ITINERARIES
Northern Michigan
7-10 Day Road Trip for Families
Michigan is an incredibly beautiful state! It is a great summer vacation destination that is great for families with kids or teens. This trip is a 10-day itinerary but can be shortened or lengthened to fit your needs.
1. Deciding when to go
As beautiful as Lake Michigan is covered in ice, this is meant to be a summer trip! Memorial Day (late May) through Labor Day (early September) will be best.
2. Deciding how long to stay
This will depend on your schedule and budget. You can shorten this trip to just the Sleeping Bear Dunes area and Mackinac Island and do it in a week. You could do a week-long rental in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area before moving on to Mackinac for multiple days and then the upper Peninsula and make it a 2-week trip.
Depending on how you will be arriving, you could also add a day or two in southwest Michigan at the start or end of your trip. Grand Rapids is a fun city, Grand Haven is a lovely beach town, and if you’re a theme park fan you could visit Michigan’s Adventure near Muskegon (a Cedar Fair/Six Flags park if you have an all-park pass).
3. Booking Flights if Needed
- Flying into Traverse City (TVC) will get you closest to the area. It’s a small airport, but not as small as others in the area.
- Manistee National Airport (MBL) is also close but small. It does have cheap flights from Chicago and a few other places.
- Flying into Grand Rapids may be cheaper since it’s a larger airport, but then it’s about a 2.5-hour drive up to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area.
- Compare flight deals >
4. Car Rental if Needed
Unless you can drive your own car to the area, you’ll need to rent a car for this trip. We recommend comparing prices on multiple companies at booking.com to find the best deal with free cancelation.
I recommend renting a minivan if you have a family of 4-6 people. I don’t care if you think minivans “aren’t cool”, they are the most spacious and convenient for road trips with kids and have plenty of room for luggage.
Check the prices on car seat rentals at your car rental place. I have rented before and sometimes got great seats and other times did not. Sometimes they are unavailable or too pricey and it may be better to bring your own. You can pack them in a car seat travel pack or a big suitcase and check them as luggage.
5. Ferry Tickets if Needed
If you are within driving distance of the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan, you can take a ferry across the Lake and avoid driving through Chicago. It takes a bit of time, but I thought it was so cool to take the ferry as a kid! There are several options from several destinations, and most can also transport your car so you don’t have to rent one on the other side.
- Lake Express is a popular Ferry service from Milwaukee. It will drop you off in Muskegon, MI and then it’s about a 2-hour and 20-minute drive north to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area (a beautiful drive!).
- Lake Michigan Carferry (S.S. Badger) is a little further north and connects Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI. Ludington to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area is about a 1.5 hour drive.
6. Book Lodging
We recommend a combination of vacation rentals and hotels for this trip. None of the areas are large cities so you won’t find every hotel chain, but there are plenty of good rentals and Bed & Breakfast places. Try to book as early as you can for the best availability.
- 4 nights near the Sleeping Bears Dunes Area – Look for something near the towns of Frankfort, Empire, or Glen Arbor. We really enjoy being near Crystal Lake because it’s usually a bit warmer to swim in than Lake Michigan. We have also stayed in the historic part of Frankfort within walking distance to the beach and that was lovely. Don’t do Traverse City – that will be a bit far from most of the places you’ll be going. If it’s somewhere within the map below, you should be good (but not too far inland) –
Possible options:
– The Sundowner home in downtown Frankfort on a beautiful historic street and in walking distance to Frankfort Public Beach. Sleeps 9.
– Winfield Cottage near Frankfurt in walking distance to a quiet part of Lake Michigan and access to a lovely beach on Crystal Lake. We stayed here with extended family in 2022 and loved it. Sleeps 9.
– Cottage on Crystal Lake with a dock. Sleeps 6.
– Cabin on Platte Lake with access to kayaks and row boats. Sleeps 4.
– Hotel Option: Empire Lakeshore Inn – great location in downtown Empire where you can walk to many cute shops and restaurants, as well as a public beach on Lake Michigan. - 3 nights on Mackinac Island – There are a variety of places to stay on the island that range from quaint B&Bs to upscale hotels. But none of them are cheap. Here are some favorites to consider:
- 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.
- There are many more options, especially in the downtown area. The summer books quickly so book as early as you can!
- 2 nights in Munising
The AmericanInn by Wyndham has an indoor pool with a waterslide!
Or rent a cabin! There are many on Airbnb:
– 4 bedroom cabin in the woods
– 3 bedroom cottage on Lake Superior
– 3 bedroom cabin on a small lake - Possibly another night on your way home – leaving from Munising, you may need another hotel stay on your drive home or before you fly out of Traverse City or Grand Rapids.
7. Other Reservations and Tickets Needed
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Pass. Book in advance online and print your pass to save time. A weekly pass is $25/car. Buy your pass here >
- Canoe or Kayak reservations at Riverside Canoes. Call 231-235-5622. Get a morning reservation (10 or 10:30am) if possible to avoid crowds. We have this set for day 2 of the trip but could also be done on day 3 or 4.
