Leave Grove City, Ohio around 6:00 AM and take I-70 W to I-94 W through Toledo, Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Kalamazoo into Holland. With three kids, budget about 6.5–7.5 hours with real stops, not “map time” — I’d plan one quick restroom stretch near Toledo and another around Ann Arbor or Kalamazoo, then keep lunch simple from a highway exit so you’re not turning the day into a marathon. Try to roll into Holland before the late-afternoon rush and make parking easy by heading straight to the lots near the first stop instead of circling downtown.
Start with Windmill Island Gardens, which is exactly the kind of first-day, post-drive reset a family needs: open lawns, Dutch-style scenery, and the iconic windmill that gives kids something immediate to look at. It’s usually a better value if you’re there for a full stretch of time rather than rushing through, and one hour is enough to walk it without overdoing it; expect modest admission and keep an eye on closing time in summer, which can vary by day. From there, it’s an easy hop into Downtown Holland / 8th Street — the heart of the city, very walkable, with flower-lined blocks, toy stores, ice cream, and a pleasant small-city feel that’s especially nice before dinner. If the kids are fading, let them set the pace and keep the wander short; everything is close, and you don’t need a strict agenda here.
Head to New Holland Brewing Co. – Pub on 8th for an easy family dinner. It’s a reliable choice for burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, and a solid adult drink list, and it works well with kids because the menu is unfussy and the setting is casual; figure roughly $15–25 per person depending on what you order. After dinner, if everyone still has energy, finish at Kollen Park & Heinz Waterfront Walkway for a lakeside sunset and a little playground time — it’s one of the nicest ways to end a travel day in Holland, especially when the breeze comes off the water. From there, it’s a simple drive back to your overnight spot in town, and you’ll be in a good place to keep tomorrow’s push north to Munising feeling manageable.
Leave Holland around 7:00 AM and make this a true road day: I-96 E to US-131 N to M-28 W is the cleanest way across the state, and with three kids you’ll want to plan on a couple of stretch breaks rather than trying to “power through.” A realistic arrival in Munising is late afternoon, so keep breakfast simple, fill the tank before you roll, and pack lunch/snacks so your biggest stop can be a proper sit-down break somewhere along US-131 or near Cadillac/the northern part of the drive. In Munising, parking at the lakefront and visitor-area lots is straightforward, but in summer it’s worth arriving with enough daylight to avoid circling for a spot.
Once you’re in town, start with Munising Falls Visitor Center for an easy reset after the drive. It’s a short, family-friendly stop with a quick path to the waterfall, and it gives everyone a “we’re here” moment without asking the kids to do much. The trail is gentle and usually takes about 45 minutes total with photos and snack time. If anyone needs to burn off the car energy, this is the place to do it before heading down toward the harbor. From there, it’s a quick hop to Munising Harbor for Pictured Rocks Cruises; on a busy July day, I’d assume the boat time may run a little later than your ideal and treat it as the anchor of the evening. Tickets are often in the $50–80 per adult range depending on tour length and season, and the longer scenic runs are the ones that really pay off if you can get them.
After the boat, head to The Dog Patch Restaurant for an easy, no-drama dinner. It’s the kind of place that works well for families after a long day: casual service, plenty of standard comfort food, and enough variety that the kids should all find something. Figure roughly $12–25 per person depending on what everyone orders. If the daylight is still hanging on and the younger one has any energy left, finish with a short stop at Sand Point Beach for a calm Lake Superior sunset and a last look at the water before turning in. It’s a nice low-effort end to a big travel day, and if you’re staying nearby, you’ll be glad you kept the evening flexible instead of overpacking it.
If you’re starting from Munising, keep this one easy and early: grab water, bug spray, and snacks, then get on the trail by around 8:00 AM so you beat the heat and some of the day-tripper traffic. Miners Falls Trail is the kind of Pictured Rocks hike that works well with older kids — it’s a real payoff without being a full-day commitment. The walk is about 1.2 miles round trip on a pretty straightforward path, with stairs near the end down to the falls, so the 12- and 10-year-old should be fine and the 2-year-old will be happier in a carrier than a stroller. Parking is at the signed trailhead off H-58, and this is one of the park’s more popular stops, so arriving early makes the whole experience calmer.
