About MyMichiganBeach.com | Michigan Travel Guides & Tips
At a Glance:
- 📍 Experience: Founded 2019. Over 500 Michigan travel guides published.
- 📺 Media: 60+ TV appearances (WGN Chicago, WDIV Detroit, FOX 2 Detroit, FOX 17 West Michigan, FOX 32 Chicago, NewsNation).
- 🎓 Education: MLIS, Wayne State University; Library of Congress Information Science Fellow.
- 📰 Authority: Sourced by The Washington Post; featured in The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press.
Uncover the Best of Michigan — Beaches, Towns, and Local Hidden Gems
Michigan’s trusted travel guide for adventures from the Upper Peninsula to the Detroit lakeshore.
Your Local’s Guide to the Best of Michigan Travel
Since 2019, MyMichiganBeach.com has helped travelers and locals discover Michigan’s beaches, small towns, national parks, and the places that don’t make the standard lists. Every guide is researched and written by Jill Halpin, an award-winning journalist who visits these destinations in person, in every season.
Whether you’re planning a day trip to the shores of Lake Michigan, a weekend of wine tasting on the Leelanau Peninsula, or a family road trip through the Upper Peninsula, you’ll find what you need to plan it here.
Over 300,000 Readers a Year — and As Seen In
Our Editorial Commitment
At MyMichiganBeach.com, travel information is only as good as the research behind it. Every guide on this site is governed by three standards:
- ✅ Firsthand Research: Every town, beach, and trail recommended here has been personally visited. Not compiled from other websites.
- ✅ Verified Details: Parking fees, seasonal hours, accessibility, and local regulations are checked against official sources before publication, and rechecked as guides are updated.
- ✅ Journalistic Standards: Guided by Jill Halpin’s background in journalism and information science, including her work as a Library of Congress Information Science Fellow.
If something on this site is out of date, tell us. Guides are revised throughout the year, and reader corrections are how the good ones stay good.
Meet Jill Halpin, Michigan Travel Expert
Jill Halpin is a lifelong Michigan resident, award-winning journalist, and the Chief Beach Officer behind MyMichiganBeach.com. She combines a background in information science with a genuine appetite for driving four hours to check whether a beach is actually worth it.
That work gets noticed. When The Washington Post needed a Michigan recommendation for a national feature on less-crowded beaches, they came to Jill. They had a different spot in mind. She pointed them to Oscoda on Lake Huron, and Oscoda is what ran.
From secret beaches to icons like Sleeping Bear Dunes and Mackinac Island, Jill visits, photographs, and writes it all firsthand, so you can plan with confidence.
What You’ll Find Here
- 📍 Travel Guides to Michigan towns, beaches, and scenic regions
- 🏖️ Hidden Gems you won’t find on typical travel sites
- 🌅 Family-Friendly Activities and ideas for all seasons
- ♿ Accessible and Dog-Friendly beaches, trails, and stays
- 🍷 Wineries, Breweries, and Local Eats
- 🌲 Outdoor Adventures like kayaking, hiking, and camping
- 🧭 Printable Road Trip Guides and checklists to take on the go
Whether you’re a lifelong Michigander or planning your first trip, the goal is to make your planning easier, more inspiring, and rooted in accurate detail. Start with the guides for Traverse City, the Sunrise Coast, or the Upper Peninsula.
Work With Us
Jill partners with destinations, resorts, and tourism boards on multi-channel campaigns across web, email, and social. See the work with us page for details, or reach out directly at jillhalpin@mymichiganbeach.com.