You can choose between canoes, kayaks, or tubing. Our family enjoys tubing, but this river is a little too slow for us and kids get bored, so we usually choose canoes. Kayaks are great too but they are a little more expensive and they do not hold as many people. There is an option to tie a kid in a tube to an adult in a kayak if you think your kid would enjoy that more. Learn more at Riverside Canoe’s website > - Ferry to Mackinac Island. Book your ferry to and from the island in advance at Shepler’s Ferry online. You’ll be leaving and returning to Mackinaw City. We recommend getting tickets for 5pm on the 5th day of your trip. You’ll be returning in the morning on the 8th day of your trip.
- Bike Rentals on Mackinac Island. I recommend getting bike rentals in advance, especially with kids. The full loop around the island is around 8 miles. It’s relatively flat and all paved and our 10 year olds were able to do it fine with their own bikes. But younger kids may want to consider a tandem bike, Weehoo, Tag-a-long, or a bike carriage, even if they know how to ride a bike on their own. There are several places to rent bikes, but our favorite is Mackinac Island Bike Shop. You will be able to choose between half or full day rentals. If you plan to do the full island loop, I would do a full day rental so you don’t feel rushed and can take all the stops you need to.
- Pictured Rocks Cruise. These popular cruises can book up so get your tickets in advance! We recommend booking a 10am cruise on the 9th day of your trip. Both the Spray Falls and Classic Cruise are great (usually the Spray Falls is the one at 10am). The Classic Cruise uses a slower boat, so if that appeals to you more, book that one, even if that means leaving at noon instead (just eat a brunch or pack a snack for hungry kids). Check out the cruise options at Pictured Rocks Cruises.
Here is what we packed as a family of 5 with kids aged 10, 10, and 7. If you have younger children you’ll of course need to add a bit more to this list.
- Backpacks for each kid as a carry-on and stuff to do on car rides. Fill it with things like tablets/eReaders, headphones, books, small toys, art supplies, etc.
- Clothes that match the season and weather. Weather near the great lakes can vary a lot! Check the 10-day weather forecast for the locations you’ll be visiting and plan to pack layers. You’ll want a combination of casual clothes, athletic clothes, and nicer clothes for meals out.
- Athletic or hiking shoes (something good for walking, biking, and hiking)
- Sandals for beach days
- Bathing suits
- Beach towels, sand toys, pool floats, etc. for beach and pool time (depending on how much space you have to pack)
- All Toiletries
- Fanny Pack, cross-shoulder bag, or a backpack for storing essentials while biking or hiking
- All chargers – phones, watches, tablets, etc.
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Medicines
- Coats/jackets
- Ponchos or rain coats
- Bug spray
- Sound machine (if you’re sharing a hotel room with your whole family a sound machine really helps!)
- Foldable clothes hamper to keep dirty clothes in.
Prices are always going to vary! But here are some ranges/estimates to help you budget:
- Flights (if needed) – $400-800 per person
- Rental Minivan for 10 days (if needed) – $1000
- 10 hotel nights – $200-500 per night (Mackinac Island will be more expensive, other places you can find cheaper lodging)
- Food (if you’re eating breakfast at your hotel and not doing fancy dinners every day) – $60-80/adult per day, $30-40/kid per day
- Gas – this will really depend on the car you rent and the price of gas, but keep it in mind!
- Shopping – this can vary a lot depending on your shopping habits. It’s best to have a shopping budget in mind to stick to.
- Activity costs:
– Canoe or kayak rental: $55/canoe, $74/double kayak
– Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Pass – $25
– Bike rentals: $94/adult bike full day, $80/kid bike full day, tag-a-long or weehoo – $74
– Colonial Michilimackinac – Adults – $16, Kids age 5-12 – $9.75, Kids 4 and under – Free
– Ferry to Mackinac Island – $36/adult, $24/child, under 5 are freee. $21/bicycle if bringing your own bikes.
– Premium parking at the Ferry (recommended) – $45/day ($135 for 3 days)
– Fort Mackinac – Adults: $17, Children ages 5-12: $10.25
– Mackinac Island Butterfly House – Adults: $14, Children under 12: $8.50
– Shipwreck Museum – Adults: $15.00, Children 17 and under: $11.00, Children 5 and under: FREE. Family Pass, 2 adults and 2 or more children: $50.00
– Pictured Rocks Cruise – Adults: $46-54, Children 4-12: $21, Children under 4: $1
TOTAL ACTIVITY COST FOR 2 ADULTS AND 2 KIDS: $1089
Jump to a Day
Day 1
Arrive in Michigan and Enjoy the Beach
- Flying into Traverse City (TVC) will get you closest to the area. It’s a small airport, but not as small as the others in the area.
- Manistee National Airport (MBL) is also close, but small. It does has cheap flights from Chicago and a few other places.
