Michigan is an incredibly beautiful state! It is a great summer vacation destination that is great for families with kids or teens.
Best Time to Visit: May – September
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Things to Do:
- Climb and run down a giant sand dune!
- Canoe or kayak down the Platte river to Lake Michigan
- Hike to beautiful views of the Sleeping Bear Dunes
- See lighthouses on Lake Michigan
- Visit vineyards on the Mission Peninsula
- Explore old forts around Mackinaw
- Take a boat to Mackinac Island where there are no cars, only horses and bikes!
- Bike around Mackinac Island
Where to Stay:
Rent a home near the Sleeping Bear Dunes:
- Victorian home in downtown Frankfort in walking distance to the beach. Sleeps 9.
- Cottage right on Crystal Lake with a dock. Sleeps 6.
- Home in Empire with a hot tub and a 4-minute walk to Lake Michigan. Sleeps 6.
Pick a hotel, rental, or Bed & Breakfast on Macknac Island:
- The Inn at Stonecliff – we love this historic hotel and it’s beautiful and quiet location at the top of the hill. It has a gorgeous back lawn with a restaurant and fire pits and lawn toys for kids.
- The Grand Hotel – this historic hotel is an experience unto itself! It has a nice pool area with a water slide, multiple restaurants, daily tea time, and so much more. Check for specials >
- Mission Point Resort – a beautiful, family-friendly resort near downtown on the East side of the island.
- Sunset Condominiums – rent a whole condo, some with multiple bedrooms! These are located at Stonecliff which is a quiet area away from downtown. You can easily walk to the Inn at Stonecliff for dinner. You will need to rent bikes or take horse-drawn carriages from The Inn to get downtown.
- Cloghaun Bed & Breakfast – this is my favorite B&B on the island – it’s charming, quiet, and a good location. But admittedly, we’ve only stayed here on adult-only trips. I did see some kids when we stayed, but I would not want to stay here with very young children.