Leave Grove City, Ohio around 5:30–6:00 AM and take I-71 S to I-70 W, then connect to I-75 N and US-31 N into Holland, Michigan. You’re looking at roughly 6.5–7.5 hours of drive time before stops, and on a summer Wednesday it’s worth building in a couple of easy breaks for gas, snacks, and kid resets. If you can, aim to roll into town by early afternoon so parking is still simple and everyone arrives with enough energy to actually enjoy the stop instead of just collapsing at the hotel.
Your first stretch-the-legs stop is Windmill Island Gardens. This is the classic Holland opener: the working windmill, the open gardens, and lots of room for the kids to wander without feeling like they’re in a “formal” attraction. Plan about 1.5 hours here. Admission is usually modest — around the low teens for adults, with discounted children’s pricing — and in summer the grounds are generally open daily in daylight hours, though the exact museum/building hours can vary. It’s an easy place to park, and it’s close enough to downtown that you won’t waste time crisscrossing the city.
After a relaxed lunch or snack stop, head into Downtown Holland for a low-key wander. The core around 8th Street is the most walkable part of town: brick-paved blocks, local shops, ice cream, and plenty of places to duck in if the kids need a quick cool-down. This is one of those downtowns that actually works well with children because you can keep it flexible — browse a few stores, grab coffee or a treat, and let the group split up and regroup without stress. Budget-wise, this is where you can keep things easy or spend a bit depending on how many souvenirs and treats everyone wants.
For dinner, settle into Alpenrose Restaurant right in downtown Holland. It’s a good family stop because the menu leans hearty and familiar, with Dutch-inspired comfort food that fits the town without feeling fussy. Expect roughly $15–25 per person depending on what you order, and dinner hours are typically in the late afternoon through evening, but it’s smart to confirm before you go on a holiday week. If service is busy, this is one place where arriving a little earlier than the peak dinner rush pays off.
Finish the day with a slow walk at Kollen Park & Heinz Waterfront Walkway by Lake Macatawa. This is the kind of stop that makes a travel day feel complete: room for the 12- and 10-year-old to move around, a stroller-friendly path for the 2-year-old, and a sunset view that gives everyone a chance to decompress before the next leg of the trip. Parking is usually straightforward, and you can make this as short or as long as the family wants — 45 minutes is enough to breathe and watch the light on the water, or you can linger a bit if the evening is beautiful.
Leave Holland, MI around 6:00 AM and make a steady push up US-31 N / I-75 N / M-28 W toward Munising. For a family with a 2-year-old, this is very much a “make miles early” day: plan on 9.5–10.5 hours total with fuel, bathroom, and lunch stops, and expect the last stretch on M-28 to feel quieter and more remote than the lower peninsula. A simple arrival goal is to reach town by early evening, check into your lodging, and keep the first night low-key so everyone’s ready for the parks tomorrow.
Once you’re in town, head to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Visitor Center first. It’s the best place to get your bearings, ask about trail and beach conditions, and confirm anything you’ll want for tomorrow—especially if you’re hoping for boat tours, kayaks, or a short hike with the kids. This stop usually takes 30–45 minutes, and it’s an easy way to shift from “road trip mode” into “we’ve arrived” mode without overdoing it. Parking is straightforward, and it’s a good chance to grab maps, check restrooms, and let the kids stretch before dinner.
For dinner, keep it simple at Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore in downtown Munising. It’s a comfortable, family-friendly stop for sandwiches, soups, coffee, and pastries, and you’ll usually spend about $12–22 per person depending on what everyone orders. After that, if the crew still has a little gas left, take the short drive west to Munising Falls for an easy, calming finish to the day. The walk is short and very kid-friendly—perfect after a long car day—and in July it’s best done in the softer evening light when the crowds thin out. Bring bug spray and expect a very gentle 30–45 minute outing before heading back to rest up for tomorrow.
Start early and head straight to Pictured Rocks Cruises in Munising Harbor so you can catch one of the best morning departures. The boat tours usually run about 2.5–3 hours, and in July the earlier sailings are the sweet spot: calmer water, better light on the cliffs, and a much easier experience with kids before the day heats up. Plan to arrive 30–45 minutes early for parking and check-in, especially on a holiday weekend. If you can, pre-book seats in advance; family-friendly boats fill up fast, and the walk from the lot to the dock is simple but a little busy once everyone’s boarding. Expect roughly $45–$65 per adult and less for kids, depending on the cruise type.
After the cruise, keep the pace loose and head to Sand Point Beach for an easy reset. It’s one of the nicest low-key spots in town: shallow water, room for a 2-year-old to wander safely with supervision, and a relaxed view back toward the cliffs. It’s a good place to snack, change out of layers, and let everyone decompress after being on the water. Bring water shoes if you have them; the shoreline can be a mix of sand, pebbles, and a little driftwood. From the harbor, it’s a short drive—just a few minutes—so this is the kind of stop that feels effortless rather than scheduled.
Later, make your way to Miners Falls for the best short hike of the day. The trail is an out-and-back that’s manageable for most families, but it does have stairs and a bit of uneven footing near the overlook, so take your time with the 2-year-old and use a carrier if you have one. The round trip is usually around 1.5 hours with photo stops, and it’s one of those places that rewards the effort quickly. Parking is free but can fill midafternoon in peak season, so getting there earlier is ideal. If you’re carrying dinner momentum already, this is a great “last big stop” before everyone gets tired.
