Ashley & Jared
Things To Do
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Unique and fun place for both adults and kiddos. These naturally occurring sand dunes make for an unforgettable rendezvous.
Leelanau Peninsula - wineries
Some of our favorites: MAWBY, Suttons Bay Ciders, Shady Lane Cellars
Old Mission Point Peninsula - wineries
For the fellow wine lovers, dedicate an afternoon or two along this peninsula on Lake Michigan.If you've drank from our collected wine glasses you'll notice some familiar wineries: Black Star Farms, Ciccone Vineyard (owned by Madonna's father), Brys Estate, Chateau Chantal, and Bowers Harbor. Wine tours are also available to many of these places!
Lavender On Old Mission Peninsula
Stop and smell the lavender on Old Mission Peninsula. This farm grows, dries and makes their own all natural lavender products. One of our favorite places to get lost.
Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant & Brewery
One of our favorite hang out places! Enjoy a happy hour cocktail or beer on the porch of the 1880's home of a Chicago lumbar baron. Maybe you'll be lucky to see the ghost of his wife Genevive in the elevator shaft (mwa-ha-ha).
Boathouse Restaurant
A place we love for a romantic dinner. Reserve a table in the side room our back porch for a stunning sunset view.
Interlochen - summer concerts
Interlochen is a summer camp for artistically inclined kids, tucked into the deep green forest. Every summer they host a concert series at their outside, but covered, pavilion. We've seen Dierks Bentley, Earth Wind & Fire and Blind Pilot, to name a few.
Downtown Traverse City
Downtown Traverse City has so much to offer! Meander down the streets for food hopping and shopping. Swing by Ashley's favorite boutique upstairs at Cali's or Cherry Republic for all things cherry flavored and themed. Some more unique shopping can be found in trendy converted warehouses. Make a reservation at Fire Fly or North Peak Brewing Company for some grub!
Traverse City Whiskey Co.
Located right outside the hustle and bustle of downtown Traverse City is this must-stop hang out spot. This is by far one of Jared's favorite whiskeys so stop in, grab a flight of drinks and chill for a bit.
Guided Walking History Tour of Traverse City
1847 put Traverse City on the map as a logging town that shipped most of its lumbar to build Chicago. Learn all about the city's rich history on this 2.5 hour stroll through the historical landmarks. The entire Grable family highly recommends this FREE walking tour. However, a $15 per person gratuity is suggested - trust us the guide will be worth much more than that!
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
Ashley will not be caught dead in this place, but its definitely a place highly recommended to visit, if you dare. This converted state insane asylum is now home to luxury living spaces, fine dining and shopping. PepeNero is a fan favorite, especially Dr. & Mrs. Grable's. The wait staff is personable and the dishes are cooked to perfection. Trattoria Stella plates award winning food, so obviously its at the top of the list for divine restaurants in the area.
Scalawags Whitefish & Chips
BEST whitefish and chips in town - enough said!
Downtown Elk Rapids
Frolic down the sidewalks of the historical downtown Elk Rapids where Ashley used to spend her summers. Catch a movie in the old-time theater or antique shop next door. Grab a nostalgic donut my family would get every morning at The Flour Pot Bakery and a glass of wine with live music in the evening at Cellar 152. Get active at the shoreline park and take a chilly dip in Lake Michigan or play a doubles game of tennis. Don't forget to take a peak inside the library on the hill and through the marina docks.
Townline Ciderworks
You've probably seen Ashley sport a Townline Ciderworks hat a time or two. A beautiful local scenic view overlooking multiple kinds of orchards. Chose a cider flight and before you leave snag a growler of your favorite flavor to enjoy throughout your vacation!
Rennie Orchards
Traverse City is known as the Cherry Capitol - it even hosts an annual Cherry Festival and gets credit on the can of Monster's cherry flavor. Grab a harness and bucket and head out into the orchard to pick your own! They'll make a yummy snack for the car ride up the coast.
