11 Small Town Getaways In Michigan Perfect For Families
Michigan is home to several big cities with vibrant downtowns, imposing skyscrapers, and all the urban creature comforts you can think of. However, the small, almost unheard-of towns truly bring out the charm of the Great Lakes State. Shielded from the rigors of urban life and teeming with beautiful natural scenery, these little hidden gems present the ideal setting for an awesome family vacation.
There are numerous fun, kid-friendly activities to partake in, placing you in the heart of Michigan’s beautiful backcountry and promising a remarkable adventure for everyone in the family. Whether you want to partake in fun lakeside attractions, explore hidden natural wonders, or interact with culture-rich local communities, these pint-sized town getaways in Michigan offer an excellent opportunity to make lifelong memories with family.
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is a national treasure on Michigan’s Lake Huron, sandwiched between Lower and Upper Peninsulas. This idyllic destination is surrounded by scenic natural scenery best embodied by the historic Mackinac Island State Park. Besides housing countless historic landmarks like the 1902 Michigan Governor’s Summer Residence, the over 1,000-acre park impresses with dramatic limestone bluffs, lush forests, and glistening Lake Huron water views But what sets Mackinac Island apart is its car-free streets with horse-drawn carriages, allowing visitors to soak in the town’s old-fashioned charm.
One of the best family activities is to hop on the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours to explore the town on an easy-going trip behind a cozy, horse-drawn carriage. Meanwhile, Mission Point Resort offers excellent family accommodation, surrounded by panoramic views of Lake Huron and full of kid-friendly amenities.
Grand Haven
If a lakeside getaway is your idea of a perfect family vacation, Grand Haven has what it takes to make you schedule a return visit. This charming town along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan stuns visitors with pristine sandy beaches and sweeping water views. The Grand Haven State Park is an excellent example of the town’s beauty, boasting 48 acres of entirely smooth sands. An excellent pastime for visiting families is to catch the exciting nightly show of the Grand Haven Musical Fountain in the summer, where a synchronized exhibition of lights, water, and music never fails to wow first-timers.
Meanwhile, Imagination Station is where you can take the kids for fun playtime, with swings, slides, rock walls, and other play sets sure to keep them entertained all day long. If you’re not visiting Grand Haven in the fall to witness the beautiful changing foliage, the Coast Guard Festival, held on the first weekend of August, is an excellent time to partake in a carnival, parades, and other festivities.
Auburn Hills
Auburn Hills is a great spot when the unpredictable Michigan fails to cooperate and ensures that the stifling summer heat does not damper your family adventures. This chic locality, just 30 miles north of Detroit’s downtown, has infinite indoor attractions. Famous for its all-weather family fun, the “Entertainment District” spoils guests with everything they can imagine. Highlights include the LEGOLAND Discovery Center, a premier indoor LEGO playground, allowing children to build, play, learn, and enjoy interactive LEGO-themed rides.
The SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium is another must-visit attraction and the largest aquarium in the state. Here, families can have endless underwater adventures guaranteed to intrigue all ages, including behind-the-scenes tours that bring you within inches of exotic species and animal feedings. Furthermore, the Peppa Pig World of Play Michigan ensures the fun doesn’t stop. After an exhausting day of fun and games, the Crowne Plaza Auburn Hills offers family-friendly accommodation that ensures everybody enjoys a peaceful night’s sleep, featuring spacious guests rooms with HD color TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Frankenmuth
This quaint little city, popularly known as Michigan’s “Little Bavaria,” stays true to its rich German roots. It is surrounded by calm waters and pristine forests that you can explore by riding the Bavarian Belle Riverboat for an easy-going sail along the Cass River. But what impresses most about this small town is its Bavarian heritage, which shines through the local foods like Wiener Schnitzel, churches like St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, and street names like Gunzenhausen and Hubinger St. Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland is one of the region’s top attractions and welcomes almost 2 million visitors annually to explore the “World’s Largest Christmas Store.” But before Christmas comes around, the Frankenmuth River Place Shops is an excellent spot for some family retail therapy at stores like Funky Skunk and Woody’s. When it’s time to play, you can head to the Frankenmuth Aerial Park, where thrilling adventures like ziplining and high ropes await. Meanwhile, your family will have one of the best lodging experiences at the Bavarian Inn Lodge, thanks to enticing group packages, family-style dinners, and endless fun on multiple water slides, indoor pools, and a gaming zone.
Holland
Holland offers another charming taste of Europe in a storybook destination that guarantees a remarkable family experience. Sitting on the shores of Lake Macatawa, the town delights with gorgeous water views, which you can soak in at the Holland State Park. Besides being a popular family-friendly campsite, it is also the perfect place to watch migratory birds and the local deer population. If you’re interested in the town’s Dutch heritage, you can stop by the Holland Museum, which offers insight into Holland’s history as a Dutch settlement through diverse artifact exhibitions.
