Travel Archives - Mrs. Weber's Neighborhood

Northern Michigan Itinerary {3 Days in Charlevoix, Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Ocqueoc Falls}

Last week I wrote about our amazing time at Stafford’s Crooked River Lodge in Alanson. I wanted to take some time to also write about itinerary to help you out with any vacations you may plan to northern Michigan in the future.

Northern Michigan Itinerary

Here is how we spent 3 days and 2 nights in Northern Michigan:

Day 1: Charlevoix and Petoskey

We woke up early and hit the road to make the most of our trip. Our first stop was Charlevoix.

Before heading downtown, we stopped at John Cross Fisheries, where we picked up some smoked fish dip, which was perfect to enjoy while picnicking on the waterfront.

This gorgeous waterfront city is home to cute shops, a beautiful city beach, and an architectural feat — the mushroom houses!

We decided splurge and go on a Mushroom House Tour. The family loaded up in a “Gem Car” and got a private outside tour of the 28 houses designed by Earl Young.

I thought the tour may be boring for the kids, but they really enjoyed it! I loved getting the tour because I didn’t really know the history of the houses, and it was fantastic hearing it from the perspective of a local versus just driving by them.

After, we had fun checking out some of the little shops downtown. The kids loved the Taffy Barrel, since we are a candy-loving family 😉

Petoskey

We stopped in Petoskey on our way through to check out the downtown. We’ve been here before, so didn’t spend as much time here as I would’ve liked. Some of our favorite stores are Grandpa Shorters and McLean & Eakin Booksellers. If we had more time, I would’ve loved to get a hot pretzel from Petoskey Pretzel Co. and walk along the water at Bayfront Park.

The kids LOVE putt putt, so we opted to drive out of town to check out Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. This course was AMAZING and easy enough with young kids to hold their attention.

From there, we headed to Crooked River Lodge for the night to swim in the pool and enjoy the property’s amenities.

DAY 2: Harbor Springs & Wilderness State Park

This day definitely had a lot of driving, so if that’s not for you, I’d break this day up. I just wanted to cram it ALL in 😉

We started with breakfast at the hotel, which was amazing. If you are a donut lover, a stop at Dutch Oven Bakery is a MUST.

We had hoped to start our day at the Oden State Fish Hatchery, but it was closed. If you are able to go when it’s open, go! It’s free, and who can beat that?! Great way to learn about fishing in Michigan.

Instead, we headed to Harbor Springs to hike at the Thorne Swift Nature Preserve. This also is free, but a $5/car donation is appreciated. At 1.5 miles all the way around, this was the absolute perfect hike for kids! It’s wooded, but has bridges throughout and is well cared for.

The best part was going right down to the beach and checking out rocks {do not take them here though}.

After, we headed back into Harbor Springs to grab some lunch and check out the amazing downtown area. I had never been here, and I was blown away at how quaint it was. Each business had the most beautiful flowers.

You could also walk down the pier and check out the boats, which was fun too. We all picked out which yacht we’d like if we ever win the lottery 😉

We had lunch at Stafford’s Pier because they have amazing outdoor dining on their patio overlooking the water. I cannot recommend this place enough! {I had to snap a picture while passing through inside because it’s neat with all the nautical gear.}

The decor inside was so fun…but the outdoor patio is where it’s at! Not only were the views beautiful, but the food was great too!

After, we grabbed ice cream at Yummies, an adorable and independent business in town. The ice cream flavors were amazing! Just be warned it is cash only.

The Harbor Springs public beach was adorable, but was pretty crowded, so we decided to drive north and hit up Wilderness State Park to a more remote beach.

It was worth the drive — we had plenty of beach to ourselves and the kids had a blast exploring and playing. {Just note there are no restrooms here…We changed in our van!}

The infamous Leggs Inn is super close by in Cross Village, so if you’re going, definitely stop for dinner! It was closed during our visit or else we would’ve stopped in a heartbeat for some Polish food.

Driving back, we opted for the long way through the Tunnel of Trees {M-119}. It was SO fun to drive!

On the way, we stopped at Pond Hill Farm, which was recommended to us many times.

If the kids weren’t so tired, we absolutely would’ve hit up the gnome house trail on the property. Instead we had fun grabbing a cider and walking around the property. This place would be amazing to visit in the fall!

We finally drove back to the lodge, stopping along the way for some carryout pizza.

Day 3: Ocqueoc Falls + Drive Home

We had considered a few stops on our way home, but decided to take a detour to Ocqueoc Falls, which is the lower peninsula’s largest waterfall with a drop of about 5 feet. It was the perfect place for kids since you could get IN the water.

We packed a picnic and had a blast spending a few hours playing in the water and tiring out the kids before the trek home. Just make sure to wear water shoes as it can be slippery and pack a life vest if you don’t have strong swimmers.

Overall, we had a blast exploring northern Michigan and loved having Stafford’s Crooked River Lodge as our home base. We sure missed a lot, so will be excited to go back again and explore more of the beaches and amazing things to do!

The post is not compensated, however, I did receive a gift card for Stafford’s Pier to use during my hosted stay.

Where are your kids’ favorite spots in northern Michigan?

8 Reasons To Visit Stafford’s Crooked River Lodge in Northern Michigan

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The post below is sponsored by Stafford’s Crooked River Lodge. All opinions expressed belong to me.

I could shout it from the rooftops — if you’re looking for an affordable and awesome family-friendly spot to stay in northern Michigan, I highly recommend Stafford’s Crooked River Lodge in Alanson.

This lodge is exactly what should be pictured when you think of a Pure Michigan “up north” getaway — complete with nature, tranquil vibes, and even plenty of exposed wood and moose decor 😉

The picturesque scenery is just the beginning though. These are the top 8 reasons we loved our stay and think you all will love it too!

Spacious Rooms + Suites for Families

When you are on a trip with your family, it’s so nice to have some space to spread out and relax, right?

We loved staying in the two bedroom king suite {sleeps 6}, which had a balcony, a kitchen, two separate bedrooms, as well as a living area with a pull-out couch.

We loved having a microwave, fridge and stovetop, and it was great to eat a few meals in to save money and the hassle of taking kids to a restaurant.

My favorite part of this set-up was sitting on the patio while the kids watched TV at night. It made it feel like we were on a couple’s vacation for a few minutes!

Clean Indoor Pool

This place has a gorgeous pool that is well cared for. The kids loved the waterfall and being able to jump in and practice swimming. I personally loved the hot tub too.

Nature Trail

On the property there is a cute nature trail that is a great length for younger kids. Just make sure to wear tennis shoes as it can get a bit wet in areas if there is lots of rain.

Extras Included

One of the coolest parts of being a guest at CRL is getting access to kayaks, a row boat, paddleboat and snowshoes {in winter}. I love that this is included in your stay and you do not need to pay extra fees.

Complimentary Hot Breakfast

I don’t know about you all, but when I’m traveling with my family, breakfast is one meal I’d rather *not* eat out, so it’s a HUGE perk to have breakfast included in a stay. Not only was Stafford’s breakfast delicious {we had their signature biscuits with sausage gravy, waffles, pastries, and more}, but it was the best way to start a busy day of exploring.

Game Room

On the second level of the lobby, there is a beautiful game room with a pool table, board games, books, and more. Definitely a fun place to hang as a family. My kids loved learning to play pool!

Beautiful Outdoor Space

In addition to the nature trail, the property the lodge sits on is just scenic. The lawn is immaculate and perfect for a game of frisbee or football {there are even balls in the lobby!}. Personally, my favorite spot is by the fire pit. I only regret not packing s’more supplies 😉

Close to MANY attractions

What we love about this location was how easy it was to access many areas of northern Michigan. Charlevoix, Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Mackinaw City are all within a 30ish minute drive. That means the opportunity to pack in a TON of fun! {My recommendations are coming to a post soon!}

Discount Code

I am excited to offer a discount code to my readers for $10 off your stay! Simply check the promo code box while searching for a room and enter BLOG to get the discount. The code is valid through 8/31/20.

Visit HERE to book and cheers to a great stay you won’t regret!

Learn more about Crooked River Lodge at their website, Facebook and Instagram. You can also check out a post from my archives from when we stayed there during winter, too!

Note: Our stay was during Covid-19 and I felt 100% safe here. The staff and our family wore masks in the common areas and pool time was reserved to avoid crowding. All protocols were in place including social distancing reminders and hand sanitizers in the lobby and near elevators.

Enjoy your stay if you visit…I promise you will not be disappointed!

5 Days in Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula

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Tackling Michigan’s entire Upper Peninsula has been at the top of my list for quite some time now, so when my two youngest requested an U.P. trip versus a birthday party this year, I may have done a little happy dance. All my lectures about experiences versus things must finally be kicking in 😉

A few years ago, my husband and I did a romantic vacation there, last year we headed to the east side with the kids, and this year we took on a chunk of the upper/western quadrant. Each time has been more memorable than the last! It’s just so dang amazing up there.

Don’t get me wrong though: This trip has a lot of driving, so if that’s not your thing, no worries. But honestly, if you ask my kids — the drives and the hotel pools are usually their favorite parts. We just download podcasts ahead of time and bring books and plenty of fun to keep the kids occupied.

In the busy world we live in, there is nothing quite like spending 5 days in the Upper Peninsula where there is a lack of crowds, lack of traffic, lack of cell service, lack of cost…But ZERO shortage of beautiful places to go!

I’m sharing our itinerary with the hopes of inspiring other families to explore this magnificent gem of a place!

DAY 1: EAGLE HARBOR, EAGLE RIVER AND COPPER HARBOR

Our trip started bright and early — at 4 a.m. to be exact. We knew we wanted to have a chunk of the day to explore since we were heading up on a Saturday and many things are actually closed on Sunday, so we had to cram it all in.

After lunch and playground playing in the cute town of Ishpeming, we stopped to visit the Bishop Baraga statue in L’Anse. His story of being the “Snowshoe Priest” and traveling miles between Native American tribes was really fascinating to us and we were in need of stretching our legs, so it worked out great. It really was a cool roadside attraction to see!

After, we swung up to Calumet to shop around and visit the Keweenaw National Park station, which had helpful maps and a wealth of information. It was such a cute little historic city — I wish we had more time there!

From there, we headed up to Eagle River to visit Jampot, an AMAZING bakery run by monks who are a part of the Byzantine Catholic Monastery. We grabbed some jam, cookies, and muffins and everything was delicious. I wish we had grabbed more!

Jacob’s Falls is literally next door on the road and was a pretty stop, too.

My other two children aren’t pictured because they climbed too far the moment we arrived…Insert facepalm.

After, we toured the Eagle Harbor lighthouse {$5/adults, kids are free}. The lighthouse tour could’ve been dry for the kids BUT they had a fun Bingo game that helped keep the kids engaged. It was a really neat lighthouse to learn about, and our tour guide, Ginny, was so great with the kids!

After, we checked into our cabin for the night at Minnetonka Resort. It was straight out of the 1950’s but super clean…and $59 for the night! The bathroom was teeny tiny, but I would stay here again in a heartbeat. It is quintessential U.P. lodging!

