Family-Friendly Summer Activities at The Highlands
Your go-to list for kid-friendly fun and laid-back summer vibes.
At The Highlands, summer isn’t about rushing from one activity to the next. It’s about unplugging, slowing down, and enjoying the moment around the property. Here's a look at some of our favorite family-friendly summer activities happening throughout the season.
1. Unwind Wednesday: Burgers, Brews & Backyard Games
Every Wednesday evening through August 27, we are turning the Slopeside Patio into your new favorite midweek hangout. It is a no reservations needed kind of evening that is all about relaxing together. With chef-crafted burgers, $5 draft beers, and the kids running around on the lawn, Wednesday is about to become your favorite day of the week. Add in the Back Yaird putting green and your favorite lawn games, and it’s a night meant for family time.
2. Crush it Thursday: Free Bike Park Access for Kids 12 & Under
If you have kids who love to ride, Thursdays are for you. Every Thursday through August 28, youth 12 and under can ride the bike park for free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Never tried out Mountain Biking? At The Highlands Bike Park, we are making it easier than ever to hop on a bike, catch a scenic chairlift ride to the top, and roll into something new. You do not need your own bike; we rent on-site, and you do not even need to pedal uphill- our lift does the hard part.
After a few laps, head to Slopeside for drink specials – adults get $5 draft beers and kids score a free Orange Crush with their bike RFID card.
3. Discs & Sips: Fun on the Hill
Hop on the Heather Express and head to our 9-hole disc golf course that is fun for beginners and seasoned players alike. This is a great family-friendly activity to get outdoors, take a chairlift to the top, and slowly play down the slopes to end up at Slopeside Patio for drinks and food.
Be sure to join us on Fridays for Discs & Sips. With $5 Petoskey Brewing beers, you can toast to a day well spent while the kids play lawn games.
4. Splash Time
Sometimes poolside fun makes for the best family moments. Our outdoor pools and hot tubs are open from morning until night and ready for float sessions and soaking in the views. It is the perfect way to cool down after a morning of exploring, winding down before sunset, or really, any time. All Highlands lodging guests have access to the Main Lodge outdoor pool and hot tub, as well as the Bartley outdoor hot tub.
5. The Back Yaird Putting Green
Open all day and located right behind our Main Lodge, our 27-hole Back Yaird putting course is built for fun. Spanning 1.5 acres, it offers a fun and casual challenge where your best line to the hole isn’t always straight. It is less about perfect technique and more about laughing, cheering, and maybe even a little sibling rivalry. Great for all ages and a favorite among parents who want to relax nearby or challenge the kids to a game.
The Back Yaird is free for all Highlands lodging guests and $10 for non-lodging guests.
6. The Young Americans Dinner Theatre
This one’s a summer tradition. The Young Americans are back with “American Jukebox”, a feel-good, high-energy tribute to American music through the decades. Kids love the energy, grown-ups love the nostalgia, and everyone leaves tapping their feet. Pair the performance with a chef-prepared dinner, and you have a fun family night out.
7. S’mores & Slow Evenings Together
Sometimes it’s the simplest things that stick. Evenings at The Highlands mean melty marshmallows between two graham crackers and settling in at dusk to watch an outdoor movie.
Whether you plop down on a blanket or grab a seat around the fire pit, it is the kind of end-of-day moment that makes a vacation feel like summer should - unhurried, joyful, and just a little sweet.
8. Kayaks & Canoes on the Pond
Take it slow and paddle the pond together. Kayaking or canoeing is a gentle, easy way to enjoy the water, especially for kids trying it out for the first time.
It is a great way to break up the day with a little adventure that feels totally doable for all ages.
9. Scenic Views & Chairlift Rides
Want to see northern Michigan from a whole new perspective? Hop on the Heather Express for a scenic ride up the mountain. It's an easy, family-friendly way to soak in the views of Little Traverse Bay and surrounding woodlands - no hiking boots required.
At the top, you are just a short walk from a tucked-away chairlift bench that is perfect for quiet moments and family photo ops. You can relax, visit the Graham Chapel, or even hike around.
Scenic chairlift rides are free for lodging guests and have a small cost for non-lodging guests.
10. Family Hikes
With more than eight miles of hiking trails, there is plenty of room to roam. Enjoy a quick nature hike on one of our short loops or a longer adventure to burn off some kid or adult energy. All of our trails are marked by difficulty and distance, so it is easy to find a route that matches your family's comfort level.