How It Really Feels to Be Out and Proud in These Michigan Destinations

Checkin' the vibe from Ferndale to Frankfort with 'That Michigan Guy'

Liam Clymer

Published: August 30, 2024 | Last Updated: September 4, 2024

On the cusp of a new adventure, the road sprawls out before you. The last thought on your mind should be safety, but all too frequently, LGBTQ+ community members are plagued by concerns over how folks at a travel destination will perceive them.

Ryan Redoute, known online as That Michigan Guy (in-michigan.com), a social media and travel personality with nearly 150,000 followers on TikTok, sat down with Pride Source to share his favorite queer-friendly Michigan travel destinations and to discuss the importance of creating queer travel spaces.

Saugatuck

Just three hours from Detroit lies a queer “safe haven,” said Redoute. He explained that Saugatuck’s long history of providing spaces for the LGBTQ+ community has made it an institution. Today, it attracts more families, but Redoute argued that this has only made it more valuable.

“It really is this place that's super family-friendly, but is also so queer accepting,” Redoute said. “I think that a place like that can be just so healing for people, and I think it even was for me mentally, because when you go there, you see that life is just normal, and how you exist is normal, and no one's looking at you weird.”

Redoute said this spot is the perfect place for a weekend getaway. Boasting art galleries, Oval Beach, brunch spots and touristy shops (yes, including Michigan fudge) all wrapped up in a small-town feel, Saugatuck offers a classic summer vacation in the purest sense.

That Michigan Guy’s Saugatuck Vibe Check: Saugatuck has been a travel destination for the queer community for decades. My aunt, who was part of the queer community, would actually visit Saugatuck with her friends back in the ‘90s. I've gone there with friends, my family and just my husband for a romantic getaway. It is great for everything and has the reputation of acceptance for all, to boot. 11/10 stars.

Ferndale

Nestled right around the corner from the heart of Detroit is Ferndale. When you think gay destinations in Michigan, it’s likely one of the first ones that comes to mind — and rightfully so. Redoute described the sheer abundance of support he sees in Ferndale.

“Yesterday, I was just riding around Ferndale and I saw that there was this mechanic shop that had a rainbow flag behind the window,” Redoute said. “It's like everywhere you look, you see a rainbow flag.”

And if the sense of support wasn’t enough, popular queer bars like Soho make Ferndale the perfect spot for a night out on the town. Redoute argued, though, that the summer evening air in Ferndale was an experience in and of itself.

“I think that even being on the corner of Woodward, at Como's, having a night out with friends and just being at one of those tables in the summertime with Woodward cars going by and stuff — I think the energy is one of my favorites, especially for dinner and hanging out with friends,” he said.

That Michigan Guy’s Ferndale Vibe Check: "Fabulous Ferndale" is a place to be fully you. Wear what you want, hold hands with who you want, and let the good times roll. You'll also not catch a street without a rainbow flag flying here. I held hands for the first time with someone I was in relationship with in Ferndale (in public, gasp, in the 2013 version of myself), so it holds a special place in my heart.

Frankfort

While the four-hour drive up toward the tip of the mitten may scare some away, for the more adventurous travelers, Redoute said that Frankfort is a destination that won’t disappoint.

Frankfort is a cute, small town with all the summer staples you're looking for in a vacation, Redoute said. He added a visitor could go for a morning run through town and practically see the whole place — Redoute said when you visit, it feels like you “run the town."

Redoute noted that his family has been going to Frankfort since he was little. He said the desire to bring queer energy to the space has been personal for him. “The reason why I specifically want it to be queer is because it holds a special place in my heart, location-wise,” Redoute said. “I would love it if I could just bring that energy because I know the queer energy. I know it's wonderful. I would love for that to kind of feed into other places that are also just great places to go.”

“I love having specific spots that you can go and feel your queer self and live out every fantasy, whatever you want and feel so totally comfortable,” he added. “But I like to spice things up. I want to expand — I want the whole world to feel that way.”

Redoute said when he’d visit when he was younger, he’d notice the occasional comment about how he presented himself, but as he got older, the comments began to fade. During a recent visit, Redoute said he came across a situation that affirmed his aspirations for the area.

“I went there with my husband and my family and we were walking on the street and we saw another gay couple and I was like, 'How is this possible?' I couldn’t believe Frankfort, this place I grew up in that I always kind of saw as a little bit more conservative, had this other gay couple there,” he said.

Redoute said he hopes that others within the community will take note of these “small towns with good vibes."

That Michigan Guy’s Frankfort Vibe Check: Frankfort isn't known for its rainbow flags like Ferndale. But as the world becomes more accepting of the queer community, my husband and I have also "pushed the boundaries" and shown some PDA walking through town — with no issues. We even met up with other gay couple friends last time we were there (which I could never have fathomed when I came out over a decade ago) and didn't feel any type of way. While this is the viewpoint of one person, I think Frankfort has a lot to offer, and I'd love for the queer community to get to know it better.

Traverse City

For the same amount of drivetime it takes to get from Detroit to Frankfort, travelers could find themselves in Traverse City. Redoute described the famous Michigan spot as picturesque.

On a recent visit, he went on a tour of some of the local wineries near Traverse City. As a self-proclaimed mocktail fan, he was surprised to find himself enjoying the fine selection of wines they had to offer. And even in the moments when those postcard-perfect views seemed to be beyond that of what Michigan usually offers, Redoute found himself catching a glimpse of Grand Traverse Bay glimmering in the distance.

Want more queer glamor beyond all the wineries? Pop on downtown, which Redoute said offered a developed feel. “It really blew me away — the beauty that Traverse City could offer,” he said. “I feel like it almost feels a little upscale because it is a more developed downtown.”

He added that there’s plenty to do in the area, from Sleeping Bear Dunes to Crystal Lake. And even just a short drive outside the area, as Redoute noted that there were lots of possible day trips within 30 minutes of Traverse.

That Michigan Guy’s Traverse City Vibe Check: Traverse City is one of the biggest cities in upper lower-peninsula Michigan and has so many activities to offer — it's even where Pete Buttigieg and his husband Chasten own a home. In the time I've been there as an adult, it doesn't feel unsafe in any way and more liberal than conservative. I would say it's almost like a mini Ann Arbor, but surrounding a stunning bay and offering fabulous wineries.

South Haven

Opposite Detroit on the west side of the state is a “gem” by the water. With locals showing welcoming Michigander energy, and Waters View Inn proudly boasting a Pride flag, Redoute said South Haven is yet another spot bursting with queer potential.

Redoute first learned more about the spot from friends who already understood its significance. “I told other people about it and they were very like, 'Oh yeah, South Haven is so cute, we end up going all the time,’” he said. “It started clicking in my head, what this place was for other people, and it made me want to spread the word.”

Redoute said the spot has “Michigan magic,” noting the breeze coming off Lake Michigan. Much like with Frankfort, Redoute's aim is to spotlight travel destinations he feels are safe for queer explorers with his TikTok and Instagram accounts — South Haven is now on his radar as, perhaps, one of those places. “Growing up in Michigan I never felt like there was a ton of super welcoming spaces — Michigan did feel a little bit conservative growing up,” he said. “That's actually been one of my biggest missions with my content: highlighting the parts of Michigan that I've always known and even making them more of what I want them to be.”

Redoute added that a feeling of safety is a necessity. “I feel like you need those spaces where you can just fully be yourself,” he said. “I feel like we need that [on] a vacation level, anywhere we go.”

That Michigan Guy’s South Haven Vibe Check: When I visited recently, vibes were great but I didn't stay long enough to get the best read. My husband and I loved our time there and never felt we received any negative energy from anyone.