We grabbed dinner up the road at Captain Matt’s Fish N’ Chips food truck {highly recommend the fish tacos!} and a pint at Brickside Brewery, so we could say we’ve drank in the northernmost brewery in Michigan.

After, we played a round of crazy putt-putt at Into The Woods Mini Golf & Gardens. This course was SO cute! The garden was gorgeous, and “crazy” putt-putt meant you could play with a hockey stick, pool cue and more unique ways. It was super affordable as well.

To top off our long day, we drove up Brockway Mountain {FREE} for sunset. Let me tell you, the views were EPIC and an absolute MUST drive for your Michigan bucket list! Next time, I’d love to do some mountain biking there. {Dare you to do the “On The Edge” trail, which is 3 miles straight down!}

DAY 2: COPPER HARBOR & HOUGHTON

We started day two by visiting Fort Wilkins in Copper Harbor {FREE to visit with a Michigan Recreation Passport}. It was a neat place to learn about the history of the copper mining region in 1844, and even had costumed interpreters for asking quesions. We actually spent a lot more time here than I had anticipated. The history was very interesting and the location was gorgeous!

Just outside the park was a lovely stop for picnicking with plenty of tables and a playground.

After, we started venturing back down to Houghton, but only after stopping to hike down to Eagle River Falls and swim at Great Sand Bay in Eagle River. Only my husband was crazy enough to take a dip in Lake Superior! Brrrr.

Once in Houghton, we visited the Chutes & Ladders playground {FREE}, which has to be one of the coolest playgrounds in Michigan! My kids didn’t last too long climbing up and down in the heat, but it was still a great little pitstop.

We ate dinner at the Downtowner for the view on the deck, and were not disappointed.

We checked into the Holiday Inn Express in Houghton for the night.

DAY 3: HOUGHTON & SILVER CITY

Day three started with an adventure to the Quincy Mine. The tour was a couple hours long and full of some really cool history. The kids really dug being able to go down into the mine, and it was almost a cave-like experience.

TIP: Layer your clothing. It was 43 degrees inside the mine, so very cold!

While we had plans to do more park hopping, a downpour of rain sent us driving to our next stop: Silver City.

Silver City is a town in the middle of nowhere, right next to the Porcupine Mountains. We stayed at the AmericInn – Silver City, and cannot recommend this spot enough! The hotel itself is nothing special, but it’s right ON Lake Superior, which made for some lovely sunset watching over a bonfire we made. We made lots of friends with fellow travelers, which was fun!

My kids enjoyed the color-changing pool at night too, so it really was a win-win for all 😉

DAY 4: SILVER CITY, PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS, BOND FALLS, CANYON FALLS & MARQUETTE

This day was definitely full of the most driving. We started the day at Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains. WOW is all I have to say. The view is simply astounding, and I only wished we had time to stay all day for the sunset.

From there, we drove to Bond Falls, which is famous for being the “second best” falls in the Upper Peninsula, just behind Tahquamenon. It definitely was a gorgeous falls, with a neat walking trail all the way to the top, which was a cool hike for the kids.

The next stop we visited on our way to Marquette was Canyon Falls. This was probably my favorite hike of our trip. It was a great length for young kids, and the views were SO pretty. Best of all, we barely saw anyone on the trail, which made it even more special!

Once we arrive in Marquette, we headed downtown for dinner at Donckers, an amazing old time spot famous for its chocolates, cute gift shop and killer mac n’ cheese. After, we walked around town down by the boats and old Ore Dock, and stumbled upon a really cute wooden playground that was perfect for kids.

We had to end the day at the Marquette fave — Jilbert Dairy. How can you not want to pose with a giant cow?!

DAY 5: MARQUETTE, GARLYN ZOO & CLYDE’S DRIVE-IN

On day five, we worked our way back home. We started off bright and early and toured Lakenenland quickly before heading out of town. This FREE sculpture park is something odd yet amazing to see!

On the trek home we also stopped at Garlyn Zoo. It was a cute spot with some neat animals. My kids loved having the chance to feed some of the animals too. Our favorite was a snow monkey who had a ton of personality!

TIP: There is a $45 flat rate for larger families, which was awesome! You can also get 10% off admission if you show your Michigan Recreation Passport.

Before we could cross the bridge back home, we had to stop at Clyde’s Drive-In. This cash-only establishment is one of my favorite reasons to visit the U.P. Best burger under $5 in ALL of Michigan!

Overall, this trip was not only EPIC, but it was affordable too! Our expenses were a few outings, but mostly just food, gas, and hotels. There are so many FREE spots, so the Upper Peninsula makes for a great inexpensive getaway.

Happy planning if you visit!

15 Places To Take Kids in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula

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If there’s one vacation I crave in Michigan each summer, it’s a visit to the Upper Peninsula. So many families seem to stop at the bridge, and that’s such a mistake if you ask me! Visiting the Upper Peninsula is such a magical adventure not to be missed.

There’s just one thing: it’s HUGE, and can be intimidating to plan, especially if you don’t have a few weeks to spare. Last summer we conquered the Eastern Upper Peninsula in 4 days with our kids, and this year we hope to tackle the west. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, here are our can’t miss spots for the east side of da yoop!

15 Places To Take Kids in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula

Just before the bridge:

Park near Colonial Michilimackinac and go under the bridge so you can put your feet in both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron at the same time. Pretty cool! My kids really enjoyed looking for rocks and throwing them in the water, too.

Weinerlicious. If the silly name doesn’t make your kids want to stop, the giant hot dog on the roof may help!

Just over the bridge:

Castle Rock. Sure, it’s kind of a tourist trap, but it’s worth the climb for the views and a photo op with Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox! And the climb is just $1, so it’s affordable.

Clyde’s Drive-In. Clyde’s is famous for good reason: It’s AMAZING. Good food and that classic drive-in experience that is always fun to show the kiddos!

Sault Ste. Marie

Soo locks. Keep your eye out for boats so you can watch the engineering wonder that is the Soo Locks. The information center is perfect for explaining how it all works for kiddos that are interested!

Antlers Restaurant. This restaurant is a silent zoo full of mounted animals of all kinds. My kids LOVED walking around and seeing what was there. The fan favorites was a two-headed cow!

Ship Valley Camp Museum. Honestly, I was worried my kids would find this boring — after all, it is a museum — but that was FAR from the case. They loved learning about ships that have sailed the Great Lakes. It helps that the entire museum is on a real ship, and the kids are free to explore! Mine loved learning about the Edmund Fitzgerald, especially.

Tahquamenon Area

Everyone knows about the Upper Falls, which are stunning, but let’s be honest: It’s pretty lame if you’re a kid. That’s why I always suggest adding on the Lower Tahquamenon Falls Island Adventure. Families can row out to the island where they can explore and get IN several waterfalls. The views are beautiful, and it’s sure to give your kids something to talk about for days. $7/person or $20 for 3-5 people.

Oswald’s Bear Ranch. Where else can you see bears up close and they aren’t threatening to steal your food? Check out two dozen rescued bears at this unique attraction! $20/vehicle.

Munising Area

Waterfalls around Munising. Stop at any hotel or visitor center for a waterfall map and follow the signs. There are TONS to go to. We even tackled a few more difficult ones, which weren’t a problem if you have active kids. Our favorite was Memorial Falls. Free.

Pictured Rocks. While a boat cruise is nice, kids may find it boring. You’re best off driving around and popping out of your vehicle whenever possible! Kids will love exploring the ancient rocks. This National Park is FREE, too.

Munising Pirate Cruise. This was our “big splurge” on our trip and it was SO worth it. Climb aboard The Good Fortune for a comical ride around Lake Superior. The kid cruise is perfect for those 12 and under. Kids can shoot water cannons, look for treasure, play games and more. Super cute! {Parents, they sell snacks and alcoholic drinks, too!} Adults: $27, kids 12 and under are $15, ages 2 and under are $1.

Southeast Upper Peninsula

Manistique. This quaint town is cute to explore, especially it’s gorgeous boardwalk with a lighthouse that you can walk out to. Free.

Kitch-iti-kipi. This “Big Spring” is visually stunning. The best part for my kids was steering the raft across the lake so we could see down into the crystal clear water. Well, that, and climbing the amazing tress surrounding the property. Free with a Michigan State Parks pass.

Fayette Historic Townsite. This state park is educational and gorgeous. My kids enjoyed seeing what life was like in the late 1800’s in an iron ore town that was forgotten. Free with a Michigan State Parks pass.

I really feel I just scratched the surface for amazing places to explore, but I wanted to show you all that having a wonderful vacation in the Upper Peninsula with young kids is not only SUPER affordable, but SO fun, too!

If you’re looking for ideas just for couples, check out this list.

Happy planning if you’re headed up there this summer, and feel free to give me tips for conquering the west next!

Family Itinerary: 5 Days in The Great Smoky Mountains

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We just returned from yet another EPIC vacation. We visited the Great Smoky Mountain area, including plenty of fun in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Are these places touristy? YES. Are they beautiful? YES. Is there a ton for families? YES.

I highly recommend this destination for families looking for some fantastic outdoor adventures!

Honestly, we barely scratched the surface during our visit. There is just SO much to do. But the things we did do were ALL fantastic. Seriously, I spent hours pouring over information on where would be the best spots to spend our vacation fund.

We did a lot, but also chose to have a lot of downtime so we could relax a bit and enjoy the amazing house we rented with three of our neighbor families.

I’m sharing our itinerary because I know vacations can feel overwhelming to plan, and organizing vacations is a passion of mine. Enjoy!

DAY 1: Travel day

The drive to our cabin from Michigan was 8 hours on the dot. I feel this is a super easy road trip with kids, and there’s plenty to do along the way. Our favorite stop was in Caryville, TN to see a giant fiberglass dragon.

When we arrived at our destination, we shopped for food for the week and just enjoyed the views. We stayed in a large 5-bedroom house, which was affordable when split 4 ways. So much more fun than a hotel! {This link shows the house we stayed in.}

DAY 2: Gatlinburg

We kicked off our day at a newer, popular destination: Anakeesta. This was the most expensive excursion of our vacation, though I was able to grab a 2-for-1 deal on SweetDeals.com. We rode a chairlift to the top of the mountain {ummm, slightly scary – won’t lie!}, and enjoyed an amazing garden, playground, treetop canopy bridges, lunch, ice cream and more. The views were fantastic! I highly recommend a visit, but arrive BEFORE it opens or else you will be waiting in line for quite some time.

From there, we headed inside the National Park nearby where we took a 0.8 mile hike to Cataract Falls. We started our visit at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, where we learned about native animals and a bit about the park. The trail behind it was so perfect for little legs! We saw a snake on our walk, and enjoyed checking out the unique plants we’d never seen before. The hike ended at Cataract Falls. Of course my kids had to get as close as possible…

DAY 3: Pigeon Forge

This was a rainy day, so we decided to stick to some indoor places. Our family started the day at the Titanic Museum. If you have a passion for history, this is a MUST. Photos are not allowed inside, so you’ll have to visit to see what’s there. We learned a lot. My 4-year-old loved listening to the audio tour which had a special code just for kids {and kids 4 and under are free}.

