Fun family things to do Up North? (Muskegon: hotels, vacation)

[theboysmom]

I haven't been up north for a few years now. My last visits were in college and well, I don't think I can do the same things with a husband and a three year old,lol.

We used to go when I was little but I can't even remember what we used to do.

Any tips/ideas for a fun family vacation up north? It's terrible but I haven't even taken my husband up there yet, even after all the great stories I've told him abou how pretty it is.

We'd probably have a week to stay and we're always up for anything. Dh can take time off whenever he likes so suggestions for different times of the year to visit are good too.

Thanks in advance!

[Coldjensens]

With a three year old, I woudl just find a nice place to go camping whre you can walk on the beach, through the woods, or along a river. At 3 you son will get more out of that than going to Mac island or some historical attraction that he cannot understand

[theboysmom]

Ooh, yeah, um. I should probably mention that although I can appreciate the beauty of it, I am NOT a camp kind of girl. A vacation to me means an awesome hotel, not sleeping in a tent (I know, I know, I'm terrible, lol). So I'd prefer to sleep someplace sweet and just explore during the day. Any suggestions?

I get what you mean about historical sights, I don't think he'd have fun staring at a big rock or something. But my three year old is soon to be four and understands quite a bit,lol. He's a great little traveler. We go to NYC and FL (NOT Disney, ha!) every fall and summer and he does great.

Phew, this place is baaaad for me, I'm supposed to be paying bills right now,lol. I'll check back later!

[Michigansnowflake]

You can go the Great Adventure in Muskegon and then head up to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, your son would love the park and the Dunes. Lots of pretty small towns to stop and explore along the way, beaches, etc.

[bryan61]

In the UP? The old stand byes are the soo locks, Pictured rocks, Taquamenon falls (toonerville trolly) riverboat excursion and Mac Island. Big boats ,trains for the kids and scenic forests and wildlife for grown ups. Lots of hotels in the small towns.

[Michigansnowflake]

It would help if we knew where you had in mind to go, or where you were coming from or how far you wanted to travel

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by bryan61

In the UP? The old stand byes are the soo locks, Pictured rocks, Taquamenon falls (toonerville trolly) riverboat excursion and Mac Island. Big boats ,trains for the kids and scenic forests and wildlife for grown ups. Lots of hotels in the small towns.

I loved both "mine" rides!!! Way down in the ground. Dress warm.

[theboysmom]

Thanks for the replies already guys. The dunes, I think I remember going there when I was little. Can you roll down them? I kinda have a memeory of rolling down what seemed to me as a kid to be a huge mountain,haha. Mine rides and trains? My kid would so be there!

What's funny is that I don't really know where we want to go. But when I say Up North I'm probably thinking northern MI, not the actual upper peninsula. That's what pops into my mind, but I'd be up for going anywhere.

We're in southeast wayne county. So that's the direction we would be coming from. Oh, and roadtrips are fun, so no worries on a long drive.


Thanks!

[Michigansnowflake]

Yes, you can play on the dunes and take a dune tour in a dune buggy, and/or rent your own and take a ride. Bet your son would love that!

[UpperPeninsulaRon]

Originally Posted by theboysmom

A vacation to me means an awesome hotel, not sleeping in a tent (I know, I know, I'm terrible, lol). So I'd prefer to sleep someplace sweet and just explore during the day. Any suggestions?

One suggestion is to choose two or three different hotels so that you could break up the vacation into several areas instead of being tied to one location. Maybe one by the dunes and one in the Soo. From the Soo, you have access to the falls, the straits, and the Soo attractions.