From the only king who ruled in the United States to the only President who was also a king, you’ll uncover fascinating stories behind popular places. Also, in a state with a rich car culture history, discover the origins of the world’s largest tire.
You will learn about the only state highway that doesn’t permit motorized vehicles. Moreover, discover which ship is a designated continuation of a U.S. highway.
You’ll find answers to these questions and many more in Secret Michigan: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. The book explores quirky museums where you can take a picture holding a human skull. Additionally, it features stunning natural spots where rafting over clear springs reveals trout below and where obscure shipwrecks rest in a shipwreck alley.
You’ll learn about the people who made history in the Great Lakes State. For example, a Hall of Fame rock band boosted a small-town football team’s losing streak. You will also discover the story of the first Black woman to sue a white man—and win. Furthermore, learn how a man survived the atomic bombing in Nagasaki.
Some folks may prefer to keep you in the dark, but local author Amy Piper pulls back the curtain. She reveals secrets some Michiganders don’t want you to know.
A Sampling of the 84 Places
Michigan features a wide variety of weird, wonderful, and obscure destinations, including:
- A canal that doesn’t freeze when the lakes on each end freeze
- The world’s largest Lugnut and largest tire
- The world’s largest Christmas store
- A whole community housed on the grounds of a former mental hospital
- A pizza shop with ghost foodprints on the bar top
- A monument to a Rock ‘n Roll band
- Haunted lighthouses
- A sanctuary for alligators
- Museums about mortuary science and death
- Buried cities
- Cemeteries and museums centered around magic
- Parks that allow you to connect with nature
- Historical markers that connect famous people to Michigan
- A ferry that’s an official continuation of a US Highway
- A US Highway that doesn’t allow motorized vehicles
The Treasure Map
Do you already have a copy of Secret Michigan? Are you planning a road trip to explore all the weird, wonderful, and obscure places Michigan has to offer? Download this map to assist with your planning.
Where to Buy Secret Michigan
You’ll find Secret Michigan through all major book sellers, including Reedy Press. Some of these venues offer the book online, while others feature it in their store or gift shop.
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble – All Michigan locations
- Book Mark – Ludington
- Castle Museum – Saginaw
- Detroit Food and City Tours – Detroit
- Creaky Floor Bookstore – Galesburg
- Dinosaur Gardens – Ossineke
- Fenton’s Open Book – Fenton
- Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum – Grand Rapids
- Gilbert and Ivy – Vicksburg
- Grand Marais Outfitters – Grand Marais
- Hooked Bookstore – Lansing
- House of David Baseball & Historical Museum – St. Joseph
- Keans Store Company – Mason
- North Goods – Petoskey
- Quincy Book Haven – Quincy
- Rally House – All Michigan locations
- River Raisin National Battlefield Park Gift Shop – Monroe
- Schuler’s Books – All Michigan locations
- Secret Garden at Brys Estate – Traverse City
- Studio Shop – Williamston
- The Book Cellar – Grand Haven
- The Village at Grand Traverse Commons – Traverse City
- Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary – Alpena
- Tropestic Books & Gifts – Adrian
- Voodoo’s World of Oddtiques – Lansing
While Piper is a lifelong Michigander, she’s had adventures worldwide. Bomb-sniffing dogs chased her in the middle of the night in Bogota (working late), gate agents refused her boarding to Paraguay (wrong visa), and US Marshals announced her seat number on a plane while looking for a murder suspect (she’d traded seats). It’s always an adventure! She even finds exciting activities in her home state of Michigan, where she lives in Lansing with her husband, Ross Dingman, her daughter, Alexis, and two granddaughters.