If everyone still has hiking energy after that, continue to Chapel Basin / Chapel Falls trailhead area for a second scenic walk. This is a classic Pictured Rocks forest-and-stream hike with a quieter feel than the big overlook spots, and it’s a nice contrast after the falls at Miners Falls. Plan on about 1.5 hours total with kid pace, especially if you stop for creek crossings and photos. Shoes with grip help because the trail can stay damp in spots, and I’d treat this as a “let’s enjoy the woods” outing rather than a race to the end.
Head back into town for an easy lunch at Shipwreck Society in Munising. It’s a good family stop because the menu is straightforward — sandwiches, soups, and kid-friendly options — and you won’t lose half your day waiting around. Expect roughly $12–20 per person, with a total around $60–100 depending on drinks and extras. If you’re lucky enough to get a window seat or a quick patio break, you’ll feel that harbor-town reset before heading back out.
After lunch, drive out to Grand Sable Dunes Overlook for a very different side of the park. The landscape opens up fast here: big sand, Lake Superior air, and that wide, wind-shaped feel that makes this stretch of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore so memorable. It’s a short stop — about an hour is plenty — and it pairs nicely with the morning’s waterfall hikes because the terrain and views feel completely different. Then continue to Sable Falls near Grand Marais, which is one of those quick-hit stops that feels worth the detour because the falls are scenic without being a major time commitment. The stairs down are easy enough for a family photo stop, but if the toddler is getting tired, you can still enjoy plenty from the top area and keep moving.
Finish the day with Lake Superior sunset at the East Channel Lighthouse area back in Munising Harbor. This is the kind of low-effort, high-reward evening that families need after a full day outside: a harbor walk, lake breeze, boats coming and going, and that soft Superior light if the weather cooperates. It’s an easy place to let the kids roam a bit while you sit and decompress, and it’s one of the nicest ways to wind down on this coast. If you’re heading back to Empire tomorrow, try to be in motion early so you have the full day for the drive west; the route is long enough that a clean start matters, and if you leave after breakfast you’ll have a much smoother run on M-28 and US-2 with fewer rushed stops.
Leave Munising around 8:00 AM and make this a comfortable scenic transfer day to Empire. It’s a long but very doable family drive on M-28, US-2, and M-22, with enough room for one real lunch stop and one quick leg stretch so the kids don’t melt down before you even reach the dunes. If you keep moving, you should roll into town in the mid-afternoon with time left to still enjoy the park; once you get there, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center in Empire is the smartest first stop. It’s a quick, useful reset: check dune conditions, grab a map, ask about wind and beach safety, and decide how much sand your crew wants to tackle. Parking is easy, and this is the place to do any last-minute bathroom, water, and sunscreen prep before heading deeper into the park.
Head straight to the Dune Climb, which is the big kid-approved challenge here, but don’t feel like you have to summit anything. The sand is exhausting and the return uphill is no joke, especially with a 2-year-old in tow, so treat it like a choose-your-own-adventure: a short blast to the top, a photo break, and back down is a perfectly successful visit. From there, the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is the payoff for everyone who still has energy left — it’s one of the easiest ways to see the classic bluff-and-lake views without committing to another hike. Expect about 1.5 hours if you stop at a few overlooks and let the kids wander a bit; it’s especially pretty in late afternoon light, and the pullouts make it much easier to manage with younger children than another long trail would.
Keep dinner simple at Joe’s Friendly Tavern back in Empire, where the vibe is casual and the menu is exactly what a road-trip family wants: burgers, sandwiches, fish, and no-fuss comfort food. Budget roughly $15–25 per person, and it’s the kind of place where you can come in sandy, hungry, and a little sun-tired without worrying about being overly polished. If the weather is nice and everyone still has a little fuel left, finish the day with Empire Beach for sunset on Lake Michigan — even 30 minutes is enough to let the kids kick around in the sand and watch the sky turn gold. Bring a sweatshirt; the lake breeze can feel cool even in July.