- Cherry Capital Airport has year-round service to and from Chicago and Detroit, as well as seasonal service from some destinations on the East Coast
- Flying into Grand Rapids may be cheaper since it’s a larger airport and then it’s about a 2.5 hour drive up to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area.
- After you arrive, pick up a rental car and start driving to where you will be staying the first few days.
Driving is always a good way to save money on travel! Drive to where you’ll be staying the first few days in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area.
If you can drive to the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan, you can take a ferry that will also transport your car across the lake. Check out these ferry options:
- Lake Express is a popular Ferry service from Milwaukee. It will drop you off in Muskegon, MI and then it’s about a 2-hour and 20-minute drive north to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area (a beautiful drive!).
- Lake Michigan Carferry (S.S. Badger) is a little further north and connects Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI. Ludington to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area is about a 1.5 hour drive.
As outlined in the Advanced Prep tab, there are several lovely areas to stay in the area and a lot of great rental properties. Once you settle in to where you’re staying, we recommend heading out to your nearest beach.
Beach Options:
- If you’re staying near Crystal Lake, you could head to Crystal Lake Public Beach or any other public access point. The waters of Crystal Lake are very clear and usually a bit warmer than Lake Michigan.
- If you’re staying near Frankfort or Empire, both towns have lovely public beaches on Lake Michigan.
- If you want a quieter beach experience, check out Esch Beach in between Frankfort and Empire.
- If you’re staying further north near Glen Arbor, you could head to Glen Haven Beach (the sunsets may not be as good from here as it faces more North than West).
- Best of both worlds and great for littles – if you can’t decide between the beauty of the big lake (Lake Michigan, which looks like an ocean and can have waves) and a smaller lake (no waves and usually warmer), then check out North Bar Beach and enjoy both! North Bar Lake is a small, clear, sandy-bottom lake that’s perfect for little kids and it feeds right into Lake Michigan. You can walk to the bit of beach in between these two and enjoy Lake Michigan views while kids have access to a smaller lake to swim in. The only downside is it is a bit of a walk from the parking lot to get to the beach.
If you’re near Empire, our family favorite is Joe’s Friendly Tavern located at 11015 W Front St, Empire, MI 49630. They have great burgers and sandwiches, plus they make a good chili.
If you’re near Frankfort, we recommend these:
Stormcloud Brewing Company – pub food, pizza, beer
303 Main St
Frankfort, MI 49635
(231) 352-0118
Dinghy’s Restaurant – ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, wings
415 Main St
Frankfort, MI 49635
(231) 352-4702
The Manitou – Finer dining, but still kid-friendly. Menu includes Great Lakes yellow perch, fresh whitefish, rainbow trout, duck, ribs, steaks, and lobster.
4349 Scenic Hwy, M22
Frankfort, MI 49635
(231) 882-4761 – Call for reservations!
At some point, maybe once kids are in bed, we recommend doing a grocery store run to pick up things for breakfasts and picnic lunches, and possibly dinner if you want to save money and cook instead of going out.
Day 2
Lighthouses and time on the water
If this day falls on a weekend, you may want to shift days around to avoid bigger crowds.
Pack some things to take with you before you head out for the day:
- Wear bathing suits under your clothes with cover-ups
- Shoes that can get wet
- Beach towels
- Sunscreen
- Hats
- Change of clothes
- Floats or tubes if you have them
- Beach chairs if desired
- Beach toys if desired
- Picnic lunch. Pack in a cooler or only pack nonperishables. Your lunch will have to sit in your car while you are canoeing.
- You will be driving into the National Lakeshore, so make sure you have your pass displayed in your car.
- Drive to and temporarily park at Riverside Canoes. Go to the Sign In desk to check in and fill out paperwork. Only one adult needs to do this while kids can check out the gift shop or get some food or ice cream from the grill. Let them know that you would like to check-in your equipment at the end of the river and will be staying to hang out at the beach for a while.
- One adult will drive to the parking lot at the end of the river, located here. The lot will usually be full by 11am which is why we are doing this activity early in the day.
- Take the free shuttle from Riverside Canoes back to the headquarters.
- Gather your family and check in a the brown canoe desk by the river. They will get your equipment and help you get out on the river.
- Enjoy your trip down the river! It should take you about 2 hours. At one point you will come to a lake, they will instruct you about how to properly navigate the lake. One warning – on a windy day the lake can be hard to navigate. I have been pushed into the sandbar before and had to get out and push the canoe. This is why it’s good to wear shoes that can get wet and stay on like Tevas or Chacos.
- At the end you will exit the river and give your equipment to the Riverside Canoe staff. There may be an extra fee to have them check in your equipment there at the beach instead of having to take it back to Riverside yourself. Go ahead and do that – you don’t want to leave yet!
Watch this video to learn more about what to expect:
The river brought you to a lovely beach area so take some time to enjoy! You can stop by your car to get additional beach gear and your picnic lunch to enjoy.
