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Top 9 Midwest Family Resorts

There’s not a bad time of year for a fun family vacation, especially to an amenity-filled resort. For example, there are lots of family-friendly resorts that make excellent destinations in Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa. If you could use a change of scenery and a fun getaway, plan to stay at one of these highly-recommended Midwest family resorts.

Osthoff Resort – Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin Osthoff Resort – Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Credit: Osthoff Resort – Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin by Osthoff Resort

Osthoff Resort – Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

Family getaways are also fun at the year-round destination of Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. You can stay in a one, two, or three-bedroom suite with lake or woodland views and enjoy the gas fireplace, private balcony, dining area, and kitchen appliances for cooking in your room. The Aspira Spa is onsite to help parents relax. For children, portable cribs and highchairs are available, and there are laundry facilities on each floor. For on-site dining, check out Lola’s on the Lake and Otto’s Restaurant.

Baker's Sunset Bay Resort – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Baker's Sunset Bay Resort
Credit: Baker's Sunset Bay Resort by sunsetbayresort.com

Baker's Sunset Bay Resort – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Baker’s Sunset Bay Resort is a Wisconsin Dells resort that offers numerous room types, including family-size units that sleep up to 12 people. It’s within five-minute of the Dells and has two swimming pools, a sandy beach, splash pad, on-site arcade, and free double kayaks to use.

Honey Creek Resort – Moravia, Iowa  Honey Creek Resort
Credit: Honey Creek Resort by honeycreekresort.com

Honey Creek Resort – Moravia, Iowa

One of the best family destinations in Iowa is the Honey Creek Resort, a cozy Midwest hotel that features a charming lodge on Rathbun Lake, luxury cottages on the lake, and lakeside RV campsites. This is a state park resort in Moravia that also has an 18-hole championship golf course, the Buccaneer Bay Indoor Water Park, and lots of activities for kids. Rathbun Lakeshore Grill offers on-site dining at this 850-acre state park that makes for a perfect outdoorsy getaway.

Omni Severin Hotel – Indianapolis, Indiana Omni Severin Hotel, Indianapolis
Credit: Omni Severin Hotel, Indianapolis by omnihotels.com

Omni Severin Hotel – Indianapolis, Indiana

For a city getaway in the Midwest with your family, Omni Severin Hotel is a great choice. This luxury hotel has a variety of guest rooms and suites, an indoor pool, a restaurant, and a fitness center. Pets under 25 pounds are allowed to stay here, and the Omni’s Children’s Museum or Sports Legends package includes breakfast, tickets to the Children’s Museum or Sports Legends exhibit, a Kids Crew welcome gift, and turndown service with cookies and milk.

Kelleys Island Venture Resort – Kelleys Island, Ohio Exterior of Kelleys Island Venture Resort, Kelleys Island, Ohio
Credit: Exterior of Kelleys Island Venture Resort, Kelleys Island, Ohio by kiventureresort.com

Kelleys Island Venture Resort – Kelleys Island, Ohio

Families love taking trips to Kelleys Island and staying at the only resort hotel here. The Kelleys Island Venture Resort is an all-suite hotel with lots of amenities. It’s close to downtown and has private patios. This top-rated hotel in Ohio has upper-level suites with loft spaces for large families. On-site perks include a pool, children’s playground, game field, Lake Erie views, charcoal barbecue grills, flat-screen TVs, and an outdoor hot tub. The island is a great place to go walleye fishing and is 3.5 miles from the Marblehead Peninsula. You can get here by ferry boat and either bring your car or bike on board the ferry or rent a bike or golf cart once you get here.

Cliffside Resort and Suites – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Cliffside Resort
Credit: Cliffside Resort by cliffsideresort.com

Cliffside Resort and Suites – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Cliffside Resort and Suites is a charming seaside resort that’s perfect for families visiting the picturesque Wisconsin Dells. It’s a family-owned, European-style resort with spacious guest rooms and indoor and outdoor pools that overlook the lake. Families enjoy the picnic areas with bonfire pits, fishing piers, sandy beaches, and paved bike paths. The Tommy Bartlett Ski Show is right across the lake, and guests can get water park passes for the Noah’s Ark Outdoor Waterpark. You can also use the fitness room, play in the game room, walk through the gardens, and use the common laundry area when you stay here. Nearby attractions are Devil’s Lake State Park, Bigfoot Zipline Tours, and Timber Falls Mini Golf.

Grand Hotel – Mackinac Island, Michigan Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
Credit: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island by grandhotel.com

Grand Hotel – Mackinac Island, Michigan

This Grand Hotel is a family resort located on northern Michigan’s Mackinac Island, which has been a haven for guests since 1887. This is a charming place to stay in a place where bikes and horse-drawn carriages are how you get around instead of cars. There are elegant rooms, and none of them are the same. Kids ages five and younger stay and eat for free. Families enjoy the children’s programs and kid-friendly activities, such as afternoon and dinner programs, lawn games, swimming, stables, bicycling, and babysitting services. Other fun things to do are footgolf, tennis, pickleball, and 18 holes of golf.

French Lick Springs Hotel – French Lick, Indiana Rocking chairs at French Lick Resort
Credit: Rocking chairs at French Lick Resort by French Lick Resort

French Lick Springs Hotel – French Lick, Indiana

You can also take your family to French Lick, Indiana to stay at the French Lick Springs Hotel, which is part of the French Lick Resort. The hotel dates back to 1845 and has spacious guest rooms and suites, heated indoor and outdoor pools, a 24-hour fitness center, free shuttle service, and casual and fine dining options. For kids, there are crafts and gaming activities, a playground, riding stables, walking trails, and pet-friendly accommodations too. Overall, the French Lick Resort has two historic hotels, three golf courses, two spas, and a Vegas-style casino.

Rush Resort Luxury Lodging – Laurelville, Ohio View from Rush Resort - Luxury Lodging
Credit: View from Rush Resort - Luxury Lodging by Rush Resort - Luxury Lodging

Rush Resort Luxury Lodging – Laurelville, Ohio

We also love the Rush Resort for a family getaway in the Midwest. Families can stay in the secluded seven-bedroom plus loft accommodations with six bathrooms, personal movie theater, heated swimming pool, and 21 acres of beautiful space. When you stay at this private resort that sleeps up to 22 people, your family will have access to 40 miles of trails right from the backdoor and be within minutes of the state park attractions. Official website

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