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Michigan is a wonderful state to visit and live! It’s great for all ages because of everything it offers. There are so many places to explore as a family! I will be providing you with many ideas of places to visit that are either well known or more off the beaten path. Read about these places and make plans to visit them. Make lasting memories of being with family in Michigan.

Critter Barn

The Critter Barn is a very popular farm in West Michigan. Because they offer programs for kids to learn and take care of animals on the farm, most families have heard of it and possibly visited. Spring Break week was a great time to go because of all the baby animals that were there. It’s like a huge petting zoo where you move throughout the farm and can touch most of the animals. My kids liked following the map throughout the farm to see everything they could. Of course touching was a must!!! They were able to pick up baby chicks and even hold a baby duck on their lap. A lot of the critters there were as expected on a farm – cows, donkeys, cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, goats, and pigs. I loved the fact that the farm was small and you could get to different animals with a very short walk. A stroller would have been hard to maneuver through the barns but you could use while outside. The driveway up to the farm is a little steep, so keep that in mind with strollers and wheelchairs. The parking is a little difficult. I only saw a few places to park in the lot across the street and most people park along the road which is very busy with fast traffic. We parked along the road on the same side as the farm, so no dangerous crossing was needed. Overall, the kids and I loved the visit to this farm and definitely would suggest families to make a trip there soon.

Grand Haven

Grand Haven and nearby Spring Lake has a lot to offer any visitor. First of all, highway 31 has lots of restaurants and stores to check out. This is the highway that takes you from north or south to Grand Haven. Fricano’s Pizza Tavern is just one of the many great places to make a dinner stop. If you follow Washington Ave, you’ll go right through downtown Grand Haven. There are many small shops and places to eat. Follow S Harbor Drive to visit Lake Michigan and the famous pier. Grand Haven State Park is there to explore and camp. If you want to walk the pier and need to park a shorter distance, there is a small parking lot called the Grand Haven State Park Channel Parking Lot.

Of course Grand Haven is the best place to go for those with a boat! Go out and enjoy the waves, views, and beautiful sunsets. The pier and the channel are perfect places for trying to get a bite. If you’re looking for a quieter place to fish and enjoy the pier and beach, there is another spot worth visiting which is on the other side of the channel and north of Grand Haven. The park is called The North Shore Fisherman’s Lot. My family and I have gone there many times when we want to avoid the crowds of people in Grand Haven during the summer months. I hope this helps you plan your next trip to Grand Haven. To view more pictures and more details, visit my other blog about Grand Haven.

Fredrik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park (Grand Rapids)

Fredrik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is a great place for the whole family! There are many things to see, do, and experience while there. The gift shop, near the entrance, offers many unique gifts for kids and adults. There’s a café to sit and have lunch or just order a coffee. There are special events throughout the year like their Christmas tree display which shows different country’s traditions around the world. Another event, every spring, is located in the tropical room where they release several hundred butterflies. They are flying all around and sometimes land on your head or shoulder. It’ a wonderful experience! You can then go through to the other garden rooms. Outdoors there is a concert area which has performances during the summer. The kids area is straight out from the main building which has lots to explore. They have special garden areas for them where they can learn a lot about plants and animals. Paths lead to different areas like a playground, huts, sculptures, and more. If you feel up for a nice walk there is a boardwalk that follows a nearby lake. Walk the path to visit the Japanese Garden. Sit and enjoy the peacefulness, beauty, and nature. Continue further down the path to visit the farm and learn about farm animals and farming tools. Kids can use a real pump to pump water! Keep an eye out for other amazing sculptures like the American Horse which is 24 feet tall! Be sure to share your pictures and experience that day with all your friends and family. It will be one to remember! Read more details and see all the pictures by visiting my blog on Fredrik Meijer Gardens.

Pickerel Lake (Rockford)

Pickerel Lake is off the beaten path, but known to many locals. It’s a great lake to walk or run around because there is a nice path that goes around the lake. The boardwalk is very long and allows for several opportunities for fishing. No matter your fishing experience, you’ll have a great time and enjoy this beautiful lake. There is some wildlife there including a few swans and other native birds and their nests. The walk along the lake is peaceful and relaxing. There are a few benches along the way, so bring a snack and coffee and enjoy the view while you rest. The trail doesn’t allow bikes but pile the kids in a stroller and enjoy a nice walk. You’ll definitely enjoy some time at Pickerel Lake and make lasting memories that will make you want to return again and again. Check out all the pictures and more details at my blog Pickerel Lake.

