The Michigan Bucket List: 50 Things to Do Before You Die

So there you are sitting on your deathbed, your life flashing before your eyes, a bright light at the end of a dark tunnel, and as you move closer to that light, a figure begins to emerge, and you ask in a hopeful tone, "God? Is that you? Is this heaven?" But it’s not. Not at all. It’s us. Thrillist. And we’ve been sent to show you all the things you should have done in Michigan before you died.

So we give you this list, and send you back to earth where you wake up in a cold sweat, relieved to find it was all a dream... and yet... it seemed so real. You check your phone, and sure enough, there, in your browser, is THIS. VERY. LIST. Maybe you were reading it before you fell asleep, or maybe it wasn’t really a dream at all?! Either way, you'll want to start knocking this list out...

Between the conservatory, the aquarium, the Nature Zoo, and the swimming beach, it really won’t be that hard to spend a full day here. It ain’t called the gem of Detroit for nothing.

Kick off your shoes, get your feet nice and sandy, and look out over the mighty Michigan. It’s a rite of passage. 

Like they say, once you’ve biked eight miles, you deserve fudge.

American, Lafayette, or other. But probably Lafayette.

When you live in the state with the third most-registered snowmobiles in the country, you kind of have to.

Square, delicious, Detroit pizza is the future.

Even if you’re not a fan of Bell’s, wheat ales, or craft beer, you can at least pretend for a day. Actually, if you’re not a fan of any of those things, feel free to stay home.

Because there’s no better way to get to know Detroit and the people in it.

But really you should go for all five.

It can be a Great Lake or it can be a smaller, inland lake with nothing more than a floaty and a brew; boats can merely be a bonus. Just do nothing but lake all day.

You don’t have to like baseball, you just have to like a party.

Only one season left to do this one. Throwing one on the rink-yet-to-be named will also be acceptable.

Win or lose, there will still be turkey.

A little art, a little Grand Rapids, probably a little beer. You won’t be disappointed.

According to our own highly scientific study conducted last year, it’s the top craft brewery in Michigan. According to us this year, it’s still very, very good.

Sorry Sparty, but 100,000+ capacity > 75,000+ capacity

It’s one of the least visited National Parks, and it’s the only one in Michigan. Also, there are moose.

Bright lights and electronic music in the forest. Good combo.

Bright lights and electronic music in the city. Also good combo.

Pick a lighthouse. Any lighthouse... well, unless you’re really into that kind of thing, then pick several.

You know, like a real hunter-gatherer! Just make sure they’re actually morels.

Because buying one is cheating.

Don’t be deterred by the overly long line. You only to get to freeze your keister off for this once a year.
 

You have a lot of Saturdays to live. Set aside at least one of them for Eastern Market.
 

Don’t, like, deliberately get sick, but if you are sick, let Mr. Vernor’s sweet concoction cure what ails you.

Also, it’s not Saunders, it’s Sanders, go ahead and ask them.
 

Your Instagram shots always have the most cache coming from a pop-up.

A) because Hamtown’s got the paczki game on lock and B) once you go outside Michigan, if you say "paczki," you might as well be speaking Polish or something.
 

Even if you "don’t like sandwiches" or think Zingerman’s is "too expensive," you still have to eat one.
 

This is the closest you’re going to get to authentic Mexican without going to actual Mexico.

Michigan. Motor City. Woodward. Cars are a big deal here, and you should learn to love them.
 

If you’re a Michigander, you should see how cars are made. Simple as that.
 

Again, cars. Can’t stress this enough.
 

Whether they’re from another city, another state, or another country, there’s probably someone who could use a little eye-opener.

It’s folk art at its finest.
 

It’s the tallest building in Michigan, which means it also affords the best view of Detroit; Windsor; and everything the light touches, Simba.
 

They’ve got the limo in which Kennedy was killed, the chair in which Lincoln was shot, and plenty of more artifacts that have nothing to do with people dying.

It holds some gems, man. It holds some gems.
 

Where else can you stand in the footsteps of the Supremes, the Four Tops, the Temptations, and the Miracles?
 

Pretty much your top priority come fall.
 

Or you can just take pictures or whatever.
 

"Mountains" may be used liberally here, but the Porkies afford some of the best backwoods adventures in the state.
 

Do this solely to make the stupid, but necessary jokes.

Typically, yoopers and trolls like to stay in their own peninsulas, but both have their merits, we swear.
 

As The Simpsons once put it, Canada is America Junior, but it’s still worth paying a visit, if only to get some maple syrup and hear a few "eh"s.
 

No home is complete without one.
 

It’s the easiest way to identify that you drove up M-22.

You know who else has played at the Fox? Elvis, Sinatra, and a whole slew of Motown stars. Also, it’s a damn good-looking theatre.

The sights, the sounds, the smells... they’re one of a kind.

And know the tingle down your spine when you look at your hand and think, "Wait, I could go alone."

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