Everyone has their own definition of paradise. To some, paradise looks like palm trees with an ocean-wide view. To others, it looks like the peak of a mountain. To few, a very special few, it looks like miles of the Great Lakes stretching out under bridges along small-town coastlines, engraved with peninsulas. When summertime rolls around, Michigan is and continues to be the paradise of the North. The Great Lakes state holds destinations that fall up and down the coasts, destinations that are perfect for a summer road trip. If you're from Michigan, you know about the usual Mackinac Island and Traverse City excursions. However, make no mistake, there are several other hidden gems. If you're not a native Michigander, I encourage making the trip.

To save time from pulling out a map, here is a list of the top destinations for making the summertime Michigan road trip one to remember:

Ann Arbor

What to do: Tour the University of Michigan Campus, order a frita from Frita Batidos and go to the Ann Arbor Art Street Art Fair.

Grand Haven

What to do: Walk the boardwalk and visit the famous lighthouse, go charter fishing and have breakfast at Morning Star Cafe.

Detroit

What to do: Check out a Tigers baseball game at Comerica Park, eat at Lafayette Coney Island (I recommend 2 up with well-done fries) and walk through the sheds of the Eastern Market for food trucks, music and produce.

Frankenmuth

What to do: Dine in at Zender's for their famous chicken, explore the old-time Germanic shopping strip and enjoy Christmas in July at Bronner's year-round Christmas store.

Traverse City

What to do: Get Moomers Homemade ice cream after a dinner at one of their many restaurants lining the bay, visit Blackstar Farms winery, tour the Grand Traverse distillery and rent stand-up paddleboards from The River Outfitters.

Mackinac Island

What to do: Fudge, fudge, and more fudge, go for a run on the Mackinac Bridge, spend the night stargazing at the Headlands (Michigan's acclaimed International Dark-Sky Park) and enjoy afternoon tea and cocktails at the Grand Hotel.

Harbor Springs

What to do: Go sailing around the point, watch the breathtaking sunsets from their sandy beaches, get a sandwich to-go from Gurney's (this is a must), shop in the many retail and trinket stores for beachy apparel and take M-119 through the Tunnel of Trees (it's as magnificent as it sounds).

Pictured Rocks

What to do: Hike the many cliffs overlooking the turquoise water, scuba and snorkel the Alger Underwater Preserve, rent a kayak, and fish for bass, perch, whitefish and pike.

Pure Michigan: take a day, take a week, take a trip.