The Lake Erie port city of Toledo, Ohio, makes a great jumping-off point for exploring the Great Lakes region or an awesome summer destination all on its own. In fact, it was recently recognized for its family-friendly and affordable attractions, taking the top spot in Forbe’s 2023 list of the “Most Affordable Cities for Family Vacations.” Continue reading for our list of 25 things you must do in and around Toledo this summer!
You definitely don’t have to be a seasoned hiker to experience the beautiful sights at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Visiting these seven Upper Peninsula waterfalls will leave you breathless, but not out of breath.
It’s no wonder Mackinac Island was awarded the top spot on Travel + Leisure’s 2022 list of “15 Best Islands in the Continental U.S.” It is just one of those places everyone should visit once in their lives. If you are planning a trip, continue reading to learn our top seven must-do activities on Mackinac Island!
If you have ever been swimming in Lake Michigan, you know that the water can be quite cold, even during the hottest days of summer. We like the following three beaches at Sleeping Bear Dunes because they all offer access to inland waterways, either along a river or a smaller lake, buffering swimmers from the cold Lake Michigan and ensuring the water is the perfect temperature and depth for swimmers of all ages and abilities.
On one of our first trips up to the Petoskey/Harbor Springs area in 2019, we stumbled upon a magical little place called Pond Hill Farm. Now, when most people hear the word “farm,” they probably think of stinky barn animals and hay. While Pond Hill Farm does include these typical barnyard attractions, it is also so much more than that! We were delighted to spend a lovely afternoon here surrounded by beautiful gardens, delicious food and drinks, and hidden little activities that kept our entire family busy for hours. We are happy to add this lovely diversion to our itinerary whenever we are in the area, and we think you will be too!
If you are interested in enjoying a day on one of Lake Erie’s most popular tourist destinations, pack up your kids and follow our complete itinerary to hit up some of our favorite family-friendly island attractions.
