Summer vacation looks a bit different this year so we're helping you embrace the STAY-cation!

We're all trying to stay closer to home this year and while that might mean your typical summer vacation was canceled, it doesn't mean there's no way to enjoy the summer. So, we've compiled a list of staycation spots within driving distance. Stay safe and enjoy! 

1. Kensington Metropark

You don’t have to travel far to enjoy the best of Michigan’s great outdoors, with Kensington Metropark, one of the most popular parks in Michigan. Kensington’s 4,481 sprawling acres of wooded, hilly terrain surrounds beautiful Kent Lake and is home to an abundance of wildlife and waterfowl. Kensington Metropark offers a multitude of recreational activities throughout the year, from biking and boating to cross-country skiing and tobogganing. In addition to striking sunrises and sunsets, 1,200-acre Kent Lake offers plenty of fun activities: swim at Martindale or Maple beaches, get soaked at the Splash ‘n’ Blast, or just spend the day fishing, boating or picnicking along the water. Take a tour of the lake aboard the Island Queen II in the summer and fall. Or, enjoy a winter day ice fishing or skating on frozen lake waters.

2. Huron Meadows Metropark

Melt away the day’s pressures with simple serenity. Experience nature’s finest at the picturesque Huron Meadows Metropark and get that “up north” feeling at this 1,540-acre park. Conveniently located just south of Brighton, take in a vibrant palette of colors throughout the fall. Spend your day golfing on our 18-Hole, Par 72 rolling, green fairways or cast a line off the pier at placid Maltby Lake. A densely packed, oak-hickory forest provides a quiet, serene setting to observe scarlet tanagers and yellow-billed cuckoos. Cross-country and skate-skiers will enjoy stunning views along well-manicured paths. Three picnic areas provide the perfect setting for your next family gathering or group outing. Transform your day into an outdoor adventure all year long at beautiful Huron Meadows Metropark.

3. Ann Arbor

A popular destination for families, Ann Arbor boasts child-friendly museums with exciting hands-on exhibits and art museums with prestigious collections. Couples and single travelers enjoy the eclectic shops, ethnic restaurants, and hip night clubs, while book lovers are wowed by the more than 30 independent bookstores. From mysteries and crime to holistic healing and yoga, each store has a unique personality and area of expertise. Most of the major attractions are located in the same area, making it easy to hop from one to the next and enjoy all this vibrant city has to offer.

4. Frankenmuth

One of the top travel destinations in Michigan throwing a few tiny festivals, and world-famous for serving pint-sized chicken dinners!

They wear their German heritage proudly here, like an Alpine hat covered in festive pins (just count how many of those you can spot on your trip). You’ll see it in the Bavarian architecture, taste it in the food, hear it pouring out from the festivals, and find it in some of the most iconic things to do. Most of all, you’ll feel it in the warm hospitality that’s so signature to the tiny Bavarian town.

5. Grand Haven

Grand Haven is a city on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, known for its sandy beaches. A shop- and restaurant-lined boardwalk runs along the harbor to Grand Haven State Park beach and the south pier, home to the 1839 Grand Haven Lighthouse. The seasonal Grand Haven Musical Fountain features synchronized light and water shows. A trail with lake views winds through wooded dunes at Rosy Mound Natural Area.

6. Heavner’s Canoe Rental

Enjoy a day on the Huron river with friends & family. Relax as you take in the scenic ride and spend time viewing the wildlife.