Places to Visit in Southwest Michigan

There are so many things to do in Michigan, and so many things to do in the Southwestern parts of Michigan alone. No matter what time of the year it is, Southwest Michigan has something for families, friends, and couples to enjoy all year round. Check out these places to visit in Southwest Michigan.

Visiting Breckenridge for Beginners

Breckenridge, Colorado is situated at the base of the Rocky Mountains’ Tenmile Range and is known for its natural beauty and adventure that awaits each visitor. Although Breckenridge is known as an incredible place to ski, the city also offers a number of outdoor activities throughout the year. For those who are visiting the city for the first time, there are a few activities to add to your itinerary before arriving.

 

Take a Dip in Pacific Tarn

Pacific Tarn is a small lake in the Rocky Mountains and is the highest lake in the U.S. at 13,420 feet. Although there are not many fish in the lake, the location is a great place to take a dip in during the summer season in a remote location that is secluded from the rest of the city. It makes for a great place to hike with trails that are available on the mountain.

Visit Mountain Top Children's Museum

Families with small children can enjoy making a visit to Mountain Top Children's Museum where several different exhibits are available. There are plenty of hands-on activities, which includes puzzles, tunnels, and a dress-up area. The museum offers plenty of ways to play and makes it easy to learn through various sets that are built for little ones.

Hike on Boreas Pass

This high mountain pass is a popular place to hike for first-time visitors in Breckenridge and features stunning outdoor views with a trail that isn't too challenging. Located just three miles from the downtown area, it's a beautiful location with the large mountains that surround the pass. Those who are visiting the city in the winter can enjoy exploring a winter wonderland by taking a snowshoe hike.

Golf at Breckenridge Golf Club

Breckenridge Golf Club is an exceptional course with spectacular views in every direction. The municipal course is challenging with different types of terrain and was designed by Jack Nicklaus. Three different nine-course holes are available to play on when the weather permits. The club also features an outdoor deck where visitors can enjoy dining over lunch while taking in the views.

When visiting Breckenridge for the first time, there are a number of different activities to enjoy during your stay for a spectacular location is more than just an incredible skiing destination. Both children and adults can enjoy having a busy itinerary during the visit while taking in the natural beauty of the environment.

About the Author: Jeremy is a guest contributor from Book Breck, a vacation rental agency located in Breckenridge, CO that features a number of luxury Breckenridge cabins. 

Tips on Travelling Abroad with Kids

 

Traveling abroad is exciting and often feels like a great adventure. If you are traveling with children, it can be a little different. It is still exciting, but can be a little more nerve racking. There is more planning that needs to go into it, with everything from packing to where to stay when you get there, when you are traveling with children. Here are some tips that may be helpful when you are planning on traveling abroad with your children.

Best B&Bs for Fall Foliage

You can almost smell the pumpkin spices and hear the crunching leaves because fall is near! And just because summer is over, it doesn’t mean that your vacation days also have to end. Temperatures are dropping, but the fall season gives us a chance to appreciate the vibrant foliage that nature gifts us before the frigid winter. We found the best B&Bs in the country to explore the lush outdoors and curl up with a glass of apple cider after with your loved one. 

A Great Date in New York for Adventurous Lovers

Going out on a date does not have to follow the old regular routine of dining at a romantic restaurant followed by a Nicholas Sparks movie. Fortunately, for outdoorsy couples, there is no need to succumb to tradition because of the great nature options offered in New York. Let’s zero in on Hudson Valley’s Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, which any thrill-seeking person will love for its variety of activities. Whether it’s hiking, boating, or picnicking, outdoor enthusiasts will love the 14,086-acre park that boasts of 79 campsites should you wish to do overnight camping.

Take Advantage of Traveling: The Importance of Saying Hello

I don’t know whether to call it coincidence or luck, but it seems that every time I travel I end up sitting next to someone fascinating. While I’m known for being forward and highly approachable, I have found that simply initiating conversation with the people in the confined space around you is easier than most people think. They’re usually just as bored and receptive to chit chat as you are- they just aren’t as comfortable with being the first to reach out. It’s dumbfounding to me the amount of people we share elevators or ride on the train with daily without ever acknowledging one another’s existence. Just think of how many simple “hellos” could have led to long-time friendships, pen pals, or even romantic partners...

