The Michigan Family Getaway You Might Be Overlooking

Save this itinerary for a fun family getaway in Michigan that may not be on your radar…

If you’re looking for a place full of family fun, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, has you covered. This captivating destination offers a calm break from the hustle and bustle of larger cities, but enough action for a packed itinerary – with a waterpark, children’s museum, kid-friendly restaurants, and can’t-miss annual festivals.

Thank you to Meet Mt. Pleasant for partnering with us to highlight this amazing getaway opportunity for families!

Soaring Eagle Waterpark

For families visiting with kids, Soaring Eagle Waterpark & Hotel provides food, fun, arcade games, and indoor water attractions, all under one roof.

We stayed in the Eagle Nest Suite, which was complete with 2 bunk beds (my kids are still raving about this feature).

Included with every overnight stay is access to the indoor waterpark. You can even visit before and after check-in and check-out times, during operating hours.

Waterpark day passes are available for purchase even if you’re not staying on-site.

Waterpark Fun

The waterpark was a highlight for our family. The swimming areas and splash pad are easy to navigate and not too deep for young kids. The water temperature was comfortable and not too cold.  My daughter was a big fan of the lazy river as well.

For those seeking bigger thrills, Flowrider is a surf simulator that delivers all the fun in a controlled setting. The three-story-tall slide will have you clutching your inner tube, while the lights and music guide you to the end of your ride.  

The Arcade & More Amenities

Once the waterpark closes for the day, have no fear, there are plenty of other amenities on the property. There is a separate indoor pool, two arcade rooms, an outdoor playground, and a restaurant.

For the adults, if you’re curious about what the other Soaring Eagle properties offer, there is a complimentary shuttle available to take you to all four Soaring Eagle properties in Mt. Pleasant.

Childcare is also available via KidQuest at the Soaring Eagle Conference Center. Our kids spent an hour at KidQuest and had a great time, enjoying the games and activities offered.

Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum

We couldn’t leave Mt. Pleasant without a visit to the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum. This museum had our kids captivated and engaged from the moment they walked through the doors. Inside, there is a water table, surrounded by several exhibits for imaginative play.

Our crew thoroughly enjoyed climbing through the spaceship and analyzing rocks under the digital magnifying glass. The sun was shining and the temperature was perfect, so we also had a chance to check out the Friendship Field, an outdoor area, complete with a sand pit, garden, and interactive musical art installations.

Sleepy Dog Books

I love visiting unique and quaint book stores, especially when we are visiting new places, and Sleepy Dog Books did not disappoint. This bookstore is nestled in the downtown area and features products from a number of Michigan-based authors, artists, and creators. When browsing the shelves, every title I came across seemed thoughtfully and intentionally selected or featured. 

Located in a renovated historic bank, Sleepy Dog Books has an adorable kids’ reading nook area named the Vault, with a wide selection of books for readers at every stage.

I love that this bookstore also hosts a number of community-centered events as well. We weren’t able to fit it into our schedule; however, they hosted a “Story Time with Furry Friends” event while we were in town, in partnership with the local animal humane society, that looked like a great time!

Be sure to plan out your visit ahead of time, as they are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Island Park 

On our next trip to Mt. Pleasant, we will be sure to bring the kids’ scooters and skates, so that we can fully enjoy this beautiful pit stop. Island Park is a free-entry, 50-acre park, complete with a skate park, basketball courts, sand volleyball, tennis courts, a splash pad, along with a beautiful, large playground structure and swings. 

If you need a calm, quiet moment to yourself, you can reflect and honor those who have served at the Michigan Vietnam Veterans Memorial. There are plenty of covered picnic areas, fishing decks, and a picturesque walking riverwalk trail. This could easily serve as the perfect spot for a full-day outing. It is complete with bathrooms on site, making it extra family-friendly.

Mt. Pleasant Eats & Treats 

With our selective eaters in tow, we sought out restaurants with a wide range of options for each of us.

Sumo Sushi Steak House

Sumo Sushi Steak House provides a great meal and entertainment, if you opt for the hibachi experience. We ordered the chicken, shrimp, rice, and veggies. Our chef brought smiles, fun, and entrees cooked to perfection.

There were several birthdays being celebrated by other guests during our visit, which also comes with a free dessert and a special serenade from the staff, upon request. 

