Michigan knows how to make the most of summer weather. There’s such a limited window of gorgeous, warm days in the state that residents lean in with gusto to take advantage before the next winter buries the region in a heaping pile of snow. Restaurant patios bravely open up at the first sign of spring and Detroit denizens flood the streets of Eastern Market in search of delicious meals and fresh veggies. Not long after that, the heat waves and humidity inevitably hit the city and its time to grab and ice cream cone at Treat Dreams or head up north to Traverse City for a lakeside retreat.
In this guide, find all the vital intel necessary to chart a deliciously fun path through summer in Michigan. It includes everyday essentials like maps to the top spots for barbecue in Detroit to Ann Arbor’s best patios to where to find the closest soft serve stand. Eater Detroit will keep this updated all summer, so keep it bookmarked for a little seasonal inspiration.