As we move through 2025, a new travel philosophy is taking root across Michigan’s diverse landscapes. Gone are the days of rushed itineraries and checklist tourism. Instead, travelers are embracing “slow travel” – a mindful approach that encourages deeper connections with places, people, and experiences. As someone who has explored Michigan’s hidden corners for years, I’m excited to share how you can embrace this transformative way of experiencing our beautiful state throughout the changing seasons.
What is Slow Travel?
Slow travel, inspired by the slow food and slow living movements that originated in Italy during the 1980s, encourages us to travel at a more natural pace. Rather than racing from attraction to attraction, slow travelers immerse themselves in fewer destinations, creating meaningful connections with local communities, environments, and cultures.
Pure Michigan, our state’s tourism organization, has recognized this growing trend and predicts a surge in slow travel interest throughout 2025. According to Kelly Wolgamott, vice president of Pure Michigan, “We’ve seen an increased trend of people wanting to just relax and unwind on their vacation. Vacation is a huge priority for travelers, even in inflationary times where we’re making cutbacks on our home budgets.”
This approach isn’t just about leisure – it’s about wellness. By taking the time to truly experience a place, travelers often return home feeling genuinely recharged, with improved productivity, mood, and energy. It’s what Wolgamott calls a travel “un-resolution” – a commitment to slow down and experience more, nourishing all your senses along the way.
Spring: Awakening with the Land
As Michigan emerges from winter’s embrace, spring offers perfect opportunities for slow travel experiences that connect you with the land’s renewal.
Tulip Time in Holland (May 2-11, 2025)
Holland’s annual Tulip Time festival transforms this charming city into a vibrant celebration of Dutch heritage and spring’s bounty. Rather than rushing through to snap photos, slow travelers might spend several days here, taking leisurely walks through tulip lanes, engaging with local artisans, and learning about the Dutch traditions that shaped this community.
Wander downtown Holland at your own pace, discovering the ten free things to do that make this city special. As one travel blogger notes, Holland “is like a little slice of the Netherlands broke off and landed along the western Michigan coastline.” Its historic and cultural connections create an immersive experience that rewards those who take their time.
Butterflies at Frederik Meijer Gardens (March 1-April 30, 2025)
For a truly meditative spring experience, visit the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory at Frederik Meijer Gardens, where the annual “Butterflies are Blooming” exhibition transforms the space into a haven of delicate wings and tropical plants. Slow travelers might spend hours here, simply observing the butterflies’ graceful movements and connecting with nature’s intricate beauty.
Summer: Savoring the Season’s Bounty
Summer in Michigan invites us to linger longer, whether along Great Lakes shorelines or in vibrant cultural centers.
Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island (June 6-15, 2025)
The 77th Annual Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island offers a quintessential slow travel experience. With no cars allowed on the island, visitors naturally slow their pace, traveling by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage. Spend unhurried days exploring lilac-lined streets, joining walking tours that explain the island’s unique ecology, and breathing in the fragrant air that has drawn visitors for generations.
Rather than trying to see everything in one day, consider staying several nights to experience the island’s changing rhythms from morning to evening. As the day-trippers leave, you’ll discover a more intimate side of this historic gem.
National Cherry Festival in Traverse City (June 28-July 5, 2025)
Traverse City’s National Cherry Festival celebrates northern Michigan’s agricultural heritage through eight days of cherry-themed experiences. Slow travelers might divide their time between festival events and explorations of the surrounding region, including the Old Mission Peninsula with its 11 wineries and scenic vistas.
As one Michigan travel blogger recounts, “Even with Covid, there are still plenty of extremely safe things to do in Traverse City.” The region rewards those who take time to explore beyond the obvious attractions, discovering hidden beaches, local farm stands, and quiet trails.
Fall: Immersing in Color and Culture
As summer’s warmth gives way to fall’s crisp air, Michigan offers some of its most sensory-rich experiences for slow travelers.
ArtPrize in Grand Rapids (September 18-October 4, 2025)
This international art competition transforms Grand Rapids into an open-air gallery, with installations scattered throughout the city. Rather than trying to see every piece in one visit, slow travelers might spend several days exploring different neighborhoods, engaging with artists, and returning to favorite pieces to see how they change with different light or weather conditions.
The East Hills and Eastown neighborhoods, connected by bustling Wealthy Street, offer particularly rich territory for slow exploration. As one blogger notes, these areas are filled with “small, independent shops, restaurants, and businesses,” perfect for a “girls day out, day date, or even a parent-child bonding outing.”
Michigan’s Fall Color Tours
Michigan’s autumn color display deserves unhurried appreciation. Consider taking a leisurely drive through the Upper Peninsula, stopping frequently to hike short trails, photograph stunning vistas, or simply sit quietly among the trees. The journey from Lake Kitch-iti-kipi to Marquette offers a particularly beautiful forested route, switching “from the Lake Michigan side of the state to the Lake Superior side in less than two hours.”
In Marquette, you can “pedal along one of the most picturesque Great Lakes, Lake Superior, past the Ore Dock and through downtown,” experiencing the landscape at a human pace that allows for genuine connection.
Winter: Embracing the Quiet Season
Winter in Michigan offers perhaps the most authentic slow travel experiences, as nature itself seems to pause and invite contemplation.
SkyBridge “Lights in the Sky” at Boyne Mountain
Boyne Mountain’s SkyBridge transforms into a magical winter experience with its “Lights in the Sky” display, featuring 150,000 twinkle lights illuminating the suspension bridge. This walk-through adventure invites visitors to bundle up and move slowly through the cold night air, experiencing winter’s beauty in a new way.
Slow Winter Weekends in Small Towns
Michigan’s small towns offer perfect winter retreats for slow travelers. Consider spending a weekend in Marshall, whose Historic District is “considered one of the US’ most architecturally significant National Historic Landmark Districts.” With over 850 buildings showcasing 19th-century architecture, Marshall rewards those who take time to notice details and learn about the town’s fascinating history, including its role in the Underground Railroad.
How to Embrace Slow Travel in Michigan
Focus on Sensory Experiences
Slow travel engages all five senses. Savor farm-to-table meals that tell the story of Michigan’s agricultural diversity. Listen to local musicians who express the region’s cultural heritage. Touch ancient rock formations at Grand Ledge or feel the texture of handcrafted goods in artisan shops. Breathe in the scent of cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, or fresh snow.
Connect with Communities
Engage with local residents who can share authentic perspectives on their hometown. Strike up conversations at farmers markets, join community events, or take classes taught by local experts. These connections often become the most meaningful souvenirs of slow travel.
Embrace Unplanned Time
Perhaps most importantly, leave room in your itinerary for serendipity. Some of Michigan’s most magical moments happen when you have the freedom to follow an unexpected recommendation, linger over a spectacular sunset, or simply sit quietly by one of our Great Lakes.
The Future of Michigan Travel
As we move through 2025, Michigan is positioning itself as a leader in the slow travel movement. With our diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and strong agricultural traditions, we offer exactly what today’s mindful travelers seek – authentic experiences that engage all the senses and create lasting memories.
Whether you’re a Michigan resident exploring your own backyard or a visitor discovering our state for the first time, I invite you to embrace the slow travel philosophy. Take time to truly see, hear, taste, touch, and feel what makes Michigan special. In doing so, you’ll discover not just a destination, but a deeper way of experiencing the world.
As Pure Michigan reminds us, the journey itself is the destination. And in Michigan, that journey unfolds at nature’s own perfect pace, one mindful moment at a time.