We've had a number of heat waves, and dry spells this year in Michigan, which has us all wondering how we can stay cool while out and about.

Turns out, there's a lot of really "Cool" spots around Michigan that can keep your core temperature down, and away from the oppressive heat that summer can bring.

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While most people will confirm that Michigan gets a lot of snow, and winter precipitation in the winter, we do have other seasons, too. In fact, Michigan's fall and spring are among the most beautiful times to see the state. But, we do get pretty warm in the summers.

This year, in particular, two hot snaps late in the year put parts of Michigan in the mid to upper 90s for several days. Naturally, we need to find ways to cool down, or at least give the illusion that we're living in much cooler times.

So these are the Four coolest places you can visit in Michigan to at least feel like we're not in the middle of a heat wave.

Coolest City: Vanderbilt, MI

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Wikipedia
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Literally the "coolest" city in the entire state, Vanderbilt set the record low temperature of -51 degrees Fahrenheit in February of 1934. In fact, 1934 was a year of extremes on BOTH ends of the spectrum. Five months later, and about 2 and a half hours south, Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Jackson, Michigan, would set record HIGH temperatures at 105. Meaning, there was a swing of 156 degrees in Michigan that year.

Coolest Snowfall: Houghton, MI

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Michigan is known for its snow, too. Particularly up north, and in the U.P. Houghton has the highest average snowfall of the entire state, right smack dab in the middle of the Keweenaw Peninsula, in the Upper Peninsula. They average around 202 inches of snow every year. So while we're sweating it out in the 90s now, just wait until Houghton is bundling up, buried under an average of 16 feet of snow every year.

Coolest Lake: Lake Superior

Hans Isaacson; Unsplash
Hans Isaacson; Unsplash
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Of course, when it gets hot, we look to the water. Temperatures in the Great Lakes tend to be a lot cooler than the average lake because of their depth and size. Case and point, Lake Superior, along our Upper Peninsula, is not only the coldest lake in Michigan, but the coldest lake in the country. Because of its size, and its depth, and how far north it is, Lake Superior's highest temperature rarely cracks 70 degrees. In fact, it's average high temperature in August is around 65 degrees, while at it's peak coldness, around March, it will drop to RIGHT at freezing: 32 degrees. So even when the temperatures on land reach record highs, Lake Superior continues to keep it cool.

Coolest Attraction: ChristKindlMarkt (Frankenmuth, MI)

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Wikipedia
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Of course, the ultimate "cold" holiday is Christmas, but it's not always celebrated year-round... unless you're in Frankenmuth. the ChristKindlMarkt (Christmas Market) is open year-round, and can transport you all the way to the middle of winter, and the height of spiced cakes, cookies, and hot chocolate. It might also be worth noting, that Frankenmuth has one of the biggest winter festivals in the state as well, Snowfest, every year. Something "cool" to look forward to.


I know it's hot now, but don't worry, in a few months, we'll be complaining about the cold, just like we are the heat now. It's only a matter of time.

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