Traveling With Purpose: a Custom Weekend Itinerary for Traveling in Michigan
Sponsored by Pure Michigan
Ana Garcia, blogger behind The Bucket List Latina, shares her weekend suggestions for a visit to Michigan. Credits: Instagram -Detroitriversports
I had a chance to visit Michigan last year and absolutely loved checking it off my bucket list! I’m Ana Garcia, the full-time blogger behind The Bucket List Latina, and I love finding hidden gems and being outdoors. I’m consistently traveling as part of my job, so I’ve made it a point to travel with a purpose, get out of my comfort zone and go on adventures, which is exactly what I did when I visited the beautiful state of Michigan.
Michigan is known as the home of the Great Lakes, the automotive industry and famous cities such as Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids. With so much to explore, I put together a custom weekend itinerary filled with unique outdoor activities along with local Latinx businesses to support your next adventure in Michigan!
Friday
Start your trip off by visiting a hidden gem, the Detroit Canal District, coined the “Venice of Detroit.”
Located in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood, the Detroit Canal District has so much to offer. You can go on a beautiful sunset canal tour, choose public or private paddleboarding or take a kayak tour with Detroit River Sports.
To learn more about the fun and beautiful outdoor activities Michigan has to offer, visit Pure Michigan.
- Address: 14601 Riverside Blvd., Detroit, MI 48215
- Website: Detroit River Sports
Contact Information: paddle@detroitriversports.com, 313.908.0484
After a full day of exploring, enjoy Cuban-inspired street food at Frita Batidos.
Eve Aronoff has worked in the culinary industry for over 25 years and opened Frita Batidos in 2011. The restaurant is located in Ann Arbor, and in 2020 she opened a second location in Detroit. Cuban and Latino cultures are major influences in her style of cooking. Every year from 2014 to 2022, Frita Batidos was voted “Best Burger” by The Michigan Daily readers. So trust me when I say, “It’s going to be worth it! Totally add to the bucket list!”
- Address: 66 W. Columbia St., Detroit, MI 48201
- Website: Frita Batidos
Contact information: fritadetroit@fritabatidos.com, 313.725.4100
Saturday
Have a fun-filled Saturday at Belle Isle Park.
This 985-acre island park located on the Detroit River between the United States and Canada has the most spectacular views. It’s home to the Belle Isle Aquarium, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, James Scott Memorial Fountain, Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse and a designated swim beach perfect for paddling, fishing and more. There’s something for everyone to choose from.
- Address: 99 Pleasure Dr., Detroit, MI 48207
- Website: Belle Isle Park
- Contact information: 313.821.9844
And after all that activity, you know what sounds good? Some Central American food from Antojitos El Catracho!
The owners, Obed Hernandez from Veracruz, Mexico, and Sandra Padilla from Negrito Yoro, Honduras, opened the restaurant Antojitos El Catracho back in 2010. They took a leap of faith into Detroit’s business world that was dominated by Mexican food and opened a Central American restaurant focusing on homemade cuisine. Their pupusas are highly raved about!
- Address: 4627 W. Vernor Highway, Detroit, MI 48209
- Website: Antojitos El Catracho
- Contact information: 313.784.9361
Sunday
It’s your last day in Michigan! Get outdoors Sunday morning and pick from several trails at Kensington Metropark.
Kensington Metropark is perfect for hiking, biking, or walking through forests, fields, fens and wetlands. This 4,481-acre park also has amazing wildlife viewing, two 240-foot twisted water slides, swimming, canoeing, scenic drives, a disc golf course, a public golf course and so much more.
- Address: 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford, MI 48381
- Website: Kensington Metropark
- Contact information: 810.227.8910
You can end your trip at Mexicantown with lunch at Los Galanes Restaurante Mexicano.
Los Galanes has been a staple in Mexicantown since 1993. It was opened by Armando Galan, who is known for creating the botana, a dish that made the city’s culinary scene famous in the mid-’70s. The botana is inspired by Canadian poutine, a Coney dog and Mexican culinary influences in a tasty fusion of flavors. Another to add to the bucket list!
For more local, delicious food spots, check out Pure Michigan.
- Address: 3362 Bagley St., Detroit, MI 48216
- Website: Los Galanes
- Contact information: 313.554.4444
All in all, I love being able to enjoy Michigan’s outdoors and support local Latinx businesses. It’s truly the best of both worlds! Check out the Pure Michigan website for more custom itineraries for your next outdoor adventure. Now you can have an amazing experience while also traveling with a purpose!