The river is warmer than Lake Michigan so it’s fun to let kids swim in the river and then go down to where it meets the Lake and feel how much colder it gets. The river also has some current so it’s fun to float with the current, then get out and walk back up and do it again! If you have your own floats – bring them for this! We found some cheap tubes at a nearby Walmart one year and had a great time doing little floats.
When you’re ready to leave the beach, make sure you stop by Riverside Canoes to return your yellow slip of paper to get your security deposit back.
If you’d like to do the rest of the fun listed below, I would aim to leave the beach around 3-4pm.
Point Betsie is one of my favorite lighthouses! It’s beautiful and has a lovely beach area next to it. They offer tours for $5/adult and $2/child that last about 20 minutes. Younger kids will probably find the tour boring, but they could always play on the beach with one adult while others enjoy the tour.
Head to Frankfort for dinner. There are several good options in Frankfort to consider:
Stormcloud Brewing Company – pub food, pizza, beer
303 Main St
Frankfort, MI 49635
(231) 352-0118
Dinghy’s Restaurant – ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, wings
415 Main St
Frankfort, MI 49635
(231) 352-4702
The Manitou – Finer dining, but still kid-friendly. Menu includes Great Lakes yellow perch, fresh whitefish, rainbow trout, duck, ribs, steaks, and lobster.
4349 Scenic Hwy, M22
Frankfort, MI 49635
(231) 882-4761 – Call for reservations!
After dinner drive or walk down to the Frankfort Public Beach. Kids can enjoy the playground on the beach, you can walk out on the pier to the lighthouse, and you can stay to watch the sunset!
Day 3
Sand Dunes and Rocks!
Eat breakfast at your rental or hotel.
Today will have a variety of hiking and beach time. You may want to have both athletic shoes to hike in and sandals for beach/sand time or wear an athletic sandal like Teva/Chaco/Keen, etc.
Be sure to pack sunscreen with you for the day!
There is no need for picnics today because you’ll be going through some cute towns with good (but casual) restaurants, but if you’d like to save money there are some great picnic spots!
Drive to the Empire Bluff Trailhead – Map >
Doing this hike in the morning will help avoid crowds and should make it easy to find a parking spot.
This is a 1.5 mile trail that starts in a forest and climbs to a coastal bluff overlooking Lake Michigan with a view of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. The views are amazing! There is some elevation change, but kids can do it. Just make sure you stay on the boardwalk when you’re on the bluff, and don’t go off the trail.
Empire is a cute little town and has several spots that are good for lunch. Our family favorite is Joe’s Friendly Tavern located at 11015 W Front St, Empire, MI 49630. They have great burgers and sandwiches, plus they make a good chili.
Head north on M22 then turn left onto M109, then left again onto Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This loop drive will take you to several beautiful spots where you can stop and get out to enjoy the views if you would like, but the one you definitely don’t want to miss is Stop #9 – the Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes Overlook.
This short trail will take you to an overlook on top of a dune, 450 feet above Lake Michigan where you can see the Manitou Islands in the distance. You will also look down upon the steep incline of the largest freshwater sand dunes in the world.
You will see some people climbing the steep incline of the dune down to the Lake. I do not recommend doing this, especially with kids. It increases erosion of the dunes for one, but it’s also very difficult to climb back up. People often get too tired and dehydrated and have to be rescued, and they charge you $3000 for the rescue. Wait and do the official Dune Climb next, an area designated for people to climb and is much safer.
If you ask my kids what their #1 favorite thing to do in Michigan is – they will tell you the Dune Climb!
Normally, you should not climb dunes! They are fragile and the grass that grows on them is important. But this is a dune that is designated for climbing, and it’s a lot of fun to run down! You can climb the main dune from the parking lot or continue further to explore more, but stay in the areas that don’t have grass and have other footsteps.
There is a trail that will take you from the dune climb all the way to Lake Michigan, but it is farther and more strenuous then you might think and I don’t recommend it with kids.
Growing up in Michigan, my family used to call this our secret spot for finding beautiful rocks and Petoskey stones. While more and more people have started to discover it, it’s still a relatively secluded area and fun to explore.
Follow a map to this location and park at the end of the road. It’s not an officially marked trail, but you will see where other people have blazed a trail down to the beach. It can be a bit steep, so be careful, but it’s worth it to get to this secluded beach. There are usually lots of rocks and it’s fun to look for colorful rocks or even the rare Petoskey stones.
Follow a map to this location and park in the few spots near the trailhead. This one mile out-and-back trail will lead you to a gorgeous overlook of Lake Michigan.
You could head back to where you are staying or while you’re a bit further north, you could check out the charming town of Glen Arbor.
While in Glen Arbor, stop by the Cherry Public House for dinner (they have classic American favorites) or just get dessert! They have fresh cherry pies and ice cream made with Michigan cherries. The casual outdoor seating is great for kids!
Day 4
Beach Time and Old Mission Peninsula Vineyards
Enjoy more time at the lake! Go back to your favorite beach or try a new one!
