Kalamazoo, Michigan is located only a short hour drive away from where I live which makes it the perfect city to visit for a day trip. I recently hopped in the car and headed out to explore an area that was new to me - the Kalamazoo Mall which holds the claim to fame as the first outdoor pedestrian shopping mall in the United States. Built in 1959, the area is super walkable and home to a variety of specialty shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and brewpubs. The main reason for our visit was to get our creative juices flowing while checking out some of the area makers. We had so much fun creating our own candles and terrariums, strolling the sidewalks lined with local vendors and artisans, and sipping on handcrafted beverages. Keep reading to discover some of my top picks for a day trip to Kalamazoo. 
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Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Discover Kalamazoo. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Over the years I've had friends move all across the country and aside from missing them dearly, the one upside is that each time I have to say goodbye I get to add another new city to my bucket list. My friend Ellie recently moved to Cleveland, Tennessee which is just outside Chattanooga and I recently boarded a plane for a girl's weekend reunion. Although my visit happened to be during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time I'm sure no traveler will ever forget, we still had a few days to get out and enjoy the city. Read on to discover my list of Chattanooga highlights, perfect for a one or two day visit. 

When most people think of a trip to L.A., a bustling city with lots of traffic is likely to come to mind. And while that may be the case for downtown Los Angeles, just west of the city is the not so hidden gem of Malibu.

​Home to 21 miles of coastline and nearly three dozen beaches it's no wonder countless celebrities call this city home. While on our recent sister trip to California, we made sure to dedicate one whole day to exploring this coastline paradise. Since we were staying in Santa Monica it was only a quick 20 minute drive with lots to see and do. In addition to the activities listed below, you can opt for a more adventurous afternoon with trails that weave through canyons, waterfalls and grasslands in the Santa Monica Mountains.

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