The last noteworthy encounter I had was with an eccentric man in his late thirties named Eric. Eric and I were seatmates on an early flight from Minnesota to Seattle. I was heading out west for an interview, and he was on his way out of the country for a second bout of teaching English to kids somewhere in a remote part of Asia. He was very personable, and quick to share personal information about what he’d been up to while in the States. He had spent the last month in northern Minnesota, first visiting his parents and then retreating to a sauna in the middle of nowhere for some solitude and relaxation.

He asked if I’d ever been to a sauna in the woods. Admittedly, I had not. He raved about how wonderful the saunas in Minnesota are, and implored that I go sometime and experience one myself. He offered to let me skim through a book on Finnish saunas that someone had given him as a departing gift. The photos were enticing and beautiful, featuring rustic, A-frame sauna log cabins and square pools surrounded by pure white snow. Apparently the idea is to sit in the sauna for 15-20 minutes at a time, and then cool down in the pool outside after. It sounded like a recipe for getting sick to me, but also an experience. Once we landed, going to a sauna was officially on my bucket list.

Today I booked a weekend reservation for me and my friend Chelsea at the Larsmont Cottages on the north shore of Lake Superior next month. Something tells me it’s a lot less rustic than Eric would approve of, but he’d at least be proud of me for going. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors by hiking, biking, skiing, and fishing… though I doubt I will be able to convince Chelsea to fish. I’m sure we’ll make the most of the heated indoor pool, outdoor Jacuzzi and of course…old fashioned wooden sauna! I’m looking forward to it. Maybe one day I’ll be able to share my sauna story to a stranger en route.

I guess the point is that your mom probably told you not to talk to strangers, but that was more applicable when you were five. Obviously, be cautious of weirdos. But most people traveling are just like you- and chances are good they won’t bite. Worst case scenario, you try to engage in a polite conversation and they don’t want to talk. Best case scenario, you talk for whatever amount of time you have until your destination, and they change your life. I promise you’ll learn something. You may even be inspired to take a random trip somewhere new. The possible outcomes are endless, but they’re only possible with "hellos."

Bulgaria

You really need a car to get around in this part of the world. I eventually returned my Eurailpass unused because there basically are no trains running in the Balkans. I walked across the border from Romania to Bulgaria, hoping to find a guy on the other side that would take me to civilization for a reasonable price and not leave my lifeless body in a ditch somewhere, even though he didn’t speak any English. Remarkably, I did, and soon I was in Varna at the bus station looking at my map and guide book trying to figure out where to go next. A college kid sat down next to me and suggested Veliko Tarnovo, and it turned out that the next bus was leaving soon, so I got on it. 

I was somewhat relieved to see that Bulgaria is trying hard to join the Western world. Bulgaria is not a land of peasants and scammers. Bulgaria has fashion and industry. People seem to be working and pulling ahead. There are miles and miles of sunflowers, all with their heads turned in the same direction. 

Veliko Tarnovo is a nice little town where no one speaks a word of English except the real-estate agents, who have been selling apartments and farms to the Brits in the past few years. Real Estate is booming as more Brits arrive and make the locals rich by paying 10,000 pounds for an apartment. Next year it will be twice that. 

In Bulgaria, everyone over the age of 14 must smoke cigarettes. I was lucky they didn’t throw me in jail for not smoking. Even though smoking is not allowed on the buses, the driver of my bus to Sofia smoked five cigarettes in three hours, and the tour guide woman smoked two. Fortunately, no one else smoked on the bus. Sofia is a complete write-off. Can’t imagine why anyone would go there. But I think the Bulgarians might make it into the EU – I think they have the entrepreneurial drive and the social desire to go forward, not back. So far, so good – I had been spending most of my time in interesting tourist places, not in the big ugly cities. I took a bus to Skopje and found myself in the middle of Macedonia…