check newspapers or the Internet for sunrise times.

Pack a lunch and take a scenic canoe, kayak or tube ride down the Au Sable River. Six and 12-river mile routes are available for travel through Oscoda Canoe Rental, 678 River Road, in Oscoda, about 17 miles northeast of East Tawas. Departure times and prices vary depending on the distance and mode of water transportation.

Downtown East Tawas offers a public beach within walking distance of local shops and restaurants.

Holland

Distance: 97 miles

Drive Time: 1.5 hours

Experience the sunset side in Holland.

Stay at Holland State Park, 2215 Ottawa Beach Road in Holland, and enjoy the sunset every evening. The campground costs $27 a night. The state park also requires a parking permit.

Many people come to Holland for the beach, said Sally Laukitis, executive director of Holland Convention & Visitors Bureau. However, the city offers more than a neverending shore line.

Beaches and sunsets aren’t the only thing that set Holland apart – of the about 100 shops, galleries and eateries, only three are national chains, she said.

Each Thursday until Aug. 31, street performers entertain from 6-8 p.m. on 8th Street in downtown Holland. Local bands, an aerial acrobat troupe and a yo-yo performer can be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike at the weekly shows, Laukitis said.

On Fridays, there are free concerts with local bands from 6:30-8 p.m. at Centennial Park, 239 South River Ave., in Holland.

Each Wednesday and Saturday, the downtown becomes filled with farm stands, Laukitis said. At 10 a.m. on Saturdays, a local chef performs a cooking demonstration with fresh produce.

All visitors also are encouraged to meet Lucy – a pug who serves as Holland’s official greeter – at the Holland Convention & Visitors Bureau, 76 East 8th St., Laukitis said.

Marquette

Distance: 347 miles

Drive Time: 5.3 hours

Located in the upper peninsula, Marquette is among the best communities for young people, said Lindsay Hemmila, marketing specialist at the Marquette Area Chamber of Commerce.

Marquette is home to Northern Michigan University and about 9,500 students, making the atmosphere attractive to a younger crowd, she said.

Marquette Tourist Park, 2145 Sugarloaf Road, in Marquette, offers 40 acres of wooded campground and is close to the city. Camping costs $15 per night.

The largest wooden dome in the world – the Superior Dome, 1401 Presque Isle Ave.- is available for viewing and serves as Northern Michigan’s football stadium, Hemmila said.

Marquette also offers forest trails for motorized and non-motorized vehicles, she said, adding that Sugarloaf Mountain, located about seven miles north of the downtown, is a popular hiking spot with views of Lake Superior.

With sights of Lake Superior seen through many of the restaurant windows, downtown Marquette offers lakeside food with a view.

“(Downtown Marquette) is nice and quaint, and very accommodating for locals and for visitors,” Hemmila said.

_Lauren Talley can be reached at talleyl1@msu.edu