Beach Options:
- If you’re staying near Crystal Lake, you could head to Crystal Lake Public Beach or any other public access point. The waters of Crystal Lake are very clear and usually a bit warmer than Lake Michigan.
- If you’re staying near Frankfort or Empire, both towns have lovely public beaches on Lake Michigan.
- If you want a quieter beach experience, check out Esch Beach in between Frankfort and Empire.
- If you’re staying further north near Glen Arbor, you could head to Glen Haven Beach (the sunsets may not be as good from here as it faces more North than West).
- Best of both worlds and great for littles – if you can’t decide between the beauty of the big lake (Lake Michigan, which looks like an ocean and can have waves) and a smaller lake (no waves and usually warmer), then check out North Bar Beach and enjoy both! North Bar Lake is a small, clear, sandy-bottom lake that’s perfect for little kids and it feeds right into Lake Michigan. You can walk to the bit of beach in between these two and enjoy Lake Michigan views while kids have access to a smaller lake to swim in. The only downside is it is a bit of a walk from the parking lot to get to the beach.
Pack a picnic to eat at the beach, eat at the house you are renting, or head to your closest town for lunch out. Our family likes to visit Joe’s Friendly Tavern more than once while we’re in the area because we like to try multiple burgers!
Completely optional, but if the adults in your family enjoy wine, I highly recommend taking this afternoon to drive to the Mission Peninsula and checking out a few of the wineries.
The Mission Peninsula is a beautiful strip of land close to Traverse City that has the perfect weather to create good wine.
Our favorite family-friendly vineyard stops include:
- Mari Vineyards – Situated in a beautiful chateau on top of a hill with gorgeous views! You can sit out on their beautiful patio with views of the bay while enjoying wine and small plates of food. This does not require reservations. You can also reserve a tour and tasting (I wouldn’t bring smaller kids along for the tour though). Learn more about options >
- Chateau Grand Traverse – You can enjoy a wine tasting in their tasting room that includes 5 wines for $10 or sit out on the patio to enjoy a glass of wine and a snack menu. Kids are welcome in both locations and reservations are not needed. You can also reserve a private tour. Learn more about options >
There are many others to explore as well! Check out this map of all the wineries in Old Mission Peninsula >
Where you choose to eat will depend on 1. if you go the Old Mission Peninsula and 2. how long you stay. You could eat at one of the restaurants on the peninsula, stop in Traverse City for dinner (this is a larger city so there are plenty of options), or any other stop on your way home.
If your kids want some evening fun, check out Pirate’s Cove Adventure Park in Traverse City for some minigolf and go-carts!
Day 5
Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island
(Mackinaw and Mackinac are pronounced the same. Both use the “aw” sounds as in “aww that’s cute!” The city changed the spelling to reflect the way it’s pronounced, but the island kept the traditional spelling. This is helpful to know if you’re talking to locals so you don’t mispronounce it.)
Pack up, check out, and enjoy a lovely drive north to Mackinaw City. Your first stop will be Colonial Michilimackinac at 800 N Huron Ave., Mackinaw City.
The drive should take 2.5 to 3 hours. Aim to leave around 9am.
You can get some quick lunch in Mackinaw City before enjoying Colonial Michilimackinac.
Colonial Michilimackinac is an 18th-century fort and trading village. You can walk along the outside rail of the fort, go inside the buildings and learn what they were used for, see cannon and musket demonstrations, see ongoing archeological sites, and more.
Location:
102 W. Straits Ave.
Mackinaw City, MI 49701
The Visitor’s Center is right under the bridge, right off I-75 (exit before you cross the bridge)
Cost:
Adults – $16
Kids age 5-12 – $9.75
Kids 4 and under – Free
You can buy tickets in advance online or buy them at the Visitor’s Center when you arrive.
Hours:
May 7 – June 6, 2025 – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
June 7 – August 31, 2025 – 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
September 1 – October 2, 2025 – 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
You will probably enjoy 1.5 to 2 hours here. If your ferry to the island is leaving at 5, plan to leave the park by 3:45pm.
Getting to the island is part of the fun! Plan to arrive at 4pm for the 5pm ferry (or an hour before whatever time you selected).
Shepler’s Ferry
556 E. Central Avenue
Mackinaw City, MI 4970
Helpful Tips:
- You should have purchased your tickets already (see the Advanced Prep tab) and know when your ferry is leaving (ideally 4:30 or 5pm). You should arrive 60 minutes before your preferred ferry departure time.
- We recommend choosing Premium Parking ($45/night) instead of Standard ($20/night). With Premium you will park near the dock and not have to board a shuttle to get there.
- Staff members will be there when you park to help check your luggage.
- Once your luggage is checked in you can go directly to the dock and you will scan your tickets to board the ferry.
- Get in line to board the ferry early if you want the best choice of seats. Our family prefers to ride on the top deck for the best views. There is also a bottom level that is indoors if the weather isn’t great.
- Bring a jacket if you plan to ride on the top deck. It will be windy and possibly cool.
