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01 Feb 2025Updated last time
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10 Best Places for Day Trip in Michigan For Families

Welcome to Michigan's Premier Destinations

Michigan, the Great Lakes State, is a treasure trove of diverse natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Whether you're seeking the tranquility of a peaceful island, the thrill of a dune adventure, or the wonder of a captivating museum, Michigan has something for everyone. Each destination in Michigan tells a unique story, inviting travelers and families to create lasting memories while exploring the state's magnificent landscapes and engaging attractions. From the charming European vibes of Frankenmuth to the stunning vistas of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and from the awe-inspiring Tahquamenon Falls to the dynamic environment of the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation—an array of experiences await. Immerse yourself in hands-on learning, savor the fresh, northern air, and indulge in the simple pleasure of sand between your toes. Michigan's day-trips are gateways to adventure, relaxation, and inspiration, no matter where you choose to go.


Recommended Activities

  • Trip Point Pin1

    Mackinac Island

    Mackinac Island offers a unique experience as motor vehicles are banned on the island, allowing for a peaceful atmosphere. It's known for its beautiful Victorian architecture, historic Fort Mackinac, picturesque views of Lake Huron, and famous fudge shops.
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  • Trip Point Pin2

    Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, towering dunes, clear blue waters, and miles of sandy beaches. It presents outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and dune climbing, providing an adventurous and educational experience for the whole family.
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  • Trip Point Pin3

    Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

    Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park combines art and nature in an engaging environment. It features a variety of gardens, nature trails, and a world-class sculpture park. It is a place for relaxation, inspiration, and can be particularly enjoyable for those interested in horticulture and the arts.
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  • Trip Point Pin4

    Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

    The Henry Ford Museum offers a rich journey through America's innovative past with immersive exhibits featuring significant artifacts, such as the Rosa Parks bus and Lincoln's chair from Ford's Theatre. It is both educational and inspirational, revealing the spirit of American ingenuity.
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  • Trip Point Pin5

    Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

    The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum provides interactive educational experiences that encourage visitors, especially children, to explore their curiosity and creativity through science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) activities. It's a great place for families to learn while having fun.
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  • Trip Point Pin6

    Detroit Zoo

    The Detroit Zoo is a must-visit for animal lovers and families, offering a glimpse into the natural habitats of over 2,000 animals from around the world. It's sprawling 125 acres of exhibits, including the Polk Penguin Conservation Center, provide an engaging experience focused on wildlife conservation.
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  • Trip Point Pin7

    Frankenmuth

    Frankenmuth, known as 'Michigan's Little Bavaria,' offers a unique cultural experience with its German heritage and architecture. Visitors can enjoy traditional festivals, dine on authentic German cuisine, and explore shops with handcrafted goods – perfect for a family-oriented and culturally rich outing.
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  • Trip Point Pin8

    Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

    Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is celebrated for its dramatic multicolored sandstone cliffs, pristine beaches, and clear waters of Lake Superior. It's an ideal destination for hiking, boating, and photography, offering some of the most scenic landscapes in Michigan.
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  • Trip Point Pin9

    Tahquamenon Falls State Park

    Tahquamenon Falls State Park is home to one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, providing breathtaking views of the falls and surrounding forest. It's perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing in a serene, natural setting.
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  • Trip Point Pin10

    Silver Lake Sand Dunes

    Silver Lake Sand Dunes offers a unique landscape of shifting sands that provides a variety of recreational activities such as dune buggy rides, off-roading, sandboarding, and hiking. The dunes also offer picturesque views of Silver Lake and Lake Michigan, making it a thrilling and scenic destination for families and adventure seekers alike.
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Restaurants

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    The Vortex Bar & Grill

    The Vortex Bar & Grill

    Known for its skull-shaped entrance and eclectic, adult-only atmosphere, The Vortex offers a vast selection of burgers and beers.
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  • SafeHouse

    A spy-themed restaurant where guests need a password to enter, offering an interactive dining experience with secret passages and espionage decor.
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  • Hobbit Cafe

    This Tolkien-inspired eatery serves natural and healthy fare in a setting fit for a hobbit, complete with a Shire-esque environment.
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    Opaque - Dining in the Dark

    Opaque - Dining in the Dark

    Offering a unique ‘dining in the dark’ experience where visitors eat in total darkness, heightening the other senses for a completely different culinary adventure.
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    Heart Attack Grill

