15 of Michigan's most unusual tourist destinations

By Metro Times editorial staff on Wed, Jun 29, 2016 at 4:31 pm

Who knew one state could be home to so many offbeat destinations? This is just a sampling of oodles of weird to be found all over the Mitten. Enjoy!

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Ann Arbor’s Fairy Doors
Ann Arbor, MI
The Fairy doors are a series of small doors that give an artistic effect to the building. You can find these doors at Sweetwaters which has a small door that mimmick’s the cafe’s details, Red Shoes, and the Ann Arbor District Library.

Photo via Wikipedia

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Air Zoo
Kalamazoo,MI
An airline exhibit that features historic and rare aircraft. Also features hand painted murals. Exhibits include POPnology which showcases pop culture’s impact on modern technology and our everyday lives, work and play, the National Quadalcanal Memorial Exhibit on the Quadalcanal campaign of World War II, and Dare to Dream, a space exploration exhibit.

Photo via discoverkalamazoo.com

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Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
Detroit, MI
If you love Jazz music you would love this. Baker’s is the world’s oldest jazz club and in operation since May of 1934. Chris and Franne Baker opened the club as a lunchtime sandwich restaurant and their son Clarence booked Jazz pianists . A lot of famous Jazz artists have played in the club such as Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Miles Davis. Bet you didn’t know that Detroit’s own R&B and smooth jazz singer Anita Baker filmed her music video for “Same Ole Love” at the club in 1987 and the club was featured in the 2012 film Sparkle starring Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks.

Photos via Facebook: Baker's Keyboard Lounge

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Dawson & Steven’s Classic 50’s Diner
Grayling, MI
The combination of a museum and diner features Michigan’s largest collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia. The museum/diner is also known for it’s 50s style interior.

Photo via Facebook: Dawson & Stevens Classic Diner

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St. Ignace Mystery Spot
St. Ignace, MI
Shows gravity in a different way. Features optical contradictions and weird physical sensations. Shows buildings turned in weird angles to give an unbalanced effect. Other activities include zip lining and putt putt golf.

Photo via atlasobscura.com

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Maritime Museum
Van Buren County,MI
South Haven’s well known Michigan Maritime Museum which shows boating culture and history of the Great Lakes. Includes exhibits on Maritime history in Michigan and center for learning boating skills and history.

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Hamtramck Disneyland
Hamtramck, MI
Built by former General Motors assembly line worker Dmytro Szylak, the assemblage of carved and found objects lights up at night and spins with Mickey Mouse in a plane, reindeer, dolls, toys, paint colors, and trilingual press clippings. Dmytro gives visitors a personal tour for a small donation.

Photo via Flickr: Jerry Paffendorf

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Pine Mountain Ski Jump
Pine Mountain, MI
The Pine Mountain ski Jump is the largest Man Made Ski slide in the U.S..The annual FIS Ski Jumping Continental cup competition is hosted at the ski jump and holds the record for the longest jump in the world cup at 140 m.

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Joe’s Gizzard City
Potterville, MI
Joe’s was previously featured on the food network and known for their chicken gizzards which are made with their well known batter mix. The restaurant also has burgers, chicken dinners, hot sandwiches and onion rings.

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Russell Industrial Center
Detroit, MI
The Russell Industrial Center is so much more than its name describes. A well known collection of artist studios and shops can be found within. From the center’s website: Spanning several buildings and millions of square feet, the Russell Industrial Center is Detroit's premier facility for commercial space. With a history spanning nearly a century, the complex began as a manufacturing facility but has now been revitalized as a canvas for countless artists. And our vast spaces have been host to film shoots, including major Hollywood motion pictures as well as other events.”
Photo via russellindustrialcenter.com

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Marvelous Marvin’s Mechanical Museum
Farmington Hills, MI
Marvelous Marvin’s truly is one of metro Detroit’s most unique locations. Since 1990, the distinguished arcade showcases a plethora arcade games, vintage and cutting edge. The mechanical museum is amongst the World Almanac’s 100 most unusual museums for a reason. There is no specific entry fee, excluding tokens one may buy to play any of the museum’s vast collection of machines.

Photo via Facebook: Marvelous Marvin’s Mechanical Museum

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Heidelberg Project
Detroit,MI
The Heidelberg project is a collection of artistic renovations on abandoned homes in downtown Detroit. According to the project’s website, “the theory of change for the Heidelberg Project begins with the belief that all citizens, from all cultures, have the right to grow and flourish in their communities. The HP believes that a community can re-develop and sustain itself, from the inside out, by embracing its diverse cultures and artistic attributes as the essential building blocks for a fulfilling and economically viable way of life.”

Photo via heidelberg.org

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Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland
Frankenmuth, Saginaw County,MI
Located in Frankenmuth, Bronners is the world’s largest Christmas store and sells only Christmas items all year round. Visited by over 2 million per year and you guessed it,Thanksgiving weekend is the busiest.

Photo via michigan.org

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Dinosaur Gardens
Ossineke, MI
Ever wanted to know what it’s like to be next to a real dinosaur ? The Dinosaur Gardens features life size dinosaurs. Also, the park has a natural cedar swamp and gives a realistic look at prehistoric times. Other activities include putt putt golf.

Photo via roadtrippers.com

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Turtle Island
Toledo, Ohio, Lake Erie MI
Island in the western part of Lake Erie and between Michigan and Ohio. It carries remains of abandoned structures. The miami tribe used the island to gather seagull eggs and was sold at auction in 1827 after the War of 1812. A bigger lighthouse was added and closed in 1904. In 1965, a tornado destroyed the lighthouse and the Supreme court ruled that with the lighthouse facing Ohio and north part leaning more toward Michigan, it should be shared between the two states. Visitors can still find the remains of the lighthouse upon visiting the island.

Photo via toledoblade.com

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