After our tour, we stopped for lunch at Frizzle Chicken, which was recommended by many families with little ones. Animatronic chickens sang and danced as we ate, and kids created an egg with a unique spinner and markers. It was definitely memorable, and the food was pretty good too!

After Frizzle, we visited the Three Bears General Store, which was recommended to me many times. It was HUGE and had tons of gift-y things. There is an area where you can watch/feed bears on the upper level too!

We also checked out the arcade next door, called Rockin’ Raceway, and all three of my kids said it was one of their favorite parts. Definitely nice to sprinkle in some kid-pleasers, even though it was FAR from what I like to do 😉

DAY 4: Caves, Falls, and Lumberjacks

This day was probably my favorite. We started the day at Tuckaleechee Caverns, and got there right when they opened up. I HIGHLY recommend doing it that way to get the best experience. It was getting busy as we left. Our tour guide was fantastic and the kids really enjoyed the experience. There are some slippery/steep walking areas, so I wouldn’t recommend this for those unable to walk well.

On our way back to the cabin to rest, we stopped at Friendly Falls, which was suggested by my friend Korie. It was this obscure hippie place that totally spoke to my whimsical-loving self. We bought a giant bucket for gem mining and let the kids go to town with it. They say this was another one of their favorite parts of our trip! It was worth it because they got some amazing gems to add to their rock collections. The views of the falls were spectacular, too.

{We had plans to visit Cade’s Cove after, but unfortunately it was rainy and foggy, so the views wouldn’t have been what we were hoping for. Highly recommend it if you visit!}

During the evening, we checked out the newest show in town — Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud. This was such a fun show, and really appealed to ALL ages, including the adults. All of the lumberjacks were true athletes, and it was really fun to watch them compete. We brought in our own food which really helped to save!

DAY 5: Falls, Moon Pie & Fishing For Dinner

We had plans to visit Parrot Mountain, which we heard great things about, but the national park was calling again, so our group decided to try the hike to Laurel Falls with our collective 11 kids in tow. This was such a fantastic 2.6 mile hike! Disclaimer: It’s super steep, so we felt like we needed to be ON watching the kids the entire time. Still, it was absolutely worth it for the views! {Note: Don’t bring a stroller on this hike!}

After enjoying a picnic lunch at a park, we did a little more tourist shopping, this time visiting the Moon Pie General Store. We LOVED this place. Of course they sell Tennessee favorites — Moon Pie and RC Cola, but also homemade items, books, souvenirs, and more. It was a great little shop!

For dinner, we checked out English Mountain Trout Farm, which was a backwoods country, mom & pop kind of place. We fished in their trout pond for our dinner, and they prepared the fish for us to eat. The kids got a kick out of the fishing, and even tried eating it {though my middle baby insisted on a cheeseburger}. It was such a fun experience!

Overall, it ended up being one heck of a family vacation. We missed tons, but there’s no doubt we will be back with how easy the drive is and the amount of amazing rentals in the area.

See more of our vacation on my Instagram!

Have you been to the Smoky Mountain area? Where are your favorite spots?

10 Reasons To Love The H Hotel in Midland, Michigan

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The post below is sponsored by The H Hotel. All opinions expressed belong to me.

My husband and I recently packed up for a night to visit The H Hotel in Midland, Michigan. We were excited for a date night for obvious reasons {read: we were slightly burnt out on parenting, so it offered us a breather!}, but also because it’s a world-class destination that is less than two hours from our house.

If you haven’t been to Midland in 10 years like myself, you’re in for a treat. The downtown has completely transformed into a walkable streetscape that is welcoming and fun to explore. Right in the heart of it all, is The H Hotel.

I honestly could write for days about how much we enjoyed this hotel. It has everything we love right in one date night destination: luxurious rooms, fantastic foodie restaurants right on the premises, access to nature, and a walkable downtown right outside the doors. Couldn’t ask for more.

I’ve boiled our visit down to 10 reasons to book a stay, but I promise I could list many, many, more. Here’s my favorite reasons to plan a visit stat!

10 Reasons To Love The H Hotel in Midland, Michigan

Excellent service

From the front desk concierge to the servers and the employee who delivered us toothpaste at 10 p.m., every person we encountered was helpful and genuinely seemed to love what they do. Their smiling faces and helpful tips truly set the tone for our visit!

Boundless amenities and beautiful art

The hotel is chock full of extra perks, including free valet, an indoor lap pool, whirlpool, gym, two restaurants and a lounge.

One of my favorite touches throughout the hotel was the art. There are some really neat pieces. My favorite was this butterfly installation that moved when you blew on it. If you stay, make sure to look for the dragonflies hiding in the piece!

Spacious and bright rooms

We stayed in a standard room and it was so beautiful! We had a view of The Tridge, which was fantastic. I told my husband this room makes me want to paint our whole house white. It felt so clean and happy!

Table Restaurant

Named for the Periodic Table of Elements {a nod to owner Dow Chemical}, this fine dining restaurant is absolutely flawless. From the decor to the service and food, it’s guaranteed you will have a memorable meal.

My husband had the filet mignon, which he ordered medium rare and it was cooked to perfection.

I ordered the scallops and could instantly tell they were of a high-caliber. Everything we ate was full of flavor. I would highly recommend Table if you’re looking for a great date night!

Bar Oxygen for a nightcap

This swanky lounge is the perfect spot to enjoy some complimentary spicy popcorn and a cocktail, or settle in on appetizers and desserts for a nightcap.

We ordered creme brûlée and this chocolate mousse cake and both were amazing!

Cafe Zinc for the perfect breakfast

This French-insprired bistro is not only adorable, but the food is delicious too. I honestly would consider a drive to Midland just to eat here again…It was THAT good.

My husband was quick to say his steak and eggs was the best breakfast he’s ever had, and I agreed….My quiche was definitely the best I’ve had. We’ll be dreaming about these meals for a long time!

The Tridge

The Tridge is a 3-way walkable bridge located directly behind The H. It’s the perfect place to take a walk during all seasons, and definitely a must for any Michiganders bucket list!

The Tridge even lights up with LED lights at night, which makes for a romantic post-dinner walk.

The H is Close to everything

The H is within walking distance to The Tridge, the Perl Marquette Rail Trail, several restaurants, bars, shops and the farmers market, and just a few miles from Dow Gardens, the Midland Center for Performing Arts, Dow Diamond {where the Loons play}, and more.

Perks Galore

The H has some excellent perks including a free shuttle, free bikes to borrow to ride the trails behind the hotel, free tickets to Dow Gardens, and during the season, free lawn tickets to Loons baseball games.

We took advantage of the free tickets to Dow Gardens and we really enjoyed our hike there — it was beautiful and peaceful and I definitely would love to visit again during summer.

The H is a Four Diamond Hotel with affordable rates

There is no doubt about it, this hotel is luxurious throughout. The rooms are stellar, spacious and clean. You can tell the staff takes pride in being among the best. What surprised me most was the rates, which are affordable for a luxury hotel. Nights typically range from $119-$200, depending on special events. For that rate, I highly recommend spoiling yourself on a night!

TIP from the concierge: Book directly through the hotel for the best rates and fantastic extra perks.

Learn more about The H Hotel by visiting the website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram. Also make sure to check out Cafe Zinc on Instagram and Table on Instagram.

GIVEAWAY

I’m ecstatic to give away a $100 gift card to The H, which can be used at any of the restaurants or for booking the hotel itself. Follow the prompts below to enter.

Giveaway ends on May 14, 2018 at midnight. Good luck!

The H Hotel

10 Tips To Make Road Trips More Fun With Young Kids

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We just got back from taking our crew to Florida from Michigan. On the way there, we had a 17 hour ride to visit family, but on the way home, we were further south and hit traffic and it ended up taking us a full 24 hours. That’s a lot of time stuck inside a van with kids!

Flights, plus a van/car seats rental would have cost us more than $3,000 during the spring break season, while driving cost us right around $350, and that included gas, a few meals out, and fun presents/movies for the kids to open. The decision was a no-brainer since it was such a huge savings. {To find your fuel costs based on your vehicle make/model, check out this fuel economy calculator}.

While road trips aren’t always fun as an adult, all three of my kids {ages 3, 5 and 7} said the ride south was their favorite part of our vacation. Wait…Really?! I’m all about making the car ride fun, so I suspect that’s why my kids enjoyed it so much 😉 Here’s how we managed!

10 Tips To Make Road Trips More Fun With Young Kids

PJs for the ride

Something about going into places in their pjs was something my kids LOVED and found hilarious. Plus, I’m pretty sure it encouraged them to sleep! We kept a small bag of clothes handy to change into once the weather changed dramatically, but otherwise, we mostly travelled as comfortable as possible.

Opening Gifts Every Few Hours

I’m not talking anything fancy, but unwrapping a gift every once in a while at gas/rest stops is such an easy way to please little people. I wrapped up new movies, little squishes, some bubble gum and a few mess-free coloring items, and each item went a long way keeping the kids occupied on our drive. {We especially love all the Melissa & Doug On-The-Go items! – affiliate link}

New Movies and Books

In addition to a few new purchased movies for our minivan DVD player, we also rented movies and books from the library. Favorite books included ‘search and find’ ones, which the kids could flip through while driving. Consider grabbing books based on your destination, too. We had several about ocean wildlife and we loved consulting them during our trip! Next time, I plan to check out some kid’s audiobooks too!

Gas Station Free-For-All

On the way home, we let the kids go in the gas station with us and pick out anything they wanted {within reason of course}. My kids always surprise me with their simple choices, yet they feel like they’ve won the lottery! This was always a huge hit for me as a teen on road trips, too.

Podcasts for Kids {and Adults}

Podcasts are a great way to entertain the kids and have them learn a few things, too. We all got a bit squirmy sitting in traffic, so we found some kid-friendly podcasts to listen to. My girls enjoyed the science-based podcast, Brains On {especially the episode about animal farts…}, while my favorites were NPR shows, Susan Cain’s Quiet: The Power of Introverts and Malcom Gladwell’s Revisionist History while driving.

Play Games

The license plate game and ‘I Spy’ {while in traffic} were two favorites during our drive. Whatever you have to do to get through! I also enjoyed teaching the kids about what each state we were driving through was known for. It’s true what they say — some of the best learning truly takes place outside the school walls.

Make Stops At Roadside Attractions

There are tons of unique and FREE attractions across America, and plenty of them close to I-75. Check out the web and plan some fun stops complete with photo ops. My favorite site is Roadside America.

Exercise at Rest Stops

Whenever we stopped at a rest stop, we let the kids RUN. We encouraged them by doing races and timing how fast they could go. This was a great way to burn energy quickly before needing to get back into car seats.

Snacks, Snacks, Snacks

Have snacks, and they will be happy. Have snacks they don’t normally get, and the kids will be extra happy!

I kept a big flat-bottomed reusable grocery bag full of pre-packaged goodies behind our center console. Usually our snacking at home is pretty controlled, but on a road trip, all bets are off. The kids caught on quickly and loved it. We had mini bags of pretzels, Pirate Booty, small cans of Pringles, cookies, beef sticks and more. We kept some plastic grocery bags in the car for trash and emptied out at each stop to keep the van somewhat clutter-free.

