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 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.  

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.

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.

I love calling Southwest Michigan home for so many reasons. In addition to being located along the gorgeous shores of Lake Michigan, it's also  one of five American Viticulture Areas in Michigan. The sloping terrain, mild temperatures and variety of soils make it the perfect location for growing grapes and other fruits that serve as the inspiration for a vast array of award winning wines. In fact, our growing season has been compared to noteworthy destinations such as Bordeaux, France and Piedmont, Italy.
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With more than 20 wineries dotting the landscape along the Maker's Trail, you can easily enjoy an afternoon or an entire weekend with a glass in hand. In fact, I've lived here for over six years and still have yet to make it to all of our wineries. But fear not, I have done my fair share of sipping (all in the name of research of course) and am sharing my top picks for planning a tour along the Lake Michigan Wine Trail.

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! 

The first time I saw a photo of the sprawling poppy field in West Michigan I knew I had to find it. So this year, when the field was in peak bloom, I hopped in the car and made the short drive up to Fennville, Michigan to see it for myself. And let me tell you - it certainly did not disappoint! As soon as I laid eyes upon the four acres of red, pink and purple flowers it took my breath away. It is certainly one of those places that photos can never do justice. 

The poppy field was planted by Joan Donaldson and John Van Voorhees who own and operate Pleasant Hill Blueberry Farm in Fennville. In addition to it's natural beauty, the field also has a deeper meaning which makes it that much more special. The couple originally planted the field two years ago in memory of their son who suffered from PTSD after returning home from a tour in Afghanistan and took his own life. The field is located across from the cemetery where he is buried. The flowers also attract bees and butterflies which help pollinate the farm's blueberry crop. 

When I originally shared about my trip to see the flowers on Instagram I had so many people reach out and ask about how to find the field and if anyone was welcome to visit. Keep reading for all the answers!  

There is something so charming about the small beach towns lining the Lake Michigan shoreline and St. Joseph, Michigan is no exception. No matter what season you visit, you can always find something to see and do. Whether you’re sipping local brews during the winter beer festival, shopping for fresh procure and local goods at the farmer’s market along the bluff, or enjoying a day in the sun on Silver Beach - there’s fun to be had for the whole family. When you start to plan your Southwest Michigan getaway, one of the most important aspects is deciding where to stay. My husband and I recently had an overnight getaway at The Boulevard Inn and Bistro and it was the perfect location for experiencing the most of what the city has to over. Located on the picturesque bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, the hotel offers guests a full-service, all-suite hotel and restaurant. The best part is, the hotel is located in the heart of downtown St. Joseph and within walking distance of the beach, shops, restaurants and other attractions. All you need for a perfect Southwest Michigan getaway is all right there. Keep reading to find out more of the best parts of our recent stay. 

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by The Boulevard Inn and Bistro. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

One of my favorite parts about living in Michigan is getting to experience all four seasons. Each brings their own unique beauty and variety of activities to the area. This winter I've made it a goal of mine to opt outside as much as possible so I was very excited for the opportunity to be a tourist in my town and create my own winter bucket list in Southwest Michigan.

Whether its snowboarding down a sand dune, sipping wine in an igloo, or attending a local festival, there is so much fun to be had in Southwest Michigan during the snowy season. Read on to discover the best ways to enjoy a winter weekend of your own.

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

Did you know Southwest Michigan is one of five American Viticulture Areas in Michigan? The sloping terrain along the lakeshore, mild temperatures and variety of soils make it the perfect location for growing grapes and other fruits that serve as the inspiration for a vast array of award winning wines. In fact, our growing season has been compared to noteworthy destinations such as Bordeaux, France and Piedmont, Italy. 

​With more than 22 wineries dotting the landscape along the Maker's Trail, you can easily enjoy an afternoon or an entire weekend with a glass in hand. In fact, the winter months offer an entirely new experience featuring more secluded tasting rooms, mulled wine options, and a variety of experiences that are unique to the snowy season. Read on to discover three of my favorite winter winery experiences. 

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