Michigan holidays

Yes - Michigan is a U.S. state in the Midwest, which is part of North America. It’s bordered by four of the Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie) and shares a water boundary with Canada.

Most UK passport holders can visit the USA (including Michigan) for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program - just make sure you get an approved ESTA before you travel.

If you’re not eligible for ESTA (for example, you’ve previously been refused one or you’ve travelled to certain restricted countries on/after specific dates), you’ll need to apply for a U.S. visitor visa instead.

Good to know: ESTA approval doesn’t guarantee entry - U.S. border officers have the final say at the border.

🔗 Official guidance & how to apply:

• GOV.UK: USA entry requirements (clear UK-focused advice).

• U.S. Customs & Border Protection: ESTA info and application.

You’ll need:

• A valid British passport that covers the length of your stay (the US doesn’t require an extra 6 months). If you’re using the Visa Waiver Program, your passport must be an e-passport (chip). 

• An approved ESTA (most holiday and business trips up to 90 days), or a U.S. visitor visa if you’re not eligible for ESTA. Apply before you travel. 

• One application per traveller - yes, children need their own ESTA/visa. 

• If an under-18 is travelling without both parents/guardians: carry a parental consent letter (ideally notarised). It’s not a strict rule, but airlines or border officers might ask to see one.

🔗Official guidance & how to apply:

• GOV.UK - USA entry requirements (UK-specific advice).

• U.S. ESTA - CBP (apply/check eligibility). 

• U.S. State Dept - Visa Waiver Program / Visitor visas (when you need a visa instead).

Right now, the only UK airport with direct flights to Michigan (Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport DTW) is London Heathrow (LHR). The route is operated by Delta Air Lines.

You can fly direct to Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW). Typical flight time is around 8-9 hours.

From Gatwick or other UK airports, you’ll need at least one stop (for example via Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam or a US hub).

Crime rarely affects tourists, but it’s wise to stick to well-lit, busy areas at night and keep valuables close.

Protests and demonstrations sometimes happen - if they do, just follow local advice and avoid large crowds.

• Great Lakes & miles of shoreline. Michigan touches four of the five Great Lakes (Superior, Huron, Erie and Michigan) and has the longest freshwater coastline in the U.S. - about 3,288 miles.

• Two National Lakeshores: Sleeping Bear Dunes (Lake Michigan) and Pictured Rocks (Lake Superior) - think sand dunes, cliffs, and big-sky beaches.

• Detroit’s auto heritage: The “Big Three” - Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler) - all started here.

• Motown. The signature Motown sound was born at Hitsville U.S.A. - visit the Motown Museum in Detroit. 

• Craft beer scene & the outdoors. With close to 400 breweries, Michigan pairs lake life with a heavyweight craft-beer scene.

Michigan has four distinct seasons - warm summers, colourful autumns, snowy winters, and fresh, changeable springs. 

Summer highs average 25‑28°C. July peaks around 29°C). Average winter lows drop to about -6°C. May is the wettest month. 

• Autumn (September-October): The sweet spot - warm days, cool nights, and big autumn colours (peaking mid-October). Locals call it a “second summer.”

• Summer (June-August): Classic beach season on the lakes, with the longest days and the biggest crowds.

• Winter (December-February): Expect snow and ice, especially along the lakes - brilliant for skiing and snowshoeing if that’s your thing.

• Spring (March-May): Unpredictable but pretty - sunshine, showers, and the odd late flurry. Pack layers.

If it’s your first time in Michigan, a week to 10 days is a great start. That’s enough to soak up Detroit’s energy, wander the Lake Michigan beaches, and maybe fit in Mackinac Island or Ann Arbor.

Absolutely - especially if you love the outdoors and culture. Michigan loves a celebration - there’s something happening every season.

• Big nature, big water. Michigan touches four Great Lakes and has the longest freshwater coastline in the U.S. (about 3,288 miles) - cue beaches, rivers, dunes and waterfalls.

• Two show-stopping lakeshores: Sleeping Bear Dunes (Lake Michigan) and Pictured Rocks (Lake Superior) are national-park gems with dune climbs, cliff views and miles of sand.

• Year-round things to do: Beach days and forest hikes when it’s warm; ski hills, snowshoe trails and fire-lit evenings when it’s not.

• City culture: In Detroit, explore auto history, street art, and Motown’s roots at Hitsville U.S.A.

You can - especially in Detroit and along major routes - but remote beaches and parks are easier with wheels.

🚶 Car-free in Detroit

• City buses: SMART buses connect Detroit with its suburbs - places like Dearborn, Royal Oak, and Troy. You can pay by cash, Dart app, or reloadable Dart card. Check routes and timetables.

Free travel downtown: 

• 🚊 QLINE: The streetcar is free to ride, for anyone. It runs up and down Woodward Avenue, linking Downtown, Midtown, and New Center. It has 12 stops, including Campus Martius Park, Little Caesars Arena, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

• 🚝 People Mover: Also free, ready to take you on a one-way, neat loop around 13 downtown stations, stopping near top spots like the Riverwalk, Greektown, and Grand Circus Park.

Getting between cities

• Amtrak trains: Three routes cross Michigan: Wolverine (Chicago-Detroit–Pontiac), Blue Water (Chicago-Port Huron) and Pere Marquette (Chicago-Grand Rapids).

• Intercity coaches: Indian Trails covers most major towns across the state. For a quick hop between Detroit and Ann Arbor, the D2A2 express bus is your best bet (book online for the best fare). 

Ferries & islands

• Mackinac Island (where cars aren’t allowed): A small island in Lake Huron, known for its historic charm and quiet streets. People get around by bike, horse-drawn carriage, or on foot. You can reach the island in 15 minutes by ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, with Shepler’s running regular crossings.

• Across Lake Michigan: The SS Badger ferry carries both cars and passengers across the lake, linking Ludington, Michigan with Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It’s a 4-hour, scenic shortcut that connects the states of Michigan and Wisconsin. (It runs seasonally from late spring to early autumn). 

Bikes & short hops

• Bike share: MoGo is handy for quick trips around Detroit.

When a car helps

• For lighthouses, dunes and small beach towns, renting a car is still the simplest option. If you do drive, Michigan’s Pure Michigan Byways are beautiful.

• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Lake Superior) - 42 miles of mineral-streaked sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls and wild shoreline. Best views from the water or cliff-top trail

• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Lake Michigan) - glacially sculpted dunes, miles of sugar-sand beach and big-sky lake views from 400-ft bluffs.

• Arch Rock, Mackinac Island - a natural limestone arch soaring 146 ft above Lake Huron with knockout views (the island is car-free; reach it by ferry).

• Don’t miss Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula - a thunderous cascade framed by autumn leaves.

Yes - you’ll definitely want it.

Healthcare in the U.S. is private and very expensive, so travel insurance with good medical cover is essential. Even a short hospital stay or emergency treatment can cost thousands of dollars.

Make sure your policy includes:

• Emergency medical cover

• Emergency medical transport and a flight home if needed

• Trip cancellation and baggage cover for peace of mind

You don’t need to show proof of insurance to enter the U.S., but it’s strongly advised by the UK government.

You can add travel insurance when you book with Thomas Cook - easy, reliable, and designed for holidays like yours.