Last Minute Family Vacations

Check Out These Michigan Vacation Ideas Before School Starts

Jul 10, 2007

Soon the kids will be going back to school and many families have still not taken a vacation. It's not too late. Check out these last minute family vacation ideas.

Where did the summer go? It seems like school was just out a couple of weeks ago and now many families are planning for back to school. Before giving up on having a summer vacation, consider these last minute vacation ideas.

Agawa Canyon Train Tour/Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie - The Agawa Canyon one day train ride goes from Sault Ste. Marie through wilderness country on into Agawa Canyon. The views from the train are breathtaking and the kids can learn quite a bit about the history of the fur traders and Michigan lumber jacks. They’ll be many activities for the family on and off the train. Stay another night in Sault Ste. Marie and visit the Soo Locks where ships travel from Lake Superior to the Great Lakes. It is said to still be the busiest lock system in the world, which is surprising considering the cold winter months in northern Michigan. The kids will be fascinated by the waterfall and massive water vessels. Mom and dad can snuggle later that night under the Northern Lights. It will cost a little under $200 for a family of four to board the Agawa Canyon Train, and tours of the Soo Locks will run about $60 for a family of four.

Michigan’s Adventure/Pere Marquette Beach in the Muskegon area - What kid doesn’t love an amusement park? They aren’t always a thrill for parents though. One of the great things about Michigan’s Adventure is it’s size. It’s large enough to have roller coasters, rides for little tikes, games, and even a water park. Yet it is small enough to get around the whole park easily in one day. After a day at the amusement park, stay another night and spend a day at the beach. Be sure to visit Pere Marquette in Muskegon where one can enjoy swimming, kite flying and beach volleyball. Admission to Michigan’s Adventure Amusement Park for a family of four will cost just under $100. A visit to the beach is free making this a pretty reasonable vacation.

Frankenmuth - People think of visiting Frankenmuth only at Christmas time but this is also a wonderful summer vacation spot. Frankenmuth is known as Michigan’s “Little Bavaria”. Visitors to Frankenmuth can ride the paddlewheel riverboat, visit Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland (have Christmas in July), experience the maze of mirrors (kind of like a fun house only all glass) or do lots of shopping. Frankenmuth is only 20 miles or so away from the Birch Run Outlet Mall. If staying overnight, consider lodging at one of the family resorts with indoor pools, miniature golf and nightly entertainment.

St. Joseph - This is a great place for families to visit. Looking for an economical vacation? This is the one. Every year St. Joseph has something “cool” on their beaches. This year several artists displayed their talent by designing“hot cars”. Some themes included fish, the ice cream man and NASCAR. They are on display in downtown St. Joseph and on the path to Silver Beach. The plan would be to check out the hot cars and then head over to Silver Beach for the day. The next day consider a visit to the Curious Kids Museum, voted the “best museum” and “best place to take kids” in southwestern Michigan. The cost for a family of four is $24.

The copyright of the article Last Minute Family Vacations in Michigan Travel is owned by Dee Dee Smith. Permission to republish Last Minute Family Vacations in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.