Michigan, Mason and Me: our grandad and grandson skip-generation adventure

Adventurous, cultured and historic Michigan family holidays are the perfect skip-gen mix, as Graham McKenzie and his grandson Mason recently discovered.

Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan © Graham McKenzie

Great lakes, culture, and icons, welcome to Michigan

Choosing a holiday destination for me and my travel buddy – 13-year-old grandson, Mason – during the school summer holidays without resorting to major theme parks is not as easy as it sounds.

What does one want? A mixture that will not only keep him amused but also me, because a grumpy Grandad is not a good travel companion.

Michigan, a state rich in history, culture, attractions, water and natural beauty, offered more or less what we were looking for: the home of the motor car, the home of three great lakes, wonderful food and museums. All in all the dynamic duo wanted an unforgettable experience that was filled with adventure, iconic landmarks and outdoor exploration, and Michigan would do nicely thank you.

Paying it forward with memories, grandad style

Once the decision was made I reflected on my own experiences as a young boy with my grandparents, as my family were early adopters of the skip generation vacation.

Each summer myself, my brother and my big sister were sent to Northumberland for the first four weeks and those adventures still live with me today. The memories I made during those days made me hope that my grandson and I could make 21^st century equivalents.

Quick journeys to your holiday destination are always a good thing – even if you do not have a teenage companion – but are especially good if you do: Delta Airlines offer direct daily flights from London to Detroit.

Start a Michigan family holiday at Buddy’s Pizza in Detroit

Detroit will forever be associated with the automobile industry, but these days it is a destination that is full of so much more.

Arriving late afternoon, we were excited and hungry, so we made sure that top of our list was THE essential visit whilst in ‘Motor City’, Buddy’s Pizza. A local institution known for its delicious deep crispy crust and gooey cheese, where we both ordered the regular Pepperoni accompanied by some fresh salad and a local beverage.

Detroit Pizza, including Buddy’s, is square and was, according to local legend, originally made in trays manufactured from the steel offcuts at the nearby Ford factory. Early versions allegedly had the Ford Logo seared into the base, which must have helped, as they have Pizzas off to a (Model) T.

Early mornings on Detroit River, and fascinating Canada facts

The first morning when travelling west long-haul always brings an early rise, and ours was no different.

The cloudless sky of a Michigan summer’s day broke, and what better way to work up an appetite for  breakfast than a stroll down to the Detroit River?

It’s the stretch of water that separates the USA from its northern neighbour Canada. Except here in Detroit, you look south onto Canada: it’s the only city that does. At this point Canada seems so close and the city of Windsor almost within touching distance. A fact that fascinated my eager young padawan.

Our first historic Michigan landmark is all about Ford Rouge

Post-breakfast it was the big one, a tour of the Ford Rouge Factory. This historic landmark played a pivotal role in shaping the American automotive industry and it’s the place where the Model T became a household name in the annals of car production with the famed assembly line methods nowadays accepted as standard, but revolutionary in the 1920’s.

Today you can learn, not just the history of the plant, but also witness, from a gantry above the production line, the manufacture of the 21st century Ford flagship vehicle, the F-150, in much the same manner as all those years ago.

More Ford and a big dose of Michigan history

Immediately adjacent to the Factory is perhaps the best museum complex in the whole of North America.

The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is a bit of a mouthful but with good reason, as there is almost no area of recent – 20^th century onwards – American history it leaves untouched. Take your time and ensure that you, let alone your offspring,  don’t suffer from brain overload, as the exhibits come thick and fast.

You can step inside the bus where Rosa Parks made her protest in Alabama, then sit in a TWA seat from the early 1960’s, and have lunch in an archetypal  drive-in diner with all the associated sounds and neon lights. The museum even has the 1961 Lincoln Continental Limousine that JFK was riding in when assassinated in Dallas in 1963.

Step outside and the automobile heritage is even more prominent, with a number of original Model T Fords driving around. It is truly an excellent experience which combines history and entertainment in a unique way.

Motown studio tour scores cool grandad points

The hits keep on coming in Detroit and the very next morning we were off to Motown, a legendary music studio that launched the careers of countless artists.

We took a very detailed guided tour of the studio, where we learnt about the history of Motown and heard stories about some of its most famous musicians inside the studio where they were all recorded. A singular treat for the grandparent side of Michigan family holidays.

Michigan apples, Eastern Market, Detroit © Pure Michigan

A city bike tour with sights and street food

However, in the afternoon the pendulum swung the other way as we took a 10-mile bike ride through the city centre.

For a 13-year-old who rides to school virtually every day this was pedal heaven. For a man who is not 13 years old and rides about twice a year it was surprisingly easy and was first rate fun.

