A Michigan Small Town Perfect for Exploring

When you think of visiting a small town, you probably think of driving around small town U.S.A. and experiencing that area driving from one spot to the next. But, as it turns out, Michigan has one of the best small towns for exploring on foot, according to experts. It's not Mackinac Island, either. I've been to this spot and agree it's very explore-worthy. So, if you're looking to really experience a city on foot, this could be a dream spot for you.

The experts at TravelandLeisure.com have put together a tally of some of the best small towns in America to travel without a car. "Whether you're an urbanite who never got a license or just a traveler who prefers that someone else do the navigating, you'll find lots to enjoy in these locales, which offer the perfect mix of transit access, walkability, and quaint village living," they state. They add that even without a car, "As countless folk songs and movies make clear, America’s small towns are great places to explore on long, meandering road trips." That's so true. I simply love exploring small towns, especially just by walking around.

Before we get to our state, let's look at the No. 1 best small town for exploring without a car. It's Jackson, Wyoming, which the magazine says is a place billionaires have been flocking to for years. "A 15-minute taxi ride through Jackson’s picturesque outskirts will bring you from JAC to the town square, where dozens of hotels sit within walking distance," they explain. They also suggest staying at the gorgeous Cloudveil or "affordable-but-trendy" Anvil Hotel to be close to all the attractions without having to drive. No. 2 on the tally is Winter Park, Colorado, which experts say is a great spot if you want to go skiing in Colorado but avoid I-70 traffic.

So, which Michigan small town is one of the best for exploring without a car? It's Traverse City, Michigan, with the experts at Travel and Leisure loving its outdoor offerings. Of course, when you think of places in Michigan to explore without a car, you might think of Mackinac Island, which is car-less. But, Traverse City is a great spot, too, with "a walkable, beachfront downtown that’s loaded with fudge shops, boutiques, and stylish lodgings." I've been to Traverse City before and agree that it's a fantastic spot to explore, so I'm happy to see us represented. Reach out to me with your favorite Michigan small towns.

It's always a good time to go on vacation, but summer, of course, is the official travel season. If you're planning a big trip, you're going to want to make sure to maximize your vacation. After all, traveling is supposed to be fun. That means not stressing out while planning or being on your trip. Let's get into some great tips to maximize your vacation.

Before we get to tips to maximize your vacation, let's look at vacation trends. A new AAA travel survey states that 84% of U.S. residents will travel in 2024. Also, 43% will take more vacations than last year. So traveling is a hot thing in 2024. "The travel season is already off to a hot start in 2024," said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA, The Auto Club Group. "Americans continue to make travel a top priority, and AAA travel agents have been busy planning a wide range of vacations from weekend getaways to world cruises."

If you're planning to take a cruise, note that according to AAA, more travelers are booking cruises farther in advance. Many spring break cruises sold out months before they were to set sail. "Last-minute bookings are possible, but prices may be higher and cabin choices limited," AAA notes.

What's more, a new study from AAA and Bread Financial has discovered that younger generations are into live event travel. Is that really new? I've been traveling for concerts for years, but it's apparently a new trend among Gen Z. They state that "three in five Gen Z (65%) and Millennial (58%) respondents confirmed they have traveled in the past 12 months and/or plan to travel in the next 12 months for in-person events like concerts, sporting events, comedy shows, and book readings that are more than 50 miles from home."

That's much more than with older generations, with is 43% for Gen X and 27% for Baby Boomers. Then again, older generations are more likely to want to be at home, because, well, they're older. They've been there and done that.

That same study found that Gen Z loves traveling for sports and music. They state that more than half (52%) of Gen Z travelers are gearing up to attend a music event in the next 12 months. In fact, one in five Gen Z travelers (20%) have traveled or plan to travel to see Taylor Swift live in concert.

As for sports, 38% of Gen Z travelers have traveled or plan to travel for the 2025 Super Bowl. Also, 32% have traveled or plan to travel to the 2024 NBA finals, and 19% have traveled or plan to travel to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.  Now, let's get into some great tips to maximize your vacation.

One great way to maximize your vacation is simply to save money. You'll feel so much better on vacation knowing that you're saving cash by doing things the right way. One major way to save money is to travel during an off season. Every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, look at the cheapest time to visit your destination, and go then. Find more tips on saving money on vacation, too.

Sure, you want to do some planning so that you don't miss the big tourist stops in your destination. But, don't book every blasted minute. Maximize your vacay by saving some time to be spontaneous. Take a day to just figure out what to do when you're there. Maybe some locals will recommend a secret spot for you to visit during your "day off."

While you don't want to overbook your trip so that you're always running from spot to spot, you do want to plan a bit. It's not a good idea to do zero planning and just feel things out when you get there. Plan some big activities ahead of time so that you aren't scrambling last-minute.

If you only have one big vacation every year, you might feel under a lot of pressure to make it the most amazing experience ever. So, take away that stress. Plan mini-vacations throughout the year, so you aren't under as much pressure to make your big trip the best thing that's ever happened to you and your family. For example, in the fall, if you live in an area with beautiful colors, make an annual fall color tour trip and just drive around the state.

If time and money allows, adding just one day to your vacation can open up a world of possibilities. Many people plan too short a trip, not realizing just how much they'll want to do in their destination. So, add an extra day. You'll be glad you did at the end of your stay.

Sure, you're on vacation. You want to soak up every minute of your trip. But, if you're up late every night partying in the clubs and then up early to enjoy the sunrise, pretty soon, you'll be too tired to enjoy your vacation. So, take time to get some sleep and feel rested.

They say, "Don't sweat the small stuff." That's certainly true on vacation. Nothing is going to go totally as planned. So, expect the unexpected, and roll with it.

When you get back from your vacation, don't plan to start work the very next day. Take an extra day or two off after your vacation to recuperate, so that you hit the ground running when you're back at work. The extra time at home will also give you a chance to savor your vacation.

People often find experiencing more rewarding that physical things. So, make sure to plan an experience with your trip. Maybe there's a huge concert you want to see on vacation. Perhaps it's a sporting event. Whatever it is, plan an awesome experience.

Finally, when you're home from your trip, decompress and look back on your vacation. What went wrong? What went right? Take notes and learn from your vacation, so you'll know what to do better next time.