Drive Through The Night

This is definitely not for the faint at heart, but was soooooo worth it! First, the kids slept in their car seats and didn’t ask us 100 times what state we were in. Second, there was NO traffic. My husband napped while I drove and then I slept while he drove. It was like newborn sleep…very broken up, but we survived! We listened to podcasts in earbuds and sipped coffee and energy drinks. It was tough being tired our first day of vacation, but adrenaline got us through, and we just went to bed after putting the kids down to catch up on rest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While being in the car for an extended period of time can be trying, especially while kids are young, if you make it a true adventure, the kids will enjoy it. After all, a vacation is all about spending time together, right?

Enjoy your next road trip!

What are your favorite road trip tips? Chime in and let me know!

Find more road trip tips for kids at this post.

8 Tips For Visiting An Adults Only All-Inclusive Resort

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My husband often jokes that honeymoons are wasted on newlyweds and that the time you *really* need a vacation is after you have kids. While newlywed me would totally disagree {planning a wedding is terrible IMO}, I can’t help but get his logic.

It’s safe to say since having a kid seven years ago, I haven’t had a truly relaxing vacation. We’ve had a few local getaways for a couple nights just the two of us, but for the most part, nothing extravagant or requiring a plane ride. In fact, the only other time the two of us have been together on a plane was for our honeymoon.

So with our 10-year anniversary looming, we figured we had the perfect excuse to getaway without too much guilt. Thankfully the grandparents were up for the challenge, and we booked the ultimate getaway — to an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica!

It.Was.Amazing.

We only were gone for 4 nights, but it felt glorious to not cook for little people or break up sibling fights.

We had been to an all-inclusive for our honeymoon, so knew what we were in for, but there are still so many tips I wanted to remember for our next big getaway…likely in another 10 years or so 😉

Rafting down the Martha Brae River in Jamaica. It was awesome!

8 Tips For Visiting An Adults Only All-Inclusive Resort

Get a travel package. When we were looking to plan a trip, we got tips from so many folks. We looked into various destinations, cruises, etc. In the end, we found the best packages with Costco Travel. I loved that their packages were refundable up until a week before and included everything from airfare to shuttles and more. I highly recommend them for trips! Our trip was flawless.
Bring LOTS of one dollar bills. Most all-inclusive resorts do not require tips, but let’s be real — we all know these people make low wages, and throwing a buck or two at them for shleping a drink to you on the beach is a nice gesture. Plus there’s shuttle drivers, baggage helpers, your concierge, cleaning lady, etc. And if you have a minibar and want it stocked a certain way, money helps. {We had ours almost completely stocked with rum and coke thanks to a note and a few dollars!}
Insulated cups ROCK. I soooo wish we knew this tip before our trip. Ice melts quick at a tropical destination, so bringing a nice insulated cup would’ve been great for drinks.
Bring a beach bag. My friend shared this tip with me, and I’m so glad because it’s something I would’ve easily forgot. It was so nice having a bag to carry my book, sunscreen and towels in for time at the beach or pool.
Pack light. I honestly brought way too many clothes considering I was in my bathing suit for 80 percent of the vacation. Next time I will pack another bathing suit and a cover-up, maybe 1-2 casual outfits and a couple nice dresses for dinners and call it good! Most resorts should have cleaning services should you need them. I am obsessed with these packing cubes {affiliate link} to keep our suitcases organized!
Schedule excursions when you arrive. If you plan to do any excursions, schedule them shortly after arriving. We decided to wait until the following day and our excursions got cancelled two nights in a row. We were SO bummed! I wish we would’ve had another day to try for it.
Bring a waterproof camera. If you have one, that is. If not, borrow one from a friend. I don’t have one and was terrified of getting my DSLR or phone wet so didn’t take as many photos as I would’ve liked to.
Don’t overschedule yourself. The point of an all-inclusive is to actually be able to relax and leave the rest to the resort employees. I loved the days we had zero plans and could just go with the flow since it’s SO opposite of my “normal” life. Also, since you are paying for all those food and drinks, enjoy them!

Overall, a vacation is exactly what I needed at this point in my life and I was so glad we splurged and rearranged our calendars to make it happen.

To my husband: Cheers to 10 years! Can’t wait to celebrate with you all year long 🙂

Check out more of our date night and couple’s adventures HERE.

Have you visited an all-inclusive resort? If so, what are your tips?

Date Night in Ann Arbor {+ Our Stay At Hyatt Place}

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The post below is sponsored by Hyatt Place Ann Arbor. All opinions belong to me.

I’ve said it many times before: I’m a huge fan of dating your spouse. I crave that connection in my life, and know date nights are essential for a healthy marriage. My guy often rolls his eyes at my adventures, but he gets that it is what I need, and happy wife = happy life, right? 😉

He never protests when it involves getting away just the two of us though. Traveling with kids is a blast, but it’s exhausting, honestly. So when we got the chance to escape just 30 minutes away to Ann Arbor for night out, you betcha we took advantage!

The brand new Hyatt Place Ann Arbor was gracious enough to host us for the evening and we had a fantastic stay.

A few things we loved about this hotel:

~ Easy access to I-94 and downtown Ann Arbor

~ Incredibly welcoming staff

~ Amazing decor throughout…We especially loved the Michigan touches everywhere! This local flair made it feel less like a chain and more like a boutique hotel.

~ A FREE shuttle for a 3-mile radius until 9 p.m. {including to the Briarwood Mall or the Big House for a game!}.

~ Gorgeous spa-like pool

~ A 24/7 Gallery Market featuring cooked-to-order food and beverage options

~ King size beds in every room

~ FREE hot breakfast with tons of options

~ An amazing state-of-the-art gym

~ FREE Wi-Fi

~ A Coffee to Cocktails bar serving Starbucks specialty beverages, beer, wine, and cocktails

Overall, we would hands down stay here again, and I highly recommend it should you want to spend a night in Ann Arbor — with or without kids.

WHAT WE DID DURING OUR STAY

After checking in, we nabbed a few drinks in the lobby and discussed our plans for the night. I love that Ann Arbor is such a walkable city, and with nice temps for October, we were down for walking if needed.

However, since the hotel is about three miles from the heart of the city, we took advantage of the shuttle. Charles, our friendly driver, took us into downtown, where we {barely} found a spot that was highly recommended to me: The Last Word. This bar had a speakeasy feel to it with an unmarked entrance, and I felt like we were stepping into a basement! However, once we were seated, we fell in love. Such a neat place!

The bar had some incredible {strong!} craft cocktails, and we loved the literary theme throughout, including a menu inside an old book. I smiled seeing my late grandma’s signature drink: A Manhattan. Of course I had to have one just for her 😉

After a few hours of cocktails and catching up with each other, we walked a few blocks to check out the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. We love live comedy and this was one venue we’d never been to. We’ve seen plenty of good and bad comics, and this night proved to be a mix of both, however, it still was a ton of fun. I’d totally recommend it for a date night!

After the show it was past midnight, so we took a Lyft back to the hotel {around $8.50}. It was so fantastic having a safe ride, and avoiding parking fees. Total win.

Overall, we had a fantastic time exploring some new-to-us places in Ann Arbor, and can’t wait to go back some day soon for more fun!

Hyatt Place is located at 3223 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48108, and can be reached at (734) 995-1234. Follow the Ann Arbor Hyatt Place on Facebook or book a room here.

Where are your favorite places for a date night in Ann Arbor?

A Visit to Hell…Michigan

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Visiting Hell, Michigan has been on my bucket list for a long time. I mean, who doesn’t want to say they’ve been to Hell? Any place with a good sense of humor has my vote for a great tourist destination!

So, I packed up the kids for a visit, and in the very least, to get some delicious ice cream on a hot day.

If you aren’t familiar, the village of Hell, Michigan is located between Livingston and Washtenaw Counties, just outside Pinckney. Despite the name, the area is actually quite scenic. The winding roads to get there are beautiful and full of cute houses and barns that belong in country magazines.

I was solo parenting on our trip, so we picnicked and skipped the Hell Hole Bar and Hell Saloon, but I made a mental note to visit for a fall date night. I’ve heard they have fantastic burgers and pasties.

Funny enough, my kids aren’t familiar with Hell {as in, opposite of heaven}, so they just thought we were in a Halloween town. They love all things creepy, so it was pretty magical for them. I am sure when they are older and a little more rebellious they will love saying that they were able to visit Hell 😉

I chuckled seeing my little devils intrigued by all the silly things. Some of it was a little too fitting 😉

The main attraction in Hell is definitely Screams — and it’s probably one of the best touristy things you can do in Michigan.

Nothing is taken too seriously in Hell, and we had fun checking out the fun souvenirs and grabbing an ice cream.

Heading into Screams, the kids loved the “lil’ devils” door entrance. All the small touches around Hell made us smile.

There was so much to look at…and even the ice cream toppings were served in an open casket.

TIP: They even have a “Gravedigger” sundae that, if you finish, you get a death certificate.

We had way too many laughs looking at the merchandise {again, my kids love all things creepy}, and my day was totally made when the ice cream workers told me to have “a hell of a day,” and handed me a $2 bill with a Hell stamp. What an awesome, memorable touch!

Screams is also popular for postcards — in which they singe every one with fire — and for their “Mayor of Hell,” which would be the perfect gift idea for those with a dark sense of humor 😉

There were creepy yet kitschy touches everywhere, and we had fun exploring. Bonus? The ice cream was realllly good!

In back of Screams is a putt-putt golf course. We skipped it due to the heat and lack of shade, but it looked like fun — especially since you can go for FREE by printing off this coupon. Otherwise, it’s $6 for adults, $4 for children 12 and under and free for children under 4.

Additionally, in the area behind Screams, there are additional cut-outs for photo-ops, a little chapel, a locks of love bridge {you can buy locks in the shop}, and a damn.

…Because it’s not Hell without a damn, right? The kids got in the water because that’s what my kids do, and I didn’t see any signs saying not to. They had fun exploring and throwing rocks. It was a pretty area to explore some nature.

Overall, we cannot wait to visit Hell again, and maybe do some canoeing next time. It’s definitely worth a Sunday drive around Halloween or to stop by when you are near the Ann Arbor / Livingston County area.

Have a hell of a good time if you visit!

Family Getaway: Hop & Vine Inn In Fennville Michigan {+ Area Attractions}

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I received a complimentary stay at the Hop & Vine Inn for the purpose of this post. All opinions expressed belong to me.

I don’t know what your impression of Bed & Breakfasts are, but I have always had two thoughts: They’re for old people and they aren’t kid-friendly.

The Hop & Vine Inn, located in Fennville, Michigan, crushes both of those stereotypes.

This boutique hotel meets quaint B&B has recently been taken over and has begun the renovation process. Owners Dan and Amber are exactly the types that are ideal innkeepers – their sweet demeanor coupled with passion for the area shine through. I actually met Amber at CMU my freshman year, and instantly liked her — she’s chatty and fun, so there’s no doubt this is a great path for her!

On a recent trip, we stayed at the Inn for a night and fell in love with the grounds and the area. Small touches like quaint peaceful places, including a sweet swing and hammock, and plenty of fun for families make this Inn a standout.

The Inn has several townhouses, which are private and great for families that need a little more space. The Inn also has rooms and jacuzzi suites that make for a perfect anniversary getaway for couples. Check out all the room options here.