- You can bring strollers with you on the ferry but they will ask for them to be folded up and kids removed.
- You may bring your own bikes for an extra fee.
- The trip is about 16 minutes long.
When you get off the ferry you will need to collect your luggage, then make your way to your hotel/B&B/rental. There are no cars on Mackinac island so you must get there by walking or taking a horse-drawn taxi.
Do your research ahead of time about the best way to get to your hotel –
- Some hotels downtown you can walk to from the Ferry.
- Some hotels like the Grand Hotel and Mission Point Resort offer their own horse-drawn taxis between 8am-5pm (check the hotel website or call for more information).
- You can also arrange a taxi in advance by calling the Mackinac Island Taxi Company at (906) 847-3323.
- All taxis (even hotel-specific ones) usually cost $8.50 per person and are cash only.
- Taxis can fill up and you may have to wait. Having one arranged in advance is the best choice.
Dinner will depend on where you are staying and if you want to venture far from your hotel or not.
Kid-Friendly Recommendations:
Northern area: The Backyard at The Inn at Stonecliff – Our personal favorite! Because this is at the top of the hill it is much less crowded and a favorite of locals. They have a casual restaurant with a lovely patio overlooking a huge lawn with lawn toys for kids and beautiful views!
Mission Point: Round Island Kitchen – family-friendly restaurant at the Mission Point resort.
Grand Hotel: The Jockey Club or The Gate House – these are the most family-friendly dinner options in the Grand Hotel family of restaurants.
Downtown: The Yankee Rebel Tavern or Pink Pony – similar classic menus with steak and seafood, both have kid menus, but different ambiances.
(If you have a chance to do a dinner without kids, there are many other great restaurants! Do some research and see what appeals to you. The Grant Hotel has several restaurants across the island.)
Day 6
Biking Around Mackinac Island
- Get ready for the day: Wear clothes you can bike in and check if the weather calls for rain gear or jackets. One person should carry a backpack for essentials and pack food and water bottles.
- Eat breakfast: Some hotels and restaurants offer breakfast. I would recommend getting something to eat before you begin your bike ride.
- Take a taxi or walk downtown if you aren’t already in the area. You can call for a taxi if needed by calling the Mackinac Island Taxi Company at (906) 847-3323.
- Snack stop: Pick up some snacks and lunch items for the day at Doud’s Market at 7200 Main St. There may not be many food options around lunch time during your bike ride around the island so packing food is your best choice.
- Aim to pick up your bikes around 9-10am if possible
- Walk to the bike shop where you made your reservations (I recommend advance recommendations when going with kids).
- Check in to get your bikes. Make sure they are all working well and don’t forget the helmets! Set a good example for your kids and wear a helmet too, even if you normally don’t. I’ve had a minor bike wreck on Mackinac and so has my son because the crowds can get heavy.
- Take one of the maps they have at the bike shops.
- Start your island loop by heading East toward Sainte Anne’s Catholic Church
- The total length of the loop around the island is 8.2 miles. It follows the shoreline and is relatively flat the whole way. There are other biking paths that are shorter, but go over hills and are actually much harder.
Stop for a moment to admire this beautiful historic church. You can step inside and see some lovely art and architecture, just make sure you don’t disturb the daily mass at 11am.
This is a beautiful mini golf course with real grass greens and lovely views of the lake.
Right next to the mini golf course is a beautiful lawn in front of Mission Point Resort. It’s a great spot to run around or sit in an Adirondack chair and enjoy the views.
Park your bikes and walk up the stairs that are labeled for Arch Rock. If you can’t or don’t want to climb stairs you can go a bit further down the road and look back up at Arch Rock. If you can go up the stairs, it’s definitely worth it!
Continue on Lakeshore Drive/M185. Stop anytime along the next stretch of road to tip your toes in a different great lake! This side of the island is the Lake Huron side. The lakeshore is rocky so kids can have fun climbing and stacking rocks.
You’re halfway! This is the spot where the British landed on the island during the War of 1812. You’ll find a cannon that kids can climb on, a beach of course, and most importantly – bathrooms!
You’ll see a sign and a road that leads inward in the island. I don’t recommend this route with kids as it will go over some really big hills. We’ve only done it once on a kid-free trip and it was tough.
You can stop anywhere if you need a break, but as you bike down the west side of the island, you can enjoy beautiful views of Lake Michigan to the right and gaze up at the bluffs to the left. There are many gorgeous homes on the bluffs (they are all private, so don’t try to reach them).
This is a unique geological feature that is worth stopping for.
Stop for some playtime! You can swing with a view!
You made it! Return your bikes unless you choose to do a 2-day rental. You could make use of bikes tomorrow but could also be ok walking and taking taxis.
Kid-Friendly Recommendations:
Northern area: The Backyard at The Inn at Stonecliff – Our personal favorite! Because this is at the top of the hill it is much less crowded and a favorite of locals. They have a casual restaurant with a lovely patio overlooking a huge lawn with lawn toys for kids and beautiful views!
