The Great Lakes State, made for families
Welcome to MI Family Travel
Your guide to exploring Michigan with kids, one memorable trip at a time.
Start Here
Michigan is big, beautiful and made for exploring as a family. We help you figure out what’s actually worth the trip.
From Lake Michigan beach towns and lively festival weekends to scenic road trips, college towns and places you might never think to visit, Michigan Family Travel brings together the destinations, experiences and practical details families need to plan a great getaway.
Beaches, cities, festivals, road trips and weekends away, with kids in tow. Less searching. More exploring.
131.2 MILLION
people visited Michigan in 2024. With two peninsulas, four Great Lakes and countless places worth the drive, there’s always something new to discover.
Start With These Guides
The three reads that plan half your fall.
College Towns
48 Hours in Ann Arbor with Kids
Ann Arbor packs plenty into 48 hours, with a walkable downtown, family-friendly museums, great food, campus landmarks and leafy neighborhoods that make an easy Michigan weekend feel like a real getaway.
Road Trips
Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees
Michigan’s famous Tunnel of Trees turns a winding stretch of highway into one of the state’s most memorable fall family road trips, with brilliant color, Lake Michigan views and charming small towns along the way.
Cities and Towns
A Family Guide to Detroit
Detroit makes a surprisingly easy family getaway, with world-class museums, riverfront spaces, great food and iconic landmarks that give kids and parents plenty to explore together.
Where Will Michigan Take You Next?
Search destinations, stories, experiences, and ideas for your next Michigan adventure.
Michigan by Season
Start with the season. See where Michigan takes you.
Spring
Waterfalls roar, wildflowers bloom, and Michigan’s trails wake up. It’s best time to beat the crowds.
Summer
Lake days, beach towns, and a festival almost every weekend. This is Michigan at full volume.
Fall
Color tours, cider mills, and football Saturdays. There’s no better place to be in October.
Winter
Ski hills, cozy downtown inns, and holiday markets worth the drive. Michigan winters reward the brave.
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Your Brand Here
Reach Michigan families actively planning their next beach trip. Sponsorship opportunities available for beach-related brands, resorts, gear, and local businesses.
This Month’s Reader Favorites
The stories Michigan families are reading, sharing, and coming back to.
48 Hours in Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth is more than chicken dinners and Christmas ornaments. Spend 48 hours exploring Michigan’s Little Bavaria with kids, from blacksmithing and river cruises to covered bridges, Main Street treats and a morning of waterslides.
5 Michigan Events Worth the Drive this September
September is one of Michigan’s best months for a road trip. From hot air balloons and harvest celebrations to art, food and small-town festivals, these five events give families plenty of reasons to hit the road.
48 Hours in Holland with Mom
Coffee, flowers, art, shopping and a Lake Michigan sunset set the pace for this relaxed 48-hour Holland getaway, designed for moms and daughters who would rather linger than rush.
From beaches and road trips to college towns and tournament weekends.
Choose Your Adventure
Browse by travel style, not destination.
Fresh from Michigan Family Travel
The latest places, stories, and ideas to help you plan what’s next.
- Escape the Ordinary: Books That Take Flight
Flight can mean soaring through the sky, setting off on an adventure or finding the courage to change direction. These five books explore the theme through aviation, survival, transformation and new beginnings. - How to Start Birdwatching With Kids
Fall migration gives Michigan families a front-row seat to the world of birds. Learn how to start birdwatching with kids using simple backyard setups, games, bird ID tools and community science projects. - Let Them Fly
Raising independent kids means teaching them how to handle hard things, while also learning how to manage our own urge to step in. Elise McNulty reflects on overprotection, parental anxiety and the emotional work of letting children take flight.