No matter the season you visit, Michigan will offer many activities and attractions to enjoy during your stay. Although summers are frequently humid and winters quite coldness, Michigan is known for its unpredictable weather. It ’ s not uncommon to have spring days where it ’ south shorts weather one day, and you ’ re back to winter coats the following !
Don ’ thymine lashkar-e-taiba that dissuade you, though. Michiganders will tell you to dress in layers and head on over. The weather is merely another component that makes the submit unique. To help you out with your plans, we have rounded up the best places to vacation in Michigan with kids. Continue reading to see the top destinations !
The 8 Best Places to Vacation in Michigan with Kids
Michigan is an area of the United States that frequently gets overlooked when planning a family vacation. With the well-known, nationally known attractions of some of the more populated states, Michigan frequently falls to the side when it comes to travel retainer.
however, that shouldn ’ metric ton be the case. Michigan has many diverse experiences to offer that early states don ’ t have. Take a look at our top recommendations for an unforgettable vacation with your kids in Michigan .
South Haven
Known as the circus tent beach town in Michigan, South Haven is close to the Michigan/Indiana border. There you will find miles of beautiful, golden sand beaches accompanying Lake Michigan. The town itself is identical old-time and offers many boutiques and restaurants that locals and tourists come back for year after year .
Taking a trip to South Haven typically revolves around the beach, but the city international relations and security network ’ thyroxine far from other fun attractions. Nearby is a large squelch pad, children ’ second museum, and an indoor water park. besides in South Haven is the Kal-Haven Trail. This 34.5-mile bicycle and walking path can take you from South Haven to Kalamazoo, Michigan. many locals take the stumble every year !
many who visit the South Haven area enjoy camping at one of the many state or private campgrounds. It ’ south authoritative to note that many Michiganders reserve their campsites well in advance. sol if you want to stay at a particular campsite, call or reach out oklahoman quite than late !
If you decide to make the travel to South Haven in the winter months, the activities will change slenderly but still offer tons of fun opportunities. many people still visit the beach to see the tundra in the winter ! Some of the most popular winter activities in South Haven include :
- Ice Skating
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Cross Country Skiing
- Sledding
- Tobogganing
- Snow Tubing
One alone sport of Michigan is its sleep together of bonfires. For some states, having a bonfire is reserved for the summer and hang months. But Michigan does theirs all year long. It is not uncommon to warm up in front of a blaze bonfire after multiple runs down the sledding mound .
When it comes to sledding, ice skate, tobogganing, and snow tube, several places in the area offer all of those winter activities in one point. For a small fee, you and your kin can gain access to the attraction and spend the stallion day hopping from one winter natural process to another .
During your time in South Haven, don ’ thyroxine forget to visit the acme din establishments. Some of the best in the area include :
- Clementines
- Admiral Jacks
- Black River Tavern
- Cafe Julia
- Captain Lou’s
- Captain Nemo’s
- China Cafe
careless of what you decide to do on your family vacation to South Haven, you are guaranteed to have a big time and enjoy big meals. With many hotels, Airbnb ’ mho, and resorts in the sphere, you will find capital accommodations that fit your family ’ second needs .
Traverse City
Known for its cherries, Traverse City brings you top wineries with delicious cherry wines. additionally, you will find many options for nature-derived activities and beaches, ski resorts, and shopping .
One of the many alone things about Michigan is that it comprises two separate peninsulas and has an island. Traverse City is in the northern partially of the Lower Peninsula. Due to its placement, the upwind is a piece cool in the summers than what you will get in the southerly part of the state. Its localization besides means that they get harsh winters a well .
On vacation to Traverse City, you can take in all of the activities you love in one city. You can spend the dawn on their beautiful beaches, followed by a winery tour or a nature walk. After wrapping that up, you can do some denounce or diaphragm at one of their top restaurants. Ending the night, you can snuggle up in bed in one of their many resorts .
Some of the top attractions in Traverse City include :
- Grand Traverse Lighthouse
- Peter Dougherty Mission House
- Benzie Area Historical Society and Museum
- COGNiTiON Science & Discovery Center
- Discovery Center ~ Great Lakes
- Pirate’s Cove Adventure Park
- Eyaawing Museum & Cultural Center
- Traverse Tall Ship Company
- Great Lakes Children’s Museum
- Great Lakes Maritime Academy
- Wind Dancer Charters
- Maritime Heritage Alliance
- The Dennos Museum Center
- The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park
Traverse City has you covered when it comes to family vacations and finding appropriate resorts and hotels to stay at during your slip. One of the top accommodations in the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, which includes a health spa and golf. The hotel has labeled its amenities “ the ultimate Michigan experience. ”
There is besides the more child-focused Great Wolf Lodge, which is a home chain in the United States. here kids and adults can spend hours at the indoor water park or partake in a resort-wide scavenger hunt. There are besides shows throughout the day, angstrom well as an arcade and an opportunity to Build-a-Bear .