Charlevoix, MI
Charlevoix is a coastal town about 1 hour north of Traverse City. Take a pit stop here for a coffee at Harwood Gold Cafe and mark in your GPS "Mushroom Houses" (there are 28 of them) for a drive by view. You can even rent one of these precious hobbit-like houses!
Bay Harbor, MI
Nestled between Charlevoix and Petoskey, this marina town is home to some of Lake Michigan's most spectacular yachts and boats making their way from Chicago and elsewhere. Its a beautiful pit stop along the way to Mackinac Island.
Petoskey, MI
Petoskey, named after the geologically famous petoskey stone, is one of our favorite towns along the Michigan coast. The downtown is lively with things to do and hands down some of the best shopping around. While driving, take a quick jog to the right off the main road into the hills. There are stunning 19th century Victorian homes dotted along the streets. Psst, take a closer look at the names of each home - you'll want to see how many you can find!
Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route
This narrow road through an area that was once largely inhabited by the Ottawa Indians becomes engulfed in trees right up to the edge of the road.
Legs Inn (restaurant)
Near the start of the Tunnel of Trees, this restaurant has been in the same family for 90 years and is the most unique "destination restaurant" in Michigan. Legs Inn is known for its American and Polish cuisine (which the we all know the Jonasz's love). Behind the restaurant is a whimsical outdoor space overlooking Lake Michigan. So pop on by, but don't miss the legs lining the second story banister before you walk in the front doors.
Bike Mackinac Island
There are no motorized vehicles on the island so the modes of transportation include biking, horse carriage, or good ol' fashioned walking. The best way to get acquainted with the island is biking the 8.2 miles of State Highway M-185 aka Lake Shore Boulevard that wraps around the entire island. It takes about 1 hour to bike the boulevard, however, you're going to want to stop along the way at some must-see sights! For a unique experience, take a detour and explore throughout the center of the island. Let the paths take you where they may. Bike Rentals: Mackinac Wheels, Mackinac Island Bike Shop, Mackinac Cycle, Mackinac Bike Barn, Island House Bikes, Mission Point Bike Rentals, Ryba's Bike Rental
Arch Rock
This famous rock is one of the most popular destinations on the island so we'd recommend to get there early in the morning or late in the evening. If you're traveling via bike along M-185 expect to walk up hundreds of steep wooden and rock steps. There are beautiful views along the trek up but you may break a sweat.
Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel was completed in 1887 and at that time had the longest porch in the world. In 1980, the movie Somewhere in Time was filmed at the Grand Hotel and starred Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer. Year after year this iconic hotel has been awarded as a top-tier summer destination and for its historical preservation. It homes 388 rooms and no 2 are alike! Don't leave the island without visiting the truly grand Grand Hotel. Frolic through the gardens or spend a moment in a rocking chair on the front porch. For non-guests there is an admission fee for the porch and hotel of $10 per adult and $5 per child (the fee applies towards the cost of the Grand Luncheon Buffet).
The Jockey Club
This is Jared and Ashley's favorite spot on the island to sip a cocktail and grab an afternoon bite. Located across the Grand Hotel entrance and on the golf course, this quaint spot is a great place to relax and enjoy the to and fro of horse drawn carriages taking visitors to the hotel or carrying out their duty helping hotel and island staff.
Butterfly House
Imaging being surrounded by beautiful butterflies in the summer sun. This 1800 sq ft tropical garden is the 3rd oldest live butterfly exhibit in the US and homes hundreds of butterflies from 4 continents.
Fort Mackinac
Fort Mackinac was captured by the British early during the American Revolution in the War of 1812. Today there are 14 buildings still standing. Take a tour or watch one of the daily demonstrations with cannons and bugle music.
Horses & Carriages
Take a horse-drawn taxi to get from place to place or book a carriage tour or private ride around the island. If you're feeling adventurous, drive a carriage yourself! Mackinac Horseman's Association and Community Equestrian Center also offers horseback riding and carriage driving lessons either private, semi-private or group lessons.