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Michigan is packed with family-friendly destinations, but none capture the spirit of ‘up north’ quite like Cadillac.
Situated a short 90 miles from Grand Rapids, Cadillac is the affordable, easy-to-get-to up north destination that wants to be your next family trip.
Whether you like outdoors or indoor fun, Cadillac will keep you busy any time of year.
Use this list to mix and match your way to a perfect Cadillac getaway – with or without kids!
One great Cadillac activity: bike rides around a lake!
Here’s a quick how-to guide:
3. Plan Some Stops: Along the way, you’ll find several kid-friendly stops. Our favorites were Cadillac Lakefront Park, the Cadillac Sound Garden, the playground at Kenwood Park, and the Carl T Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center.
4. Enjoy the Ride: The path has a mix of lake views and residential areas and is especially pretty in the summer and fall.
Your guided raft trip at Pine River Paddlesports lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The guide does the majority of the work so you can sit back, sip a drink, snap some pictures and take in the beauty.
At the end of the float, the guide can either give you a ride back to your vehicle at the starting point, or you can choose to hike the gorgeous riverside Silver Creek pathway back to the start. Book your trip here.
This is an especially gorgeous trip to take in the fall when the colors are peaking.
Dick Family Farm Corn mazes and legendary donuts and cider. Plus, don’t miss the Dairy Fest on the 2nd Saturday in October.
Brinks Family Creamery: Delicious milk, cheese, and even a bakery.
Maple Leaf Farm & Creamery: A whole world of goat milk goodies and fun farm activities.
The Hudson Farm: Think wagon rides, petting farm animals, and cute crafts.
3rd Day Farm: Fresh produce, honey, maple syrup, AMAZING pumpkin tower, and charming farm tours.
Michigan DNR’s Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center (6087 E M-115, Cadillac, MI 49601): Dive into Michigan’s outdoorsy side! The center, right in the middle of Mitchell State Park, is a cool spot for kids.
To start, the 500-gallon fish tank shows off local swimming stars from the nearby lakes. There’s even a 200-gallon tank for a fish called the arctic grayling – they’re working to reintroduce this special fish. If you’re into trails, lace up for a guided 2.5-mile Heritage walk.
Harrietta State Fish Hatchery (6801 West 30 Rd, Harrietta, MI 49638): Just a short drive from Mitchell State Park, the fish hatchery is where you can learn more about where the fish in the lakes, how they get there, and what role the DNR plays.
They’ve got indoor and outdoor spots to explore, and you can walk the self-guided trails.
Downtown Cadillac gets our vote for the friendliest local shopkeepers around. Keep up with events here on Downtown Cadillac’s Facebook page and use this curated list of downtown destinations to explore:
Toy Town (122 S Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601): A massive store with a mix of new & antique toys. The owner encourages kids to touch and interact with the toys.
Simply Delightful (112 N Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601): Candy, fudge, & desserts, and they also serve lunch. A treat for the sweet tooth in all of us.
The Sweet Shop (111 S Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601): Cadillac’s Original Handmade Candy Shop with fudge, caramel corn, MOOMER’S ICE CREAM, fresh roasted nuts, and old-fashioned chocolate caramel apples.
Chunky Bear Coffee Roasters (124 N Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601): Kids are loving the unique scavenger hunt that has them finding hidden animals in the plants throughout the coffee shop. Once completed, they earn a fun little prize.
GQT Cadillac 4 Theatre (202 S Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601): A comfy setting to catch a flick. Perfect for family movie outings.
Blue Heron Cafe (304 N Mitchell Cadillac MI 49601): Serving breakfast, lunch, and also offering donuts, muffins, and cookies. It’s where the locals go.
Angel’s House of Treasures (218 N Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601): A treasure trove where you’ll find everything from local artistry to antiques. Our reaction: “Things from my childhood are in the antique store and now I feel super old!”
The Wexford Civic Center (1320 N Mitchell Dr, Cadillac, MI 49601): Spend a quality afternoon at the Wex. Sip on a hot chocolate or coffee from the Food Bar while skating. Open Skate is mainly on weekends during the ice season but special events happen, too.
Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort (1 Caberfae Ln, Cadillac, MI 49601): Affordable lift ticket and lodging rates, and the fact that you can bring a crock pot for lunch, Caberfae is a favorite for many Michigan & Midwest skiers.
The Pines Bowling Center (5992 East M-55, Cadillac, MI 49601): Affordable bowling and shoe rentals, 12-lanes, full restaurant, sports bar, pool room and arcade! Open bowling daily, but check the website for league schedule.
Parkview Lanes (126 W Harris St, Cadillac, MI 49601): Owned by the same family since 1946, it’s Cadillac’s premier spot for bowling. From cosmic bowling to delicious eats, it’s an experience for everyone.
Fun things pop up on the Cadillac community calendar all of the time. Want to see what’s happening? Check out the Community Calendar and filter by family-friendly events.
Chunky Bear Coffee Roasters (124 N Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601): Join in a fun scavenger hunt for kids, or savor a cup of freshly roasted coffee. With a modern and earthy vibe, it’s the place to relax.
Blue Heron Cafe (304 N Mitchell, Cadillac, MI 49601): Serving breakfast, lunch, and also offering donuts, muffins, and cookies. It’s where the locals go.
Simply Delightful (112 N Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601): Delight in a lunch of delicious sandwiches in this cozy spot.
Let’s Roll With It, Rolled Ice Cream (1602 N Mitchell Dr, Cadillac, MI 49601): The only Rolled ice cream shop in Northern MI. Engage in games, watch movies, and enjoy freshly rolled ice cream.
Herraduras Mexican Bar & Grill (1700 S Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601): Satisfy your craving for authentic Mexican food. The vibrant atmosphere, tasty dishes, and great value make it a must-visit.
The Truck Stop (902 W 13th St, Cadillac, MI 49601): Great atmosphere with live music, entertainment, and delicious food. Indoor and outdoor seating, great for families.
Let’s be honest – the biggest draw for kids on vacation is the pool. The pools at Cadillac’s hotels are large and well cared for. (My friend actually just booked a trip to Cadillac based solely on the hotel’s pool picture. They’re that dreamy.) Find them here.
Evergreen Resort: Dive into a refreshing pool, relax in a hot tub, or explore two golf courses. Check in at 7880 Mackinaw Trail.
Lake Cadillac Resort (6319 E. M-115, Cadillac, MI 49601): Beyond just a hotel, it’s an escape into nature. Dive into a refreshing pool, relax in a hot tub, or explore two golf courses.
With lakes, trails, year-round outdoor adventures, and a small-town vibe, Cadillac, Michigan, is the kind of place that makes for a really fun day trip or weekend getaway.
Next time you’re planning something new in Michigan, consider Cadillac! You might be surprised how much you love it.
INFJ. Mom of 3. Idea chaser-People believer-Inspiration seeker. Together we make GR amazing – Let’s go!
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