There are so many things to do in Michigan that makes thinking about Michigan family vacations makes me smile and brings to mind some wonderful memories of growing up in the Great Lakes State. Right off the top of my head, I can think of visits to Mackinac Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes, beautiful Torch Lake, Hartwick Pines State Park and so many other places we swam, hiked, fished and played.
Cadillac - The town where I grew up was a childhood paradise with two lakes, a state park, a ski resort and the City Park with a real locomotive from the logging industry of the early days. Visitor today will find plenty of opportunities for fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, hiking and bicycling in the summer. In the winter there are miles of snowmobile trails, ice fishing on Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell, and skiing at the Caberfae Ski Resort.
Sleeping Bear Dunes - Sleeping Bear is, to a child, a mountain 400 feet high of gleaming, soft golden-cream colored beach sand. This is where your children will vie for the opportunity to bury you up to your neck in sand. When you finally get to the top of the sand pile you can hike across it until you see the dark blue waters of Lake Michigan on the other side.
Bond Falls in the UPDetroit Zoo - Located in Royal Oak, this zoo is home to more than 2,500 animals and a wide variety of plants and trees, many of which are on the endangered. There are a wide variety of major exhibits, including the Arctic Ring of Life, the largest exhibit of polar bears in the world.
Torch Lake - Near Traverse City, National Geographic has named this lake "the 3rd most beautiful lake in the world." It is the amazing blue-green, Caribbean blue, color that makes this lake so beautiful. The sandbars that extend for hundreds of feet toward the center of the lake, where the water may still be only a couple of feet deep, also make this lake memorable.
Amusement Parks - For great family fun visit Splash Universe in Dundee or Four Bears Water Park and Recreation Area in Utica. For great fun go to Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City, a giant indoor waterpark, outdoor pool, restaurants, golf course, and live buffalo on the grounds.
Mackinac Island - Pronounced "Mackinaw", this island can only be reached by ferryboat or plane. Travel around the island by bicycle, horse and buggy or on foot. Explore historic Fort Mackinac built by the British during the Revolutionary War.
Winter Wonderland - Michigan is the perfect winter vacation destination. There are so many different ski resorts, cross-country ski trails and snowmobile trails that you will find yourself coming back year after year for the beautiful snow, friendly people and great memories.
Visit often to learn more information from our updated Things to Do in Michigan.
