With young-ish children, I sometimes feel like Goldilocks when it comes to amusement parks — some are too big, some are too small, and a handful are just right. We were recently invited to spend the day at Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon, Mich., and found that it was just right for us and our four- and six-year-old. In fact, they were able to ride some of the rides by themselves — a first!
Take a step back in time at Coasters Drive In Diner.
Walking past Coasters Drive In and the classic cars parked around it piqued my son’s interest immediately — he’s a cars kid (although more of a Disney Pixar-type “Cars” kid, not classic cars, per se), so when he saw the Be-Bop Blvd. ride, he zoomed toward it.
Be-Bop Blvd. here we come!
He and I climbed the stairs and waited in line a few minutes before he was able to get into a car and ride the ride. (He insisted on riding by himself.)
Cruising the Be-Bop Blvd.
Can he even see over the steering wheel?
After cruising a few more times, we made our way to the nearby Speed Splashers ride, one of several rides clustered together that were approved for all height levels. I was pleased with how many rides were geared toward younger kids, and it was convenient to have them close together. What’s more, there were few lines for any of the rides. Perhaps because Michigan schools had not yet let out for summer vacation, there were fewer families in the park when we visited.
Splashing around on the Michigan’s Adventure Speed Splashers ride.
After a few more rides, we were all ready for lunch. The park provided us with four passes to the Family Grill, an all-you-can-eat-buffet-style restaurant with plenty of picnic tables for outdoor seating. While the lines didn’t move very quickly (we probably stood in line for 10 minutes), the food was kid-pleasing — hamburgers and hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and corn dogs, with side dishes including potato salad and baked beans.
Kid-pleasing fare at the Family Grill.
For dessert, a self-serve cooler was filled with individual cups of vanilla ice cream.
There’s always room for ice cream.
With our bellies full, we were ready to explore the rest of the park. The kids loved the tipsy-turvy-turny Trabant ride and — thanks to no lines — actually rode it several times in a row.
The tipsy-turvy Trabant.
While my son and husband got splashed on the Logger’s Run ride, I stood aside and took photos of my daughter and mother in law on the Bumper Boats. The line for this ride was a little slow (they waited about 10 minutes), but after the ride, they both said it was well worth it.
Getting ready to bump some boats.
Ready to sit down and relax for a bit, we walked toward the back of the park to the Timbertown Railway, where a replica steam engine train takes passengers around on a peaceful loop.
Riding the rails on a replica steam engine at Michigan’s Adventure.
My family and I had a great time at Michigan’s Adventure. We opted out of the water rides in the park (admission to the park includes access to the water park) and still spent a very enjoyable day riding the “dry” rides.
Looking across the lake at Michigan’s Adventure.
