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There are so many great things to do in the state of Michigan with kids. I should know; I live here with my own kids. And the truth of the matter is, there are so many wonderful things to do that it is next to impossible to do them all while your kids are still, well, kids.
As a mom of three boys – ages 10, 13, and 15 – I have a tried-and-true list of things to do that will make everyone cheer for more trips to Michigan (or around Michigan, if you’re lucky enough to live here, too).
All moms know that a great kid-destination has to deliver lots of hands-on fun, plenty of space to run, and a thing or two to convince them to stop asking for the Wi-Fi passwords. With this in mind, here’s a rundown of the best things to do in Michigan with kids, organized by area and tested by one chaos-loving family of five.
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What Kids Love To Do in Metro Detroit
Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, Dearborn
There’s no such thing as a quick visit to the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. In fact, I would suggest setting aside at least two to three days to explore this massive complex.
Upon entering The Henry Ford Museum, visitors are greeted by glittering marble hallways filled with every kind of car imaginable, including iconic vehicles, like the limousine in which JFK was assassinated and the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat.
Be sure to check out the Driven to Win: Racing in America exhibit. There is something for every age and stage, whether it’s sitting in a race-car simulator (using the same technology that trains the pros) or designing a wooden car to race against other young designers.
During the warmer months (April-October), Greenfield Village comes alive with outdoor activities like an immersive tour through Henry Ford’s birthplace, childhood home, original workshop, and first factory. The tour culminates in the best way of all to see the village – a ride in an original Model T.
The Greenfield Village experience includes an expansive (bring the stroller!) living history museum. Ford had the homes and workshops of some of America’s greatest inventors shipped to Dearborn to be preserved and treasured! Here, guests can see The Wright Brothers workshop and Thomas Edison’s Laboratory. It’s like a Disney Park for history and car buffs, but without the massive lines and swampy heat.
My son (a few years and inches ago) in front of a race car exhibit at The Henry Ford Museum. ©Steffy McCourt
Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit
For older kids, the Detroit Institute of Art (DIA) is engaging, to say the least. First-time visitors will feel like they have walked into a movie set. The DIA, rated as one of the top 6 art museums in the USA, is composed of palace-like passageways inviting guests to get swept up in masterpieces like Van Gogh’s self-portrait or Jim Henson’s Kermit the Frog (1969). My boys loved sketching in the kids’ gallery and pretending to be art critics. We all loved finishing our day in the Kresge Court, an indoor courtyard where drinks and treats are served.
Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak
On our last visit to the Detroit Zoo, the penguins stole the show, mainly because they swam right up to the glass at the Polk Penguin Conservation Center while my middle child narrated like he was Sir David Attenborough himself. Truthfully, it’s hard to pinpoint the very best exhibit or experience, but the gorillas, lions, and polar bears are always at the top of my boys’ list of furry friends to visit.
The zoo’s wide open spaces and nature center make it a great place for kids of all ages to explore. Don’t miss the wooden, animal-themed carousel and the thrilling 4-D theatre! And, for more animal-friendly fun, kids will love visiting these cuddly cat cafes in Michigan – where they can actually pet the cats!
Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park & Ford Field, Detroit
No trip to the D is complete without a visit to HockeyTown – Little Caesars Arena. Don’t even dream of showing up in anything other than red, and be ready to explain that while it’s okay to fight on the ice, it is not okay to fight in the stands, especially if the family makes the Jumbotron. Watching the Detroit Tigers play at Comerica Park is a spring-time highlight – especially when the boys discovered the Ferris wheel and carousel. And Ford Field is where the youngest learned that football is awesomely loud and nachos are half the reason to attend a game (even if most of the nacho cheese ended up on his shirt). These stadiums are in the heart of Detroit, surrounded by ice cream parlors, trendy restaurants, and loads of live entertainment (sometimes in the form of people watching).
My son cheers on the Red Wings. ©Steffy McCourt
Belle Isle, Detroit
If our family was the kind of family that picnicked, this would definitely be our favorite place to do it! Belle Isle has biking trails, a nature center, a sandy beach, boat rentals, and a seriously sweet aquarium. It’s the perfect spot for a sunny day in May. And if packing a picnic lunch isn’t in the cards, don’t worry, there are plenty of sandwich shops nearby!
