Carefree Travel Guide 2023

BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER GRAND RAPIDS Blandford Nature Center offers 264 acres of natural land as a resource for West Michigan families to enjoy. Kids will love to explore the center, learning about nature while getting their hands dirty. They offer a wide variety of unique experiences and innovative programs for all ages to enjoy. BlandfordNatureCenter.org

FRIENDS OF COOPERSVILLE AND MARNE RAILWAY COOPERSVILLE

For over 35 years, families have enjoyed taking a trip back in time on one of their vintage trains. Their schedule features great seasonal rides like the Pumpkin Train or Santa Train, as well as exciting new events and offerings for 2023! MiTrain.net

COUNTRY DAIRY, INC. NEW ERA Take a horse-drawn farm tour of a working dairy and beef farm. See and pet calves, talk about beef steers and watch cows milking on a modern robot. After, enjoy lunch and ice cream in the Café. While you’re there—sign up for one of the special tours—Horsing Around with our draft horses Daze & Dan and the Calf Encounter (bottle feeding calves) CountryDairy.com/tours/

CRITTER BARN ZEELAND Everyone is welcome at our new farm location! Hug a bunny, bottle-feed a calf, toss corn to the chickens, and play with the goats! Visit the pigs, geese, ducks, sheep, and more! Enjoy paved sidewalks, covered picnic areas and our new farm store. Open year round. CritterBarn.org

STAR LINE MACKINAC ISLAND FERRY COMPANY MACKINAW CITY Ahoy Matey! Ride a pirate ship from Mackinac Island this summer. Adult nauti-cruises. Free Pirate Festival in June 2023. MackinacFerry.com/groups-and cruises/cruises-2/pirate-cruise/

Can’t Miss Kid Stops Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or just love uncommon adventures,

SILVER BEACH CAROUSEL ST. JOSEPH Bring out the kid in everyone on the Carousel! The Silver Beach Carousel in St. Joseph invites you to pick your favorite figure and enjoy riding to lively melodies from two band organs! Grab popcorn or cotton candy from our refreshment stand and laugh at the old fashioned Silver Beach Amusement

check out these unique Michigan experiences.

Park displays. Learn more at SilverBeachCarousel.com .

MOO-VILLE NASHVILLE

Free petting farm, free playground, free giant sand-box, free pavilion. Grab a homemade ice cream cone and see the cows get milked by robots on their self-guided tour! MOO-ville.com

BATTLE GR TACTICAL GAMES GRAND RAPIDS

Challenge your friends to Laser Tag and Archery Tag! With team-based games for all ages, BattleGR is a great destination for birthday parties, team building activities, family get-togethers, and more. Visit them in Comstock Park for active fun, including axe throwing, basketball, volleyball, futsal, gel blasters, and more. Or, have them bring the fun to you with their mobile activities. Kids are sure to love their day camps! BattleGR.com

TRAVERSE CITY PIT SPITTERS TRAVERSE CITY

JOHN BALL ZOO GRAND RAPIDS Enjoy the outdoors while exploring wildlife and wild places. Daily behind the scenes encounters, animal experiences, ropes course, and more! JBZoo.org

Pit Spitters games are perfect for kids! Bring the whole family and enjoy catch on the field, on field games, run the bases, and meet the best mascot in Michigan, Monty! PitSpitters.com

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#WestMichigan | 2023 Carefree Travel Guide