Michigan Family Vacation Ideas

A Michigan family vacation should take advantage of the Great Lakes and the natural beauty of the Michigan countryside.

The hills and valleys of Michigan provide a great opportunity for bicycle touring. An excellent place to set it up for you is a company called Michigan Bicycle Touring. They have lots of different tours that they can guide you through and most of them are great for children.

One of their tours combines biking along the shore of Lake Michigan with kayaking the Crystal River. Another takes a two day bicycle ride through Amish country. Or tour Mackinac Island where the roads belong to you and your bike because no cars are allowed.

The only way to get around on Mackinac Island, besides biking or walking, is by horse-drawn carriage. These carriages are actually the island’s taxi fleet. They are part of the living history of the island. During the summer you will see people dressed in the garb of the 1770’s taking part in typical activities of the day.

If you go near Mackinac Island be sure to check out Mackinac Bridge. As the longest total suspension bridge in the world it’s really something to see.

All kids love magic so a trip to "The Magic Capital of the World" should get their interest. The small town of Colon, Michigan, is the home of the world’s largest producer of handmade illusions, Abbott’s Magic Company. Every year they host Abbott’s Magic Get-Together with four days of magic shows. What a great Michigan family vacation idea!

For the adventurous family there’s Isle Royale National Park. This wonderful wilderness park lies along Lake Superior and is accessible only by boat or float plane. But once you arrive there is plenty to do. Hiking on the 165 miles of trails is a feast of scenic wonders including overlooks on Lake Superior. Isle Royale National Park one of the best vacation spots in Michigan for outdoor adventure activites like fishing, camping, canoeing and wildlife watching.

For overnight boat trips and backpacking there are 36 campgrounds throughout the park. The fishing is excellent and wildlife is abundant including moose and fox. There is plenty to explore such as historic lighthouses, old ship wrecks or abandoned copper mines.

Another Michigan family vacation idea is the Michigan State fair held in August each year. Detroit is host and this is a big popular family event. It’s 12 days of fun with something for everyone. Parades, carnival rides & games, concerts and livestock exhibitions are just a few of the attractions. And don’t forget to have yourself an Elephant Ear.

Dutch Village Theme Park recreates life in the Netherlands 200 years ago. Costumed interpreters present the history and culture of the Dutch through song and dance. It’s everything Dutch with activities for both kids and adults. Throughout the year they have special events like Tulip Time Festival, Music Festival, Dutch Heritage Day and Kid’s Day.