Coming up north to do a family vacation this summer the week after Independence day.  Staying east of Traverse City close to Mt. Holiday.  Looking for some ideas on what to do with the family (wife, 2 boys  5 & 7).  Wife & I are pretty fit so no activities are really off limits.  We're planning on doing the Sleeping Bear Dunes & I'm fully expecting to be carrying kids up it.  Might pack a sled just in case.

So far we're planning on:

- Sleeping Bear Dunes
-Boat tour
-Putt Putt at at Pirates Adventure Park, my kids love mini golf

What else would be fun family activities or places to eat?  

I've got an OH CCW so I'm cleared in that area, but I'm also bringing my NODs, are there any dark sky parks in the area?  Google is failing me.


Update:  Looking for an old time candy store that I think is up in Frankenmuth as we're staying at the lodge for a few nights on our way back from Traverse City.  Wife hates gaudy Christmas stuff so we're 100% making Bronners a 1/2 of a day for itself.   I plan on hitting Tonys I75 on the way north & the way back.  My wife doesn't understand the appeal of their BLTs & I want to see my kids eyes fall out of their heads when they see the pancakes.

Sleeping Bear Dunes is 100 miles north of Silver Lake State Park. The entire west side dune area is gorgeous though.

OP, it’s a super busy town, you won’t lack for things to do. Be prepared for traffic and crowds though. Head up one of the peninsulas for a nice day drive if you want to get out of town, lots of very nice small towns along the way with touristy things to do. Lots of wineries, craft farms making gourmet cheese, that kind of thing. Several very nice state parks in the area that all have day access. Besides the big water there are a lot of small lakes around. You could rent a boat , but probably need to reserve in advance. Great trails, lighthouses, beach walks. Check online for the dates you’ll be there, quite likely some kind of festival taking place.

You can go up to fishtown and go fishing.

Incorrect. Silver Lake Dunes are near Silver Lake, and not near Traverse City

Sleeping Bear Dunes are a National Lake Shore about 35 miles west of Traverse City.

Fishtown is a cool little place.  OP should definitely take the fam there, it's a very short drive from TC.

Northport is worth a visrt too, imo.

Gunzvillers museum.

Headlands Dark sky Park near Mackinaw City.  It would be about 1.5 hours north of TC.  Might not be too convenient...

Peterson Beach at the end of Peterson Rd. in the Sleeping bear dunes was a great beach w/o too many people when we lived in TC 25 years ago.  (But then it didn't have a name on the map so it might be busier now...)

@bikedamon  We're planning on heading up to a lighthouse one day & hitting wineries on the way for the wife.  I'm fully expecting the traffic.  I've been up before but its been nearly a decade & it can't be worse than Destin FL in the peak of summer.

@Green_Canoe  Any dark sky/nods stuff will be me one night while everyone else does movie night.  Though if I do I'll probably update the OP to see if any ARFCOMMErs are in the area.   Thanks for letting me know.

There are several charter boats working out of FishTown but probably and crack of dawn type thing. Also once the wind gets up, later morning it goes from calm to 4+ footers, chum city to kids and adults without sea legs. Not sure how they handle OOS fishing license either

Visit The Cove restaurant and get a Chubby Mary. It will really freak the kids out.
Actually really delicious, you pull the smoked Chub [like white fish] out and pick it apart with a fork.

Attached File


Everything I have had there is excellent.

The Jolly Pumpkin is also good eats.

Same for The 45th Parallel for breakfast.

I was going to suggest the wineries and lighthouse on Old Mission Peninsula.  The Cherry Festival runs until the 8th, so depending on when you show up there is usually all sorts of stuff to do around that, but the airshow is the weekend before the 4th.  If you are looking at sleeping bear dunes I would suggest checking out Pyramid Point as that trail is free (at least when I hiked it a few years ago).  Manitou islands are cool if you want a day trip.

Something fun that my family enjoys is Butterfly House east of town on M72 across from the casino.
https://www.gtbutterflyzoo.com/

@Benny989 from one Ben to another thank you.  This will be awesome.

@bdover

Are you wanting to avoid crowds, or hit tourist type spots? I can give you a full rundown and suggestion based on your wants. As in, take you deep into the state forest or tell you where the best tshirts are.

Also can advise you on boat rentals.

@BravoBravo55  We're going to do some touristy stuff like a boat/ice cream call & the dunes.  But i'd be happy for any suggestions.  I've got 2 younger boys (5 & 7) & the wife.  We're pretty fit but no major deep woods expedition at this time.  I'm already assuming that I'll be the only one that does the full dunes when we come north.

@bdover
I think this is what you are looking for in Frankenmuth
https://zakandmacs.com/
Also check out the Michigan Heros Museum while there.

The platte river is good for tubing or kayaking,  If you get anywhere away from traverse city its all pretty much dark sky up there.  Leland is nice and If you like hiking there is a boat that you can take to North Manitou Island and Hike the island.  The Cherry festival will be going on after the 4th also.  A nice not crowded beach on Lake Michigan is good harbor Bay.