With the beautiful scenery of the northwestern Lower Peninsula, Traverse City is an excellent option for a laid-back vacation with your family. Having easy access to beaches, ampere well as beautiful wineries and restaurants throughout the city, will provide you with a beautiful know that you and your family members will continue to talk about for years .
Mackinac Island
While Michigan has a few bantam islands within proximity, the biggest and most democratic one is Mackinac Island. Known for its fudge and the fact that there are no motor-powered vehicles on the island, it ’ s a hot spot for those who live in the state full-time and tourists .
When traveling to the island, you arrive in Mackinaw City ( Lower Peninsula ) or St. Ignace ( Upper Peninsula ). From there, you take a ferry to the island. many ferries run throughout the day during the busy temper, typically from Memorial Day in May through October .
While you can visit Mackinac Island during the winter, it does get a bite more complicated. first, there aren ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate many hotels and resorts available for tourists, and alone 2-3 restaurants remain open during that meter. But in what is possibly the biggest obstacle, the ferries do not run. Once the water of Lake Huron freezes over, local residents use snowmobiles to get to the mainland !
Visiting during the summer months will bring ample opportunity for fun. One of the most democratic traditions to take separate in on the island is a horse-led baby buggy ride. The carriage will take you around the whole island with a guide that will provide history about the island vitamin a well as triviality. Did you know that in order to be buried in the island cemetery, you have to be a resident for over 15 years ?
other fun activities to participate in and exciting landmarks to see during your trip to Mackinac Island admit :
- Arch Rock
- Benjamin Blacksmith Shop
- Fort Holmes
- Fort Mackinac
- Grand Hotel Stable and Carriage Museum
- Great Turtle Park and Playground
- Horse in History Museum
- Little Stone Church
- Marquette Park
- McGulpin House
- Butterfly House and Conservatory
- Insect World
- Skull Cave
- Sugar Loaf
It is important to remember that the primary mode of transportation outside of winter is by bicycle. rather of looking both ways at an intersection for cars, you will do the lapp for bikes. You can bring your own over on the ferry or rent one from a local seller .
many horses will besides be going through the streets aboard people to take tourists from position to place or make deliveries around the island. While on the mainland, when you order something on-line, it will be delivered by truck straight to your doorsill. however, on Mackinac Island, a knight and trailer go around and bring deliveries to each nonmigratory .
Michiganders might jokingly view a trip to Mackinac Island as a prerequisite since about all residents have visited there at least once in their life. however, the trip is precisely vitamin a charming for those who live outside of Michigan .
It will sometimes feel like you have stepped back in time to an earned run average of no vehicles. And when you bite into a sample while of fudge from one of the many local shops, you will want to buy every bar in the memory. Your syndicate will love every minute of their last out and want to make it a tradition to come back !
Frankenmuth
Traveling to Frankenmuth, Michigan, is like stepping into a bavarian village. The shops and restaurants reflect the polish and provide a unique experience for your future family vacation to Michigan. Located near Saginaw, Frankenmuth is relatively easy to get to, although there aren ’ triiodothyronine any big airports nearby .
One of the biggest draw to Frankenmuth is the Bronner ’ s Christmas Store. The shop is dedicated entirely to Christmas decorations and is loose 361 days a year. In ornaments alone, they carry over 6,000 different styles ! When it comes to Christmas trees, the memory has 300 amply decorated ones on display at all times .
At Bronner ’ sulfur, you can get ornaments and individualized decorations on the spot. Once you decide what you want and the dedication you prefer, the highly skilled artists will perform the solve while you shop. If you have items you would like to ship home rather of travel with, they can arrange that for you in-store .
When it comes to food, the bavarian town does not disappoint. Frankenmuth besides has top-rated family-style meals at their Zehnder ’ second restaurants, where the menu is prix fixe and comes with full meat dishes and several sides. If you have enough room, they bring ice cream around for dessert. It is common to have a wait when visiting Zehnder ’ s, so it ’ south best to plan ahead for that.
other great local attractions that visitors must check out during their stay include :
- Bavarian Belle Riverboat
- Bavarian Blacksmith Experience
- Bavarian Inn Lodge Family Fun Center
- Cass River Rock Dam
- Castle Museum of Saginaw County History
- Cheese Haus Mouse
- Chippewa Memorial
- Figurinespiel
- Frankenmuth Aerial Park
- Frankenmuth Corn Maze
- Frankenmuth FunShips Tasting & Tours
- Frankenmuth Historical Museum
- Frankenmuth River Place Shops
- Grandpa Tiny’s Farm
- Gunzenhausen Platz Fountain
- Holz Brücke Covered Bridge
- Michigan Heroes Museum
- Silent Night Memorial Chapel
- St. Lorenz Replica Log Church
- Veteran’s Memorial/Willkommen Park
- Wolkensdörfer Log House/Cross Park
- Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark
Visitors will love walking up and down the street of downtown Frankenmuth and taking in all the Bavaria-inspired shops and cafe. There is much live music in the township square in the summer months. Nearby is the democratic Birch Run Outlets, which have many top fashion retailers .
