Skip to content
Awesome Mitten Logo - map of Michigan showing lighthouse, mackinac bridge, and trees
  • Home
  • StartExpand
    • Start Here
    • Email Newsletter
    • Meet the Team
  • SeasonsExpand
    • Spring in Michigan
    • Summer in Michigan
    • Fall in MichiganExpand
      • Places to Visit Colors
      • Fall Peak Color Predictions
      • Fall Bucket List
      • Fall Train Tours
      • Fall Festivals
      • Towns With Stunning Foliage
      • Why Fall is the Most Magical
    • Winter in MichiganExpand
      • Best Winter Things to Do
      • Winter Festivals
      • Polar Express Train Rides
      • Frozen Waterfalls
      • Loving Michigan Winters
  • Things to DoExpand
    • All Guides
    • Michigan Lighthouses
    • Northern Lights
    • Gift Ideas
  • PlacesExpand
    • Western Upper Peninsula
    • Eastern Upper Peninsula
    • Northern Michigan
    • West Michigan
    • Mid-Michigan
    • East Michigan
    • Southwest Michigan
    • Southcentral Michigan
    • Southeast Michigan
  • PremiumExpand
    • Premium
    • Login
    • Members
    • Member Help
  • Travel GuidesExpand
    • Mackinac Island Travel Guide
    • Pictured Rocks Area Guide
    • Sleeping Bear Dunes Guide
    • Tahquamenon Falls Area Guide
Awesome Mitten Logo - map of Michigan showing lighthouse, mackinac bridge, and trees
Picture of Amanda Shaffer

Amanda Shaffer

Amanda is a stay-at-home mom from Michigan who rarely stays home. You’ll often find her out with her kids exploring all that the Great Lake state has to offer. She loves to encourage others to get outside and believes you don’t have to travel far to make a memory. You can follow their adventures over at @exploremichiganmore on Instagram.
Brighton Howell Area

Explore Beautiful Parks & Charming Downtowns in the Brighton Howell Area

After moving to the middle of Michigan, I was constantly looking for ways to spend time in nature that gave me that outdoor and “Up North” feeling without having to

Fossil at Rockport Recreation Area - Alpena

Go on a Fossil Hunting Expedition at Rockport Recreation Area

Rockport Recreation Area is nestled along the shores of Lake Huron in the scenic Alpena area. While this is a relatively new state park, the natural beauty and history that

Frankfort, Michigan

Discover Frankfort: The Gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes

As the gateway to the majestic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Frankfort, Michigan, is a picturesque gem that invites visitors to embark on a journey through history and nature. Frankfort

Grand Ledge mural

Explore Grand Ledge for Small Town Charm in Mid-Michigan

Just over 12 miles west of downtown Lansing, sitting along the Grand River, you will find the charming town of Grand Ledge, Michigan. We recently enjoyed a picture-perfect day trip

Shopping in Midtown photo by Amanda Shaffer

3 Michigan Day Trips to Take With Your Best Friend

We all know that carving out time for your friendships or partners can be tough in life’s hustle and bustle. Sometimes, it takes a little inspiration or plans laid out

Mt. Pleasant winter weekend

My Top Picks for 48 Hours of Winter Family Fun in Mt. Pleasant

We all know that the winters in Michigan can be long. Often, they start at the beginning of November and last through March. While some winters may be mild, the

The Discovery Pond at Indian Springs Metropark

5 Awesome Metroparks You Need to Visit in Southeast Michigan

There are many hidden gems scattered throughout the southeast area of Michigan to explore but there is one park system that my family and I return to over and over

Hiking the Ledges at Oak Park

My 9 Favorite Places to Visit in the Greater Lansing Area

Before moving to Mid-Michigan, the only time I had spent in Lansing, Michigan and the surrounding area was for an elementary school field trip. As I moved further away from

A train ride around Three Cedars Farm in Northville

How to Spend a Perfect Fall Day in Northville, Michigan 

I’ll admit I had never heard of the city of Northville before I made the move to the middle of Michigan. Now that I have made mid-Michigan home for over

Gather restaurant in southwest Michigan

Southwest Michigan Day Trip: 9 Awesome Experiences You Need to Try

Growing up in the heart of Harbor Country in Southwest Michigan, I often found myself exploring from the very corner of Michigan up to the shores of St. Joseph/Benton Habor,

Goats at Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo in New Era

You Need to Visit this Michigan Family Farm for the Ultimate Fall Experience

When looking to make memories in Michigan, there is no substitute for heading to the farm. Whether it’s in the spring, summer, or fall there are endless options for the

Playing at the Ludington State Park beach

5 Reasons Ludington State Park Is the Best State Park in Michigan

Just a couple of short years ago, I made a goal for myself and my children to visit all 103 of Michigan’s state parks. While we are halfway through completing

Big Sable Point Lighthouse at Ludington State Park

Ludington Makes the Perfect Michigan Weekend Getaway Anytime of Year

While we have been to Ludington more than a handful of times now, our latest visit was our first after the mark of Labor Day, when many beach towns start

Turnip Rock and Thumbnail photo by Amanda Shaffer

Explore the Majestic Turnip Rock on a Scenic Boat Tour

Turnip Rock. The name itself is enough to make you raise your eyebrows. Turnip Rock was formed from waves undercutting it, making it into its unique formation. Visiting Turnip Rock

Lake Huron Roadside Park Port Sanilac

My Awesome Summer Road Trip Itinerary Up Michigan’s Thumbcoast

In my early twenties, I found myself between jobs for a couple of weeks. I used the opportunity to pack up my car and head on one of the most

« Previous Page1 Page2 Page3 Next »

Awesome Mitten
515 S West Ave
Suite 101
Jackson, MI 49203

Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Facebook Group
  • Start Here
  • About Awesome Mitten
  • VIP Email
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Gift Ideas
  • Guides
  • DMCA
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer
  • Stories
  • Sitemap
  • Contact

© 2026 Awesome Mitten. A publication of Under a Red Oak LLC.

  • Home
  • Start
    • Start Here
    • Email Newsletter
    • Meet the Team
  • Seasons
    • Spring in Michigan
    • Summer in Michigan
    • Fall in Michigan
      • Places to Visit Colors
      • Fall Peak Color Predictions
      • Fall Bucket List
      • Fall Train Tours
      • Fall Festivals
      • Towns With Stunning Foliage
      • Why Fall is the Most Magical
    • Winter in Michigan
      • Best Winter Things to Do
      • Winter Festivals
      • Polar Express Train Rides
      • Frozen Waterfalls
      • Loving Michigan Winters
  • Things to Do
    • All Guides
    • Michigan Lighthouses
    • Northern Lights
    • Gift Ideas
  • Places
    • Western Upper Peninsula
    • Eastern Upper Peninsula
    • Northern Michigan
    • West Michigan
    • Mid-Michigan
    • East Michigan
    • Southwest Michigan
    • Southcentral Michigan
    • Southeast Michigan
  • Premium
    • Premium
    • Login
    • Members
    • Member Help
  • Travel Guides
    • Mackinac Island Travel Guide
    • Pictured Rocks Area Guide
    • Sleeping Bear Dunes Guide
    • Tahquamenon Falls Area Guide
Facebook Group Instagram Facebook
Search