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Michigan, the home of the Great lakes is the perfect place to go on a family vacation. Summer months on Lake Michigan are warm, winters are snowy, autumn is crisp and colorful and spring is bursting with life.
When planning your road trip or vacation getaway, whether it is a day or two or a week or two, here are a few of the best places and fun things to do in Michigan for family fun outdoor adventures.
Leelanau Peninsula Is One Of The Best Things To Visit In The Warmer Months
Located at the tip of the little finger, Leelanau Lower Peninsula is a picturesque area of approximately 2200 square miles. There are numerous wineries, scenic hiking trails (some for driving, some for hiking), and golf courses.
Depending on the season you can go fishing, skiing, boating, or snowmobiling. Climb Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes or take a ferry out to the Manitou Islands. Go to a casino or layout on a white sand beach. In short, everything you could want in a vacation great spot. Accommodation choices range from a cabin to a bed-and-breakfast to a beachfront resort.
Traverse City Is A Great Place To Spend A Few Days
At the southern end of Leelanau Peninsula, on Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City offers the best of the Leelanau Peninsula combined with a beautiful city with a vibrant downtown.
Every season has something to celebrate from the Cherry Festival in summer to the Cherry Capital Winter Wonderfest in February. A great way to enjoy the city is to stay in a chain hotel far inland or in a resort right on the bay.
Frankenmuth For A Great Time
A little Bavarian city in the thumb area, between Detroit and Saginaw, Frankenmuth is famous for its chicken dinners (go early for Sunday dinner or expect a long wait!), Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, and, more recently, Frankenmuth River Place where you can shop, enjoy a fantastic mirror maze, or play laser tag.
From May to October, enjoy a guided paddle boat ride on the Cass River. Every season has its delights, but it’s Christmas all year long at Bronner’s.
Mackinac Island Is Great For Outdoor Activities And Water Sports
Visiting Mackinac Island is like stepping back in time. Leave your car on the mainland and take a ferry to the island. Take a cab (since no cars are allowed cabs are horse-drawn carriages) to your hotel. Visit historic Fort Mackinac, the porch at the Grand Hotel, and Arch Rock.
No visit to Mackinac Island is complete without a visit to one of the island’s famous fudge shops (so many visitors come to the island for the fudge that tourists are called ‘fudgies’). Prepare to do lots of walking, but if you prefer, you can rent a bike or even a horse.
Detroit Is Full Of Cultural Things to Do in Michigan
Okay, we all know it doesn’t have the best of reputations, but it really is a fun place to visit in North America. Museums, Detroit zoo, casinos, major league sports venues, local food, interactive exhibits, historical buildings, the theater district, Greektown, and the downtown Detroit River Walk…the list really does go on and on. Seriously, you will not get bored.
Romeo Is Great In The Summer Season
The village of Romeo, located about 23 miles north of Detroit, west Michigan is probably best known around the Detroit Metropolitan Area as the home of the Annual Michigan Peach Festival. Peachfest takes place every year over Labor Day weekend. Carnival rides, parades, craft shows, and peaches. Golf courses, orchards, and antique stores attract visitors to the area every weekend, all year long.
Dearborn For Its Panoramic Views
Visit Greenfield Village at the Henry Ford Museum for a trip back in time. When you are done there, take a tour of the Ford Rouge Factory and finish your visit with a trip to the Arab American National Museum Be sure to enjoy plenty of authentic Middle Eastern food while you are there.
Haunted Houses in Michigan
If you’re looking for single haunted houses then this is the guide for you. This guide will list several of the best-haunted houses all of which are located right here in Michigan. You don’t have to go to several haunted houses to get scared as long as you go to the right haunted house. Here are some of the best ones located in Michigan.
Deadly Intentions Haunted House – Warren, Michigan
This is defiantly one of the scariest haunted houses located in Michigan. It has been voted the scariest haunted house in metro Detroit for the past 6 years. The best thing about this haunted house is they change the house up each year.
This way you will never see the same room as the previous year, which makes it even scarier since you have never seen it before. This is something that you won’t want to miss out on.
Erebus Four Story Haunted Attraction – Pontiac, Michigan
This is not your typical haunted house. Most houses have one scary level, but not this one. This house has 4 different levels including a creepy basement. Four complete scary levels ready and waiting to scare the pants off of you or at least make you wet them a little bit.
This house has a total of 30,000 square feet for you to walk through. This haunted house is listed in the Guinness book of world records for being the longest walk-through haunted attraction making this a must-see on your haunted stops.
The Haunting – Adrian, Michigan
If you’re looking for something to scare you then this is the one for you. It has been ranked 5 stars out of 5 stars by the optics. Each year they change the haunted house around, so you never know what’s lurking around each corner. This year marks its 16th year, so you know they have to be doing something right.
The sites are something you truly should pay attention to because their detail is awesome. Watch out for all the 3d effects making it seem like some things are real that aren’t and the things you think are not, just might be.
Haunted Library – Hubbardston, Michigan
If you’re looking for something a little different this year, then this is the attraction that you can’t miss out on. This is Michigan’s only haunted library, so you know it’s going to be good and something that you can’t miss out on. The best part is the price. It’s not as expensive as your normal haunted houses are. For just a few bucks you can visit the one and only haunted library and see if you can make it out clean and dry oh and did I mention alive?
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Michigan
Honestly, the list goes on and on. There is much to see and do in a landscape that is as diverse as the people who share it. You’ll be surprised at what you’ve been missing and be completely impressed with all the things to do in Michigan for your whole family.
