Spring is always a long awaited celebration in Michigan as the days are longer, the sun starts to shine more, flowers begin to bloom, and people are emerging from a long, winter hibernation. Spring is also a wonderful time to visit Southwest Michigan to enjoy some of the most popular restaurants, hikes, and wineries or breweries before the summer crowds arrive. Keep reading to discover my top picks for exploring the Stevensville/Bridgman area during an overnight escape. 

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

There is truly nothing like the magic of Northern Michigan. While many people flock up north in the summer, there is so much to see and explore in the snowy season (and without the crowds!) Whether you're looking to hit the slopes, have a drink in a tent or igloo, or simply snuggle up in a cozy Airbnb for the weekend, you'll find it in Beulah, Michigan. 

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.  

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.

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! 

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! 

Traverse City is one of my absolute favorites places to visit in Michigan (read my other posts here) and I couldn't wait to head back again this summer. My husband and in-laws plan a golf trip every year in Northern Michigan and we had been wanting to check Jack Nicklaus' iconic Bear course off our list for some time which is located at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. We spent two amazing days at the resort which has so much to offer in addition to award winning golf courses. Keep reading for everything there is to do and see here and why I think it's the perfect place to stay when visiting northern Michigan. 

Disclaimer: We were hosted by Grand Traverse Resort and Spa during our stay. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

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. 
​
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Discover Kalamazoo. All thoughts and opinions are my own.