Meanwhile, shopping at the Holland Farmers Market is a pleasant way of interacting with the locals, experiencing their way of life, and finding fresh groceries. Kids will surely enjoy the pumpkin painting, barrel rides, and other fun games. Lastly, one of the best times to visit the town is during the Tulip Time Festival in May, when tulips bloom all over the area.
Bay City
One of the best small town getaways in Michigan, Bay City promises endless family-friendly adventures, thanks to beautiful museums, fun festivals, delectable dining venues, and exciting outdoor recreation opportunities. The town sits near Saginaw Bay, and you can witness the majesty of the Saginaw River at the 6-acre Wenonah Park at World Friendship Shell. One of its top draws, the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, welcomes visitors to discover US Navy history aboard the defunct 1940s destroyer, USS Edson.
Another point of interest for families is the Delta College Planetarium, which promises to wow kids with its diverse educational programs, such as indoor stargazing and moon shows on a 360-degree screen. Lastly, don’t forget to pass by St. Laurence to reward the young ones with a sweet treat after the planetarium visit.
Traverse City
The largest city in the north of Michigan, Traverse City has a little bit of everything to offer vacationing families, including scenic hiking routes and pristine beaches. Clinch Park is the most sought-after beach in the area, and besides offering magnificent views of the water, it hosts fun recreation opportunities like swimming, kayaking, and a splash pad for children. Traverse City is best known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” producing premier wines among the nation’s best.
A tour of the Mari Vineyards allows adults to try some wine tastings as the kids explore the on-site underground caves. For the best experience in Traverse City, visit during the famous National Cherry Festival in summer to enjoy parades, concerts, a carnival, and markets, perfect for family entertainment.
Empire
This cozy village on Lake Michigan offers one of the best spots in the state for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, boasting spectacular coastal scenery, picturesque nature trails, and unpolluted dark skies, perfect for stargazing. But what’s special about Empire is that it lies smack dab in the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, famous for housing the highest bluffs in Lake Michigan, rising to an impressive 450 feet.
Families can bond over an exciting sand-playing dune-climbing adventure at the Dune Climb, which promises to test your physical fitness. On the other side of the climb is a pleasant picnic area where you can catch a breath and rejuvenate with a quick snack. If the weather permits, one of the best ways to explore the town is to take the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, which presents an unparalleled overview of the surrounding landscapes.
Petoskey
Petoskey is one of the best places you can visit in Michigan, ranked among the best small towns in America. This charming locale at the top of the Lower Peninsula features pristine natural surroundings, such as the Petoskey State Park, which features a beautiful beach, nature trails, and modern campgrounds. However, the town’s greatest attribute is that it is a four-season destination and offers fun, family-friendly adventures throughout the year.
The Know Way Out Escape Room is among the best places for kid-friendly activities. Here, families will have an awesome experience working together to try and solve puzzles or develop strategies to beat the escape rooms. Later, a trip to Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen for a sweet ice-cold treat will be the perfect follow-up. When it’s time to call it a day, consider checking the family into Hotel Walloon for a 5-star experience.
Munising
Munising, the ultimate playground for outdoor enthusiasts, provides endless fun opportunities like hiking, camping, kayaking, and exploring. It is the gateway to one of the most-toured sites in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a richly bio-diverse natural area with incomparable natural beauty, comprising waterfalls, beaches, dunes, forests, sandstone cliffs, and inland lakes. If exploring the area on foot sounds like too much trouble for the family, Pictured Rocks Kayaking offers an excellent alternative, allowing you to soak in the majesty of the space from the comfort of the water.
Meanwhile, Munising Mountain Bike Park is an exciting venue for the family, where everyone can hop on two wheels to take on the rugged terrain, with stops at secluded beaches, stunning cliff tops, and historical landmarks along the way. Lastly, don’t forget to pop into The Duck Pond Eatery & Beer Garden to taste Lake Superior whitefish tacos.
Leland
Despite a modest population below 500 residents, Leland impresses as a tourist destination and offers a great escape for a quiet family vacation. This is a credit to the serene coastal atmosphere stemming from its proximity to Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau, and Van’s Beach is the perfect spot to relax, unwind, and take in the scenery. Leland is best known for its Historic Fishtown, one of Michigan's few surviving commercial fishing villages, which has been around for at least a century.
Exploring Leland’s walkable downtown makes for a satisfying family experience. It hosts a string of restaurants, shops, museums, and art galleries closely located within walking distance of one another, with notable spots like the Leelanau Historical Society Museum and Verterra Winery & Tasting Room worth popping into. Visiting the Benjamin Maier Ceramics is an opportunity to admire intricate pottery exhibited in the art gallery. Also, don’t forget to sample the scrumptious sandwiches at Village Cheese Shanty.
Wrapping Up
With many sights to see and things to do, Michigan is a top candidate for the ideal family-friendly vacation. It houses a slew of hidden gems that can best be discovered by exploring the overlooked locations in the state’s backcountry. The above small town getaways in Michigan will be the perfect start to planning a memorable family holiday in the Wolverine State.
