9 Michigan hotels that rival theme park fun

For a night away that packs an extra dose of entertainment, check out nine Michigan hotels that have activities and amenities for guests of all ages.

With vacation season fast approaching, you may be wondering where you want to visit this summer. In the Mitten, you’ll have no shortage of options, as there are Michigan hotels to serve every preference and budget.

But what if you’re looking for lodgings that go beyond the standard hotel offerings of a clean bed and noisy ice machine? We’ve got you covered. In addition to traditional accommodations, the Wolverine State is home to places to take a walk on the wild side.

\Whether you’re into outdoor adventures, want to make a splash, or are hoping for a touch of fantasy in your travels, here are nine Michigan hotels that go above and beyond when it comes to bringing the fun:

1. Bavarian Inn Lodge – 1 Covered Bridge Lane, Frankenmuth

Rooms From $123.25/night

Michiganders across the state know about Frankenmuth’s Bavarian heritage and fun, themed attractions, but there’s no better place to enjoy them than the Bavarian Inn Lodge, one of the most fun themed hotels in the state. It’s hard to miss this enormous chalet in downtown Frankenmuth, but once you step inside, you’ll find that the themed fun is only just beginning. The Bavarian Blast indoor water park reopens in summer 2025 with more thrills and spills than ever, as well as an arcade, mini golf, laser tag, and even the option for nightly cookie delivery from a lederhosen-clad dragon!

The arcade at Bavarian Inn and Lodge provides fun for the whole family. (Alina Tsvor)

2. Crystal Mountain – 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive

Rooms From $92.65/night

When you think of theme park-style fun, maybe you think of getting your thrills on a roller coaster. Well, how about nature’s ultimate roller coaster drop? At Crystal Mountain, thrills are plenty, as this ski resort has exciting activities for guests of all ages and experience levels. Not only can you enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports, but be sure to check out their outdoor laser tag, zipline course, archery classes, and family-friendly scavenger hunts for year-round entertainment.

3. Double JJ Resort – 5900 South Water Road, Rothbury

Rooms From $208/night

Is this still Michigan, or the Wild West? Say howdy to the Double JJ Resort, y’all! This resort and waterpark is a place for Michiganders to embrace their inner cowpoke. Guests at the Double JJ can enjoy trail rides and riding lessons from the onsite stables, snow tubing in the winter, and year-round fun at the Gold Rush Waterpark, where a lazy river, the tallest indoor waterslide in Michigan, and more await in a fun, themed atmosphere. Yeehaw, indeed! 

4. Grand Hotel – 286 Grand Avenue, Mackinac Island

Rooms From $275/night

It’s historic, it’s iconic, it’s beloved … it’s the Grand Hotel! For over a century, this palatial hotel has been the gem of Mackinac Island, but it’s more than a beautiful place to stay—it’s also a ton of fun. Once you check into one of the uniquely themed rooms, with motifs inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Esther Williams, and more, you’re ready to explore. The hotel and grounds are full of things to do, from The Gem mini golf course and pickleball and shuffleboard courts at the Woodlands Activity Center, to the friendly horses and historic carriages at their stables, to the outdoor pool with waterslide. Check their calendar for special events—like their 1960s-themed Spring Murder Mystery!

The luxurious Grand Hotel offers tons of activities. (The Grand Hotel)

5. Great Wolf Lodge – 3575 US-31, Traverse City

Rooms From $149/night

Part of a national chain, the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City is a family favorite for a reason. Visitors come for the main attraction, the massive indoor water park, where admission is included with your stay. However, that’s not the only way to enjoy your time at Great Wolf. You and your family can also take advantage of the onsite arcade and bowling alley, a family-friendly gemstone panning experience, and the digitally-enhanced MagiQuest game.

6. Keweenaw Castle Resort – 2611 Seven Mile Point Road, Allouez

Rooms From $200/night

Ah, the fantasy of a beachside castle … it’s an everyday reality at Keweenaw Castle Resort. This cosy boutique lakeside hotel has four suites with lake views, including one that offers you the chance to stay in their iconic turret. Guests in winter can enjoy snowshoeing, fire pits, and warming up in the sauna, while the summer months bring lawn games, kayaking, and even snorkeling!

7. Stone Chalet – 1917 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor

Rooms From $219/night

It’s a classic dilemma—you just can’t seem to decide whether to visit Ann Arbor or Westeros. Or perhaps you were thinking of a trip to Neverland, or maybe Middle Earth? Well, at Ann Arbor’s Stone Chalet, your getaway options extend well beyond “Tree Town” and into the realms of fantasy! This historic mansion was built in 1917, and went through periods as a family home and even a church before becoming the Stone Chalet. Today, guests can choose from fantasy and pop culture-inspired rooms ranging from “Lord of the Rings” to Disney’s “Encanto,” each with their own surprising touches to discover, all just a ten-minute walk from the U of M campus and downtown Ann Arbor.

8. The Inn at 97 Winder – 97 Winder Street, Detroit

Rooms From $229/night

While many of the Michigan hotels on this list are intended for family fun, sometimes it’s nice to have a getaway that’s just for grown-ups. Enter The Inn at 97 Winder. This is a historic boutique hotel full of glamor, with each room decorated in true Gilded Age splendor. Come for a romantic weekend or a city excursion with friends, and embrace your inner heir or heiress with spa treatments to get you feeling like a million bucks before a night on the town!

9. Zehnder’s Splash Village – 1365 South Main Street, Frankenmuth

Rooms From $109/night

Raise your hand if you thought the rivalry between Zehnder’s and the Bavarian Inn was only about fried chicken? You’d be wrong—it’s also about hotels, and water slides! At Zehnder’s Splash Village, guests can enjoy another dimension to the epic battle between Frankenmuth’s “dynamic duo.” This hotel and resort comes with not one, but two indoor water parks for year-round fun, and no resort fees for hotel guests. Just remember—first, fun at the water parks, then a hearty Frankenmuth fried chicken dinner or a pizza at the Elf Hollow Cafe; never the other way around!

Zehnder’s Splash Village has indoor and outdoor attractions. (Zehnder’s Splash Village)

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.