    Heart Attack Grill

    An over-the-top eatery with a hospital theme, where diners don hospital gowns and the waitstaff are dressed as nurses, famous for its high-calorie menu.
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    Ninja New York

    Ninja New York

    A Japanese restaurant where diners enter an Edo period ninja village-themed environment, with staff performing ninja tricks and serving inventive Japanese cuisine.
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    Magic Restroom Cafe

    Magic Restroom Cafe

    A bathroom-themed eatery where guests sit on toilets and dine off of sink basins, offering a unique and Instagram-worthy experience with Taiwanese-inspired dishes.
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    The Airplane Restaurant

    The Airplane Restaurant

    Housed inside a converted Boeing KC-97 tanker, diners can enjoy a meal in the fuselage of an airplane, surrounded by aviation memorabilia.
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Hotels

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    The Queen's Residence B&B

    The Queen's Residence B&B

    An 1839 historic inn offering a quaint and charming stay, filled with antique furnishings and located in the heart of Ann Arbor.
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  • Grand Hotel

    This iconic hotel on Mackinac Island boasts a record for the world's longest porch and reflects grandeur and elegance from the late 19th century.
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    Thunder Bay Resort

    Thunder Bay Resort

    Unique for its Elk Viewing Carriage Ride, Gourmet Dinner & Wine Tasting, this northern Michigan resort offers a distinct and nature-immersive experience.
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    Big Bay Point Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast

    Big Bay Point Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast

    A rare opportunity to stay in a functional lighthouse overlooking Lake Superior, combining maritime history with picturesque scenery.
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    Detroit Foundation Hotel

    Detroit Foundation Hotel

    Set in the former Detroit Fire Department Headquarters, this boutique hotel merges Detroit’s past and present with an industrial chic design.
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    Bavarian Inn Lodge

    Bavarian Inn Lodge

    A German-themed resort that provides an Old World European escape with authentic architecture, dining, and entertainment in the heart of Frankenmuth.
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Local Events & Happenings

  • Event Icon

    Miranda Lambert

    Miranda Lambert

    The event will take place at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant.
    Map IconSoaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant (33.1 mi)
    Calendar Icon7 Jul 2024
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  • Event Icon

    The Offspring w/ Simple Plan

    The Offspring w/ Simple Plan

    The event will take place at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant.
    Map IconSoaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant (33.1 mi)
    Calendar Icon26 Jul 2024
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  • Event Icon

    Lynyrd Skynyrd w/ ZZ Top

    Lynyrd Skynyrd w/ ZZ Top

    The event will take place at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant.
    Map IconSoaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant (33.1 mi)
    Calendar Icon10 Aug 2024
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  • Event Icon

    Jason Aldean

    Jason Aldean

    The event will take place at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant.
    Map IconSoaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant (33.1 mi)
    Calendar Icon16 Aug 2024
    Picture for Jason Aldean
  • Event Icon

    Keith Urban

    Keith Urban

    The event will take place at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant.
    Map IconSoaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant (33.1 mi)
    Calendar Icon25 Aug 2024
    Picture for Keith Urban
  • Event Icon

    Blake Shelton w/ Chayce Beckham

    Blake Shelton w/ Chayce Beckham

    The event will take place at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant.
    Map IconSoaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant (33.1 mi)
    Calendar Icon8 Sep 2024
    Picture for Blake Shelton w/ Chayce Beckham
  • Event Icon

    Tom Segura

    Tom Segura

    The event will take place at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant.
    Map IconSoaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant (33.1 mi)
    Calendar Icon20 Oct 2024
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Travel Gems from Reddit

  • Reddit Icon

    Looking for recommendations for day trips from metro detroit. 2 hours max drive. Baby friendly (picturesque towns with good shopping (non chain stores), walkable downtowns...a...

    r/Michigan on Reddit: Looking for recommendations for day trips from ...

    Looking for recommendations for day trips from metro detroit. 2 hours max drive. Baby friendly (picturesque towns with good shopping (non chain stores), walkable downtowns...a...

    /r/Michigan
  • Reddit Icon

    Michigan may be known as the Great Lakes State and exploring the endless miles of shoreline is a wonderful way to spend any day but there also are many day trips in Michigan...

