Caseville Harbor Viewing Sailboats

12 Nifty Things to Do in Michigan’s Upper Thumb That No One Talks About

For over five decades, the Upper Thumb has been deemed the “Closer Up North” for Southeast Michigan and Detroit.  Google: “Things to do in Michigan,” and the sandy beaches, great fishing, parks, and some of the friendliest shops to be found will appear in your search results. Huron County is a great place to steal a weekend away from the “burbs” of Detroit without busting your wallet.  In less than a two-hour drive, you can be at the tip of the Thumb, sinking your toes into the sugar sand of Saginaw Bay. It’s family-friendly, unpretentious, and considered by many to be an undiscovered Michigan destination.

Sand Sculpture on Caseville Beach
Sand Sculpture at Caseville Beach

Cheeseburger in Caseville

There are many events throughout the year, but the highlight summer festival is Cheeseburger in Caseville, held in August.

Cheeseburger in Caseville
Cheeseburger Parade

Initially held in 1999, it was purely a local affair attended by only 5,000 locals. Today, it is considered the largest civic festival in Michigan, with over 100,000 visitors during the 10-day event. Caseville becomes Key North during the event. Bring your Conch Republic passport for diplomatic treatment.

ThumbWind presents the “inside scoop” from locals and those who live here and wishes our visitors a great time. A new page has been added, Best of the Upper Thumb. This local information offers a collection of the “Best Of” for all the festivals and unique sites the Upper Thumb offers, including Caseville’s Cheeseburger Festival. This stuff scratches the surface of a unique trip of fun and adventure.

RibStock in Caseville

Caseville Ribstock 2016
Ribsock kicks off festival season.

Ribstock, held on the last weekend of June, is seen as the summer season’s kick-off event and a prelude to the grand August festival. This festivity highlights BBQ and country music, and it is rapidly gaining popularity as an early summer favorite. With succulent ribs and foot-tapping music, it’s easy to see why Ribstock is capturing the hearts of many. The festival offers a taste of what’s to come, setting the stage for the exciting summer ahead. It’s not just an opening act anymore; Ribstock is becoming the main event.


Meet the Politicians During the Parade of Fools

Parade of Tropical Fools
Meet the Candidates at the Cheeseburger Parade

Best Place to Talk Politics During Cheeseburger’s “Parade of Fools” The Parade of Fools at the Cheeseburger Festival in Caseville is an unparalleled venue for engaging in political discussions. This grand event attracts a diverse mix of local and national politicians. They use this festive gathering as a platform to connect with their constituents. Attendees can seize this opportunity to meet and converse with political figures. It’s a unique blend of politics and fun, making it the best place to discuss politics.

Best Gourmet Grocery to Create Your Own Cheeseburger – Dozens of local restaurants and charities are gearing up for the 10-day extravaganza. Attendees can explore a variety of mouth-watering options. For those craving a personal touch, the event encourages creating your own cheeseburger. All necessary ingredients are available locally to craft your ideal cheeseburger in paradise. Here is the best place to get all the fixings for your cheeseburger in paradise.


Why is it Called Key North?

Seven Mile Bridge Sign - Things to do in Michigan's Thumb
The Connection to the Keys in Inescapable

Best Taste of the Florida Keys in the Upper Thumb – Want to experience a bit of the Keys cuisine without the 1,500-mile car trip and all the bridge hopping? There are many roadside inns along M-53 that can go toe-to-toe with those on A-1-A. The only thing missing is the conch chowder.  Here is a standout.

Hitching Post Inn Elkton - Things to do in Michigan's Thumb
Experience Great Bar Burgers Outside of Caseville

Best Bar Cheeseburger in the ThumbBar burgers are fun. However, you may actually have to leave Caseville to find the best bar cheeseburger in the Thumb.

Campfire on the Beach - Things to do in Michigan's Thumb
Camp on the Beach in the Upper Thumb

Best Place to Camp Next to the Beach – One thing to do in Michigan’s Thumb is to camp out. The area is a camper nirvana. However, there is only one area where you can literally camp steps away on the beach. Find out where.

Best Things to do When You’re Bored of Cheeseburger – Of all the things to do in Michigan, you have to checkout the Caseville Cheesburger festival in August. However, after ten days of luau shirts, Margareta’s, and cheeseburgers, it sounds like a lot of fun, but it can be too much for kids. If you want to step away from the crowds, there is plenty to see and do. Check out the suggestions.

Best Stroll During the Festival – See the odd sights and unique sounds and atmosphere found only on the water.


Scary Places in the Upper Thumb

Ora Labora Grave Old Bay Port Cemetery Angel - Things to do in Michigan's Thumb
Spooky Stuff is Around

Best Place to Get Totally Scared – The Upper Thumb has been home to native and American settlers for over a millennium. The paranormal activity in one nearby town has been the subject of books, movies, and TV shows. One thing you can do in Michigan’s Thumb is to stay in a famously haunted inn overnight if you dare.

The Best Place to Dance Polka – If you find yourself in Michigan’s Thumb post-Labor Day, consider partaking in Kinde’s renowned polka festival. It boasts the distinction of being one of the most celebrated events in the Great Lakes region. The festival is a delightful blend of energetic dance, vibrant music, and infectious community spirit. It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a culturally rich and lively atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this unique experience that marries tradition with fun.


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Things to Do Around Caseville if You’re Bored with the Cheeseburger Festival – The Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival in late summer a fun-filled family event with plenty to do and see. However, there is only so many grass skirt, trinket stands, and cheeseburgers that one can handle for the multi-weekend event. What else is there to do in Michigan’s Upper Thumb? Here are some suggestions if you, or the kids, have had enough fun with the parrot head life.

Strolling the Harbor For Cheeseburger in Caseville – While it seems that all the festivities of Cheeseburger in Caseville are happening up on Main Street, there is an entire crowd of Parrot Heads in the harbor. Caseville is blessed with several marinas, and all of them shift into high gear during the festival. Many of the marinas coordinate with decorations and festivities.

The Upper Thumbs Favorite Comfort Food During the Huron Community Fair – Gibby’s  Fries are fresh-cut homemade French fries that can only be found at carnivals, festivals, and fairs the summer months. We dropped in on the Huron Community fair during Sunday’s setup. Gibby’s was already doing business, and the fryers were hot. We also look at where French fries were invented and the types of french fries out there. The answer may surprise you.

Caseville Beach – It All Happens Here – Over the years, I’ve encountered numerous folks from Southeast Michigan who have fond memories of heading to the beach in Caseville. The park’s waterfront offers a large sandy expanse with plenty of room to build sandcastles, play touch football, rent kayaks and swim the day away. Its proximity to the large campground and short distance to town means many visitors frequent it. It’s one of the most Instagram and Facebook Selfie spots around.

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Michael Hardy

Michael Hardy is the owner of Thumbwind Publications LLC. Michael was born in Michigan and grew up near Caseville. In 2009 he started this fun-loving site covering Michigan's Upper Thumb. Since then, he has authored a vast range of content and established a loyal base of 60,000 visitors per month.

View all posts by Michael Hardy →

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