As a life long Michigander I am rather biased in my love for our great state but I know that our beautiful beaches, plentiful lakes, and mix of urban & rural attractions bring many visitors each year. Once my kids started to be more travel friendly (and honestly, sometimes when they were not very travel friendly) my husband and I started taking them to visit a variety of great places all over our state. Whether you’re coming for a visit or a fellow resident I suggest working these 5 places in to your summer vacation plans.
1. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire :: if you’re ready to spend a few hours and a burn a WHOLE bunch of calories you cannot miss the dune climb and for those who cannot commit to that level of physical exertion there are some beautiful viewing areas to enjoy. Like all National Parks there are MANY things to see and do when you stop for a visit!
2. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids :: many years and many visits after they first opened we are still discovering new hidden gems on each visit. There is a beautiful Children’s Garden with everything from a giant water filled model of the Great Lakes (be prepared for wet kids) to an old-fashioned cabin in the woods. No visit would be complete without seeing 24-foot monument, The American Horse – which was partly inspired by the work of Leonardo da Vinci!
3. Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park, Alto :: if you have ever dreamed about hand feeding giraffes, possibly petting a baby zebra, or just enjoy seeing wild and exotic animals up close this is a must see park! The price of admission includes a safari ride tour of the 80-acre park and is always a favorite with our family. Wildebeests, water buffalo, alligators, ostriches, zebras, and tortoises are just some of the many animals you will see here.
4. Mackinac Island :: rich in history, full of fudge shops, and a short ferry ride from either the Upper or Lower Peninsula of Michigan, Mackinac Island has year-round fun. Plan to rent or bring your bike, walk, or take a horse drawn carriage because there are NO cars allowed!
5. Grand Haven :: you can easily spend an entire day on the sands of Lake Michigan in this beach town, but I also suggest making time for a stroll along the boardwalk and out on to the pier to visit the lighthouse. There are plenty of places to stop and eat while you shop the downtown district or look in on the activity at the US Coast Guard SFO Grand Haven (Grand Haven is an official Coast Guard City!). Make sure to save up the energy to see the musical fountain light show!
There are many wonderful places to visit all around Michigan’s mitten and narrowing my list down to 5 was quite the chore. What would be your top 5 family-friendly Michigan destinations?