As soon as the summer break starts, energetic toddlers turn the house into a DIY obstacle course, while teens become super-glued to the screen, moving nothing but their thumbs. If you want to switch up this all-too-familiar routine and take kids outside, why not visit Michigan?
From roller coaster thrills at Michigan’s Adventure to the sandy beaches of Holland State Park, the Wolverine State has everything to spark your child’s curiosity and keep boredom at bay. Since Michigan is vast, we’ve compiled a list of accessible summer activities that’ll match every child’s mood and energy level.
Top Inclusive Summer Activities in Michigan
Below are the top accessible activities for families to enjoy across Michigan during the summer:
Seek Thrill at Michigan’s Adventure Park, Muskegon
What’s summer without a little splash of water and a dash of high-flying rides? Spread across 250 acres in Muskegon, Michigan’s Adventure Park sets the scene for the ultimate family summer outing.
Here, kids can enjoy sky-bouncing Frog Hopper, the majestic Giant Gondola Wheel, Camp Snoopy, or Pigpen’s Mud Buggies, among other heart-pounding experiences. And for those who prefer a splash to a scream, there’s a waterpark inside with Lazy River, Boogie Beach, and a Lagoon to beat the heat.
While wheelchairs are not permitted on the rides themselves, most rides are fully accessible — and you can rent electric convenience vehicles (ECVs) for effortless park exploration. Besides that, this adventure park offers pool lifts and water wheelchairs so you and your loved ones can enjoy each moment to the fullest.
Visit the Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak
Kids love animals, and Detroit Zoo is the best place to meet creatures from around the globe! This zoo is home to over 2,000 animals, including the playful Allen’s Swamp Monkeys, the regal Amur Tigers, the beautiful Chilean Flamingo, the Green Tree Python, and other wildlife.
The zoo hosts various interactive events that will keep the excitement buzzing. From the roaring Dinosauria exhibit to conservation talks at Gorillas On the Line and playful encounters during Mingle with the Macaronis, there’s always something special going on. And then there’s The Great Zoo Giveaway, making every visit potentially even more thrilling!
When the hunger strikes after all that excitement, families can visit onsite restaurants like Table 28, Buddy’s Pizza, or Coney Corner to savor iconic Detroit-style pizza, legendary chili dogs, and other zoo-inspired treats.
Build Sandcastles at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Traverse City
If you want your little ones to enjoy fresh air and sunshine, consider visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This universally accessible national park has secluded beaches, including Platte River Point and the timeless Cannery Beach in Glen Haven, perfect for sunbathing, collecting shells, building sandcastles, or digging holes.
Since Lake Michigan’s beaches have deep, loose sand, the park offers sand wheelchairs, ensuring everyone can reach the water’s edge. When visiting this park, don’t forget to drive along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, which promises postcard-worthy views of Lake Michigan, the Glen Lakes, and the towering dunes.
If you plan on extending this family adventure, the national park boasts two campgrounds, namely the D.H. Day Campground and the Platte River Campground, with wheelchair-accessible campsites. These sites feature hard-surfaced, flat concrete walkways, accessible ramps, benches for taking a break, a raised grill for the family barbecue master, and accessible restrooms.
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Discover Dinos at the Dinosaur Gardens, Ossineke
If your little ones are obsessed with all things dinosaurs, take them to the Dinosaur Gardens in Ossineke. This prehistoric park has giant life-sized dinosaur replicas, providing you and your budding paleontologists a thrilling glimpse of the Mesozoic era.
You can start your Jurrasic adventure with a guided walking tour to expand your child’s knowledge. Don’t forget to take pictures of your kids standing next to the towering T-Rex or a gigantic Brachiosaurus. Afterward, take your budding golfer to the onsite mini-golf course by the scenic Devil’s River, where every hole challenges you to dodge a dino or two.
And, of course, there’s the miner’s sluice and fossil dig area where your little dirt specialists can sift through sand to find fossils and dig up dinosaur bones. Yes, they’ll get sandy and possibly come home with pockets full of what they’ll swear are parts of a Triceratops skull, but hey, that’s half the fun! Before heading home, visit the dinosaur-themed gift shop to snag some roar-some souvenirs.
Attend the National Cherry Festival, Traverse City
Running from June 29 to July 6, the National Cherry Festival is the cherry on top for family adventure. At this event, you’ll be able to enjoy parades that feature accessible seating so everyone can enjoy the lively floats and bands without the usual sidewalk scramble. There are even classic car shows that’ll teleport you back to the ’60s.
What’s a cherry festival without eating cherries, right? You and your munchkin can participate in cherry pie eating contests to get messy but uncomfortably full! The bubblegum-blowing contest is your chance to shine or pop, depending on how it goes. And for those who fancy a bit of countryside charm, the orchard tours bring you close to the cherry-picking action.
There’s also a Kid’s Club with free activities such as Connect 4 for the brainiacs, Cherry Bean Bag Toss for the sharpshooters, Jumbo Jenga that stacks up the tension, Bowling for the strike-aiming superstars, Cornhole to throw your best shot, and a Cherry Picking Game that’s as sweet as it sounds.
Explore The Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn
If your teen is a history buff, take them to The Henry Ford Museum to learn about America’s most creative inventions and historical gems. Unlike other “stare-at-old-stuff” kind of museums, this one allows you to get up close and personal with mind-blowing inventions, visit the Greenfield Village, and tour the Ford Rouge Factory.
Besides that, this accessible museum offers a plethora of activities that are both educational and wildly entertaining. For instance, the Dinosaurs in Motion exhibit gives kids a chance to engage with 16 life-size dinosaurs, while the Gravity Racers event allows you to design your dream race car. Sponsored by Delta Air Lines, Make a Paper Plane is another activity that will help your little one perfect their pilot skills with just paper. It’s a fold-and-fly extravaganza!
The museum offers wheelchair rentals for $4 and scooter rentals for just $25. It also has wide pathways, interactive displays at varying heights, lifts, motorized doors, and accessible restrooms.
Gear Up for Summer Adventure with Clock Mobility
If you want your kiddos to drop their gadgets without a fight or to channel their inner Indiana Jones or Dora the Explorer, Michigan should be your go-to destination. Since traveling with kids is no small feat, Clock Mobility takes the stress out of your summer travel with ADA-compliant wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Our vehicles come equipped with top-notch safety features to protect your most precious cargo, user-friendly controls for easy maneuvering, and a spacious interior to give everyone their personal space (because we know how quickly “He’s touching me!” can start).
Additionally, we offer top-notch repair and summer maintenance services, including air conditioning service, so you can stay cool while making warm memories. Contact us at (866) 380-3326 or visit one of our locations in Michigan to book your rental or shop our inventory!