Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Pictured Rock Cruise

​We took a two hour cruise through Pictured Rock Cruises.  There are many options available, however we felt this one fit our needs with younger kids.  They also have longer cruises and sunset cruises available.  It costs between $44-$52 dollars, $14 dollars for kids 4-12, and $1 for kids 3 and under. We really enjoyed this tour, it was just long enough for young kids.  The tour guide had great narration to go along with the history and landscape.  We spent a good deal of time on the back of the boat, where you can stand if you want.  There are three levels to the boat, so arrive early if you want to be on the top deck.  
If I was with a group of adults, I would definitely look into kayak tours available.  I would use the Pictured Rocks Kayaking company.  The boat goes with you while you paddle, and then loads and unloads the kayaks from the boat so you can see more of Pictured Rocks without extra paddling.  Tours cost between $99-$168 depending on what kayaking route you want.  
Address: 100 City Park Drive
                  Munising, MI 49862

Pictured Rock Cruise

Pictured Rocks Kayaking

Miners Beach

After the tour, we got lunch in Munising, then headed to the beach.  We were looking for some place for our kids to safely swim, and we found THE place!  Miners Beach was a dream for our kids, and it gave me peace of mind letting them swim here.  There was a small river flowing into Lake Superior here, which almost created a backwater area that was shallow and clear.  The kids almost had a tidepool to play at here on the beach, with warmer water than Lake Superior.  They spent time splashing in the waves, then heading over to the shallow, warm water by the river.  We spent hours here before we headed back to our rental for dinner.  You should know there is a short five minute walk to get to the beach, and it is down some stairs, so you need to be able to carry anything you take or have multiple hands to help get wagons down to the beach.  
​Address: H58 Miner Road
                 Shingleton, MI 49862

Waterfall Tour

There are so many beautiful waterfalls and waterfall hikes along the Lake Superior shore.  When we went, the water was low, but I am sure during spring these waterfalls are mesmerizing.  We saw a couple of the falls on our Pictured Rocks Cruise - Spray Falls and Cathedral Falls.  The next day, we spent the morning hiking and chasing waterfalls.  We went from west to east on the waterfall tour because of where our lodging was.  Our list is below.  
Alger Falls
Wagner Falls
Munising Falls
Miners Falls
Elliot Falls
(Sable Falls was too far for our kids)  

Yurt Rental

We rented a Yurt at a campground through Uncle Ducky's rental.  The yurt was right now the beach of Lake Superior in a bay.  It was a beautiful setting, and the kids enjoyed being able to swim there after dinner.  There were a variety of rentals available at the Paddlers Village community.  They had some cabins, safari tents, and yurts available.  There was a restaurant within walking distance, and showers and bathrooms onsite.  Because our yurt was so close to the water, the nearest bathrooms were pit toilets, however if you walked a few minutes further, there were bathrooms with running water and showers.  The only downside to our time here, is how close each yurt was to one another.  There was very little space to have a campfire, however a larger group would probably really enjoy this space.  We were technically located in Christmas, Michigan, just under 10 minutes from downtown Munising, and about 20 minutes to Pictured Rocks Lakeshore.  They also offered kayak tours and boat cruises that leave from this location.  

Uncle Ducky's Paddling Michigan