Family Travel to Michigan

As far as the northern reaches of Michigan go, there are definitely better times to visit with the family than the dead of winter. No matter what time of year you plan to visit, though, Michigan is filled with things to do for the entire family. From cruises on Lake Michigan to lighthouses, farms and urban centers, there is enough to keep the entire family happy.

Michigan and the surrounding states offer something not many others can, which is access to the Great Lakes. Specifically, Michigan is surrounded by Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The northern part of the state touches Lake Superior and the southeast corner of the state touches Lake Erie. These huge lakes offer tons of recreational opportunities. Michigan is packed with state parks, plenty situated right along coastlines.

Tawas Point State Park is located on Lake Huron and is locally referred to as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest,” which tells you everything you need to know about it. The area is perfect for daytrips thanks to a lighthouse, shallow swimming water, pet-friendly shoreline and more. You can find a full list of the outdoor sites and state parks on Michigan’s tourism website. Each park has different offerings suitable for different families. Fishing and boating are easily accessible from many of the parks and make for an excellent day out.

There is a reason the five lakes on the border are called the Great Lakes. Their massive size makes them feel like inland seas, and there are opportunities in the area for families to take advantage of the open water.

Cruising the Great Lakes is a popular activity for locals and tourists alike. Three different lines offer cruises on the lakes, each offering different ports of call. Blount Small Ship Adventures, Pearl Sea Cruises and Victory Cruise Lines each operate out of Michigan. The lines offer more than 30 itineraries and operate May–October. Take the opportunity to see the lakes from a new perspective.

There are still ways to enjoy the state and its water without getting on a ship. In the winter months, there is plenty of opportunity to go ice fishing and standard fishing in the warmer months. No matter which part of the state your family is visiting, you’re never far from a lake. There are more than 11,000 lakes in the state and the weather gets cold enough to support about five months of ice fishing.

There is a huge craft-brewing scene in Michigan. It isn’t suitable for the entire family, but there are still breweries to check out if you’re visiting with adult children. The state is packed with stellar options, so check out the state’s website and see which breweries are near your destination.

There is more to Michigan than cold weather and lakes. The state is home to some truly unique urban centers. Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Detroit all offer different attractions, but all are worth visiting in their own right.

Motor City is filled with historic sites and museums worth checking out. The Henry Ford is one of these attractions. The 250-acre complex is made up of three different attractions, including the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. The site also offers a Ford Rouge factory tour.

Visiting music fans should check out The Motown Museum, which brings guests through Studio A, where The Temptations, Marvin Gaye and plenty more recorded music.

Finally, the time for this one might have just passed, but Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland is the world’s biggest Christmas store and a perfect destination for the whole family.