Too many family vacations end in disaster because of unrealistic expectations or poor planning according to Barbara Bartlein, author of Why Did I Marry You Anyway? 12.5 Strategies for a Successful Marriage (Cumberland House Press). “The family vacation is an annual tradition for many Americans and can have a significant bonding effect for couples and children. Careful planning makes all the difference." She recommends:
*Identify activities that all family members can enjoy. There should be something for everyone. From petting zoos to shopping malls, identify the must-do activity for everyone involved. Some clans use a family meeting to pre-plan the trip. This is also a great time to obtain agreement that vacations are give and take and involve compromise. It is usually impossible to please everyone all the time.
*Make plans that are age appropriate. It is unrealistic to embark on a long car trip with very young children. They will be miserable and so will you. Small children do much better with short trips that include plenty of opportunity to play. Likewise, most teenagers will be bored with stops at museums and areas of historical interest; they prefer the shopping mall. You will save yourself a lot of misery if you understand the attention span and interests of your children.
*Be prepared to wait. Whether by plane, train or automobile, travel can involve delays and waiting. Bring games, books, and other time fillers in case there is time to kill. Make “getting there," half the fun with all understanding that some glitches while traveling are the norm, not the exception.
*Beware of too much togetherness. You don’t have to spend every minute of every day together. Part of a great vacation is also getting some time alone to reflect and think. You can also team up with different family members based on interests. It allows an opportunity to reconnect in new ways.
*Expect the unexpected. While annoying at the time, some of the best memories and funniest stories are the things that aren’t expected. Like adjusting the motor on the boat and watching as it falls to the bottom of the lake or raccoons loose in the cabin. These events are the fodder for stories around the campfire for years.
*Keep a sense of humor. Try to enjoy the special moments of just being together taking time to laugh and play. It’s a funny thing. I have worked since I was 16 years old and can barely remember one workday from another. But I can tell you the details of every vacation from the last twenty years.
It's not often that you head out on a vacation planning to hit up the local farms, but in Michigan you might just want to. Michigan is one of the top apple-producing states in the U.S., and is known for being home to hundreds of farmers markets and cider mills. Just about any region in Michigan will have a farm or mill for you and the family to stop in for a bit. Enjoy fresh apple cider and tours of working farms to find out where these fruits come from before they hit your local grocery store. Of course, because there is much more to do than visit apple farms, your Michigan family vacation will be jam-packed with fun for everyone.
Michigan Coast Dotted with Over a Hundred Lighthouses
Michigan is the only state in the United States to be bordered by four great lakes. Because of this, its coast is dotted with over a hundred lighthouses, all with unique features and some with very interesting back stories. Though many of the lighthouses are still in use, others have been abandoned and others still are in the process of renovation. Though you may not be able to tour all of them, the few that do offer tours or that have museums are usually worth stopping to see. Even if you just stop for a few photos, lighthouses make fantastic pictures, especially when you can tell admirers that you took them yourself.
Stop at Any One of Fifty Wineries and Vineyards
To continue with some of the agricultural gifts that the state of Michigan has to offer, be sure to make a few stops at any one of its nearly fifty wineries and vineyards during your vacation. Some offer tours of the entire process from harvesting the grapes to the final product, while others are simply tasting rooms showcasing some of the magnificent wines that Michigan has to offer. Even if you are traveling with children, it's still a great place to stop. They may find it very interesting to see the acres upon acres of perfectly lined-up vines and to see machinery that assists in the process.
Several Amusement and Water Parks to Choose From
After you've dragged your precious little angels through apple farms, countless lighthouses and a handful of wineries, it may be time to do something special for them. Michigan has several amusement parks and water parks to choose from, depending upon where you are. Of course the water parks will only be operational during the warm summer months, but if you're in Michigan during this time, have at it. There is the A-Maze-N Mirrors in Mackinaw City in which you will find yourself mystified and maybe a little lost in a - that's right, maze made of mirrors. In Ossineke, stop by the Dinosaur Gardens to see a reproduction of nearly thirty prehistoric birds and dinosaurs. Even play a little miniature golf while you're there.
Pop into One of Michigan's Casinos
If your particular Michigan family vacation does not include children, or if you find yourself child-free with a few hours to spare, you might decide to pop into one of Michigan's casinos and try your hand at some cards, slots or a roll or two of the dice. Detroit has three casinos in the city itself, and there are several other throughout the state. If you're not much of a gambler, you can still enjoy the food and entertainment, much like Las Vegas but on a much smaller scale. Now that you have an idea of what Michigan has to offer, start planning your vacation accordingly, and don't forget to take lots of pictures!
Both Barbara Bartlein & Cedric Agravante are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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