Leave Empire around 8:30 AM and take M-22 / US-31 north into Petoskey; this is one of those drives that’s actually part of the fun, with long bay views and just enough small-town traffic to remind you you’re headed somewhere popular. For a family with a 2-year-old, this is a much better rhythm than trying to race up the coast — aim to arrive in Petoskey by late morning, then park once and stay out of the car for a while. If you want a quick reset stop along the way, pull over for a coffee, diaper change, or snack in one of the little waterfront towns rather than trying to do a big detour.
Start at Bayfront Park for an easy, breezy landing spot. There’s space to let the kids run, a playground, and a nice view over Little Traverse Bay that gives everyone a breather after the drive. It’s a simple 45-minute stop that sets the tone for the day: relaxed, scenic, and low-pressure. From there, it’s a short hop to Petoskey State Park, which is where you’ll want to spend the bulk of the beach time. The shoreline is the classic place to hunt for Petoskey stones, and if you’ve got water shoes, even better — the rocks can be rough, and the kids will do much better if they can wander and search without worrying about every pebble. Parking is straightforward but can fill up on a summer Sunday, so getting there before midday helps.
For lunch, head into downtown to City Park Grill, which is a dependable family pick when you want something that feels local but still works with kids, tired legs, and sandy shoes. Expect around $15–25 per person, depending on what everyone orders, and it’s usually the kind of place where you can get burgers, sandwiches, fish, and kid-friendly basics without a fuss. After lunch, walk it off with a short visit to the Little Traverse History Museum. It’s small enough to feel manageable after a beach morning, and it gives a little context for Petoskey without turning the day into a museum marathon; plan on about 45 minutes unless one of the exhibits hooks the kids. If you’re running behind, this is the easiest stop to shorten without losing the feel of the day.
Finish with an easy waterfront stretch on the Little Traverse Wheelway, where you can do a relaxed walk, stroller roll, or family bike ride if you’ve rented anything locally. This is the best “one last look” at the bay before you call it a day — quieter than the beach, prettier than you expect, and perfect for a Sunday evening wind-down. If everyone’s still energized, linger near the waterfront for ice cream or a snack and let the kids burn off the last of the day. Tomorrow’s drive home is long, so I’d keep dinner simple, get gas before you turn in, and aim for an early start out of Petoskey on US-31 S toward I-75 S so you can make the return to Grove City without fighting unnecessary traffic.
Roll out of Petoskey around 7:00 AM and plan for a full but manageable return day on US-31 S to I-75 S. With three kids, the trick is to treat this like a series of short sprints: get them buckled, make your first stop count, and keep the snacks and water easy to reach. If you’re leaving after breakfast, you’ll still be ahead of the heaviest traffic through the Detroit-bound corridor, and the drive back toward Grove City should land in that 7.5–9 hour window with normal restroom breaks and one decent lunch stop.
For your midday break, keep it simple in the Toledo area so you don’t lose momentum. A fast, family-friendly option off the interstate is usually the easiest call — think a quick sit-down at Bob Evans, Cracker Barrel, or a no-fuss diner near Airport Highway or Secor Road if you want something predictable and easy with the kids. Budget about $40–70 for a family lunch depending on where you land, and aim for 45 minutes max so you still have daylight and energy for the second half of the drive.
By mid-afternoon, give everyone one last reset near Findlay or Lima — a rest area, McDonald’s, or a small park stop works fine here. This is the moment to let the kids run, use the restroom, and swap drivers if you’re doing that. If you want a slightly nicer stop, Findlay Reservoirs has good open space when timing works, but for a road-trip day like this, a clean rest area is honestly the smarter move. Plan 20–30 minutes, then keep the car moving so you can beat the late-evening fatigue slump.
Expect to roll into Grove City in the evening with just enough energy left for unloading bags, starting laundry, and ordering a low-key dinner at home. If you’re near the I-71 side of town, it’s worth staying on the highway instead of cutting through local traffic, especially if you hit the Columbus rush. Once you’re back, don’t try to do anything ambitious — this is a good night for showers, snacks, and a real reset after a long family road trip.