It's no secret that Michigan is home to some of the most beautiful sights. The lakes, the rock formations, and lush forests may be the Mitten state's calling card, but we've also got some of the weirdest shit along the way. From kooky roadside attractions (Giant tires? Giant pie plates? Giant Native Americans? Mini Eiffel Towers?), to public art, Christmas fanatics, and an obsession with a makeup-wearing rock band are but some of Michigan's unique and truly baffling attractions.
20 unique Michigan attractions to travel to and gawk at
By Metro Times editorial staff on Thu, May 13, 2021 at 3:09 pm
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The Heidelberg Project
6865 W. Hickory Rd., Hickory Corners; 269-671-5089; gilmorecarmuseum.orgPerhaps one of the most notable roadside attractions in Detroit, The Heidelberg Project remains a fascinating art project-turned-fight against City Hall. Tyree Guyton, who grew up in a poor family with nine siblings in Detroit, was 32 when he decided to use art to combat blight, abandonment, and violence that were consuming his eastside neighborhood. In the 35 years since then, Guyton’s Heidelberg Project has transformed a two-block area into a world-renowned outdoor art installation that attracts 200,000 visitors a year from around the globe. Though some of the properties have been lost to arson and general deterioration, the Heidelberg is still worth the visit if for no other reason than to start a conversation about Detroit, public art, and the impact of blighted neighborhoods.
Photo by Lee DeVito
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Monument to KISS
501-599 Chestnut St., Cadillac; kisscadillac.comWe all know about rock band KISS's love of “Detroit Rock City” but … Cadillac, Mich.? Rock heads know the story, but for the uninitiated, the Michigan town's KISStory started in 1974 when the football team at Cadillac High School needed to get hyped for a season that was off to a rocky start. Their coach, Dave Brines, decided to pump tunes by KISS through the locker room. After KISS became the unofficial band of the Cadillac Vikings, the team won its final seven games and, as a result, KISS — as in Gene, Paul, Ace, and Peter — adopted the Vikings as their team. Cool, right? Well, it gets cooler because KISS surprised the students at Cadillac High and performed a homecoming concert in the school's gym. Thus, Cadillac Rock City — and this unique tribute to a face-painted rock band — was born.
Photo via KISS Cadillac/Facebook
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Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland
25 Christmas Ln., Frankenmuth; 989-652-9931; bronners.comIt's the most wonderful time of year all year at Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth. While Frankenmuth is a bit of a tourist attraction itself (go for the chicken, stay for the chicken), it's also home to the world's largest Christmas store which is open year-round. From snow globes, ornaments, trees, lights, stockings, and more, Bronner's is as much of a Christmas-lover's wet dream and a Scrooge-y Grinch's worst nightmare. Regardless of what category you might find yourself in, Bronner's is sort of unreal, especially if you venture through the 320,000 square feet of holiday hoopla in the dead of summer.
Photo via GoogleMaps
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World’s Largest Crucifix
7078 W. M68 Hwy., Indian River; crossinthewoods.comAs you’re traveling through northern Michigan, you can see the world’s largest crucifix located just off M-68 in Indian River. Weighing almost seven tons and standing at 30 feet tall, this statue was declared a national shrine by the United Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2006. Annually, this shrine is visited by about 300,000 people, along with with a Holy Staircase leading people through the forest to the shrine.
Photo via National Shrine of Cross in the Woods / Facebook
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World’s Largest Cherry Pie Pan
3424 Cass Rd., Traverse CityWith Michigan being the cherry capital of the world, it’s no wonder any achievement related to cherry pie is hotly contested. Something that isn’t contested though, is the world largest pie tin, which sits outside of a Sara Lee store that used to be a Chef Pierre factory. This pie tin isn’t going anywhere, and is the perfect destination for any northern Michigan road trip.