A sparkling clean indoor pool is an unexpected addition as well, and my kids say this was their favorite part of their stay! Doesn’t take much to please kids, that’s for sure 🙂

There also was a fun play structure for kids, and even ladder golf and a fire pit for enjoyment in the great outdoors.

The former innkeeper was a mason, so there are several stone features throughout, just adding to the property’s old world charm. In fact, the adjoining barn on the property is the perfect spot for family photos or for newlyweds. Isn’t it charming? I’m such a sucker for that chippy red paint!

We loved our stay in the Pier Cover #6 townhouse. It was fantastic having two rooms, so the kids could head to bed early and we could stay up to relax and enjoy games outside on the back patio.

It was also great to have a full kitchen. We kept the kids snacks and our drinks in the fridge, and we enjoyed playing Go Fish and Uno together at the kitchen table.

Family Adventures Near Hop & Vine Inn

The Inn is in Fennville, which is central to Saugatuck, Douglas, South Haven, and even Holland, making it extremely convenient for area attractions. Our family took advantage of a few family-friendly spots.

Day One

We started our adventure with Saugatuck Dune Rides. All three of our kids {2, 4 and 6} enjoyed the 40-minute educational {yet entertaining} tour around the dunes and didn’t mind the roller-coaster sensation when heading downhill. The cost was a bit pricey {$62 for our family, but our little guy was free}, but definitely something families should experience at least once.

After, we drove a mile up the road for ice cream at the nearby Dairy Dayz.

Warning: Even the kids size portions are huge, so you may want to share. YUM!

From there, we went on to spend some time at one of Michigan’s most notable beaches: Oval Beach in Saugatuck. I get why this beach is popular: It had extremely clean bathrooms, and the sugar sand was perfect for playing in. The waves were high, so we put the kids in life jackets just in case and had a blast playing in the water.

Watching the kids play so great together was definitely a memory I will forever have sealed in my brain.

The park pass for Oval Beach was $10 for the day.

After, thanks to a coupon on our beach pass, we enjoyed dinner at the Saugatuck Brewing Company, which was delicious and definitely a place I’d love to spend more time at. The staff went above and beyond for my kids — letting us choose seating and giving them coloring books to enjoy. Their pub platter for kids included salami, crackers, pineapple, cheese and celery and was perfect for feeding our picky eaters.

When we returned to the Inn, our crew enjoyed a swim in the beautiful pool before they crashed seconds after we laid them down. My husband and I had fun playing Ladder Golf in the back yard until we were ready for bed as well.

Day Two

On day two, we woke to rain, so after enjoying a delicious breakfast at the Inn {included in the stay}, we took advantage of the board games available, and even learned some new ones.

By check-out time, the rain started to clear up, so we stopped by the beach just two miles from the Inn — Pier Cove. The kids enjoyed rock hunting and playing in the creek leading to the lake. Had it been warmer, we could’ve stayed for hours exploring. Amber mentioned it’s one of her favorite places to watch the sunset, and I can see why. It was a beautiful area. Bonus because it’s free to visit, too!

We couldn’t leave Fennville without lunch, so we checked out Crane’s Pie Pantry. This is definitely a MUST for families traveling to the area. We enjoyed visiting with the restaurant’s mascot — a stuffed dog named Betty {!!!}, eating some great sandwiches and a pie flight, which was a fun way to taste the different varieties of pie. Next time we’ll focus more on the hard ciders 😉

Overall, we had a great stay at Hop & Vine Inn, and would visit again in a heartbeat. I’d love to come back with friends and rent a few of the townhomes for a long weekend. There is so much to do in the area.

Other attractions I have on my list for the future:

The Chain Ferry in Saugatuck
Climbing the stairs at Mount Baldhead
Exploring the many art galleries and antique shops surround the area
Brunch at The Southener in Saugatuck
Dinner at Salt of the Earth in Fennville
Wine and cider tastings at Virtue Cider and Fenn Valley Vineyards

Learn more about Hop & Vine Inn on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

What are your favorite attractions around the southwest coast of Michigan?

Glen Arbor Michigan Anniversary Trip

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This past week, my husband and I celebrated nine years of marriage. Each year we try to take a mini trip, because to us, our anniversary is something to be celebrated each and every year!

He is a runner and wanted to find a spring half marathon so we decided to loop a half marathon into our trip and kill two birds with one stone. So we decided to head to Glen Arbor for the Solstice half marathon and 5K and make a long weekend of it together.

I’ve lived in Michigan my entire life and had never seen Sleeping Bear Dunes, so we figured this would be the perfect excuse! We opted to not climb the dunes on this trip, but had plenty of other active fun.

We started out our road trip by exploring Frankfort. It’s an adorable Lake Michigan town and we enjoyed sampling beer and food at the Stormcloud Brewing Company {the pulled pork nachos were delicious!}. After, we walked down to the lighthouse and pier, which were gorgeous. Lucky for us, there weren’t a ton of people walking the pier {it’s at your own risk}, so I was able to snap some shots. Isn’t she pretty?

From there, we travelled to the Point Betsie lighthouse, which had an interesting history and was just darling to take in. There was a tour available too, though we decided to skip that. She’s even available to rent as lodging, which I think should definitely go on my bucket list. The setting was beautiful.

Then it was onto the Empire Bluff Trail, which was a {free} 1.5 mile hike through the woods to an overlook of Lake Michigan and the dunes. It was a nice trail, but hilly, so I would reserve this for those in decent shape, especially on a hot day. It was a workout, but worth it for the incredible views.

After our hike we decided to rest a bit and head into Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and take the 7.4-mile Pierce Stocking Drive to see the dunes. It’s $15 for a week-long pass, and the drive itself ended up being a great way to see several views of forests, the water, and even a charming covered bridge.

Had my husband not been doing a half marathon the next day we would have attempted the dune climb, but we knew we needed to conserve our energy. The sweeping views were stunning, though no camera can do it justice — it’s definitely something you need to see in-person.

After, we headed into Glen Arbor to settle into our lodging — the Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast. It was such a cute place in a great location. We were able to walk to the cute shops, restaurants and bars and the beach easily, which we loved. It was actually our first time staying at a B&B together and it was SO fun! {Maybe it’s just my extrovert personality though.}

Glen Arbor itself is a very artsy community, and there were nice touches everywhere including beautiful flowers and art. It’s quintessential small town northern Michigan, with friendly and helpful people to match. I literally said “awww, so cute” about 100 times as we walked around. The entire vibe just made my heart happy.

There are some great little shops with plenty of restaurants and ice cream spots sprinkled in. Cherry Republic is headquartered here and a popular landmark for good reason. I loved everything about it from the layout of the different buildings to the fonts scrawled throughout. It’s so whimsical.

After exploring town, we enjoyed eating at Glen Arbor’s most iconic spot – Art’s Tavern. This cash-only spot just has a charm about it if you love a good hole-in-the-wall bar like we do. We enjoyed our beer and burgers and appreciated not needing to dress up after a day of exploring and sweating.

Sometimes it’s just the simple things that are best enjoyed on vacation.

The next day we woke to do our respective runs {my 5K was relatively flat and fast; the hubby’s half marathon was pretty grueling with hills}, so we opted to just relax a bit after.

By afternoon, we were ready to hit the Leelanau Peninsula. Many folks suggested driving to Traverse City, but we’ve been there several times and wanted to keep our focus on the laid back vibe of the northwest side and the many charms surrounding it.

Our final destination was Fishtown in Leland, so we started up the coast, stopping at Good Harbor Vineyard, Boathouse Vineyards, Laurentide and Chateau Fontaine wineries along the way there and back. Most had a tasting fee {i.e. 5 tastes for $5}, which we didn’t mind.

Our favorite experience overall was at Chateau Fontaine, but all of them had impeccable service and we were happy to support local businesses with wine purchases since we know it will be put to good use!

In addition to the wineries, Fishtown in Leland was a must. There is just nothing like it! It feels like the east coast in the early century and we enjoyed dock sitting and enjoying some amazing sandwiches from the Village Cheese Shanty (well worth the 20 minute wait!). After, we explored the area and got some incredible smoked fish from Carlson’s.

We loved watching people fish off the docks. It’s called Fishtown for a great reason — the fisherman were pulling up larvae small-mouth bass without bait even on the hook! It’s was pretty incredible.

We meandered our way back to Glen Arbor, stopping to wade and take in the views at Good Harbor Beach on the way. It was gorgeous and there weren’t a ton of people there, which we loved.

Overall it was a great vacation and we can’t wait to visit with the kids when they are a bit older, and maybe do an adult trip with friends there soon too! Next time, we will be sure to spend way more time than just two days.

Things I’d like to do on a future visit:

Kayak or tube the Platte River
Explore the Glen Haven historic village
Bike portion of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
Capture the sunset on camera and see stars while on top of Sleeping Bear Dunes
Enjoy a fancier dinner at a restaurant like Blu, La Becasse or Trattoria Funistrada
Visit even more wineries since we missed a ton on the Leelanau Peninsula!

What are your favorite things to do around northern Michigan?

50 Bucket List Ideas for Michiganders

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I LOVE lists. Especially bucket lists. It’s fun to have goals, and most importantly, have plenty of adventure to keep life interesting.

I’ve been lucky to have done some amazing things in my life in Michigan and beyond — from throwing the first pitch at a Detroit Tiger’s game to traveling through the eastern part of the U.P.

But there are still SO many things I haven’t seen right here in my own home state! Adventure is calling 😉 Here is my bucket list. What would you add? Make sure to chime in!

50 Bucket List ideas for Michiganders

Stay a night at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island
Hike around Sleeping Bear Dunes
Visit Hell, Michigan and get ice cream from a coffin at Screams
Attend ArtPrize in Grand Rapids
Go to Cheeseburger in Caseville
See the Cascade Falls in Jackson
Eat at Eagle Tavern in Greenfield Village
Visit Detroit for Noel Night
Search for Petoskey stones and Leland Bluestones
Bike the 20-mile trail from Holland to Grand Haven
Walk the Mackinac Bridge
View the Northern Lights at one of the U.P. sites
Sail on the Tall Ships in Bay City
Stay at The National House Inn in Marshall
Go to Michigan’s Adventure with the kids
Dine and stay at The English Inn in Eaton Rapids
Experience culinary delights along the Grand Rapids Food Trail
Do a fall color cruise in Grand Ledge
Explore Dow Gardens and The Tridge in Midland
Visit the hidden waterfalls of the U.P.
Go on a Slow Roll bike ride in Detroit
Visit the Lake Michigan Wine Trail in SW Michigan
Ride in a dune buggy at Silver Lake Sand Dunes
Visit Holland during Tulip Time
Check out Turnip Rock in Port Austin
Attend one of the many Michigan beer festivals
Check out Frederick Meijer Gardens with the kids
Go on the Jiffy Mix plant tour
Visit Lake of the Clouds and the Porcupine Mountains in the U.P. during fall
Drive through the Tunnel of Trees and eat at Leggs Inn
Take a ride down the Mountain Coaster at Crystal Mountain
Visit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids
Go on a fall color tour in Traverse City
Watch a set at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit
See a show at Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea
Attend Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers
Go on a Prohibition Tour in Detroit
Visit the Air Zoo in Portage
Go on a beer tour in West Michigan
Check out Oswald’s Bear Ranch in Newberry
Visit Dinosaur Gardens in Ossineke
Play games at Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Farmington Hills
Go on a pedal pub crawl in Detroit
See the giant Hiawatha statue in Ironwood
Watch a movie at the Redford Theatre in Detroit
Do a Kayak, Bike & Brew tour in Traverse City
Stay at the Detroit Foundation Hotel
Vote for my favorite recipe at the BWL Chili Cook-off in Lansing
Karaoke with friends at Punch Bowl Social in Detroit
Go on a zip tour at Howell Nature Center

What would you add? Let me know!

