Explore 19 Great Lakes Destinations in Michigan with kids & teens

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Planning a trip to Michigan? Keep up on the COVID-19 information concerning travel to Michigan here.

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A Full bucket list Of Family Travel Fun In Michigan With Kids & Teens

Once just a part of a prime trading route from the Great Lakes to other popular posts; Detroit, Michigan is now a bustling city with activities and attractions galore. With so many attractions to be found in the Detroit area, it is no wonder that many people choose Detroit as their vacation getaway destination when they visit Michigan with kids & teens. 

Detroit, or the area known as ‘le Detroit’, first gained attention from the French who were establishing forts at strategic locations to keep the British from moving West. Seeing that the surrounding Great Lakes and rivers provided easy travel from many major points, the French decided that this was a prime location for a French Settlement. The first settlement at this location, established in 1701, was called Fort Ponchartrain. Today this great city is popular for the production of motor vehicles. Fondly referred to as The Motor City, Detroit offers a host of things to see and do. Here are just a few:

1. Detroit Institute of Arts. The Detroit Institute of Arts is believed to be home to one of the best art collections to be found in the United States. Here you can find everything from modern art to mummies and African masks. With more than 65,000 pieces, the Detroit Institute of Arts is a must-see on your Detroit vacation getaway.

2. Motown Historical Museum. This museum features photos, costumes, artwork, music, and other Motown memorabilia all housed in the original house where Berry Gordy lived and where many of the Motown hits were recorded. 

3. Detroit Historical Museum. This museum is home to The Motor City Exhibition. Here visitors can learn the whole story associated with the city of Detroit and see, step by step, how a Cadillac is assembled. 

As you can see, there is a lot waiting for you in the fascinating city of Detroit, Michigan. But, the entire state is dotted with exciting places to hike, enjoy the outdoors and take in the beautiful beaches. So if a city break isn’t for you, that’s ok. There’s plenty of variety available when you visit Michigan with kids and teens.

Your family will be captivated by all of the history and exciting places to explore and learn about. These Michigan family travel destinations are perfect places for an exciting family travel itinerary of this upper mid-West US State. If you are wanting to road trip or to learn virtually, keep reading because you can explore and have awesome adventures in the beautiful state of Michigan with kids & teens.

Michigan With Kids & Teens – Road Trip!

Start a Michigan road trip experience with activities such as a boat ride on Lake Michigan, a ski trip to the mountains, or enjoying an art festival. Make a road trip to Michigan with kids & teens a memorable vacation for the whole family.

Does your family do road trips? Ours does! In our family, road tripping a series of car journeys from one destination to another to do a field trip. 5-day road trip usually means at least three of those days will be filled with activities and attractions. But if you live locally or regionally, you may decide to take that road trip in smaller chunks and plan several field trips around Michigan. Below are all the resources you need. Included are super fun ideas that will also super-size your child’s learning about US History, Geography, and famous people & places. So have fun using the world as your classroom with intentional family travel. Let’s explore Michigan with kids and teens!

Michigan Historical Sites & Parks

  • Sleeping Bear Dunes: National Lakeshore located along the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.
  • Mackinac Bridge: Suspension bridge that connects the Upper and Lower Peninsula of Michigan.
  • Porcupine Mountains: Group of small mountains spanning the northwestern Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
  • Isle Royale National Park: Island and national park located in Lake Superior, in the state of Michigan.

Michigan – Museums, Galleries

Michigan – Zoos & Aquariums

Michigan – Add These To Your Itinerary

Michigan offers so many exciting things to do in addition to having fun enjoying all the activities centered around the various lakes. Are you finding it hard to fit it all in or afford to do it all while you are visiting? Luckily, there are great online resources at many of the museums and parks so you can keep learning about Michigan.

Michigan With Kids & Teens – Virtual Travel & Learning

Make the most of learning about Michigan by taking a few virtual field trips and incorporating the Michigan State Study pack into your pre-and post-visit activities. Your kids will enjoy hands-on activities and museums more when they have a little understanding of the people and places they will be visiting. Add in a good book, some digital activities to learn history and geography, and some super art for easy ways to inspire and educate. It’s all in these US State Study resources.

Michigan – Use The World As Your Classroom

The Michigan State Study pack makes it easy for your family to have fun learning about Michigan at home (virtually) or on the road.

Learn About Michigan‘s Famous People

  • Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac -Explorer
  • Walter P. Chrysler -Entrepreneur 
  • George Armstrong Custer – Civil War General
  • Thomas Edison – Inventor 
  • Gerald R. Ford – President 
  • Henry Ford – Entrepreneur 
  • Charles Lindbergh -Aviator
  • John Harvey Kellogg & William Keith Kellogg – Entrepreneurs

Learn About Michigan’s Famous Landmarks:

  • Isle Royale National Park
  • River Raisin National Battlefield Park
  • Keweenaw National Park 
  • Pictured Rocks 
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes

You will also find resources for science, art, and geography to round out a packed week (or longer) of learning resources for kids aged 3rd grade to 12th grade.

The Michigan State Study pack has all the resources in a PDF. You and your kids can pick and choose which ones you want to complete. It is a carefully curated course for middle/high schoolers. There are exciting videos and selected lessons so your family can easily learn online.

Homeschool, Travel & Learn With The Let’s Study The Americas, the Caribbean, Australia & Oceania Bundle

No more cobbling your curriculum together and hoping it works! Everything you need is included in these World Geography bundles!

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Use The World As Your Classroom

Exploring The Midwest?

Ohio, Indiana & Illinois are exciting stops for families that love to use the world as their textbook. These posts will help you homeschool, travel, and learn together. Have fun! Below are a few more resources to help you use the world as your classroom.

Explore More!

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