There is truly so much to love about fall in Michigan: Bright leaves, cooler weather, harvest time in the vineyards, cider and donuts, and fall cocktails along the Makers Trail. While the wineries, breweries, and distilleries in Southwest Michigan are worth a visit all year long, I love when the new fall cocktail menus roll out. But with so many stops to choose from where should you start? Don't worry - I've rounded up my top four favorite fall cocktails for you to try out (all in the name of research of course!) Don't forget to pick up a Maker's Trail passport on your adventures to get stamps and earn great prizes for each stop you make. 

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Southwest Michigan Tourist Council. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.  

While the town of Bar Harbor is full of shopping, restaurants, and charm all on its own, you can't visit this area without venturing into Acadia National Park on Maine's Mount Desert Island. Acadia's landscape is marked with woodland, rocky beaches, and glacier-scoured granite peaks including many unique rock formations. We spent two full days exploring the National Park which seemed like a good amount of time to cover a lot of ground and check several hikes off our bucket list. 

There is a shuttle that runs through the park and allows you to hop on and off. However, we rented a car and drove into the park both days to give ourselves a bit more freedom and we and didn't run into any issues with parking or traffic. Park Loop Road is actually very parking friendly and if you can't find a spot in one of the main lots, the road is one way with two-lanes and cars are allowed to park along the right side of the road. The only lot that filled up quick was Jordan Pond House so I recommend getting there early if you can. You'll also need to purchase a recreational pass for Acadia ($30 and good for seven days) and have it displayed on your dash at all times to avoid being ticketed. All the trails we hiked were marked well with signage and blue markers on rocks which was super helpful in keeping us on the right trails. I also had enough cell service on most trails (with T Mobile) to access the All Trails app. So lace up your hiking boots and keep reading to discover my top picks for trails in Acadia National Park. 

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

A trip to the east coast has been on my bucket list for so long. The rocky coastline, harbor views, and all the seafood you can eat seemed like the perfect adventure. Add in fall colors (we were a bit early at the end of September) and I'm sold. We planned to spend the majority of our trip in Bar Harbor, Maine but had some time to explore in Portland before and after our flight and you can bet we made the most of our time. If you only have a day or two in Portland I highly suggest checking these stops off your list. 

Disclaimer: We were hosted by Best Western for one night of our stay. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own

Wrigley and I took our first trip to Traverse City when he was just eight months old. Two years later we were excited to return and visit some of our favorite spots and check out a few new dog-friendly beaches, hikes, restaurants, and wineries. There truly is so much to explore here with your furry friend and below I'm sharing our full weekend itinerary. Interested in more Traverse City content? Click here. 

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Traverse City Tourism. The itinerary was created by me based on personal research and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

​Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

When visiting Pictured Rocks in Munising, Michigan there are several ways to enjoy the beauty of this area. You can view the famous rock formations from the water while on a boat tour or get up close while paddling in a kayak. Many waterfalls and overlooks are easily accessible from a short walk to an overlook, or even right along the roadside in some cases. But, if you're in search of the best way to experience Pictured Rocks (in my opinion) you'll want to conquer the 10-mile Chapel Basin Loop trail.

I will admit that initially I wasn't sure I wanted to do the entire hike because I had never completed a trail that long before, but I am SO glad we decided to just go for it. You can make the hike shorter by going out and back to Chapel Rock/Beach which is just over 6 miles, but some of the best views are past this point and I would have been very disappointed if we didn't do the entire hike. And don't let the distance scare you, the trail is well marked with minimal elevation gain so it really wasn't that strenuous. I've completed much harder hikes that were far fewer miles. 

Keep reading for everything you need to know if you plan to hike this breathtaking trail! 

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase which allows me to keep sharing my adventures with you! ​

When people think of Mackinac Island, often the iconic Main Street lined with shops and bustling with horse and carriages and bicyclists, or the magnificent Grand Hotel, come to mind. While these are certainly must sees while visiting, there are also so many other amazing sites to explore - many of which can be found in the interior of the island. If you plan to visit some (or all) of these places, the best way to do so is on a bike. We rented ours for 24 hours during our last visit which gave us the freedom to get up early and explore before the crowds arrived on the ferries and catch the best views of the sunset late in the evening. Completing the iconic 8.2 mile bike ride around the island is also a must do, but if you're looking to avoid crowds and see some of the unique geographic features keep reading. 

Looking for more Mackinac Island content? Click here for a food guide, full weekend itinerary, and more! 

Over the past few years, "glamping" has made a name for itself in the outdoor adventure world. If you're not familiar with the term, it is a combination of the words "glamorous" and "camping" which is exactly what you'll find at The Fields of Michigan in South Haven. If you enjoyed camping as a child, or are looking to try something new, this luxury glamping site takes care of all the hard work and allows you to relax and rejuvenate in nature.

While you could easily spend all your time on site, The Fields is also located only three miles from Lake Michigan and close to downtown South Haven which offers endless opportunities to explore the area. â€‹

Disclaimer: We were hosted for a one night stay at The Fields of Michigan. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Being less than four square miles, you might be wondering if Mackinac Island has enough food options to satisfy your taste palate during a long weekend. Fear not, you'll be surprised to learn that the island is actually a foodie’s paradise offering something for all tastes and budgets. And since the island's prime season is April to October, most restaurants take advantage of outdoor seating offering stunning views while you dine.

We had the pleasure of staying at Mission Point Resort and Hotel - a lakeside retreat on 18 acres of the island's sunrise coast. The resort itself is home to four unique restaurants so you don't have to walk far to indulge in a delicious and memorable meal. Read on to discover seven of my top recommendations for dining while visiting Mackinac Island.

Disclaimer: We were hosted by Mission Point Resort during our stay which included meals at their restaurants on site. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is arguably one of the most beautiful places in Michigan. While the sandstone cliffs get most of the attention, the area is also full of majestic waterfalls ranging from 5 to 70 feet vertical drops. I was shocked to learn how easily accessible the falls are with most requiring only a short hike and others located right along the highway. I was a bit concerned about visiting the the middle of summer and whether or not the water level would be low, but much to my surprise they were all flowing.

We spent one afternoon driving around and checked off four different waterfalls in a couple hours. We saw Chapel Falls and Mosquito Falls while hiking the Chapel Basin Loop trail and Spray Falls while on a boat cruise. 

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase which allows me to keep sharing my adventures with you! 

Middletown is truly the definition of small town charm. They are located in southwestern Ohio between Dayton and Cincinnati. Their main street is bursting with hidden treasures and with 16 murals within a one mile loop, the arts and culture scene is also worth noting. My mom and I recently visited for a girl's weekend getaway and had such a fun time exploring, chatting with locals, and trying some activities for the first time. 

Disclaimer: Our visit was sponsored by Middletown Visitor's Bureau. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.