Michigan has had its ups and downs over the years, but the land of the lakes has kept some of its beautiful landscape through all of its hardship. There is a huge movement to reinvent Detroit and bring life back into the city, but let's not forget the good we have had all along.

1. Pictured Rock National Lakeshore:

Pictured Rocks located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan has pretty much every type of outdoor activity you can imagine. From fishing to kayaking and hiking, it has some amazing sites. Along with the great lakeshore scenery, there are waterfalls and lighthouses to explore. The area is the epitome of a Michigan summer.

2. Traverse City:

In Northern Michigan is Traverse City, a town known for its cherries, but it has a lot to offer in the summer months. A great time to go is late July when there is a film festival that plays a huge variety of movies over a long weekend. It's great for people who aren't really outdoorsy but like to enjoy the 'up north' lifestyle.

3. Mackinac Island:

So it might be strange that there aren't really any cars and you could see a horse on your walk to the store, but Mackinac is fun because of one word: fudge. If you aren't a fudgie, there is salt water taffy too, but let's be real, there are so many types of fudge it's hard to say you hate them all.

4. Petoskey Dark Sky Park:

Summer in Michigan offers some beautiful night skies, but sometimes they can be hard to see. Recently in Petoskey, a park was made called a "dark park" where there is a certain radius with no light pollution. In August it's great because meteor showers are common and who doesn't like to make a wish on a shooting star?

5. The Detroit Institute of Arts:

Just because summer has nice weather doesn't mean you can't spend some time indoors learning a thing or two. Not many people think of Detroit as a center for art, but the DIA has some pretty amazing pieces inside. You don't have to be an art major to enjoy them, but it would be cool to say you've seen a historic piece of art in person.

6. Sports

Naturally summer means baseball season, and Commerica Park is such a fun spot. Fridays are the best, of course, because after the game, win or lose, you get a firework show.

Just because you are stuck at home in Michigan this summer doesn't mean you are going to be bored. There are tons of things to do and it doesn't always have to be expensive. Making the best of a place brings pride, and if there is going to be pride in Detroit why not have some Michigan pride as well?