Photo via World's Largest Cherry Pie Pan/ Facebook
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Uniroyal Tire
I-94, Allen ParkWhether you’re on your way to the airport or passing through southeast Michigan, this massive Tire is sure to catch your eye. Sitting on I-94, this massive tire used to be a Ferris wheel during the 1964 World's Fair. After the fair, the tire found its home in Allen Park, where it has lived since 1966. The tire stands at about 80 feet tall and weighs 11 tons. To ease any fears that it might someday roll away, the tire is said to be able to withstand hurricane-force winds.
Photo via GoogleMaps
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Secret Spot
N916 Martin Lake Rd., St. Ignace; 906-643-8322; mysteryspotstignace.comIn a not-so-secret location in St. Ignace, this mystery spot is full of surprises. Legend has it that in the 1950s when the land was being surveyed, the crew's equipment stopped working in a specific 300-foot diameter circle. And from that moment, visitors have traveled to this spot to see just what kind of supernatural things are happening. There is also a mini-golf course, zipline ride, and maze in the woods. This mystery spot is located near the Mackinac Bridge on Hwy. U.S.-2.
Photo via Mystery Spot / Facebook
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Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox Statues
Corner of U.S. Hwy. 23 and Nicholson Hill Rd., OssinekeThe story of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox goes back about 100 years. With his massive size and outrageous strength, Paul and Babe could accomplish anything. Standing at 25.5 feet tall, this monument of Paul weighs over 11 tons, and babe the ox stands at 10.5 feet tall, weighing 4.5 tons. Paul and Babe were moved from Lookout Hill to Nicholson Hill Road in Ossineke.
Photo via GoogleMaps
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American Museum of Magic
107 E. Michigan Ave., Marshall; 269-781-7570; americanmuseumofmagic.comAbracadabra! Since 1978, Marshall, Michigan has been home to the American Museum of Magic. A celebration of magicians and their tricks, the museum is described as “the Smithsonian of American Magic.” Not only can visitors view artifacts that illuminate the life, times, and trickery of Houdini, Blackstone, Thurston, and others, but you might just be treated to some tricks.
Photo via American Museum of Magic/Facebook
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Leaning Tower of Pizza
Ave Maria Dr., Ann, ArborWhether you’re in the mood for pizza or not, this roadside attraction is sure to make you hungry. The Leaning Tower of Pizza, constructed on the Ann Arbor headquarters of Domino’s Pizza, was originally going to be the new office building. After issues with the original contractors, the building was erected as a scale model, designed to lean at a 15-degree angle and stand at 30 feet tall.
Photo via Wikipedia Commons
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Chutes and Ladders Playground
10145 Bush Lake Rd., HoughtonRemember being a kid? Yeah, us neither. But this Chutes and Ladders Playground does take us back to simpler times where we cheated at this playground's namesake board game. This unique and massive play structure sits on a sandy incline and features slides, climbing opportunities, and lake views.
Photo via GoogleMaps
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Hell, Mich.
Hell, Mich.; gotohellmi.com“More people tell you to go to our town than any place on Earth.” This is the slogan for Hell, Mich., which is actually a pretty pleasant place. OK — so it's no Pleasant, Mich., but this small unincorporated town is proud of its name. The town was for sale a few years back, where customers could buy one square inch of the town for $6.66. Other than gift shops, the town hosts great outdoor activities with access to more than 60 miles of hiking trails and access to kayaks, canoes, and fishing equipment. Hell is also a great spot to tie the knot as they have a devilish and totally operational and legal wedding chapel.
Photo via Wikipedia Commons
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Dinosaur Gardens
11160 US-23, Ossineke; 989-471-5477; dinosaurgardensllc.comLife finds a way, or at least art imitating life. Another great roadside attraction that’s popular in Michigan is Dinosaur Gardens, located in Ossineke. At the gardens, visitors can immerse themselves in a forest environment surrounded by 25 large, life-like prehistoric creatures — with some sites created over 80 years ago.