Places To Go With Kids in Myrtle Beach

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There is a reason Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is often named one of the best family destinations in the United States. First of all, it’s more affordable than many beach towns, and second, there is plenty of fun to be had by all ages.

With more than 60 miles of coastline, it can be difficult to pull away from the beach and sunshine, but it is necessary while traveling with kids who may not quite get how to fully relax and enjoy it.

For that reason, I wanted to put together a list of ideas for extra things to do while in the area since we were recently there for our stay at Captain’s Quarters Resort.

Please let me know what I’ve missed in the comments!

Places To Go With Kids in Myrtle Beach

Alligator Adventure

This is a great spot for any reptile-loving kid or adult! The property has 15 acres full of more than 200 species of animals — including tons of gators. Make sure to work in a live show or alligator feeding while there, too.

SkyWheel

This isn’t just a ferris wheel…It’s 200 feet of fun in the sky — complete with air conditioning. And no need to wait until kids are a certain height — all are welcome! In fact, age 2 and under ride free. It’s the perfect way to see the sights and the ocean from the sky.

Walk the Grand Strand

This area, located near the SkyWheel, has a boardwalk, plenty of shops, and touristy fun to check out. Kids will go nuts in I Love Sugar — and adults too. The selection of bulk candy is seriously impressive — and make sure to look up at the gummy bear lights!

Brookgreen Gardens

Just south of Myrtle Beach, Brookgreen Gardens in Murrels Inlet is the perfect excuse to take in some native animals at the Low Country Zoo, check out a butterfly house, an enchanted storybook forest and the largest collection of sculptures in America. Bonus? There are free strollers available to use, too.

Ripley’s Aquarium

Touch stingrays and admire thousands of beautiful sea life at this fun adventure spot. Make sure to book online to save time.

Children’s Museum of South Carolina

This spot was a fun place to spend an hour to get out of the sun. Kids can get in lots of pretend play, dig for dinosaurs, drive a pizza van, blow bubbles and more. It’s ideal for crawlers through age 8. Check Groupon for a fun deal, too.

Pirate’s Voyage Dinner Theatre

This is a pricier excursion for a larger family, but SO worth it! Get ready for a night of great food and plenty of entertainment from acrobatic pirates and mermaids to a Salty seal. Pay an extra $20 for each child for make-up and props — so worth it!

Thorny’s

This restaurant had a great arcade and kid’s play area to keep our crew busy while waiting for a meal. And the kid’s meals are served on frisbees, which makes it more fun. Did I mention $3.50 margarita’s too? 😉

Johnny D’s Waffles & Bakery

If your kids love waffles like mine do, they will love the fun options at Johnny D’s, including a Funfetti kind…with chocolate chips! This is an Autism-friendly restaurant too, which will mean a lot to families on the spectrum. {More Autism-friendly attractions here.}

Other recommended ideas for tots to teens:

Children’s Pirate Adventure
Blackbeard’s Pirate Cruise {Check Groupon}
Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park
Fun Warehouse
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament {Check Groupon}
Shopping! {Barefoot Landing, Tanger Outlets, Broadway at the Beach and Market Common are great spots to start}
Myrtle Beach Segway
NASCAR Racing Experience {Check Groupon}
WonderWorks
Mini Golf
Go Ape Zip Line and Treetop Adventure
Family Kingdom Amusement and Splashes Oceanfront Water Park

For more ideas, check out Visit Myrtle Beach.

Disclosure: As a member of the media, I received discounts to some spots.

What are your favorite things to do with kids in Myrtle Beach?

Captain’s Quarters Resort in Myrtle Beach: Budget-Friendly Family Fun

Shared by Mrs. Weber 9 Comments

The post below is sponsored by Captain’s Quarters Resort in Myrtle Beach. I received a complimentary stay in exchange for sharing our experience.

We’re just getting back from what I will gladly call one of our most fun vacations ever. Making memories with my kids {ages 2.5, 4.5 and 6.5} is seriously the best, and I am so excited they are all getting to a point where they love to travel. There is nothing better than seeing their eyes light up while discovering a new place on vacation!

We just spent 5 days at Captain’s Quarters Resort in Myrtle Beach. This resort was chosen due to its amenities, proximity to tourist fun {in case of rain}, and easy beach access — all crucial while traveling with little ones in tow.

This budget-friendly resort is a 13-hour drive from us here in Michigan, and has everything a kid could want — the ocean, pools {indoor and outdoor}, a bowling alley, and even an arcade.

Let’s just say my kids did not want to leave and asked if we could live there 😉 Can’t blame them — seeing this view definitely had me dreaming of the beach life, too.

Captain’s Quarters Resort is located on the south end of Myrtle Beach and has a variety of accomodations, from rooms to suites. We stayed in an angle oceanfront suite, and I would definitely recommend this option for families of 6 or less.

The view was gorgeous and I enjoyed watching the sun rise each morning from our 8th floor balcony.

Each suite includes a fridge, microwave, stove/oven, basic cookware and dinnerware, a coffee maker, and more. It was truly like a mini home-away from home. I only wished there was in-room laundry, but there was a laundry center down the hall if we needed it.

Our suite had two rooms – with the kitchen and bathroom separating them. There also was a kitchen table we could use to eat and play games on. The space wasn’t huge or fancy, but it worked really well for our family of 5.

We opted to put our little guy on a cot in the room with our girls so my husband and I could enjoy time alone after they were in bed. It worked out great since we didn’t want to go to sleep at 8 p.m. and they were so exhausted after playing in the sunshine all day.

The bathroom had two sinks and included a hair dryer and toiletries. The housekeeping kept our room stocked with towels, which was crucial since we rinsed off after every ocean/pool visit.

We loved that the resort had some fun restaurant options available — including Vista 9 — oceanfront dining on the 9th floor for breakfast and brunch, Loco Gecko Beach Shak {burgers, pizza and drinks}, and Level 6, which includes a 20-lane bowling alley, arcade, a full bar, and food.

The pizza was awesome at Level 6 and we loved the lights and vibe inside. There is a jukebox, so they cranked the tunes and the kids loved dancing around.

Personally, I had the most fun playing skeeball and earning tickets! It was a nice way to break up our day and get out of the sun for a bit, and all the machines looked new.

Since we were visiting during the off-season, we didn’t get to experience all the extra events they have for families, but they do have plenty of daily activities during the summer {glow parties, fire shows and more} so there is always something extra to do.

The property boasts 15 unique water features, which were really fun. The indoor pools and common areas surrounding seemed dated, but the kids loved the lazy river, and it was nice to have the option in case it rained. Some of the flooring did get a little slick and dirty throughout the day from water/sand, so I was glad we brought water shoes.

When I asked the kids what they liked the most about the resort, my oldest replied the ocean {and shells!}, my middle gal said the pools and hot tubs, and my little guy loved the Ship Wreck Lagoon Waterpark most.

We were lucky to have some sunny and warm days for late March, so we spent most of our time in the outdoor pools and at the beach.

As a parent, I loved being just steps away from the beach since we are always carrying so many items with three kids. It was super convenient if we forgot something and needed to go back to our room.

What stood out the most to me during our stay, however, was the service. They have been dubbed “The Friendliest Place on the Beach” for good reason — every person we interacted with was smiling — from Terry at the front desk to JR the omelette chef at Vista 9 and the workers in the bowling alley.

Overall, if amenities and budget are major factors for your family, this is a great option for a resort in Myrtle Beach.

We are SO grateful to Captain Quarters Resort for making our week one to remember!

P.S. My favorite part was definitely the views, especially this one looking at my loves 😉

TIPS FOR YOUR STAY

A few tips for getting the most of your stay at Captain’s Quarters:

Sign up for email updates. The resort sends out discounted rates periodically. You are best off booking early versus waiting because the rates do go up. Cyber Monday is one of their best sales. Sign up for emails at the top of their homepage.
Visit during the week! Rates climb up on the weekends, so booking Sunday-Wednesday will guarantee lower rates.
Book directly with the resort. If you see a lower price on a third party site, call the resort and tell them so they can price match. You will get better service if you book direct, too.
Get social! They host contests with their hashtag #HappyGuest often. Make sure to follow along on Facebook and Twitter for a chance to win a free stay.
If the drive is daunting, look for airfare! The resort is close to the airport, and there are $100 tickets occasionally. I would recommend renting a car though so you can easily get to other areas of Myrtle Beach.

ABOUT CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS RESORT

Captain’s Quarters Resort is located at 901 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Check rates on their website, or call 888-974-2032.

Where are your favorite spots to stay in Myrtle Beach?

Exploring The Ledges in Grand Ledge, Michigan

Shared by Mrs. Weber 16 Comments

As a gal who loves nature and photographing beautiful places, I was floored I hadn’t heard of “The Ledges” of Grand Ledge until a few weeks ago when my friend Jessica posted about it. We visited this weekend after spending the night at my in-laws and had a great time exploring.

For those geographically challenged, Grand Ledge is a mid-size town northwest of Lansing, and is chock full of cute shops, restaurants and Victorian homes.

In the middle of the city flows the Grand River, complete with trails, beautiful rock formations, a few bridges and a dam. Basically a nature lover and photographer’s dream!

There are quite a few parks in the area, but the in-laws mentioned Fitzgerald Park, so that’s where we headed. It ended up being perfect for us since it offers a good variety of activity. The 78-acre park has three miles of nature and hiking trails, plenty of places to picnic, a playground, disc golf course and more. There’s also two miles of cross-country ski trails and a sledding hill in winter. It was $5/vehicle for out-of-county residents to enter {or $3 for locals}.

The park also offers an up-close look at the ancient sedimentary rock lining the shores of the Grand River. It was really neat! It reminded me of our recent trip to the U.P. when we saw the Pictured Rocks {but on a smaller scale of course!}.

We started off by checking out the dam at the back of the park. We went the quick route on the road, but I would love to go back with my husband to hike through the woods next time. There are a few different trail options, but most were at least 1/2 mile.

She’s so pretty, right? I love that sound of rushing water too!

After, we walked to the staircase that led the way to the trails and ledges. The views were beautiful, and some of the best I’ve seen in the lower peninsula. In fact, I learned it’s the only place in southern Michigan where you can rock climb, too. {See here for more info}

I loved that there were very few people on the trails. Such a hidden gem in the middle of Michigan!

