If you’re looking for a Michigan tour to totally getaway, we can help. This 15-minute video is an excellent review of some of the highlights to tour Michigan’s Thumb. With 150 miles of shoreline, the contrast between the rocky, rugged Lake Huron side is to the sugar sand and calm waters of Saginaw Bay. The Thumb region is a great area to explore.
Touring Michigan’s Thumb: A Scenic Journey on M-25
Michigan’s Thumb region offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and small-town charm, and a drive along M-25 provides the perfect way to experience it. This highway, recognized as one of Michigan’s earliest scenic routes, closely hugs the Lake Huron shoreline, offering stunning vistas of the lake, charming coastal towns, and access to some of the state’s most notable historical and natural landmarks.
White Rock: A Historic Sacred Site
One of the first major stops along M-25 is White Rock, a site of deep historical and cultural significance. This large limestone boulder, located just offshore, served as a sacred place for the area’s indigenous peoples long before European settlers arrived. The rock was also a critical landmark in the Treaty of Detroit of 1807, which ceded much of southeastern Michigan to the United States government. The treaty designated White Rock as the northern boundary for the land surrendered by the local tribes. Today, while erosion has diminished its size, White Rock remains an enduring symbol of Michigan’s early history and the rich cultural legacy of its Native American inhabitants.
Port Hope: A Glimpse into Michigan’s Railroad Era
Continuing along M-25, the journey brings you to Port Hope, a quiet village steeped in history. One of the highlights of Port Hope is its fully restored railway depot, a relic from the early 1900s. The depot offers visitors a glimpse into Michigan’s railroad era, when small towns like Port Hope were vital stops for passengers and freight. This beautifully preserved structure is more than just a historical landmark; it represents the economic and social lifeblood of the Thumb region during the early 20th century. Walking through the depot, you can almost imagine the bustle of travelers, the sound of steam engines, and the clatter of tracks as trains connected the region to larger cities across the Midwest.
Harbor Beach: A Coastal Gem
Further along M-25, the town of Harbor Beach beckons. Home to one of the largest freshwater harbors in the world, this charming coastal town offers both recreational opportunities and historical attractions. The Harbor Beach Lighthouse, a prominent shoreline feature, has guided ships along Lake Huron for over a century. The lighthouse is accessible via tours that provide insight into its storied past, including its role in ensuring the safe passage of ships through often treacherous waters. Visitors can also explore the town’s beautiful beaches, parks, and waterfront, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing stop on your road trip.
Port Austin: Gateway to Turnip Rock
Port Austin is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers at the northern tip of the Thumb. One of the area’s must-see attractions is Turnip Rock, an awe-inspiring natural formation deemed one of America’s most unusual rock formations. Eroded over thousands of years by the relentless waves of Lake Huron, Turnip Rock rises dramatically from the water, its top wider than its base, resembling a turnip.
The formation is only accessible by water, so a morning kayak trip from Port Austin is a perfect way to experience this geological wonder up close. The kayak journey not only offers breathtaking views of Turnip Rock but also allows paddlers to explore hidden sea caves and the surrounding rugged shoreline, making for an unforgettable adventure.
Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking to enjoy a peaceful scenic drive, touring Michigan’s Thumb along M-25 offers something for everyone. The journey provides a unique opportunity to connect with the state’s rich past while enjoying some of its most beautiful natural landscapes.
Tour Michigan’s Thumb Video
This video is from Great Getaways, a television travel series that spotlights active getaway adventures across the Midwest and Canada with an emphasis on the outdoors. It hits all the major highlights of Michigan Road Trip to the Upper Thumb.
Related Touring Michigan Reading
- A favorite tour of Michigan Thumb road trip for motorcyclists is the Michigan State Highway M-25. It’s a 147-mile scenic two-lane trunk line running from Port Huron to Bay City Michigan. M-25 Ribbon Around the Thumb
- The annual Cheeseburger in Caseville is a chance to experience a bit of Key West atmosphere and Jimmy Buffet music and indulge in cheeseburgers in paradise. In prior years, officials placed estimates that over 100,000 people visited the area during its 10-day festival. A Day Trip to Cheeseburger in Caseville
- I think you will agree that every state has its favorite foods. Massachusetts has their clam chowder. Louisiana has gumbo, while Texas and Missouri both claim the BBQ has their own. Michigan food is blessed with such variance in culture and resources that you can’t pin down any specific Michigan foods as being “the” iconic favorite. Eight Michigan Foods You have to Try
- Michigan led the nation with the development of roadside parks. In 1918 the Iron County Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of land to establish Michigan’s first roadside park and picnic tables on US-2. This was quite likely America’s first such facility. Michigan Roadside Parks – Jenks