    20 AWESOME Michigan Day Trip Ideas for 2024

    Michigan may be known as the Great Lakes State and exploring the endless miles of shoreline is a wonderful way to spend any day but there also are many day trips in Michigan...

    /r/DayTripsinMichigan
  • Reddit Icon

    A heavily moderated and family-friendly subreddit dedicated to the latest news and happenings in the great state of Michigan. Please adhere to our rules & Reddit's sitewide ru...

    10 Low-Commitment Day Trips That You Can Do in Michigan.

    A heavily moderated and family-friendly subreddit dedicated to the latest news and happenings in the great state of Michigan. Please adhere to our rules & Reddit's sitewide ru...

    /r/Michigan
  • Reddit Icon

    A heavily moderated and family-friendly subreddit dedicated to the latest news and happenings in the great state of Michigan. Please adhere to our rules & Reddit's sitewide ru...

    r/Michigan on Reddit: Any good day trips to take within reasonable ...

    A heavily moderated and family-friendly subreddit dedicated to the latest news and happenings in the great state of Michigan. Please adhere to our rules & Reddit's sitewide ru...

    /r/Michigan
  • Reddit Icon

    A heavily moderated and family-friendly subreddit dedicated to the latest news and happenings in the great state of Michigan. ... Belle Isle is a state park so make sure you h...

    Must -visit Michigan destinations? (Family friendly)

    A heavily moderated and family-friendly subreddit dedicated to the latest news and happenings in the great state of Michigan. ... Belle Isle is a state park so make sure you h...

    /r/Michigan
  • Reddit Icon

    Whether youre a local looking to explore your home state or a visitor seeking new experiences, Michigan in March has something for everyone. Here are a dozen Michigan day trip...

    12 Must-Take Michigan Day Trips in March

    Whether youre a local looking to explore your home state or a visitor seeking new experiences, Michigan in March has something for everyone. Here are a dozen Michigan day trip...

    /r/DayTripsinMichigan
  • Reddit Icon

    My boyfriend and I are planning to do an 8-day trip this summer in the UP. Were thinking of the following: -1 night in Paradise (Tahquamenon Falls) -2 nights in Munising (Pict...

    Upper Peninsula Trip - advice needed!

    My boyfriend and I are planning to do an 8-day trip this summer in the UP. Were thinking of the following: -1 night in Paradise (Tahquamenon Falls) -2 nights in Munising (Pict...

    /r/Michigan

Music for Your Journey

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    Journey - Don't Stop Believin'

    Journey - Don't Stop Believin'

    An iconic road trip anthem about hope and journey, perfect for inspiring adventure.
    Listen on Spotify
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    Rascal Flatts - Life is a Highway

    Rascal Flatts - Life is a Highway

    This energetic song captures the spirit of being on the road and the freedom of travel.
    Listen on Spotify
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    Willie Nelson - On The Road Again - Live

    Willie Nelson - On The Road Again - Live

    A classic tune that embodies the joy of travel and the open road.
    Listen on Spotify
    Picture for Willie Nelson - On The Road Again - Live
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    John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads

    John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads

    A song that evokes the beauty of America's landscapes, ideal for scenic routes.
    Listen on Spotify
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    Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way - 2004 Remaster

    Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way - 2004 Remaster

    Encourages independence and striking out on one's own, with an upbeat tempo for driving.
    Listen on Spotify
    Picture for Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way - 2004 Remaster
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    Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama

    Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama

    An uplifting Southern rock song that's great for singing along to on a family trip.
    Listen on Spotify
    Picture for Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama
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    Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run

    Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run

    An energetic rock song about escaping the mundane, for those looking to find freedom on the road.
    Listen on Spotify
    Picture for Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
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    Whitesnake - Here I Go Again - 2018 Remaster

    Whitesnake - Here I Go Again - 2018 Remaster

    A power ballad about facing new horizons and going on a journey, fitting for a new adventure.
    Listen on Spotify
    Picture for Whitesnake - Here I Go Again - 2018 Remaster
  • Music Icon

    The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)

    The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)

    An exuberant song about going the distance, which can keep spirits high no matter the distance traveled.
    Listen on Spotify
    Picture for The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
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    U2 - Beautiful Day

    U2 - Beautiful Day

    An optimistic song that captures the essence of enjoying the day and the beauty of the world around us.
    Listen on Spotify
    Picture for U2 - Beautiful Day