Mission Point: Round Island Kitchen – family-friendly restaurant at the Mission Point resort.
Grand Hotel: The Jockey Club or The Gate House – these are the most family-friendly dinner options in the Grand Hotel family of restaurants.
Downtown: The Yankee Rebel Tavern or Pink Pony – similar classic menus with steak and seafood, both have kid menus, but different ambiances.
Day 7
History and Butterflies
Some hotels and restaurants offer breakfast. Check for one close to where you are staying.
After breakfast, call for a taxi – (906) 847-3323, or ride your bikes to Fort Mackinac.
About:
Fort Mackinac was built by the British during the American Revolutionary War to control the Straits of Mackinac between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Fort Mackinac was later the scene of strategic battles for control of the Great Lakes during the War of 1812. It then served as an outpost of the United States Army until it closed in 1895.
Admission:
Adults: $17, Children ages 5-12: $10.25
Admission includes the Fort and several other historical sites around the island that you can visit later in the day.
What to see:
Pick up a map when you enter that will guide you through the different buildings and areas that you can tour. You will learn more about what it was like to live in the fort and our kids have always enjoyed it! Check the event schedule for the day to see when they are doing rifle and cannon firing demonstrations. Most kids think these are pretty cool, but if your kids are sensitive to loud noises you may want to plan to avoid them.
The historic tea room is located inside Fort Mackinac and is owned by the Grand Hotel. You can dine on a beautiful patio overlooking the island and Macinac Harbor. It’s the best view on the island! The menu features salads and sandwiches and offers a kid’s menu.
As you leave the Fort, there is a large grassy area called Marquette Park in front of the Fort once you come down the hill. It’s a great spot to let kids run around. I’m always amazed at how fun an open area can be for kids! There is also a playground nearby that is a bit hidden, which keeps it uncrowded. Here’s a map to help you find it:
This art museum is free with the admission you already paid for the Fort and is right next to the park. I think it’s worth a quick look through if your kids won’t mind. It has a lovely variety of art related to the island.
The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum
7070 Main St., Mackinac Island, MI 49757
Walk or bike a bit further down Lakeshore Drive to the Mackinac Island Butterfly House – Map >
They have a lovely greenhouse full of plants and butterflies and they play classical music that gives the whole place a very tranquil feeling. They also have an area with insects and reptiles (in closed habitats – not wandering around like the butterflies) and knowledgeable staff that can answer questions about the animals.
If you can linger long enough, they usually have animal encounters at 4pm and butterfly releases at 4:30pm daily.
Admission:
Adults – $15, Kids 5-11 – $9.50
Walk or bike back toward the downtown area and enjoy strolling through some shops.
We highly recommend picking up some fudge from one of the many fudge shops. Mackinac island is famous for its fudge! There is much debate about which fudge shop is the best. Each shop has different flavors so you may want to try several different shops to find your favorite! If we had to pick a favorite, it would be Murdick’s, but we have found some great unique flavors at Joann’s as well.
Take one of the side streets to get to Market Street (it parelells Lake Shore Drive one block behind.) Here you will find the Biddle House, a historic home from 1830 and home to the Mackinac Island Native American Museum.
Right next to the Biddle House you’ll find the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop. Here you can watch real blacksmiths demonstrate and explain traditional blacksmithing techniques like forming hot iron into fireplace tools, hinges, and household items.
Try somewhere you haven’t been yet or repeat a favorite!
Kid-Friendly Recommendations:
Grand Hotel: The Jockey Club or The Gate House – these are the most family-friendly dinner options in the Grand Hotel family of restaurants.
Downtown: The Yankee Rebel Tavern or Pink Pony – similar classic menus with steak and seafood, both have kid menus, but different ambiances.
Head over the the Grand Hotel to Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor. This classic ice cream shop serves wonderful flavors of Michigan-made ice cream in an old-timey parlor.
Depending on the time and weather, step outside and enjoy the sunset from the hill where the Grand Hotel stands or walk down toward the boardwalk on the shoreline.
Day 8
Whitefish Point
Get breakfast and pack up! Arrange with your hotel to get yourself and your luggage down to the dock in plenty of time to get on your ferry. Aim to catch the ferry back to Mackinaw City at 10:30am.
Aim to take the 10:30 or 11am ferry back to Mackinaw City.
Enjoy the ferry ride back to the mainland and wave goodbye to the island! Retrieve your luggage once you dock and head to your car.
Stop and get some lunch either in Mackinaw City or on the other side of the bridge. There won’t be many food choices once you leave the area.
Drive across the beautiful Mackinac Bridge and head into the upper peninsula of Michigan. There is a toll to cross the bridge of $4 per car.
Drive to Whitefish Point – 18335 N Whitefish Point Rd, Paradise, MI 49768
It’s about a 1.5-hour drive.
