The sun is shining, the snow is melting and we’re ready to welcome you to our beautiful region. Spring break is on the horizon and we’re sharing some of our favorite family-friendly ways to enjoy your week-long vacation in the Charlevoix area. In no particular order, here are some awesome places to take the whole family, most of which keep your brains active over the break:
Raven Hill Discovery Center
Raven Hill Discovery Center is a place where children and adults can connect science, history, and the arts with hands-on activities and discoveries both indoors and outdoors through classes, exhibits, and facilities that provide opportunities for all ages to learn, create, grow and play.
Castle Farms
This once dilapidated farm has been beautifully restored to its original 1918 glory. Take a self-guided tour of the facility including the popular railroad garden (the largest in Michigan), feed to ducks at the pond, play giant chess, and visit the gift shop. Kids will find plenty of things to do at Castle Farms.
Charlevoix Circle of Arts
The Charlevoix Circle of Arts offers a variety of dance classes, workshops, and art classes for kids and teenagers. During the months of March and April, the Circle is offering a variety of kid-themed classes! Also, enjoy ever-changing exhibits and more at the Circle.
Charlevoix Public Library
The Charlevoix Public Library is the place to be! With seemingly endless kid’s activities such as storytime, art projects, Kindermusik, and book yoga as well as the dedicated children/tween wing, playground, and garden at the library, your family will find plenty of opportunities to explore this community gem.
Harsha House Museum
Visit the Charlevoix Harsha House Museum for a blast from the past. Not only do you get to learn some interesting tidbits about Charlevoix, but you can also view 150 years of area photography.
Rafting down the Jordan
We love rafting down the Jordan River during every season. Book a tour with Jordan Valley Outfitters and spend the day rafting with the family. This is one of our favorite ways to experience the beauty of Northern Michigan while having fun!
Visit the Pool
Whether you’re looking to sign the kiddos up for swim lessons or simply looking for an open swim facility, the Charlevoix Community Pool is a family favorite. Spend the afternoon swimming and having a blast! Also, many of our area accommodations have pools, saunas, and hot tubs for you and your family to use while staying in Charlevoix.
Great Outdoors
If you are traveling with older children or teens, these ideas are just for you. The Charlevoix area has a lot of great trail systems just waiting to be explored. We enjoy the ease of Susan Creek Nature Preserve, the views of Charles Ransom Nature Preserve, and the quiet beauty of Fisherman’s Island State Park. If you’re looking for a biking trail, check out the Little Traverse Wheelway. This trail is 26 miles along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Find a Petoskey and Charlevoix Stone
One of our favorite pastimes is looking for Petoskey and Charlevoix stones. Two of the best places to find these stones are Fisherman’s Island State Park and Lake Michigan Beach. You can spend hours hunting for these iconic stones!
Look to the skies
There's something awe-inspiring about the magic of the nighttime sky and Northern Michigan is one of the best places to enjoy the dark sky. Because the numerous nature preserves offer wide-open expanses, Lake Michigan as far as the eye can see, and low levels of light pollution, the Charlevoix area has many great places to watch the stars, Northern Lights, Milky Way, and meteor showers.