Photo via Dinosaur Gardens/Facebook
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Da Yoopers Tourist Trap
490 N. Steel St., Ishpeming; 906-485-5595; dayoopers.comIf you find yourself in the U.P. on your road trip, you can’t miss Da Yooper Tourist Trap. This roadside destination is home to many world record objects — like the world's largest working chainsaw, named Big Ernie — or the world's largest working rifle, named Big Gus. It is also home to a rock and mineral shop as well as Yooper gifts. If you're in the Upper Peninsula, Da Yooper Tourist Trap is an unforgettable destination.
Photo via Da Yoopers Tourist Trap/Facebook
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Mini Eiffel Tower
22090 Northland Dr., Paris; 231-796-3420; mecostacountyparks.comIn 1980, a group of students found a large number of metal bed frames they decided to utilize for a project. They created a replica Eiffel Tower and put it in Paris Michigan. White Pine Trail State Park is home to many things, and an Eiffel tower is one of them. At 20 feet tall this class project turned tourist attraction is one you don’t want to skip. Admission to the park is 6 dollars and is guaranteed fun.
Photo via Mini Eiffel Tower/Facebook
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The Jackson Cascades
1401 S. Brown St., Jackson; 517-788-4320; jackson.mi.us/The-CascadesWho doesn't love an illuminated, colorful, man-made waterfall amplified by fireworks moment? Well, the Jackson Cascades are just that. The Cascades, which are within the boundaries of the Sparks Foundation Park, has been captivating visitors for 90 years. The landmark is 500 feet long and 64 feet of vertical height and consists of six fountains, 16 falls (11 of which are illuminated), and 1,230 colored lights and pumps 2,000 gallons per minute. The Cascades hosts family fun night and summer events, and invites visitors to trek up the 126 steps along each side of the falls.
Photo via Cascades Park/Facebook
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Nunica Stonehenge
11591 Leonard Rd., NunicaET phone home … and garden. This unique roadside oddity is actually in the yard of a private residence/farm owned by Fred and Pam Levin who erected a mini Stonehenge made from styrofoam and stucco. The stones measure 13 feet tall, so, slightly smaller than the U.K. original and, unfortunately, since they're on private property, you can't get up close. But you can see it from the road. Rumor has it that the Levins also have a Cretan labyrinth and an African medicine wheel.
Photo via GoogleMaps
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Hiawatha, the World's Tallest and Largest Indian
S. Suffolk St., IronwoodDon't hurt your neck when you try and take in what is said to be the world's tallest and largest Indian. Well, actually, the tallest Native American is in Maine, but that doesn't make this Ironwood chief any less grand. Clocking in at 52 feet high and 18,000 lbs, the Hiawatha is made entirely of fiberglass and was erected in 1964. Up until it was restored in 2019, this Native American monument featured bright red paint used for the Chief's skin. It has since been painted brown.
Photo via GoogleMaps
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The Tridge
111 W. Main St., Midland; cityofmidlandmi.govWe've all seen a bridge, but what about a Tridge? OK — so the naming of the three-legged wooden footbridge in Midland isn't the most clever, but it is a unique structure. Built in 1981, the Tridge crosses the Tittabawassee and Chippewa Rivers in Chippewassee Park.
Photo via Midland Parks and Recreation/Facebook
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Hoegh Pet Casket Company
311 Delta Ave., Gladstone; 906-428-2151; hoeghcaskets.comR.I.P. Fluffy. You can tour the facilities of Hoegh Pet Casket Factory in Gladstone where they manufacture tiny pet caskets and offer a peek at a model pet cemetery. Why would anyone want to view such a facility? We honestly have zero idea, but the Hoegh family has been offering tours in addition to beautiful handmade final resting places for many furry friends for years. But don't expect to arrive and pick out a pet-sized casket as Hoegh is mostly wholesale and sells directly to both pet — and human — funeral homes and cemeteries.
Photo via Hoegh Pet Casket Company/Facebook
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