If you've ever been to Hawaii you know how amazing the food scene is. If you haven't, you may have a hard time resisting the urge to Google flights by the end of this post. This was our third time visiting Maui and each time we visit we always like to try a variety of new places and also seek out the food and drinks we've been dreaming about ever since we left. Click here to read my other Maui posts.

The best part about being on an island is a majority of the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced. I have to admit I am not cut out to be a food blogger -- mainly because by the time the food comes I'm so excited to eat it that I forget to document it. But I did my best to capture some of our favorites from our trip. Let's dig in! 

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.

Often called the “Paris of the South,” Asheville is a melting pot of art and culture with a mouthwatering beer and a food scene. In fact, Asheville is only behind Portland, Maine, in terms of most breweries per capita. We recently visited for the first time in the fall and had a quick 48 hours to eat and drink as much as our stomachs could handle. The only downfall of our trip is it seems like everyone else has also discovered how amazing Asheville is. That paired with COVID-19 capacity limits made it extremely hard to get into breweries without long wait times. When planning your trip I recommend ordering online when possible, making reservations well in advance, or putting your name on the list early and then walking around to kill some time while you wait. With all that said, I'm sharing my top picks for places to chow down. 

Traverse City is known throughout the U.S. as the "Cherry Capital of the World" and for good reason. Michigan produces 75% of the country's tart cherries and the majority are grown on the city's 3.8 million tart cherry trees. Traverse City also hosts an annual Cherry Festival during the peak of the season in mid-July. We had plans to attend the festival for the first time this year and unfortunately it was cancelled due to COVID-19 but we will certainly be back in 2021. 

Every time I visit Traverse City I always love seeing the creative ways cherries are incorporated into everything from wine, beer, food, and ice cream. I've rounded up 9 of the best cherry products that are definitely worth trying on your next visit. 

Disclaimer: 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! 

My husband and I recently spent two days in Columbus, Ohio for our wedding anniversary. This city was originally on my radar as just a fun place to explore on our way to Hocking Hills State Park. Little did I know what a foodie lover's dream the 15th largest city in the U.S. was. We only had a short amount of time here and were determined to try as many finger-licking dishes as we could get our hands on. Below are my favorite places to eat in Columbus, Ohio. 

It's important to note that restaurants may change their hours, in person dining availability, etc. due to COVID-19. Always be sure to check the restaurant's website for the latest information before you visit. 

I'll admit I would have never guessed St. Louis would be such a foodie destination. I knew it was known for the Gateway Arch and some other great attractions but that was about it. Much to my surprise we discovered neighborhoods dedicated solely to a particular culture's culinary style as well as a few dishes which got their start in St. Louis and can be found on almost every menu in the city. Grab your fork, I'm sharing 5 must-eat dishes as well as a couple bonus items which we didn't have the chance to try. You can also read more about our trip to St. Louis, including our full 3-day itinerary here. 

"The fondest memories are made gathered around the table."

Food has such a special way of bringing people together and helping us to appreciate the land around us. Granor Farm, located in Three Oaks, Michigan, was founded in 2006 with a commitment to creating an environment respectful of the land they cultivate, the products they grow, and the local community they serve. In addition to growing and selling certified organic produce, farm operations also include organic berries, cut flowers, pasture-raised eggs, and grains.

Throughout the year, Granor Farm also hosts Taste of Granor farmhouse dinners designed to connect people to the farm and the food they grow. The dinners are a multi-course, family-style meal featuring produce and grains grown by Granor Farm as well as meats, cheeses, and fruits from other farms in the area. I recently had the opportunity to attend one of the winter farmhouse dinners and it was truly an experience I won't forget.

Disclosure: Granor Farm hosted myself and a guest for the Taste of Granor dinner. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald

​One of my favorite parts of living in Southwest Michigan is getting to experience all four seasons and the changes that come along with each. While summers along the lakeshore are hard to beat, there is really something so special about harvest time in the fall. As the air begins to get cooler, the days grow shorter and the leaves change to a kaleidoscope of reds, yellows, and oranges, it's time to plan your fall weekend getaway to Michigan's Great Southwest. Sip on a glass of cider and pick apples at a local orchard, hit the Makers trail as the smell of grapes begins to waft through the air, or hike over towering sand dunes surrounded by colorful trees on either side. Discover my favorite fall activities and start creating your own bucket list!

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Southwest Michigan Tourist Council. The itinerary was created by me based on personal research and all thoughts and opinions are my own.