About Jill Halpin
At a Glance:
- 📍 Experience: 5+ Years as a Lead Michigan Travel Correspondent.
- 📺 Media: 60+ TV appearances (FOX, WDIV, NewsNation, FOX 32 Chicago).
- 🎓 Education: MLIS, Wayne State University; Library of Congress Information Science Fellow.
- 📰 Authority: Featured in The Washington Post and The Detroit News.
About Jill Halpin — Michigan Travel Expert & Founder of MyMichiganBeach.com
Founder and Chief Beach Officer, My Michigan Beach and Travel Michigan’s Top Travel Information Website & Trusted Guide since 2019.
Jill Halpin is a Michigan travel expert and founder of MyMichiganBeach.com. She has been featured in The Washington Post and on NewsNation, FOX 2 Detroit, WDIV Local 4, and FOX 17 West Michigan, where she shares practical travel advice for Michigan and Chicago destinations. Jill has appeared on television more than 60 times and is regularly invited to share travel expertise across regional and national media.
She personally explores destinations year-round, creating detailed guides based on real travel experience across Michigan and the Midwest, sharing them in LittleChicagoGuide.com and LittleMichiganGuide.com,
Thinking about exploring Michigan? See my latest travel guides or work with me to reach fellow Michigan adventurers!
National and Local Press Appearances
Jill’s Experience & Credentials
- Michigan travel expert featured in The Washington Post and on NewsNation, FOX 17, FOX 2 Detroit, WDIV Local 4, and FOX 32 Chicago
- Founder of MyMichiganBeach.com (est. 2019), one of the Midwest’s leading Michigan travel resources
- Bachelor’s in Journalism and Master’s in Library & Information Science, Wayne State University (Detroit, MI)
- Former Library of Congress Information Science Fellow
- Award-winning writer for the American Heart Association (women’s wellness features)
- Based in Michigan, splitting time between Metro Detroit and Northern Michigan while exploring the state year-round
The Science of Helpful Travel Information
I am passionate about exploring my home state of Michigan, but I approach travel writing differently than most. By combining my background as a Journalist and a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), I have built MyMichiganBeach.com to be a primary-source resource for Midwest travelers.
As a former Library of Congress Information Science Fellow, I apply rigorous standards to every guide I publish. I don’t just “curate” information from the web; I spend all four seasons on the ground, conducting firsthand research. Whether I’m documenting the quiet Lake Huron beaches in Oscoda or mapping fall color routes through the Upper Peninsula, my goal is to provide accurate, verified data that saves you time and money.
My Quality Control Commitment:
- Firsthand Verification: Every destination recommended has been personally visited and vetted.
- Data Accuracy: I leverage my research background to provide precise details on parking, seasonal accessibility, and local regulations.
- Zero-Noise Guides: I filter out the “tourist traps” to ensure you only spend time on experiences that are genuinely worth the drive.
Through MyMichiganBeach.com, I have developed over 500 guides. Everything I share is rooted in my professional training in information organization and a deep, lifelong connection to the Michigan landscape.
I’ve appeared on television more than 60 times across major Midwest network affiliates—including FOX 17 West Michigan, WDIV Detroit, FOX 2 Detroit, FOX 32 Chicago, and WSBT South Bend—sharing expert insight on Michigan travel, seasonal guides, and Great Lakes safety.
👉 See every appearance with links →
MyMichiganBeach.com is widely recognized as a leading Michigan travel resource, and I’m regularly invited to share expert travel insights across TV, local radio, and major print and digital media.
- Best Michigan beaches to visit to kick off the summer
- 5 Must-Visit Michigan Beaches for 2024
- 2024 Beachy Award winners
- My Michigan Beach Shares Fantastic Spring Break Destinations
- Best Spots to See Michigan Fall Color Fox 17 West Michigan
- My Michigan Beach + Spring Break Destinations Fox 2 Detroit
- Best-Kept Secret Getaways in Michigan – Detroit Free Press
- Last-Minute Michigan Beaches to Visit – WDIV’s “Live in the D”
Jill’s travel segments are also featured on WDIV Local 4’s website, with a dedicated page highlighting her appearances.
👉 View WDIV coverage →
What You’ll Find on MyMichiganBeach.com
My blog highlights the beauty of the state and shares the best Michigan travel spots, special places to play, stay and eat and fun activities to do all year long.
With over 500 posts, you’ll find everything from where to look for your favorite Michigan rocks like Yooperlites (hint: mostly in the Upper Peninsula) and Petoskey Stones to What to Do on Spring Break in Michigan (maybe it’s a staycation?) and Why You Should Celebrate Thanksgiving in Frankenmuth!
You’ll also find travel guides to help you explore Michigan, ranging from the best Upper Peninsula campgrounds and how to Explore Harbor Country in Southwest Michigan to why you must visit the Caseville Cheeseburger Festival in August and a Map of Best Christmas Light Displays all over Michigan! and the best places to catch an amazing Fourth of July fireworks show!
Reader’s Favorites
Some of our readers favorite articles (you’ll want to bookmark these) include:
Explore Michigan with Jill Halpin and MyMichiganBeach.com
Have a question or Want to Work With Us?
I enjoy working with brands that I love, please review my work with us brand collaboration page for more information. You can also reach out to me directly at: jill@mymichiganbeach.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
Some posts on this site contain affiliate links through Amazon, Impact and others, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission. Read the full disclosure policy here.