What could be more fun than zooming down the hillside, wind in your hair, surrounded by loved ones and gorgeous Michigan nature? If this sounds like your ideal outdoor adventure, then you’re in luck! Read on to learn about one of the Great Lakes State’s most wonderful and unique excursions: a Michigan mountain coaster that will take your breath away!
Crystal Mountain Resort is located at 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr. in Thompsonville.
It’s here at this stunning lodge that you’ll find the Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide, which draws in hundreds of visitors annually for one-of-a-kind fun.
Whether you’re a daredevil or a calmer rider, you’ll be able to enjoy a trip down the mountain. In fact, you’ll even be able to control your own speed as you ride.
No matter how many times you make the journey, one thing is for sure: the Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide will take your breath away in the best way possible.
This Michigan mountain coaster is open seasonally, and hours of operation and more information can be found at the Crystal Mountain website, here. Happy sliding!
Have you taken a zip down this epic Alpine slide before? Doesn't it sound like so much fun! For another adventurous activity at Crystal Mountain, be sure to check out the epic outdoor laser tag course.
Fall in Michigan is fun. There's no two ways about it.
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When the air starts getting crisp and the temperatures begin to (ahem) fall, spending time outside seems way more attractive than getting stuck in front of a screen watching the latest show. Save that for the bitterness of winter, when it's much too cold to enjoy the great outdoors of the Mitten State.
Michigan in the fall is the perfect time to find yourself a brand new outdoor adventure... and boy, do I have one to tell y'all about.
Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo is located in New Era, Michigan, about three-and-a-half hours from the Metro Detroit Area. Trust us, though, the trek is worth it.
Plus, this massive farm full of adventures is large enough that you and your family can spend a full day exploring it...and in the heart of West Michigan, you'll find plenty of other things to explore in the area. Don't miss out on Silver Lake Sand Dunes. It's sure to get your hearts racing!
This fifth-generation farm is home to a petting zoo, corn maze, and working fruit farm.
At 700 acres, this Western Michigan adventure farm has plenty of room for all sorts of activities. You'll find fruit and flower picking on the working farm and have the chance to pick the perfect pumpkin for your jack-o-lantern!
In addition to the farm-related activities, Lewis Adventure Farm & Petting Zoo has impressive seasonal photo opportunities, which are excellent for taking family pics to hang in the living room.
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This Michigan farm has so much for the kiddos to do, too.
From a super slide that you use burlap sacks to speed down on to jumpy pillows, a barrel train, and a carousel.
One thing I love about this Western Michigan adventure farm is that many activities haven't forgotten their roots. There's a pony lassoing activity (don't worry, you won't be trying your lassoing skills on real animals), a barnyard twister, and even ball town, all of which look perfectly at home on the farm.
However, my favorite farm-related activity at this enjoyable Michigan farm is what they call the "Corny Barn." It's a barn filled with corn kernels, much like a ball pit! There are toys to play with and a slide to enjoy - honestly, it looks like a sensory dreamland for me.
And all that doesn't even touch on the new friends you'll meet at Lewis Adventure Farms & Petting Zoo! This extensive petting zoo features a variety of animals, from baby goats to bunnies and beyond. This is the petting zoo to visit if you're looking for more unusual creatures. Where else could you interact with camel or wallaby?
And these lemurs are obviously very excited to meet you when you visit!
This farm is a little out of the way for a day trip, so I recommend making an overnight trip of it. I found this Western Michigan vacation rental that is about a mile away. This waterfront property sleeps up to 8 folks and has a gorgeous outdoor area.
As I said, there's plenty to do nearby if you want to continue your Michigan fall adventure. One of my favorite suggestions is renting a UTV and riding the dunes!
Have you been on a noteworthy adventure in Michigan? I'd love to hear about it - the more off-the-beaten-path, the better!
Does the sound of the Indy 500 speak to your soul? Can you feel the speed with every fiber of your being and want to get out there on the track yourself? Well, there's a place in the Metro Detroit area where you can do just that - only in go-karts!
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To find these Indy go-karts in Michigan, you'll have to visit C.J. Barrymore's in Clinton Township. Hot tip: while you're in the area, make a stop by this candymaker for a tour. Make it a full day for the kids (and the kids at heart!)
The first-of-its-kind (in Michigan) Indy Sky Track opened just this year. And it looks pretty amazing, y'all. At 3 stories and 30 feet high, it looks like a racing game come to life.
C.J. Barrymore's in Clinton Township built this massive go-kart track in Michigan for its 50th anniversary celebrations. The huge go-kart track went under construction in September of 2023 and just opened to the public in May of 2024
The new Indy Sky Track is one of three go-kart tracks offered at this Metro-Detroit amusement center. The others include a Grand Prix-style track and a turbo track. The turbo track is the track that kids are able to drive by themselves.
The height requirement for solo-driving the Turbo Track is only 54" tall. The Indy Sky Track and Grand Prix Track had a solo-driving height requirement of 60" and 58" respectively.
Don't worry, though - both of the larger tracks offer passenger rides with a much shorter height requirement of 40" tall. To include a passenger in your ride, the driver must be 16 years old at minimum.
No matter which track you pick at this Michigan fun spot, you're sure to have a fantastic time. Use your imagination and pretend you're in the final laps of the Indy 500, racing to win the title...
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...When in reality, you're just racing against your friends and family. So, it's probably best not to get the competition get too heated, you know?! I mean, after all, you have to see them after the race for dinner, right?!
There are lots of places to cool off after a head-to-head race at C.J. Barrymore's in Clinton Township, Michigan. There are two coasters: a loop coaster (pictured above) and a spin coaster.
And that's not all! You'll also find bumper boats, mini-golf, zip lines, batting cages, and more. I'd be interested in seeing the views from this Ferris Wheel that looks like it came straight out of Candyland.
Additionally, there are two drop towers on the property at this Metro Detroit amusement center. One is for the grown-ups, rising 120 feet in the air. The other's for the smaller members of your crew, which is a little less high and a little less scary.
If you need an escape from the Michigan weather, whether it be heat, rain, or snow, C.J. Barrymore's has plenty of indoor activities to keep the entire family entertained. Play laser tag, visit the arcade, or spend some time on the dark ride - you won't be bored.
The vibes indoors at C.J. Barrymore's are impeccable. Their bowling alley (both full-size and mini) is dark and luxurious-looking, while their bumper cars have enough neon on them that it feels like you're in a car show from the 1990s.
One last thing that this Clinton Township, Michigan fun spot has to offer is golf in a few different varieties. I've already mentioned the mini-golf, but there's more than just that!
There's also an indoor golf dome, where you can get the most out of your range sessions with analytics and data. Or you can go analog and hit the range for some driving and chipping practice.
You can either pay for one single ride of these incredible Indy Go-Karts in Michigan, or you can get a wristband for unlimited rides all day long. Just depends on where the rest of your day takes you. If you're staying in the area, we definitely recommend a stop at this gorgeous riverfront nature center. I mean, that's a good way to chill out after all that competitive energy, at the very least.
Or if you want to keep that competitive edge going - why not pick up a game of horseshoes to play when you're back home?
Have you driven on an incredible go-kart track in Michigan? We'd love to hear about it in the comments!