Educational as well as physical, we saw all the big sites including the Eastern Market where we had lunch. This historic public market has been serving the Detroit community for over 100 years, and we browsed the vibrant stalls, sampling fresh produce, local cheeses, and delicious street food of the highest quality. It’s another must see location, especially on a Saturday morning when it is at its busiest with throngs of Detroiters milling around to find the freshest, tastiest and best-looking items on sale.

Downtown, Traverse City, Michigan © Pure Michigan

Traversing Traverse City on the shores of Lake Michigan

No peace for the skip gen team as next day we embarked on a road trip North to Traverse City, a charming town nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Much like the state as a whole, the area offers a blend of natural beauty, fun activities, and educational experiences, although Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore alongside wine and cherries are perhaps the main attractions for visitors.

The towering sand dunes provide breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and offer plenty of opportunities for hiking and exploring. The Dune Climb is a must-do, where both grandad and grandson can challenge themselves. Just beware, there are no oxygen tents anywhere nearby and when I was halfway up, the 13-year-old gazelle had reached the summit. Trudging up the final furlong I have never disliked sand more, but it was, eventually, conquered.

Try Moomers’ Homemade Ice Cream on Michigan family holidays

Homemade ice cream in the heart of the Michigan countryside

It was time for some refreshment and that meant Moomers Homemade Ice Cream.

This family-owned ice cream shop is a local favourite, known for its delicious, creamy treats made with fresh milk from the dairy herds kept in an adjacent field. Enjoying a scoop while overlooking the picturesque countryside, restoring your oxygen levels and chilling out, was just what the doctor would have ordered.

With over 150 flavours, there is something for all tastes including the popular Cherries Moobilee. It consists of Black cherry ice cream with chunks of black sweet cherries, chocolate fudge swirl, and chunks of brownies, and was so dreadful I only had three scoops!

The choice of fruit is no surprise as Traverse City is famous for its cherries and is home to the National Cherry Festival which celebrates its 70^th anniversary in 2025.

At the right time of year, you can pick your own cherries, or sample various cherry products, from pies to jams at any time. Or, do as we did, and buy a variety of cherry-based products to bring home from the famous Cherry Republic Shop on Traverse City Main Street.

An Inland Seas education on Michigan’s Great Lakes

If you want to add a little more education to Michigan family holidays, then head to the Inland Seas Education Association.

Here, the hands-on programmes about the Great Lakes‘ ecosystem are both informative and engaging. Kids, including teenagers, can learn about marine life and environmental conservation in a fun, interactive way.

Given the region’s reliance on the lakes, the number of threats to their future health is wide and varied: not least of which are invasive species that seem to eat everything in their path. Then, on top of that, you have plants that won’t stop growing, thus taking valuable oxygen resources away from others.

Lake Michigan also has a major role to play in the region’s renowned wineries. Water resources are utilised to ensure that the vineyards continue to produce wine of a very high quality. This is one attraction that grandparents will feel is another must-do. However, many wineries do however offer family-friendly activities and non-alcoholic options, so everyone is guaranteed a great time.

Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie

A hands-on encounter with the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie

From Traverse City, we continued our journey north to Sault Ste. Marie (pronounces Sue San Ma Ree), an historic town located at the confluence of  St. Mary’s River and Lake Superior in two countries: Canada and the USA.

It is one of the oldest established towns in the whole of the continent, and came to prominence during the heyday of the fur trade. The Ste. Marie part is named after the River St Marie and its rapids which, due to the shallow nature, led to the development of a series of very intricate and engineered locks.

We visited these Soo Locks, that now allow ships to pass between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. In order to get up close to the workings we took a boat tour through the locks, learning about their history and importance to the Great Lakes shipping industry.

Fascinating stuff, knowing that not that long ago goods being shipped from the Midwest states would have to be taken off ships and then transported to the ‘other side’ by horse powered trucks, as the levels of the river were too shallow for a fully laden vessel.

Point Iroquois Lighthouse, Sault Ste. Marie

Touching Canada and catching one of Michigan’s many lighthouses

At the Soo Locks, you actually get to experience going through a lock and when doing so you can safely stick your hand over the side and touch Canada. For a teenage adventurer this was great sport to say the least.

Nearby, historic lighthouses dot the shoreline and again, for educational reasons, these are worth visiting as a relic of bygone years.

Proximity to the coastline also has other benefits: the best fish and chips I have ever had in the USA were consumed in Sault Ste. Marie by both ravenous travellers.

Goodbye Michigan, as a successful skip gen trip comes to an end

Our trip to Michigan had sadly come to an end, as we took the drive back to Detroit and the flight home. Those hours gave rise to chat and reflection of the holiday, a memorable adventure that offered a glimpse into the state’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty.

From the bustling streets of Detroit to the peaceful shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on Michigan family holidays, and it’s the ideal place to bridge the generation gap.