Visiting Frankenmuth is like traveling to Bavaria, therefore the city ’ s nickname of Little Bavaria .
During your clock time there, you will eat hearty and meet meals, shop for singular goods ( don ’ thyroxine forget to check out the many leather shops ! ), and enjoy the many attractions the city has to offer. Your kids will thank you for the opportunity to visit this alone and friendly location, and you ’ ll enjoy the experience you all get to have .
Detroit
Known as the Motor City, Detroit is the home of car manufacturer Ford. The city expanded importantly after the cable car boom and struggled a bite for many years. Detroit is now well on its way to being the city it once was. many parts of Detroit have undergo revival in by years .
Located following to Canada, you can promptly go back and away between the two countries. In fact, many Detroiters hold jobs in Canada and vice versa ! Detroit offers many activities for families to participate in and is a hub for the express with sports teams .
Do you enjoy football ? If so, come during the season and catch a Detroit Lions game. Is ice hockey more your thing ? short Caesars Arena hosts the Detroit Red Wings ! The city besides has baseball in the form of the Detroit Tigers and rounds it out with the local Detroit Pistons basketball team .
Detroit is very divers in culture, and as a solution, you will have pockets of unlike populations. In one area, you have a large Middle Eastern population, and the residents own restaurants and bakeries with a focus on Middle Eastern foods and adust goods. There is besides Greektown and Mexicantown, angstrom well as a large polish population .
Outside of the different family-oriented areas of Detroit, there are activities throughout the city that you will all enjoy, such as the Sea Life Aquarium. other family-friendly attractions that your group will enjoy during a vacation to Detroit include :
- Legoland Discovery Center
- Detroit Kid City
- Meadow Brook Children’s Theater
- Sanders & Morley Candy Makers Factory Tour
- Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum
- Detroit International RiverWalk
- Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center
- Detroit Flyhouse Circus School
- Cranbrook Institute of Science
- Detroit Zoo
- Outdoor Adventure Center
- Wolcott Mill Metropark
- TreeRunner Adventure Park
- Greenfield Village
- Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
- Holocaust Memorial Center
- Arab American National Museum
- Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum
While Detroit boasts many city-like attractions, they besides have many nature-oriented activities for families to enjoy. With many hiking trails, options for bicycle, many areas for kayak, boating, fish, and swim, you will have no dearth of outdoor recreational fun to take part in during your vacation .
Detroit is easily accessible from about any city with a large international airport. When planning a chew the fat, don ’ t forget your pass – barely in subject you want to swing over and say hawaii to Canada ! Whether you stay a few days or a few weeks, your clock in the Motor City will be impactful and consequential !
Marquette
Swinging around to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, we have Marquette. While it is a very long drive to arrive in this northern town, it is worth it due to the beautiful scenery and the enjoyable nature activities .
For perspective, driving from South Haven at the border of Indiana and Michigan ( besides the first address we listed above ) to Marquette is over seven hours of driving. Some people choose to take a car ferry to Wisconsin and go over to Marquette that way rather of through the entirety of Michigan !
however, you are outhouse to an entirely different Michigan experience once in Marquette. The Upper Peninsula itself is singular in its laid-back approach to life and the way they operate. For exemplify, in the Upper Peninsula, it is potential to drive for miles upon miles without seeing a township, natural gas post, or having cell earphone reception .
additionally, you are close to Canada. Therefore, your call reception will frequently try to connect to the other area ’ s towers !
Marquette has many hotels and resorts, adenine well as fun attractions for everyone in the family. Some of the most popular options include :
- Presque Isle Park
- Sugarloaf Mountain
- Lankenenland Sculpture Park
- Dead River Falls
- Jilbert Dairy
- Marquette Maritime Museum
- Iron Ore Heritage Trail
- Superior Dome
- Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum
- Hogback Mountain
- Morgan Falls
- Marquette Regional History Center
- Marquette Tourist Park
- The Devos Art Museum
- Lake Superior Theater
- Zero Degrees Artist Gallery
- Shiras Planetarium
- Marquette Golf Club
- Superior Kayaking Company
During your visit to Marquette and the Upper Peninsula in general, be certain to stop and get a pastie. As the celebrated food of the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, a pastie is a pastry shell with a mix of kernel, potatoes, and vegetables inside. You are probably to see more restaurants than not that offer this unique entree .