I could’ve walked the trails for hours, but of course, with the kids in tow, we were on borrowed time. They were troopers though and loved exploring. It was a nice and easy trail for them, though I did fear my 2-year-old may fall into the river at times 😉 There were a few muddy spots, so if you head there post-rain, make sure you wear shoes that can get dirty.

While on the trail, we came across an old railroad bridge, which was a beautiful sight. I could see some seriously cool photos happening here!

Once we made our way back to the park, there were a few bathrooms and a neat playground to occupy the kids for a bit before heading out.

I definitely plan to visit again — likely in the fall when the colors are sure to look gorgeous against the spectacular backdrop. It’s the perfect place for me to practice taking photos and capture my kids in their favorite element: Nature.

Food Options

Pack a picnic and sit at one of the many picnic spaces at the park or drive into town and check out a new place or ice cream at Lick-ity Split.

Fitzgerald Park is located at: 133 Fitzgerald Park Drive, Grand Ledge, MI 48837

Where are your favorite places to explore nature?

Howell Nature Center

Belle Isle in Detroit

DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit

Itinerary for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens in East Lansing

90+ Places for Outdoor Activities in Southeast Michigan

Couples Getaway: Our Itinerary for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Shared by Mrs. Weber 16 Comments

Looking for the perfect Michigan couples getaway? Check out our itinerary for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for nature, good eats and plenty of fun!

We are just getting back from an amazing vacation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I was looking for the perfect spot to head with my husband {our first kid-less vacation in 6 years!} and the more I researched, the more the U.P. called me with all of its adventure, beauty and the ability to unplug. Also? I have never been further than St. Ignace. I couldn’t justify a flight somewhere when I have so much of my own state to explore.

I was hoping I could find my dream trip online and replicate it, but I couldn’t find anything and a lot of information out there was unnerving {like, how much do I really need to hike to get to that waterfall, and are there bathrooms there?}. Thankfully, friends and the blog Things To Do in the U.P. were extremely helpful.

Here’s the itinerary for what we did on our getaway…I’d love to hear what your favorite spots are because we barely scratched the surface!

DAY 1: Tahquamenon & Grand Marais

Paradise: Browns Fisheries Fish House | Lower Tahquamenon Island Adventure | Upper Tahquamenon

Grand Marais: Hilltop Cabins | Lake Superior Brewing Company | Grand Marais Beach

We started our adventure at 6:30 a.m. so we hightailed it across the bridge before noon. We were hungry, so we grabbed lunch at Browns Fisheries Fish House in Paradise. We got a whitefish/crackers platter {caught and smoked the day before}, fried mushrooms and the fish and chips platter. Hands down one of my favorite meals ever, and I think I will be dreaming of it until next time!

From there, we headed to Tahquamenon, where we got in for free with a Michigan Activity Pass {it’s free with a Michigan Recreation Passport, otherwise it’s $11/vehicle}. We started out by exploring the lower falls by taking the Lower Tahquamenon Island Adventure {follow the signs for boats once in the park}. It was $7/person {or $20/family}, and worth every penny. We hopped in a row boat and paddled to the island where we could explore and get inside the falls, which felt refreshing. There wasn’t a terrible amount of walking and kids would have a ball getting in the water and checking out the tree-lined trail. Perfect for age 5+ because the falls do have a bit of a current. Wear water shoes everywhere in the U.P. because it’s rocky everywhere you go.

The Upper Falls were a 4-mile drive away from the lower falls and just breath-taking. Pictures don’t do it justice. Wear tennis shoes if you’d like to view the falls from every angle – there are lots of stairs and it’s a workout. I was blown away with each new perspective.

Note: There were cute little gift shops and bathrooms at both, and a brewery at the upper.

After the falls, we took a very remote drive over to Grand Marais {take the route next to the lake!}. We were thankful we had a map and filled up with gas in Paradise because there were no stations along the way, and much of the drive was on dirt roads with no cell service. We loved stopping at the sandy beach along the way to stick our feet in the water.

Grand Marais itself is a lovely small town loaded with charm…and even a house shaped like a pickle barrel. We stayed in the Hilltop Cabins, and we loved the views it offered! In town, we grabbed beers and pizza at the Lake Superior Brewing Company.

The beach was incredible here {just down Lake St. in town}, with very few people, and the sunset was phenomenal. If you’ve never seen a Lake Superior sunset, you are missing out. Period. So romantic!

DAY 2: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore & Munising

Grand Marais: West Bay Diner | Sable Falls | Log Slide Outlook

Munising: Miners Castle | Sunset on the Bay Motel | Johnny Dogs | Pictured Rocks Cruises

We kicked off day #2 with breakfast at the nostalgic West Bay Diner before heading west of town to Sable Falls and the Log Slide.

We opted for a one-mile hike through woods and down dunes to get to the beach. We were the only ones on the trail and it was so serene. It was so fun running down the dunes to the beach too!

Camera self-timer for the win!

After, we walked up stairs to the falls, which were incredible. We hopped the fence to get a closer look {rebels, ya’ll}.

After, we traveled a few miles to check out the Log Slide overlook. This is an area where loggers would slide logs down the dunes before loading them on ships during the late 1800’s. Talk about a dangerous job. There were some rad views here, and the history lessons were great, too.

From there, we visited Miners Castle, which is part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, for an aerial view. We had a picnic lunch on the grounds and then it started raining, squashing our plans to hit both Mosquito Falls and Munising Falls, which are nearby.

Thankfully, the rain quit before our Pictured Rocks sunset cruise, and in the meantime we had the chance to get checked into our room at Sunset on the Bay motel in Munising, which was clean, friendly, and had a great outdoor space to enjoy a cocktail. We headed into the town to eat at the coolest hot dog stand ever — Johnny Dogs — with a gazillion unique options.

Our cruise was a bit windy, but worth the ride on top {get there early for the best seats and bring a sweater}. Boating the Pictured Rocks is the way to go for an up-close perspective of the beautiful rock formations.

Lover’s Leap…Just don’t leap if you are lovers, because the water below is only 2 feet deep!

DAY 3: Munising –> Marquette

Munising: Falling Rock Cafe and Bookstore | Muldoon’s Pasties

Christmas: To see Santa, of course!

East of Marquette: Lakenland Sculpture Park

Marquette: Presque Isle Park | Jilbert’s Dairy | The Landmark Inn | Ore Dock Brewing Company | Sol Azteca

We kicked off our morning at the adorable Falling Rock Cafe in Munising. Get the Michigan cherry coffee and a cinnamon roll…Amazing!

From there, we took our time traveling to Marquette, which was an hour away on M-28. We stopped at Muldoon’s Pasties for some frozen treats to bring home, and then made our way through Christmas, Michigan, where we had to stop to take a photo with Santa and check out the kitschy gift shop.

We also detoured to check out one of the most random art installations I’ve ever seen: Lakeland Junkyard Art. It was cool…and free! Definitely random and worth a drive through {takes about 10-15 minutes}.

We still had time to kill and food in our cooler once we arrived in Marquette, so we decided to visit the beach in Presque Isle Park. It was a small yet nice beach…But man! That Lake Superior is SO COLD. There also were some biting flies there, so bug spray was a must. {Due to the dry air when we were there, we didn’t get a single mosquito bite.}

After, we headed to Jilbert’s Dairy for yet another roadside attraction: Ice cream…with a giant cow. Definitely had to text that picture to the kids 😉

We finally checked into our hotel for the night — The Landmark Inn. This was a splurge because I have a soft spot for historic hotels and we loved being so close to everything. We walked to the Ore Dock Brewing Company for beers, and headed over for Mexican at Sol Azteca {Steinhaus, the German spot we planned to go was closed already} and to walk around and check out the ore dock before heading in for the night.

DAY 4: Marquette –> Home

Marquette: Donckers

St. Ignace: Clyde’s Drive-In

Nothing fancy to note on this day of driving, but we did do some great eating! If there is ONE place you must visit in downtown Marquette, it’s Donckers. It’s an old-fashioned candy store with a cafe upstairs. It was so cool, and great for kids and adults alike.

After traveling for several hours, we figured we’d do what so many people suggested to me and eat at Clyde’s Drive-In in St. Ignace before crossing the bridge. Definitely one of the best olive burgers I’ve ever had. Paired with a chocolate malt, it gave me just the jolt I needed to take on driving for a few hours. Keep in mind it is cash only {in fact, a lot of places in the U.P. are, so bring some spending cash}.

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That’s our trip! If I could do it over again, I think I would start in Marquette and work our way east and add in a fourth night on Mackinac Island. Or, maybe even add another week and make it over to the Porcupine Mountains and Copper Harbor. There is so much to see in the U.P. Just make sure to bring a map and plan ahead because you likely won’t have great cell service…which may be one of the best things about visiting, especially as a couple 😉

Where are your favorite places to visit in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula? Chime in and let me know!

Tips for Visiting Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City

Shared by Mrs. Weber 15 Comments

Our family recently visited Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City {my kids are 5, 3 and 1.5} and we had a great time. The stay was a gift from the grandparents in lieu of Christmas presents, which was amazing! While there, I made some mental notes since I often get questions about which hotels in Michigan are best for kids.

Let me start by saying this is the mother of cool resorts for families in Michigan — but with an expensive price tag to match. With that said, there’s TONS to do there, so it makes it an ideal destination for kids who aren’t going to spend the entire time at the pool.

For our family, trips like Disney are out of the question…We just don’t have the budget for it, and it’s not a priority to us to save for. I’m thankful for Great Wolf since it’s just a few hours away, but still has that magical feel kids love. Two nights in a hotel with 3 kids is MUCH more manageable for my sanity than a whole week somewhere with air travel involved!

We learned a ton during our stay, and I wanted to share with other families hoping to visit.

