Well if we ever deserved a vacation, or a weekend getaway, it is now. It's been so crazy and stressful the last year or so. I can't think of a better way to put the pandemic behind us. Maybe you're thinking about a far away place, which is fine, but let's not forget about what is right in our own backyard.  Michigan is a beautiful state to live in and has so much to offer.  here are still so many cities that I want to see, and hopefully I will get to a few this summer.

Get our free mobile app

Michigan has some of the most fun and breathtaking vacation spots. Yep, usatoday.com paints a great picture of our great state.

Beautiful scenery, majestic lakes, fabulous food, quirky locales and hidden gems just barely scratch the surface of what Michigan has to offer.

Here are some great places to think about visiting for your next vacation.

  • The Call of the Wild Museum
  • Maple Syrup Festival in Vermontville
  • Oswald's Bear Ranch
  • 40 Mile Point Lighthouse
  • Canoe/Kayak the Pine River
  • Visit the Upper Peninsula's Hidden Waterfalls
  • Log Slide Overlook at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
  • See a Concert at St. Andrews Hall
  • Visit Isle Royale 
  • Tunnel of Trees

Those are a few, and the list goes on and on. Kind of depends on what you and your family are into and most enjoy. One of the places I have been too and don't want to miss this year is the 2021 Cherry Festival in Traverse City. It's July 3rd through the 10th. I love it there and first visited in 1998.

UP NEXT: Michigan Waterfalls You Absolutely Have to Visit

LOOK: Stunning vintage photos capture the beauty of America's national parks

Today these parks are located throughout the country in 25 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The land encompassing them was either purchased or donated, though much of it had been inhabited by native people for thousands of years before the founding of the United States. These areas are protected and revered as educational resources about the natural world, and as spaces for exploration.

Keep scrolling for 50 vintage photos that show the beauty of America's national parks.

LOOK: Here are the 25 best places to live in Michigan

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Michigan using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

LET'S GO: The most popular historic sites in America

More From 100.7 WITL