Lansing
The das kapital of Michigan, Lansing, is the governmental hub for all political endeavors in the state. however, that doesn ’ t take away from the city ’ s entertainment ! Located in the middle of the Lower Peninsula, Lansing is well accessible by car, aim, bus, and airplane .
home to Michigan State University, Lansing embodies the visualize of a college town with its exciting business district atmosphere and bountiful restaurants. But the area is besides very family-friendly and well mixes entertainment and education in the history that it offers .
Some of the most democratic attractions to check out during a travel to to Lansing include :
- The Michigan State Capitol
- Michigan History Center
- Potter Park Zoo
- Impression 5 Science Center
- R.E. Olds Transportation Museum
- Abrams Planetarium
- Lansing River Trail
- Fenner Nature Center
- Turner-Dodge House & Heritage Center
- Woldumar Nature Center
- Michigan Women’s Historical Center & Hall of Fame
- The Michigan Princess Steamboat
- Lansing Community College Sculpture Walk
- Meridian Historical Village
- Michigan State University Museum
- Beaumont Tower
- Hawk Island Park
While Lansing is a beautiful sphere to travel to any time of the class, do be cognizant if visiting during football season. The Michigan State University games can cause a severe traffic back-up in the town, so check the game schedule before booking your hotel !
In addition to many family-friendly attractions to enjoy, the city of Lansing offers a variety of lead accommodations to stay at during your vacation. From high-end to chain hotels like Holiday Inn, Lansing has them all. The city besides provides restaurants of all varieties and many fun shopping areas with an align of eclectic boutiques .
Kalamazoo
Yes, there in truth is a Kalamazoo ! The celebrated phrase came into circulation when those outside the express didn ’ t believe that Kalamazoo was a legitimate city and good a made-up mention. But in fact, Kalamazoo is actual and offers many fun attractions for families who venture in for a pickup .
similar to Lansing, Kalamazoo is a college town. Home to Western Michigan University, part of the city is devoted to the sprawling and beautiful campus, while the other slope is home to many peak corporations and historic neighborhoods .
With its own international airport, you can easily reach Kalamazoo by plane, car, gearing, or bus. The Amtrak station takes you immediately into the center of business district, while the airport is on the boundary of town. With many family-friendly establishments to check out on your visit, the most popular include :
- Air Zoo
- Kalamazoo Valley Museum
- Kalamazoo Valley Planetarium
- Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
- Gilmore Car Museum
- KalHaven Trail
- Kalamazoo Nature Center
- Markin Glen Park
- Leila Arboretum
- Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
- Al Sabo Land Preserve
- Milham Park
- Verhage Cider Mill
- Gull Meadow Farms
- Mezanmi Play Cafe
- Ramona Park
- Bow in the Clouds Preserve
- West Lake Nature Preserve
- Bishop’s Bog Preserve
In addition to fun family activities, Kalamazoo is known for the many festivals they hold each year ( rib fest anyone ? ) and besides for their high-quality restaurants. When visit, be sure to check out many of the local eateries. The most highly rate establishments include :
- Principle Food and Drink
- Rustica
- Crows Nest
- Food Dance
- One Well Brewing
- Theo and Stacy’s
- Studio Grill
- Zooroona Restaurant
- Shawarma King
- University Roadhouse
- Comensoli’s
- Martell’s
- HopCat
- Latitude 42
- Martini’s
- Nonla Burger
- Oakwood Bistro
- 600 Kitchen
- Old Burdick’s
All of the restaurants listed above are fit for families of all types and sizes. Some, like One Well Brewing and Latitude 42, even offer children ’ mho act areas inside or arcades for entertainment .
Kalamazoo frequently experiences milder winters and humid summers. While equitable a short drive to South Haven, Kalamazoo besides has its fairly share of beaches for populace use. The city besides has a public kick pool for families to use during hot days .
Kalamazoo and its adjacent cities offer many different nature preserves and centers for exploration. many areas evening provide particular events and direction to families who visit. Whether it ’ s shuttlecock watch, fish, guided nature walks, or learning about different animals, there are constantly programs for nature education.
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therefore yes, there very is a Kalamazoo. And the city is an excellent place for a family vacation when visiting the mitten submit. Between the activities and the natural scenery, vitamin a well as the lead restaurants, every extremity of your family will be beaming they came .
Try These Best Places to Vacation in Michigan with Kids
No matter the temper you visit, Michigan will provide many activities and attractions to enjoy during your stay. Whether skiing and ice skate in the winter months or taking a 30+ nautical mile amble in the summer, you will never be without something to do in Michigan .
next time you are looking at the map, scouting for the next family vacation destination, don ’ thyroxine forget about the smasher of Michigan and all that it provides. Kids and adults alike will enjoy every moment of their visit if you choose any of these best places to vacation in Michigan with kids .
