Book One of the Best Family-Friendly Hotels on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan

We don’t have an ocean coast in the Upper Midwest, but we’re blessed with hundreds of miles of shoreline along Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, which draws visitors from around the world all year. With their beaches, attractions, and activities, these Great Lakes make perfect destinations for family getaways. Here are some of my favorite places to stay on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan when I travel with my family.

• Best Room Type: Families will appreciate the Captain Suite 2 for a little more space and a kitchenette area
• Price Point: $$ (affordable/average for the area)
• Top Amenities:  Indoor pool, tennis courts, hot tub, sauna, game room, marina, on-site restaurant and lounge

Barker’s Island Inn Resort and Conference Center is located on its eponymous island in Superior Bay, at the westernmost tip of the world’s largest lake by surface area. The sprawling facility offers lovely waterfront views and plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained, including an indoor pool, tennis courts, and a game room. A marina is adjacent to the property if you arrive by boat or wish to launch your own while staying at the resort. I love its location: The resort is only an hour from Apostle Islands National Lakeshore; Wisconsin’s tallest waterfall and my favorite supper club are only minutes away.

• Best Room Type: The Family Suite can accommodate up to eight people and offers fun views of the Duluth skyline and Enger Tower
• Price Point: $$$ (higher end for Duluth)
• Top Amenities:  Outdoor sport court, lawn games, electric scooters, and available paddle boards and paddle boats (guests must provide their own PFDs), on-site restaurant and bar

Duluth, Minnesota, is the largest U.S. city on Lake Superior and, so, has plenty of lodging options. One of my favorites, especially when traveling with family, is Pier B Resort. It’s close to many of the most popular lakefront attractions in Duluth, including the Aerial Lift Bridge, Canal Park, and Great Lakes Aquarium. Smaller kids will appreciate nearby Playfront Park, and the whole family will enjoy exploring the Lake Superior Railroad Museum or taking a scenic train ride along the North Shore.

• Best Room Type: Connecting rooms are excellent for families that need space to spread out; the King Studio Suite boasts a patio and can sleep up to four
• Price Point: $$$ (higher end for the area)
• Top Amenities:  Indoor pool, fitness center, free hot breakfast, on-site restaurant

Manistee is a charming Lake Michigan city in the northwestern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Surrounded by nature and opportunities for hiking, hitting the beach, and exploring, it’s a great town to set up base camp for your Great Lakes State adventures. Stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites Manistee Waterfront, just minutes from the marina, downtown, and great beaches. Sleep Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is only about an hour from the hotel.

• Best Room Type: Connecting rooms are excellent for families that need space to spread out; Marina View Suites are a cozier option
• Price Point: $$ (affordable/average for the area)
• Top Amenities:  Indoor pool, fitness center, on-site restaurant

What’s better than that delicious, warm cookie you get when you check into a DoubleTree? Munching it with a beautiful view of the Reefpoint Marina on Lake Michigan—and you can do just that when you stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Harbourwalk in Racine, Wisconsin. The Lake Michigan Pathway passes directly in front of the hotel, and Racine North Beach—one of the best beaches in Wisconsin—is just minutes away. Families will also love the Racine Zoo, which also has its own beach on Lake Michigan.

• Best Room Type: Connecting rooms are available and excellent for families that need space to spread out; two-room suites are also available
• Price Point: $$$ (higher end)—rates fluctuate widely based on demand
• Top Amenities: Fitness center, on-site restaurant

If your family vacation involves an urban adventure, and you want to stay right in the heart of it all, book a stay at Sable at Navy Pier in Chicago. With an unbeatable location on Navy Pier, with all its attractions, dining, and entertainment options, Sable also offers incomparable views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. It’s adjacent to “the world’s largest rooftop,” so you can also enjoy stunning vistas while you eat. One note: Sable’s rates can swing widely with demand. A room that costs around $225 on a weeknight may soar to nearly $900 on a busy weekend.

• Best Room Type: Connecting rooms are excellent for families that need space to spread out; Lake View Suites are a cozier option
• Price Point: $$$ (higher end for Duluth)
• Top Amenities:  Indoor pool, fitness center, free hot breakfast

Of the hotels on this list, Hampton Inn Duluth Canal Park offers my favorite views. It’s situated directly on the iconic Lake Walk in the Canal Park district and looks out toward Lake Superior and Minnesota’s North Shore. Not only do you get scenic views of the Big Lake, but you can also watch the massive ships entering and leaving the canal beneath the aerial lift bridge from your window—or head over to the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center to get up close and personal with these behemoth vessels.

If you’re planning a family trip to Lake Superior or Lake Michigan, you won’t go wrong with any of these waterfront hotels in the Upper Midwest. Happy travels!