The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is one of those hidden gems that feels worlds away from the suburbs. Planning a 3-day family trip (family of 4) from Farmington, MI — can’t wait to explore it.
Best time to go: Mid-July to Mid-August
Day 1 — Drive Up & Waterfalls
Farmington → Munising · ~5 hour drive
7:00 AM — Depart Farmington Hit the road early to make the most of the day. Pack snacks and charge the tablets!
1:00 PM — Kitch-iti-kipi Big Spring Michigan’s largest natural spring — crystal clear water with a self-operated raft that kids absolutely love. Open 8AM–10PM. (~1 hour stop)
3:30 PM — Tahquamenon Falls State Park One of Michigan’s most iconic waterfalls. Stick to the Lower Falls — flat boardwalk, very manageable for little ones. Open 6AM–10PM. (~1.5 hour stop)
6:30 PM — Check In: AmericInn by Wyndham, Wetmore/Munising Indoor pool, waterslide, hot tub, and free breakfast included. Should be a great stop after the long drive.
Day 2 — Pictured Rocks Day
Lake Superior · Cliffs · Beaches
9:00 AM — Munising Falls Short paved trail to a beautiful waterfall — fully accessible and easy for the whole family. Perfect easy start to the day. (~45 min stop)
11:00 AM — Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise 2.5 hours on Lake Superior cruising past the stunning colorful sandstone cliffs. Absolutely breathtaking. Dress in layers — it gets windy on the water!
⚠️ Book ahead at picturedrocks.com — sells out fast!
2:00 PM — Lunch in Munising Grab food in town before the afternoon beach session.
3:00 PM — Miners Beach Right on Lake Superior — stunning views, great rock collecting for the kids. Note: the water is very cold even in summer! (~1.5 hour stop)
6:00 PM — Back to AmericInn Dinner and pool time. The kids will have earned it!
Day 3 — H-58 Scenic Drive & Head Home
Waterfalls · Dunes · Lake Superior · Back to Farmington
8:00 AM — Free Breakfast at Hotel Fuel up before checkout. It’s included — don’t skip it!
9:30 AM — Miners Falls Trail ~1 mile round trip, kid-friendly trail through the forest to a beautiful waterfall. Quick and rewarding before the drive. (~1 hour stop)
11:00 AM — H-58 Scenic Drive East Drive east from Munising along this stunning Lake Superior coastal route through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
11:30 AM — Lake Superior Overlook Stunning views over Lake Superior with beach access, restrooms, and great rock hunting for the kids. Quiet and peaceful. (~30 min stop)
12:15 PM — Log Slide Overlook / Grand Sable Dunes 175-foot views over Lake Superior and the massive Grand Sable Dunes — short walk from the parking lot, huge wow factor. Kids can climb the dune! (~45 min stop)
1:30 PM — Head South to Farmington Grab lunch in Munising before hitting the road. ~5 hour drive home. Back before bedtime!
Planned Stay
AmericInn by Wyndham — Wetmore/Munising 2 nights · Book at wyndhamhotels.com
Perks: indoor pool + waterslide, hot tub & sauna, free breakfast, close to all stops. Book early — it fills up in summer.
Good to Know
🎫 Michigan Recreation Passport — ~$17, required for state park entry. You’ll use it multiple times. Buy when renewing plate tabs or at the gate.
⛵ Book the Boat Cruise Early — Pictured Rocks cruise sells out fast in summer. Book as early as possible.
🧊 Lake Superior is COLD — Even in mid-summer. Great for wading and rock collecting — but not swimming for little ones.
📵 Download Offline Maps — Cell service is spotty throughout the UP. Download Google Maps or AllTrails offline before you leave.
💵 Bring Cash — Some UP spots are unreliable on card readers.
🌡️ Layer Up — UP weather is unpredictable. Warm on shore, cold on the boat. Bring layers and light rain jackets.
Packing List
Clothing: layers for everyone, light rain jackets, trail shoes, extra socks, swimsuits for the hotel pool
Outdoors: sunscreen, bug spray, small day backpack, reusable water bottles, trail snacks
Kids: carrier for little ones, extra change of clothes, rock collecting bag, tablets + headphones
Car & Misc: car snacks & drinks, portable charger, first aid kit, camera, cash, Recreation Passport
Action Items Before You Go
- Book Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise at picturedrocks.com
- Book AmericInn Wetmore/Munising (2 nights)
- Get Michigan Recreation Passport (~$17)
- Download offline maps (Google Maps + AllTrails)
- Pack & load car the night before