For dinner, settle into Vango’s Pizza, Cocktail Lounge & Italian Garden in Munising. It’s a good all-ages choice after a full day outside: easygoing, familiar, and broad enough to please both adults and kids without any fuss. Expect roughly $12–20 per person depending on what you order, with pizzas, pasta, and simple kid-friendly options that make it a low-stress landing spot. After dinner, drive a little east on M-28 for a quick photo stop at Alger Falls—it’s an easy roadside pull-off and a nice last look at the water and woods before heading back to lodging. If you still have energy, it’s worth lingering for just 15–20 minutes; otherwise, treat it as a smooth end-of-day marker and call it an early night.
Leave Munising around 7:00 AM and make the westbound push on M-28 toward US-31 N and then into Empire. This is a real Northern Michigan road day: long enough that you’ll want a couple of bathroom and snack stops, but pretty enough that it doesn’t feel like dead time. With three kids in the car, it’s smart to fuel up before you leave town and keep easy grab-and-go snacks handy so you can roll straight into the Sleeping Bear area by mid-afternoon and avoid arriving frazzled. Once you’re in Empire, park once and let everyone stretch their legs before doing anything ambitious.
After the drive, head straight for Empire Bluff Trail while everyone still has some energy. It’s one of the best low-effort, high-reward hikes on this side of the peninsula: the walk is short, the path is manageable for most families, and the payoff is that wide, classic Lake Michigan overlook that feels bigger than the climb. Plan on about 1.5 hours total with a few photo stops and kid pacing; in July, go expecting sun, bugs, and a little sand on the trail, so water shoes or sneakers are better than anything fancy. If the 2-year-old is riding in a carrier, this is a much better fit than trying to force a longer hike elsewhere.
Next, keep things easy with a relaxed stretch on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. Pick a stroller-friendly segment near Empire for either a short walk or a family bike spin; it’s a nice reset after the bluff and a good way to burn off road-trip energy without committing to a full outing. After that, swing into Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate in Empire for a sweet break — it’s a very easy win with kids, and adults usually end up happy to “just try a few things” and leave with more than they planned. Then finish with dinner at Joe’s Friendly Tavern, a laid-back local spot that works well for families before the holiday evening crowd builds. Expect roughly $15–25 per person, plus the usual kid-menu flexibility, and don’t overthink it — this is the kind of town where a simple early dinner and an unhurried evening feel exactly right.
Head out early for Sleeping Bear Dunes Overlook on Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive — if you can be there by about 8:00 AM, you’ll beat both the heat and the worst of the crowds, and the light is much better for the big dune-and-water views. From Empire, it’s a short, easy drive west on M-72 into the park area, and parking is straightforward at the scenic drive stops, though the lots do fill later in the morning. Expect to pay the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore entrance fee if you don’t already have a park pass; for a family, the America the Beautiful annual pass can make sense if you use it elsewhere this year.
Next, make the climb at Dune Climb in the Glen Haven area — this is the stop where older kids usually burn off the most energy, and you can decide how ambitious you want to be once you’re on the sand. Late morning is the sweet spot before the dune gets hot, so bring water, hats, and shoes you don’t mind filling with sand; the climb itself is free with park entry, and plan on 1 to 1.5 hours if you let the kids go at their own pace. After that, swing into Glen Haven Historic Village right nearby for a calmer reset: the old village buildings, harbor setting, and general-store feel are a nice contrast, and it’s an easy walk around the main cluster without needing to overthink it.
For a slower afternoon, head to Good Harbor Beach near the Cedar/Rose Lake side and let everyone decompress on the sand. This is one of the best “family beach” stops in the area because it’s simple, low-key, and good for younger kids who just want to dig and splash; in July the water is still chilly, but that doesn’t stop children for long. There’s usually room to spread out if you arrive before the late-afternoon rush, and it’s a good idea to keep a change of clothes handy so the 2-year-old isn’t trapped in damp sand gear for dinner. Wrap up with Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor — it’s the dependable local family pick after a dune-and-beach day, with burgers, sandwiches, and a casual pub vibe that works well with kids, and dinner typically lands around $15–25 per person depending on what everyone orders. From Glen Arbor, you can loop back to Empire in about 15–20 minutes on M-72 and local roads, or, if you’re saving energy for the drive home, keep the evening simple and pack up what you can before an early start to Holland tomorrow.
Leave Empire very early and roll into Holland with enough cushion to make the first stop feel relaxing instead of rushed. If you’re aiming for the easiest day with kids, plan to arrive in town around mid-morning, then go straight to Holland State Park for one last lake hit before the long ride home. The quick stop is worth it: the big draw here is the beach-and-lighthouse view, and in July the earlier you get there, the easier parking is. A park day-use pass is typically just a few dollars, and you’ll want to keep this to about 45 minutes so everyone can stretch, skip stones, and burn off some car-seat energy before breakfast.
Head downtown to Big Lake Brewing for a hearty brunch-style breakfast. It’s one of the most family-friendly easy stops in town, with solid portions and a relaxed vibe; expect roughly $12–22 per person depending on what everyone orders, and it’s a good place to get real coffee before the drive south. From there, it’s an easy hop to Dutch Village Market or a quick wander through downtown Holland shops for snacks, cold drinks, and souvenirs. This is the moment to grab road food for later, refill water bottles, and use the restroom before you commit to the long highway stretch.
Once you’re back on the road, follow I-96 E, I-94 E, and I-69 S toward Grove City, OH. Build in one longer lunch stop and a fuel break rather than a lot of small detours; with kids, it’s usually smoother to stop at a larger service plaza or familiar chain off the highway than to hunt for something scenic. If you leave Holland around 5:00–5:30 AM, you should have a comfortable cushion for traffic and still get home at a reasonable time, with the day feeling like a controlled finish instead of a marathon.