Over the last few years, we rather unexpectedly created a tradition of spending New Year's Eve in Northern Michigan and ringing in the New Year on the ski slopes. This year we kept with tradition and spent the weekend in Traverse City. This is one of my favorite destinations in all of Michigan (read more here). While I had visited several times, I had never been in the winter so I was excited to explore all the area had to offer in the snowy season. 

Disclaimer: Our trip was planned in partnership with Visit Traverse City. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

If you haven't experienced fall in Northern Michigan, what are you waiting for?! This truly is one of the most magical times of the year when the air is crisp, the colors begin to pop, and the summer crowds begin to fade away. We hopped in the car and drove four hours north to The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor at the end of October which was perfectly timed for peak leaf peeping. From multiple dining options, secluded beach access, and 500 acres to explore, The Homestead has something to offer in all four seasons in the heart of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. 

Disclaimer - Our two-night stay was sponsored by The Homestead. 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.

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. 

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! 

As much as I love to travel and explore new destinations, I also have those select few places that keep me coming back again and again. Northern Michigan is definitely one of those and is a beautiful area to explore no matter the season. We love Traverse City, Michigan for so many reasons and make it a goal to visit at least once every summer. Since we'd been there multiple times before, the focus of this trip was to discover new restaurants and wineries which made it seem like it was our first time visiting all over again. 

You can discover my other Traverse City guides here: 

• Pet Friendly Guide to Traverse City
• Wandering Through Northern Michigan
• 5 Best Hikes at Sleeping Bear Dunes

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! ​

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Located only 30 minutes outside of Traverse City, Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses a 35 mile stretch along the Lake Michigan coast line. It is truly a can't-miss natural wonder when visiting Northern Michigan offering a range of landscapes including forests, beaches, and of course the star of the show - towering sand dune formations. While there are a few accommodations in the surrounding areas, area can easily be explored on a long day trip. You'll find a variety of hiking options here for all ages and fitness levels - each rewarding you with breathtaking views. I'm sharing 5 of my top Sleeping Bear Dune hikes below. 

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! 

Since becoming puppy parents to our mini golden doodle, Wrigley, our lives have been changed forever. He has been the sweetest addition to our family and brought us so much joy. As soon as we brought him home, I quickly realized that a lot of our plans were now based on whether our furry friend could come with us. We love to take him hiking, to breweries, to the beach and everywhere in between! But I have to admit, it's not always easy to find out which facilities allow dogs and it can involve a lot of research or calling around - especially if you're trying to travel somewhere you've never been before. So when I had the opportunity to team up with Traverse City Tourism and showcase all the pet-friendly attractions the city by the bay has to offer (trust me, there's a lot) I couldn't wait to start planning our itinerary. Find out more about how Wrigley and I spent three days in the Cherry Capital including our favorite wineries, restaurants, shopping and attractions.

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.

This August we celebrated one year of marriage - my how time flies! We knew we were planning to go back to Hawaii next winter, so for our anniversary trip we were in search of somewhere within driving distance that wound still have plenty of adventure and beautiful scenery. Thankfully, we live in the Great Lakes State and we didn't have to look any further than simply driving north. I may be a bit biased, but if you haven't experienced northern Michigan (particularly in the summer or fall) you are really missing out. There are SO many sites to see and the upper peninsula is truly like its own little world. For this trip we planned to explore Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City, and Bellaire.