Tips for visiting Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City:

Bring your own food. We ate breakfast and lunch in our room to save money, and frankly time. There is a Dunkin Donuts on the premises, so we did grab some treats and delicious coffee. There was a mini fridge and a microwave in the room, which was great. We brought pre-packaged sandwiches – Uncrustables {my kid’s favorite special vacation food}, fruit in small containers, granola bars, etc. Next time I think I’d bring microwave popcorn and cut-up veggies, too.
Skip the restaurant and just order pizza. If you do eat inside the resort, there’s a spot called Hungry As A Wolf where you can order/pick-up pizza. We got a large one with 8 big slices for $15.89…Not too bad, and it tasted pretty good! We chose to go out to eat our second night since there are TONS of amazing restaurants in Traverse City.
Consider ‘extras’ before going. In addition to the massive water park, there’s an arcade, a bowling alley, a spa just for kids, a sweet treats place and more. Determine how much extra you want to spend because these places will add up quick. My 5-year-old loved the bowling alley with 5-pound balls and a shorter lane with bumpers. It was $5/person/game, and no special shoes required.
MagiQuest is a cool, but better off left to bigger kids. This interactive game is perfect for kids that would like to run around the hotel to different spots and reveal a mystery at the end. Our girls were super curious about it, but with a $25+ price tag, we opted out since we knew they wouldn’t stick with it long enough to get our money’s worth {a game can last up to 3 hours}. We will likely do it next time we visit, especially if we go with another family. Parent tip: Pack a mini cooler with beer to travel with during this activity 😉
Hit up the FREE scheduled activities. These include a cute story time at 8 p.m. at the Clock Tower in the lobby, select crafts, a morning Wolf Walk at 9 a.m., free fun at the Kid’s Club {including balloon animals and face painting}, a lifeguard class for ages 6+ and more. I recommend spending some time upon arrival with the list of activities to plan out what you’d like to do. My girls loved the story time, though my 1.5-year-old didn’t quite have the skills to sit and listen.
Nab the best rates. I spoke with the hotel staff and they said their rates are best mid-week {of course}. They mentioned summer is their busiest time, and the first two weeks of November are the slowest. We had a Groupon, but another mom mentioned she nabbed the best rates just on their website. They also offer discounts periodically on Facebook, so be sure to check there as well. FYI – We had an additional room fee/tax bill of $100 for two nights, so beware when booking.
Consider check-in timing. For starters, check-in isn’t until 4 p.m. We tried to check in early on a Sunday and our room wasn’t ready. If you travel mid-week, you have a much better chance of getting in earlier and making the most of your stay, especially if you are just going for one night. Plan accordingly.
Bring extra activities to keep kids busy during dead time. The water park doesn’t open until 10 a.m., so if you have early risers, bring stuff to keep them occupied. Our kids slept until 8 a.m., so we ate in our room and went to the morning Wolf Walk to kill time. They were sooooo ready to get into the pool as soon as it opened.
Check out Traverse City. TC is one of the most beautiful places in Michigan. Take a drive up Old Mission Peninsula while getting the kids to rest and enjoy the gorgeous views…and if you’re feeling frisky, hit up a few wineries while one parent hangs in the car 😉 We also walked around downtown a little bit. Cherry Republic has a fantastic mini cherry tree play area my kids adored! Mission Point Lighthouse {shown below} is just gorgeous anytime of year, too. Careful to check that places are really open since many close in winter.
Extra packing tips: If you have more than one bathing suit, I recommend bringing them. With our little ones, we spent time at the water park in 2 hour chunks a few times each day, so it was nice to have a dry suit. Also, you may have a long walk to the water park from your room, so bring flip-flops and a suit cover-up, too. Another item I wish we’d pack was a plastic bag for poopy diapers. {Ours got quarantined to our balcony outside for our stay – LOL!} Also, bring cute PJ’s! Lots of kids wandered around in their jammies.
With little ones, stick to your bedtime routine while there. We brought our nightlight and a fan for the room and books to read before bed. This helped with bedtime TREMENDOUSLY since it was close to our typical routine.

If you go, ENJOY your stay! It truly is an awesome place and my kids are already asking when we can go back.

If you’ve been to Great Wolf Lodge, what else would you recommend?

Girls’ Night Out in Ann Arbor

Shared by Mrs. Weber 7 Comments

I received a complimentary hotel stay from the Ann Arbor Area CVB in exchange for a post. All opinions and recommendations are from me.

Something I have noticed in my 30’s: We are all MUCH too busy. I confess — I am queen of busy. But I’ve made a promise to myself to never let friendships fall to the wayside because of kid and life happenings. If a friend makes time for me, then I make time for them — simple as that. Because at the end of the day, besides a significant other or your close family, who else can you turn to when life hands you lemons?

I cherish my girlfriends more than words can express, so when a few of my former college roomies turned BFFs reached out to plan a girl’s night out, I knew I wanted to do some planning to ensure we have an amazing time.

After some brainstorming, we chose Ann Arbor, Michigan. Why? It’s centrally located, has loads of shopping and it’s heaven for foodies like us. Also, it’s a place I go with kids often, but have had little time to explore on my own in recent years.

We haven’t had a night away in quite some time, so of course, we had an absolute blast!

Girls’ Night Out in Ann Arbor

We began our adventure at the Hilton Garden Inn Ann Arbor. This hotel was great for a few reasons: It’s a short ride into downtown, it’s next to Briarwood Mall, and it’s easy to get to. They also have a very affordable Ladies Night Out package, which includes a $25 transportation gift card for getting to and from town, sparkling wine and a decadent treat upon arrival, drink vouchers for each guest, and a late check out of 2 p.m.

Can I also mention that I slept amazing in the bed? Huge bonus for this mama!

The hotel was incredibly clean! Also, they had wine available in the lobby. ‘Nuff said.

After checking in, we headed into town to do what us gals do best: Shop! Ann Arbor is home to tons of unique boutiques. We were glad to be here before the holidays because we found some amazing gifts. There were so many fun stores, but a few of our favorites were Mudpuddles Toys in the Kerrytown Market & Shops, Thistle & Bess, Peaceable Kingdom and Rock Paper Scissors. See all shops here. There truly is something for everyone! We found it best to park and just walk everywhere.

No shopping is complete with a little sampling of the local grub though, right? We popped over to Zingerman’s Bakehouse for some post-shopping treats. My favorite was a soft ginger cookie. The vibe was fun, and we all admired the amazing graphic design elements used throughout.

Fun Fact: Bob Seger’s song Mainstreet was actually written about Ann Arbor.

Top Left: How amazing is this Golden Girls-inspired print my friend bought at Thistle & Bess? Top right: Rock Paper Scissors has an amazing array of fun signage, stationary, unique gifts and more. Bottom left: Kerrytown Market & Shops has tons of fun shops and foodie-inspired things to check out. Bottom right: Inside the adorable and eclectic Zingerman’s Bakehouse.

After shopping, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for going out on the town. We had an Uber driver pick us up for safe traveling to MANI Osteria, and wow…This may have been one of my favorite meals ever! They have really delicious gourmet pizzas, but our favorite thing hands down was the pickled tomatoes, which essentially was a build-your-own bruschetta. Us gals will be dreaming about that for weeks!

Ann Arbor has nearly 300 restaurants and has everything from microbreweries to Ethiopian, Cajun, Japanese and everything in between.

After dinner, we walked to Arbor Brewing Company to play some darts and sample some of their delicious brews. The atmosphere was very chill, which was what we were in the mood for after a long afternoon of shopping.

Pizza from MANI Osteria and some brews from Arbor Brewing

Before we knew it, the bar was closing and we were taking an Uber back to the hotel. Still can’t believe a few 30+ year olds with a few kids can still close a bar down. That, my friends, is a true testament to how much fun we had. 😉

We may only get to see each other once every few months, but true friends are there no matter what. Cheers to great girlfriends, and spending time in a wonderful city. Can’t wait to visit again soon, Ann Arbor!

Learn more about planning a night out in Ann Arbor by going to the following pages:

www.visitannarbor.org | twitter.com/visitannarbor | www.facebook.com/VisitAnnArbor

Check out the Ladies Night Out package available at the Hilton Garden Inn Ann Arbor here.

Where are your favorite places to shop and play in Ann Arbor?

Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel Review + Tips for Parents {Mt. Pleasant, Michigan}

Shared by Mrs. Weber 3 Comments

I received a night at Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel in exchange for a blog post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Last week we had the privilege of visiting Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, for a night. Thanks to our map-themed basement and our world globe, my 5-year-old is obsessed with traveling and going on “vacationts.” {Hehe} Lucky for us, going to a hotel and sleeping in the same room as us is a big enough deal for her, so she was ecstatic to learn we would be heading north for a night away. We left baby boy with auntie for for this trip, so it was extra special for all of us.

Getting to the hotel was a breeze, as it’s a straight shot up US-127N. It took us 1.5 hours to get there from our home in Howell. The hotel is less than a mile off the expressway and is located among plenty of shops and restaurants. With that said, you don’t even need to leave the hotel for anything, but it is nice to be close to things just in case.

TIP: The hotel is within a few miles of a Meijer, Celebration Cinemas, plenty of restaurants, and is even next door to a Starbucks. Score!

We were greeted by a friendly staff member who let us check in a bit early {I called ahead to see if our room would be ready}. My first impression was that the hotel was SO clean! The hotel opened in 2012, but still seems brand new. The rooms were immaculate and I loved the color palette and original artwork from Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe members used throughout.

TIP: I assumed the hotel was connected to the casino, but it actually is a completely separate property, but does have a shuttle to the casino.

TIP: All of the standard rooms have a microwave, mini-fridges and a sink — all great features when traveling with kids. Don’t be afraid to pack some snacks!

My daughters were enamored with all the tribal touches and asked tons of questions about the images of “people dressed in beautiful clothes.” It truly was an awesome opportunity to discuss the Native American culture with them.

After settling into our room, it didn’t take my girls long to spot a play structure and fountain in the courtyard outside of our room. There also was a fire pit and putting course, too.

Before long, we were hearing cries of “We’re ready to go swimming!” We walked down to the water park and were again impressed by the cleanliness inside.

I’ve been to several water parks, and I have to say — this was fantastic for kids. There was a giant fortress complete with a bucket for dumping, and details such a spraying cat tails and frogs. The lazy river was a fun way to just relax with the girls, and they loooooved the hot tub too, which had lots of bubbles! There also was a regular pool for swimming with basketball nets, a climbing wall to jump in the water from, a wave rider, and more.

Additionally, there are two water slides on the property, and although my kiddos were too short {you have to be 48″ to ride them}, I had no problem trying them out. I loved the tube one especially, and had a blast going down…and maybe screaming just a few times 😉

I thought there was a great mix of activity for a variety of ages, and the space was well designed.

TIP: All children under 44″ must wear life vests for some of the areas. We brought our own puddle jumpers, but there are life vests you can borrow.

After enjoying the water park, we checked out the arcade — which again — was very clean. We were able to load tokens on a card, which then was inserted in each game they wanted to play. They won tickets at all of the games, which led to their favorite part — prizes! After much hemming and hawing, they landed on a few small items, which helped entertain them at dinner.

I had considered going out somewhere else for dinner, but we all were all whipped, so we decided to just stay and eat at the hotel’s family restaurant, Nbakade. I was glad we did. We got a large pizza for $15.95 and it was pretty tasty! {View more of what’s on the menu here.}

The next morning, we decided to check out early so we could visit the Ziibiwing Center, which highlights the history of the Anishinabek people who make up the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. After giving the girls a few options for things to do, my heart just about exploded when they said they wanted to visit the center because as a history nut, I wanted to visit it too!

This museum was so great for educating young and old alike about the history of the tribe and their impact on our state. They loved stepping inside a wigwam, seeing the arrowheads made from rocks for hunting, and admiring the beautiful items made from birch tree bark {or as my girls say “paper trees”}. They also enjoyed learning some new words along the way, too. It was such a fantastic experience for all of us. It took us about an hour to get through with our 3 and 5-year-old, but I’m sure I could’ve spent more time there.

TIP: Children 4 and under are FREE at this museum. Adults are $6.50 and children {5-17} are just $3.75.

My Kinley admiring the beautiful ceremonial clothing worn by the tribe

Overall, we had an amazing time on our mini vacation. I cannot wait to visit again and see the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum, canoe the Chippewa River and visit Dow Gardens in Midland! There’s lots of fun to be had in mid-Michigan 😀

Where are your favorite water parks in Michigan?

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Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel offers great promotions and packages. All of these would make excellent Christmas presents, right?! Suites for larger families available, too.

Follow Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel for great offers and giveaways on Facebook and Twitter. See more photos of our stay at this Facebook gallery.

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