Grand Rapids Public Museum (Grand Rapids)

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is a very popular place to visit in Grand Rapids. This will definitely be an excellent family adventure! All ages can enjoy everything they have to offer. Be sure to check out any special exhibits they have going on when you get your tickets. Some are included in the ticket price but others cost a little extra to see, but it’s worth it. When we went in April 2021, they had the exhibit “Wild Connections” which was animals and other things all built in LEGO. It was the highlight of our trip but nothing else in the museum disappointed. There was “Under the Artic” which was an interactive learning exhibit for all ages about the living in the Artic. Some new areas that have been added to the museum include the “Arcade” where you can play Atari games and other 1980 arcade games. Parents can feel nostalgic while showing their kids how video games used to be. They also added a section of toys from different decades, which is fun to see and think if you have one of the toys at home or have have seen or played with them before. While the LEGO exhibit is present there, they have the city of Grand Rapids in LEGO. It is really neat, especially if you’re from Grand Rapids and can notice which buildings are which. Don’t forget to visit the huge section of the museum, which can be overlooked, the dioramas and animals. They are incredible because they look so real! They did a great job of showing animals in their environment and sometimes making them larger than life just so we can see and experience something special with a certain animal or environment. They also have live sturgeon fish which can be found in Michigan. Above are only a few of the many pictures we took that day. To see them all, visit my blog by clicking here. Check out the GRPM website at https://www.grpm.org/ and start planning your trip there today!

Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo (New Era)

There is so much to see and experience at this farm and zoo. Their map shows all the different things they have to offer. We started near the entrance where we entered the farm and we work our way around the main path. We started our adventure with the pirate ship that kids can climb on. There are several climbing opportunities for kids throughout the farm. My kids love it! We then made our way to the corn maze. My 8-year-old and 3-year old had no problem running through it and made it out! Next was an open farm building where there are games like skee ball, baseball throw, and bean bag toss. They also have a burlap slide which was pretty neat. On the weekends during the fall, they have apple and pumpkin cannons where you shoot apples and pumpkins at things in their field. Let your kids go free and play on the spider web climb or in a sand pit. Pedal carts and jumping pillows are other attractions that the kids loved. The animal section of the farm was very fun and so exciting to see the unique animals. They have 25 or more kinds of animals to see outdoors and indoors. The bird house has parakeets and you can feed the parakeets by holding a stick with their favorite food. The farm offers food for lunch or dinner and have a variety of treats to choose from in the gift shop. This was an amazing family outing and great for all ages. You won’t be disappointed!! Find out more details on their website at www.visitlewisfarms.com and to read more details and see more pictures visit my blog Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo.

Long Lake Trail (Middleville)

I have a great family adventure which is “Off-The-Beaten-Path”. My family and I decided to go trail exploring at the Yankee Spring Recreation Area near Middleville, Michigan. We had been there before but in other parts of the park. I had read up on a trail called Long Lake Trail and searched on Google for maps and directions. Well, it was harder to find once we were in the area but we did find it. The trails were further down the road and the entrance is very small and hard to see the sign. The trails are somewhat marked and they have maps available at the sign. I recommend grabbing a map because we did get a little lost so having the map was a lifesaver. We drove up the dirt road to Graves Hill Overlook and then started with the red trail marked E. That brought us directly to Devil’s Soup Bowl. The trail follows the ridge line of the bowl and you can look way down into the bowl. Hard to see much down in there during the summer since there are lots of trees. The trails are rugged but easily walk-able. There are different trails to follow, so be sure you know which one you’re on and the direction your heading. There is also a mountain biking trail which would be fun to try. We had a great time as a family hiking there and we hope to go back again soon. I highly recommend you make a point to stop there and have your own adventure. See more pictures on my Long Lake blog post.

Fellinlove Farm

Another “off-the-beaten-path” place to visit is Fellinlove Farm which is in Holland. This is a small but very cool farm. They have lots of animals and different places to experience them. There are barns, paddocks, yards, and even their garage to explore! You can see horses, pigs, goats, chinchillas, guinea pigs, llamas, donkeys, dogs, cats, and even a tortoise! Most of the animals you’re allowed to pet, but just being up close walking around with them is very exciting! They have a nice walking path through their woods if you feel like spending a little more time at the farm and enjoy walking. They also have a large pond and can take a ride in a paddle boat. Don’t forget to stop by the koi fish pond. They have some big ones! I loved how close everything was so you didn’t have to walk far. Nice for families with young kids. I really didn’t even need to get the stroller out. They have lots of events throughout the year. Check out their website at fellinlovefarm.com and start planning a trip to visit soon.

Whether you’re a Michigander or have only visited Michigan, you’ll love my apparel designs. Get yours today by clicking one of the products below, or visit my “Michigan Apparel” shop page.