C.J. Barrymore’s, Clinton Township
C.J. Barrymore’s is an indoor-outdoor amusement park for the entire family. Arcade games, laser tag, bumper cars, bumper boats, mini golf, and an Indy Skytrack and Grand Prix. This place is a full day’s worth of fun. My youngest cried when we left. My oldest tried to convince me we should move next door.
Great Lakes Crossing, Auburn Hills
The indoor play center at Great Lakes Crossing was one of our rainy day go-tos when my boys were all in elementary school. Between scavenger hunts through LEGOLAND and the Peppa Pig Zone, it’s a winner in hands-on fun and friendly activities.
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Ann Arbor
This is the kind of science center where all ages will be entertained for hours. Older kids get sucked into the STEAM Park, while younger ones race rubber ducks in H2Oh! and try to trap their parents in giant bubbles.
Pro-Tip: Check out Zingerman’s Deli for lunch then hop over to Ann Arbor’s Natural History Museum in the heart of the University of Michigan’s campus (it’s free!).
Beautiful Ann Arbor at night. ©Photo by Brad Switzer on Unsplash
Where to Stay in Metro Detroit
For a family-friendly stay in Metro Detroit, The Henry, Autograph Collection in Dearborn offers spacious rooms, an indoor pool, and easy access to attractions like The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. Families will appreciate the on-site dining, kid-friendly packages, and proximity to interactive museums and parks.
Another great option is Embassy Suites by Hilton Detroit Troy Auburn Hills, where families can enjoy two-room suites, a complimentary made-to-order breakfast, and an indoor pool perfect for unwinding after a day exploring the Detroit Zoo or LEGOLAND Discovery Center.
Michigan’s Thumbcoast with Kids
Port Huron
A recent day trip to Port Huron led us to the Pine Center Nature Center. My boys loved visiting the treehouse and strolling the hiking trails. Beyond the nature center, there is so much Thumbcoast fun in this family-friendly town – two BMX parks, a children’s museum, Michigan’s only Challenger Learning Center, and enough splash pads to set some sort of record.
Nothing beats a quiet Lake Huron sunset. ©Photo by Michael Liskey on Unsplash
Harbor Beach
My boys love to fish, and one of their favorite spots to do it is the 1,015-foot pier at Harbor Beach. If the fish aren’t biting, rent a boat to explore the nearby shallow water shipwrecks. There is nothing quite like kayaking through the crystal clear water over the eerie outlines of those sunken schooners.
Where to Stay on Michigan’s Thumbcoast
For a family-friendly stay on Michigan’s Thumbcoast, consider Jellystone Park™ at North Port Huron in Carsonville. This resort offers a heated outdoor pool, a splash park with two-story water slides, a floating obstacle course, mini golf, and character interactions with Yogi Bear and friends, ensuring fun for all ages.
Another excellent option is The Inn on Water Street in Marine City. This boutique hotel provides pet-friendly accommodations, rooms with private balconies overlooking the St. Clair River, and easy access to local shops and family-friendly attractions, making it a relaxing retreat for families.
A cozy room at The Inn on Water Street. © The Inn on Water Street Marine City
West Michigan with Kids
Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids
The science museum and interactive exhibits at Grand Rapids Public Museum will keep the family entertained all day long. My boys especially loved the scavenger hunt through “old city streets” and the classic cars exhibit that made my oldest wonder if I remembered when people rode in horse-drawn carriages. After which, I promptly stuck him on the indoor carousel for a few rounds.
Lake Michigan Shoreline
Sand dunes, lapping blue water (sensa sharks), and sunsets. There is not a spot on the map this side of Michigan that I wouldn’t recommend exploring, but, of course, we have our favorites. We once spent an entire afternoon in Saugatuck building a fort from driftwood, only to have it collapse dramatically (and hilariously) when the tide came in.
Drive north up the shore for an hour or so, to Ludington. A charming downtown, dune-filled state park, and this is my family’s favorite place this side of LA to watch the sunset over the water while enjoying the perfect double scoop of ice cream (à la House of Flavors, of course).
Holland
As I write this, I can’t help but think of the psychological thriller starring Nicole Kidman, Holland. This doesn’t make Holland, Michigan, the setting of this thriller on Amazon Prime feel very child-friendly, but trust me – it really is! A ticket to Nelis’s Dutch Village is really a ticket to the Netherlands (for a fraction of the cost). Here, kids will love munching on a Stroopwafel while watching wooden shoes take form under a woodcarver’s skilled hands. Just down the street, Holland State Park beckons – famous for its Big Red Lighthouse and sweeping beach.
