Lower Peninsula of Michigan

Michigan's lower peninsula is surrounded by water on all sides except its southern border, which it shares with Ohio and Indiana. Geographically, the lower peninsula has a recognizable shape that many people associate with a mitten. This has led to several creation myths for the area, one being that it is a hand print of Paul Bunyan, a giant lumberjack and favorite folk character in Michigan. This has also led to the distinctive phenomenon of lower peninisula residents holding out their hand and pointing to a spot on it when asked where they are from.

The lower peninsula is also known to Michiganders as "The Mitten", "Below the Bridge", and occasionally "The L.P." (in parallel with "the U.P." for the upper peninsula). It is referred to – with more than a little sarcasm – as "Detroit" by residents of the Upper Peninsula. Residents of the Lower Peninsula are also referred to as "Trolls" (because they live "below the bridge").

Michigan's lower peninsula can be fairly cleanly divided into six main regions based on geological, soil, and vegetation differences; amount of urban vs. rural areas; minority populations; and agriculture: Northern Michigan, Central Michigan, the Thumb, Western Michigan, Southern Michigan, and Metro Detroit.

The Thumb

Major Cities

• Bad Axe, Michigan
• Bay City, Michigan
• Saginaw, Michigan
• Port Huron, Michigan⁽¹⁾
• Flint, Michigan⁽¹⁾

Central Michigan

Major Cities

• Midland, Michigan
• Mount Pleasant, Michigan
• Alma, Michigan
• Ithaca, Michigan
• Clare, Michigan

Attractions

• Central Michigan University

Southeastern Michigan/Metro Detroit

Major Cities

• Detroit, Michigan
• Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Ypsilanti, Michigan
• Troy, Michigan
• Dearborn, Michigan

Attractions

• Greenfield Village
• Greektown
• Detroit Institute of Arts
• University of Michigan
• Detroit Zoo

Southern Michigan

Major Cities

• Lansing, Michigan
• Jackson, Michigan
• East Lansing, Michigan

Attractions

• Michigan International Speedway
• Michigan State University
• Cascades Park
• State Capitol

Western Michigan

Major Cities

• Battle Creek, Michigan
• Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Benton Harbor, Michigan
• St. Joseph, Michigan
• Holland, Michigan
• Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Grand Haven, Michigan

Attractions

• Kellogg's Cereal City
• Western Michigan University
• Holland State Park, busiest state park in Michigan
• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
• Tulip Festival

Northern Michigan

Major Cities

• Alpena, Michigan
• Cadillac, Michigan
• Charlevoix, Michigan
• Cheboygan, Michigan
• Gaylord, Michigan
• Mackinaw City, Michigan
• Manistee, Michigan
• Petoskey, Michigan
• Traverse City, Michigan

Attractions

• Sleeping Bear Dunes
• Leelanau Peninsula
• Mackinac Island
• Buying Fudge

Notes

• Note (1): Port Huron and Flint are technically within the larger Detroit Combined Metropolitan Statistical Area, but are generally considered part of the Thumb region instead.