Just A Drive Away – Meltdown
I had to head to New York over the weekend, so on the way back to the “D”, we swung by the Christmas Story House in Cleveland. It’s a really…
I had to head to New York over the weekend, so on the way back to the "D", we swung by the Christmas Story House in Cleveland. It's a really cool destination if you get the chance to go there, especially as it gets closer to Christmas. We've been there a few times, but it's always so cool to see the house the Christmas classic was filmed at.
Fun fact: the only scene actually shot inside the house was when the "award" arrived at there. The rest of the inside scenes were shot on a stage in Toronto, Canada.
While we were in the area, my daughter wanted to visit Machine Gun Kelly's coffee shop. Anyone who knows me knows I'm not an MGK fan at all. But when your daughter wants to check it out, I guess you go.
My question to you is, what are some other cool places to visit within a few hours of Detroit?
-Meltdown-
Michigan Has One of the Top Travel Spots in the U.S.
Michigan is known for its gorgeous lakes, both the Great Lakes and inland ones. Now, the Mitten has bragging rights when it comes to more than just its lakes- try the state's glorious islands.
Travel + Leisure recently released its World's Best Awards list. "Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more," they state in the article.
When it comes to the Best Island in the Continental U.S., Michigan has it. Last year, the winner was Hilton Head, South Carolina, so this is a new honor for Michigan. Moreover, this beloved Michigan spot came out on top of 14 other areas, including the Florida Keys and other major U.S. island destinations.
That prized destination is Mackinac Island. You can't be surprised, as it's a very special place. Here's what the publication said regarding Michigan's most popular island: "Eighty percent of this roughly four-square-mile island on Lake Huron is protected as a state park. The family-friendly downtown has many restaurants, fudge shops, and galleries. There are also several golf courses, one of which, known as 'Wawa,' lies on a battlefield where the British captured the island from the Americans in the War of 1812. You can explore the island by foot, bike or horse-drawn carriage, but no cars are allowed. Accommodations include the Grand Hotel, which dates back to 1887 and earned the No. 6 spot on this year’s list of the Best Hotels in the Midwest." Find the full roster of incredible island spots here and below.
10. Amelia Island, Florida
Amelia Island has 13 miles of beautiful beaches, abundant native wildlife and pristine waters. Nice!
9. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head Island features 12 miles of pristine beaches. Sounds lovely!
8. Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Who hasn't yearned for a trip to Martha's Vineyard?
7. Mount Desert Island, Maine
Mount Desert Island (MDI) is the largest island off the coast of Maine.
6. Outer Banks, North Carolina
The Outer Banks are famous for their expanse of open beachfront and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
5. Golden Isles (Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island, St. Simons Island), Georgia
Located on the Georgia coast, midway between Savannah, GA, and Jacksonville, FL, the Golden Isles feature four beautiful barrier islands.
4. San Juan Islands, Washington
The San Juan Islands offer whale watching, kayaking, biking, hiking, farm-to-table dining, cozy lodging and more.
3. Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket Island offers events, island maps, beaches, accommodations, dining, arts, activities and more.
2. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Kiawah Island is just a few miles from historic Charleston, South Carolina, and features the famed Kiawah Island Golf Resort.
1. Mackinac Island, Michigan
Mackinac Island is a unique vacation spot boasting fine dining, historic sites, and exciting attractions.
Best Islands in the Continental U.S.
This list is via Travel + Leisure. Find the full list here.
