Michigan is an excellent place for families to visit. As the nation’s 11th largest state, Michigan offers everything from state parks and beaches to amusement parks and ski hills. Families can also enjoy some of the country’s best entertainment at Comerica Park, Ford Field, and Coors Field. If you’re planning a weekend with your kids this summer, look no further than our list of fun, family-friendly places in Michigan:
- The Upper Peninsula
The Upper Peninsula is a must place to explore, with endless family activities.
You can go camping in the summer and winter or hike on available trails year-round. There are parks and museums to visit as well. If you have kids who love animals, there are plenty of attractions nearby, including zoos and aquariums!
- Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is an excellent place for families, kids, and parents alike. It’s home to the University of Michigan and offers plenty of activities to keep you entertained all day. The city also has some fantastic restaurants, including some award-winning ones!
If you have time on your hands this weekend, consider looking at these family-friendly destinations like Blue Heron Bay Park, the On-hand museum, wild swan theatre, etc.
- Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is a great place to take your family on vacation. The city has plenty of things to do, whether you’re looking for an active day or want to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Several attractions in Grand Rapids will make any kid happy, including:
- The DeVos Performance Hall (the largest indoor venue in Michigan)
- Kaleidoscope Children’s Museum (an interactive museum dedicated to arts and science education)
- Pope Benedict XVI National Shrine Basilica (a Roman Catholic church built over what was once the birthplace of Saint John Paul II)
- Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is a heavenly place to visit, especially if you want to relax and enjoy the scenery. It’s not just an island—it’s an entire state! The island has been a tourist destination since 1875. Today, it’s one of the most famous vacation spots in Michigan and attracts thousands of tourists annually.
Your family can spend time visiting Mackinac Island without worrying about crowds or traffic jams. You will get plenty of space on this resort-like island where there aren’t many people except those who live there full time like us locals (or maybe even some tourists). There are also plenty of activities available such as hiking trails along Lake Huron, which allow you to get away from civilization while still sharing your time as a family unit.
- Great Lakes Bay
The Great Lakes Bay area is a great place to visit with kids. It has a lot of things to do, including boat tours and fishing.
If you want to go someplace fun but not too expensive, this should be your top choice! The attractions are too catchy to ignore, like lazy rivers, wild waterslides at the waterpark, a village hotel, and a fascinating zoo for kids.
- Silver Lake
The Silver Lake and the Sand Dunes are great places for families to spend the weekend. Located in Benzie County, this campground is just west of Lake Michigan and features miles of sandy dune fields for you to explore on horseback or in a dune buggy with your family. You can enjoy swimming or go fishing at nearby fishing holes that local anglers have stocked.
The best part about this park? It’s free! There are no fees for camping at Silver Lake Sand Dunes (although there is an entrance fee). And even if you don’t bring your kids with you—or if they prefer not to swim in cold water—you can still enjoy all these activities without worrying about paying anything extra!
- St. Ignace
St. Ignace is on the Straits of Mackinac, which connects Lake Huron with Lake Michigan. The town has plenty of things to do for families, including kayaking and fishing trips on nearby rivers. You can also enjoy some time at one of the many festivals held throughout the year or visit historic sites like Fort Michilimackinac National Historic Site or Ithaca Castle National Historic Site.
St. Ignace offers activities that will keep kids entertained, including a children’s museum and an art gallery full of dinosaur fossils (kids love dinosaurs!) if they’re old enough! If your family loves water sports, there are plenty of opportunities here, too: paddle boarding on Lake Superior, renting boats at Bay View Marina, or kayaking along several different local lakes, including Windigo Lake, where we spotted some seals playing underwater!
- Traverse City
Traverse City is an unforgettable place to visit with kids, family, and friends. It’s also an ideal place for couples who want to reconnect or rekindle their love! You can spend a relaxing time in side-walk cafes, beaches, galleries, and restaurants, or you can go hiking or visit Grand Traverse Bay.
The town gets a lot of character, with quirky shops and restaurants that will have you stopping in for a bite to eat. We recommend trying out the local fresh fruit ice cream at the Cherry Republic! Kids will love the downtown area of Traverse City, where they can visit a candy store and take pictures with their favorite characters like Batman and Superman. There are also plenty of activities such as mini golfing or bowling.
- Detroit
Detroit provides an unlimited number of activities and places to create unforgettable memories with your friends and family. The Detroit Historical Museum is an incredibly cool place to visit with kids. You can experience history and nature together at the Detroit Zoo, which features a great selection of animals and interactive exhibits. Have fun learning about Michigan’s wildlife while exploring the Great Lakes Shoreline Trail at Belle Isle State Park or cruising along Lake St. Clair on one of their boats!
- Holland
If your family is looking for a fun weekend getaway, Holland is the place to go. It’s at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, so there are plenty of things to do in this city.
The city has many attractions perfect for kids:
- A zoo with plenty of animals and exhibits where children can learn more about them
- An amusement park with various rides that will keep everyone entertained
- A water park where families can enjoy themselves on days when it’s too hot outside
- Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth is a great place for families to visit. It’s got lots of fun things, family-friendly restaurants, and hotels. If you are reaching out for a place to accommodate your whole family, look no further than Frankenmuth!
Frankenmuth has been entitled as one of America’s Best Family Friendly Towns by Parents Magazine three years in a row! The town has many things year-round, including summer concerts at the Bavarian Inn or an outdoor movie night at the Porcupine Creek Amphitheater. You can also enjoy shopping along downtown streets, where gift shops sell souvenirs such as t-shirts depicting local landmarks like Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore or toys made from recycled materials (you know what I mean). There are places where kids can play while parents relax on benches or watch them run around chasing each other around playground equipment, like swing sets with slides attached too!
- South Haven
If you are expecting a family-friendly weekend getaway, South Haven is the best spot. South Haven has so much to offer that spending an entire day here is easy. Foremost, there is a beautiful beach and boardwalk along Lake Michigan that your kids will love! It’s also home to one of the only aquariums in Michigan (and maybe even America) called “The Aquarium at South Haven,” where visitors can explore fish and sharks up close.
Hopefully, we’ve made your family weekend plans a little easier. We know, this is hard to find the right place everyone will like, so these are just some of our favorite spots in Michigan. Make sure to check them out!