What is the best way to spend a weekend with kids in Midland, Michigan?

There are plenty of fun ways for families to spend a weekend in Midland, Michigan, including: discovering Dow Gardens and the nation's longest canopy walk; catching a Great Lakes Loons Minor League Baseball game; exploring Chippewa Nature Center and its 1870s Homestead Farm; experiencing a family-friendly performance at Midland Center for the Arts; playing arcade games & pinball machines at Brinstar; and enjoying an evening inside Valley Lanes, with bowling, bumper cars, indoor mini-golf, and an arcade.

What is a great 3-day weekend itinerary for families in Midland, Michigan?

Skip to:

Day 1 — Friday

Day 2 — Saturday

Day 3 — Sunday

Day 1:
Friday
Crepes Et Amis | @downtownmidlandmi

Breakfast

  • Start your day with sweet or savory crepes from Crêpes et Amis. (The kids will love the Strawberry Cheesecrêpe with Nutella® & cheesecake filling!)
  • Insider tip: you can also pick up flaky croissants from Iron Dame Baked Goods while you're here!
Dow Gardens | @jenniferrussell1105

Morning

  • Explore the 30-mile Pere Marquette Rail Trail and take off from the trailhead at The Tridge, Midland’s iconic three-legged bridge that hovers over two rivers!
  • Pop by Joyful Tantrum to let the kids experience "a toy store, unplugged," packed with hands-on, creative toys.
  • Grab treats from nearby Aviator Cookie Company (try the Oatmeal Scotchie) to bring along on your next adventure!

Lunch

  • Stop into Downtown’s Amazing Deli and pick up a picnic of sandwiches, with 25 specialty options to choose from.

Afternoon

  • Head to Dow Gardens to picnic amidst 110 acres of colorful flowers, including an award-winning Children's Garden.
    • Dow Gardens is also home to the longest canopy walk in the United States, complete with a glass floor overlooking an orchard 40 feet below!

Dinner

  • Savor meats smoked low & slow at Molasses Smokehouse & Bar, with St. Louis Ribs, Smokehouse Meats, BBQ Mac & Cheese, Loaded BBQ Tots, and a complete kids' menu.

Evening

  • Catch a Great Lakes Loons game at Dow Diamond! A High-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Loons play 70 home games and your family is sure to have a ball at one!
    • Insider tip: Look for the playground on-premise, and find 20+ food attractions (including Three Scoops Yer Out ice cream) for nighttime nibbles the whole family will love!
Day 2:
Saturday
The Playground | @midlandsplayground

Breakfast

  • Start your day at Live Oak Coffeehouse. Little ones will love their scratch-made cinnamon rolls, and parents will be just as pleased with a Live Oak Latte & quiche.
  • Brighten up everyone's morning with warmed cinnamon rolls (and locally roasted specialty coffee, parents) inside Creation Coffee.

Morning

  • Let the kids burn off energy inside The Playground, an indoor fun zone for kids — with perfectly poured lattes for parents!
  • Visit Space Studios for a wide selection of ready-to-be-painted pottery, and make beautiful souvenirs together.
  • Follow your noses through the Midland Area Farmers Market, alive with the aromas of fresh produce, fresh-cut flowers, baked goods — even food trucks!

Lunch

  • Back Downtown, enjoy Pizza Sam’s (their sandwiches, salads, and calzones, too) or try Pizza Baker for delicious wood-fired pies on crispy sourdough crust.
Chippewa Nature Center | @ehlerspartyofthree

Afternoon

  • Spend quality time exploring Chippewa Nature Center, a 1,200-acre haven with 19 miles of trails! Admission is free and will welcome your family into hands-on exhibits, the 1870s Homestead Farm, and more!
  • Rent tandem kayaks for the fam from Nor'East Outdoors and enjoy a 1-2 hour "Lower Chip Trip," an easy, scenic float from Chippewa Nature Center to The Tridge in Downtown Midland.

Dinner

  • Bring the family into Brinstar, where classic arcade games & pinball machines, creative burgers, and fresh-cut fries will make everyone's night!
    • Insider tip: this spot has 12 craft brews on tap, parents!

Evening

The Tridge | @megsymarie13
Day 3:
Sunday
Chef Sergey's Bakery | @sergeysbakery

Brunch

  • Share a slow family morning inside artisanal, European-inspired Chef Sergey's Bakery. Kids will love their Cinnamon Babka and parents can indulge in a (Salted Caramel Pecan, Dubai Chocolate...) croissant & handcrafted seasonal latte.

Afternoon

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Author
Jen W. O'Deay + Go Great Lakes Bay

By: Jen W. O'Deay | Updates: Go Great Lakes Bay | Jen is a Saginaw native and owner of Feel These Words, an independent copywriting studio & home to the free "5 Day Website MiniBoost". Jen specializes in writing that connects, delivered through website copy, branded content articles, and WingWoman writing services. You'll find Jen camping with her family, laughing, and at feelthesewords.com