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is a fascinating museum about the many shipwrecks that have happened off of Whitefish Point on Lake Superior. Some people unfamiliar with the area are surprised to learn that deadly shipwrecks happen on a lake, but Lake Superior is no ordinary lake. There have been thousands of shipwrecks, including the SS Edmond Fitzgerald in 1975.
Admission:
- Adults: $15.00
- Children 17 and under: $11.00
- Children 5 and under: FREE
- Family, 2 adults and 2 or more children: $50.00
Admission Includes:
- A self-guided tour of the Shipwreck Museum main gallery, which includes a permanent exhibit dedicated to the Edmund Fitzgerald, featuring the ship’s original bell.
- A self-guided tour of the 1923 USCG Surfboat House.
- A self-guided tour of the 1861 USLHS Lighthouse Keeper’s Quarters.
- A 14 minute long Edmund Fitzgerald video documentary, which is viewed in the restored 1923 USCG Motor Lifeboat House.
- A 1920 restored U.S. Navy Radio Building
Enjoy views of the lighthouse and also head down to the beach to see all the driftwood that has washed ashore. Our kids love playing with the driftwood!
It’s about a 30-minute drive to Tahquamenon Falls State Park and the Upper Falls parking lot. Map >
From the parking lot, it is an easy 1.5 mile loop trail that will take you to Upper Tahquamenon Falls. There is an upper and lower observation area.
The waterfall is one of the largest East of the Mississippi and has an amber color caused by tannins from the cedar, spruce, and hemlock trees in the swamps drained by the river.
When you finish your hike, enjoy dinner at the brewery right next to the parking lot for the trail. It is a rustic brewpub serving good classic food and craft beer at decent prices.
It’s about an hour and half drive from Tahquamenorn Falls to the Munising area.
Day 9
Waterfalls and Coastlines
Eat breakfast at your rental or hotel.
Pack a jacket before you leave in the morning. You’re heading onto Lake Superior and are about to see some incredible beauty but it could be a bit cool.
Head to the Munising City Dock at 100 City Park Drive. Aim to arrive 45 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Seating is on a first-come-first-served basis. Arriving early should ensure you get a good seat. Our kids like to sit on the top level at the front for the best view.
The Classic Cruise lasts 2 hours 40 minutes and the Spray Fall Cruise lasts 2 hours. The Spray Falls cruise utilizes higher-speed catamarans. Personally, we have only done the Classic Cruise because that is what has worked better for our schedule, but the most recent schedule has more options for the Spray Falls Cruise, so that may be your best bet. When preparing for the trip, you hopefully checked the schedule and picked whichever option leaves in the morning. If you picked an afternoon cruise, do some of the activities below first.
There are several restaurants in the town of Munising.
Check out Driftwood Deli for sandwiches, Miner’s Pasties and Ice Cream for pasties (savory meat pies), or Eh! Burger for burgers.
Drive to the parking for Munising Falls. Map >
The parking lot does have a public bathroom.
This is an easy 0.4 mile out-and-back trail to a waterfall. The trail is paved and has 2 staircases. Strollers are doable for the paved trail and then you can leave your stroller at the top of the staircase.
The water flow isn’t very full during summer but it’s a beautiful rocky enclave and an easy hike.
Drive to the parking lot for Miner’s Falls, about a 15-20 minute drive from Munising Falls. Map >
This is a gorgeous 50-foot waterfall! It’s an easy, 1.2 mile out-and-back trail with two viewing platforms (one requires stairs). I would not recommend strollers on this one but it’s easy enough for young kids to walk.
You may have seen this rock formation from the boat, but seeing it from a high overlook against the gorgeous water of Lake Superior is something else!
Drive to the parking lot, only about a 5-minute drive from Miner’s Falls. Map >
From the parking lot, follow signs to the Upper Overlook to get the iconic view of Miner’s Castle pictured here. There are two overlooks at the top. The paths to these are paved or on boardwalks and are wheelchair and stroller friendly.
You can continue on the trail toward the lower overlook. The trail is still paved but will require some stairs. The views from here are not as good but get you close to the rock itself. Skip this if your kids are tired of walking.
The total trail length of the trail if you visit all 3 overlooks is only .5 miles.
Take a very short drive to the parking lot for Miners Beach. Map >
Follow the signs to walk the short trail to the beach. The beach is mostly sand with a few rocks.
Enjoy some fun time on the beach! If you’re up for a beach walk, head to the right/East as far as you can go until the beach turns into rocks and you’ll see a small waterfall called Elliot Falls.
If you’re staying around Munising and want to have dinner out, here are a few suggestions:
Day 10
Travel Home
Pack up and check out of your hotel. Try to leave your hotel by 9am, or earlier.
If you’d like to have one last adventure before you’re in the car for a while, check out this waterfall!
Drive to the trailhead, then hike the easy .5 mile trail to a platform that overlooks the waterfall. It’s an out-and-back trail that’s 1 mile total in length and can be done in 30-60 minutes.
Drive back home or to the airport. I hope you’ve enjoyed your trip!
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