Mountain Town Station

Mountain Town Station is located near the downtown area, in a renovated train station, and is known especially for their selection of steak and brews. Their menu has options to satisfy a variety of food palates and preferences. The fish and chips, along with the chicken fajitas and the kids’ cheese pizza, were just what we needed after our long day of fun. 

Doozie’s Ice Cream

Doozie’s is a local Mt. Pleasant ice cream shop, with over 90 Arctic Swirl flavors to choose from–they even have ice cream nachos, sundaes, and shakes on their menu.

We tried the Oreo, mint chocolate chip ice cream, and a vegan vanilla (dairy-free option) soft serve for myself and my son. There was a long line forming as we were walking up, and the hype is valid! The ice cream was flavorful and the portion size was great.

If you do plan to visit, be sure to plan ahead, as they only accept cash or check. 

Pixie Restaurant

This 50s-themed diner is the perfect blend of fun vibes and good food. This is a great spot for lunch or dinner, and I was especially impressed by how quickly the food was ready. Pixie’s has a drive-thru available, or you can order inside at the counter and then select a place to sit. There are plenty of fun photo ops as well. It was a beautiful day when we visited, so we opted for the shaded picnic table outside. 

They serve a variety of popular food items: Grinders, hot dogs, chicken tenders, burgers, salads, and signature desserts. They also have milkshakes, slushies, and floats, if you’re looking for something refreshing. The cheese pizza, fries, and chicken tenders were a tasty way to recharge for the second part of our day.

Omelettes and More

On the final day of our weekend stay, we opted for a slow morning and slept in a little later. We woke up hungry and yearning for a hearty breakfast. Omelettes and More is a well-known breakfast diner in Mt. Pleasant, with a pleasantly overwhelming list of menu items to choose from. 

Here are a couple of suggestions that you can’t go wrong with, if you need help deciding: French Toast, Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Buttermilk Pancakes, Hashbrowns, or Cinnamon raisin toast. If you’re not quite in the mood for breakfast, they also have an assortment of pitas, sandwiches, burgers, and other lunch items as well.

Must-See Mt. Pleasant Festivals

The Mt. Pleasant area makes a great family trip any time of year, but timing your visit during a seasonal festival makes the experience extra memorable.

Check out Mt. Pleasant’s full Calendar Of Events.

Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival

During our spring visit, we were lucky enough to catch the Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival, held annually, during the last full weekend of April. Shepherd is only a 10-minute drive from Mt Pleasant.

Carnival Fun

While at the festival, our kids enjoyed: Pony rides, a visit to the little Red Schoolhouse, the 4-H petting zoo, a car show, and carnival rides. The festival hosted a number of food trucks and local vendors as well.

All-You-Can-Eat Pancake and Sausage Meals

We skipped our usual breakfast routine in order to try the famous All-You-Can-Eat Pancake and Sausage meal. Our kids love a good pancake, and they gave it two thumbs up! 

Helicopter Rides

After the carnival, we got an aerial view of Shepherd and the festival during an incredible helicopter ride with My Flight Tours. None of us had ever been in a helicopter, so this was an extra special experience. There is no age requirement or limit for the helicopter rides, but rest assured that safety is the top priority for this crew.

Be sure to sign up early, as the wait tends to grow quickly in the afternoon. 

Shepherd Sugar Bush Tour

We rounded out our day with a tour of Shepherd Sugar Bush, one of Michigan’s cherished maple syrup producers. There are so many steps that take place before your local syrup makes it to your dining room table.

We sampled the maple cream and ice cream, and both were delicious. The maple cream was rich and had the perfect amount of sweetness – I couldn’t leave without taking a jar home with me. 

The Perfect Family Getaway in Mt. Pleasant

Our weekend in Mt. Pleasant provided so many fun, new experiences, without ever feeling overwhelming or too fast-paced. I love that we have the option to visit such a calm, family-friendly place, just a short car ride from home. 

We will definitely be adding Mt. Pleasant to our annual rotation for quick, weekend family getaways. Our kids have already been asking when we are going to visit the waterpark again. I, personally, have also been daydreaming about Doozie’s ice cream. Mt. Pleasant is the perfect place to visit and has something for everyone to enjoy.

Be sure to check out Meet Mt. Pleasant for more Central Michigan travel inspiration all year round!