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
This children’s museum is one of Kalamazoo’s most beloved attractions, especially for families with babies and preschoolers. It’s totally free and features hands-on exhibits (my boys loved the Plastic Ball Raceway and Spaceship). We’ve done a couple rainy days here, and my oldest still remembers the science experiment that involved launching foam rockets across the room. I mean, who wouldn’t remember that?!
My son spots an eagle in Ludington. ©Steffy McCourt
Where to Stay in Western Michigan with Kids
Located near Dutch Village in Holland, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson offers an indoor pool, complimentary hot breakfast, and rooms equipped with microwaves and mini-fridges, making it ideal for families. Its convenient location and family-oriented amenities ensure a comfortable stay for guests of all ages.
The Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Ludington features a heated indoor pool, complimentary breakfast, and pet-friendly accommodations, catering to the needs of traveling families. Its proximity to local attractions and family-friendly services make it a great choice for a relaxing getaway.
For a fun family resort near Grand Rapids, consider White Birch Lodge in Elk Rapids. This all-inclusive, family-owned resort has been welcoming families for over 60 years, offering a range of water sports like wakeboarding, waterskiing, and kayaking on the crystal-clear Elk Lake, along with organized kids’ programs and lakeside accommodations.
Going Up North and to the UP with Kids
Traverse City
Traverse City in the summer is the cherry on top of this list. Take a bike ride down the TART trail, which runs along the coast. I remember one August afternoon when my boys ran wild on the beach at Clinch Park, taking turns as “captains” of a washed-up log. Just a short drive will take families to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Older kids will love the Dune Challenge, and their moms will LOVE watching them conquer it while sipping on an iced coffee.
Mackinac Island & Mackinaw City
Taking the ferry across the Great Lakes from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island is a real adventure, albeit a short one. After the quick 15-minute ride, families will love the slow pace of this car-free island. Spend a day or two here, and be sure to walk through Fort Mackinac, see cannons fired, and then try on the soldier hats. Take a carriage ride through the charming downtown and be sure to try the fudge. It’s world-famous for a reason. (And it is one of the tastiest things to do in Michigan with kids!)
The Upper Peninsula
Waterfalls, bike trails, and kayaking on Lake Superior are the three reasons that my family makes the haul way up north to the Upper Peninsula. It is one of the only places in the world where I feel completely comfortable when my boys act as feral as a pack of wolves. Heck, I’ll be the first one to dive into the lake and let a howl rip. The UP is wild, and we love it.
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Where to Stay Up North
For a family getaway in Mackinaw City, Michigan, consider the Bridge Vista Beach Hotel & Convention Center, which offers direct beach access, an indoor waterpark, and family-friendly amenities like a game room and fitness center.
Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City offers an all-in-one family getaway with its 84-degree indoor water park, themed suites, and a variety of kid-friendly activities like arts and crafts, character appearances, and mini-golf—all under one roof . With spacious accommodations, on-site dining, and entertainment options for all ages, it’s the perfect destination for a fun-filled family vacation
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Cedar Motor Inn in Marquette provides a cozy, family-friendly atmosphere with amenities such as an indoor pool, sauna, and proximity to local attractions like the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum.
My sons making the most of their time in the UP. ©Steffy McCourt
The Heart of Michigan
Frankenmuth
This is the home of Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store, and yes, friends, it’s open all year-round. When they were little, my boys lost their minds over the themed zones, especially the trains and, also, the light-up, well, everything. Bonus: a visit here will remind everyone that Christmas is just around the corner, and Santa is always watching.
Where to Stay in Frankenmuth
For a memorable family stay in Frankenmuth, Michigan, the Bavarian Inn Lodge offers an array of amenities tailored for all ages. Families can enjoy four indoor pools, two water slides, a massive gaming area, and even indoor mini golf, ensuring entertainment for everyone.
It’s Christmas every single day in Frankenmuth! ©Photo by Bruno Guerrero on Unsplash
From the sandy shores of West Michigan to Motor City’s ballparks and world-class museums, the state of Michigan delivers serious fun for families with kids of all ages.
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