About Jill Halpin
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 appeared on FOX 2 Detroit, WDIV Local 4, FOX 17 West Michigan, and NewsNation, 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.
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 on FOX 17, FOX 2 Detroit, WDIV, 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
About My Expertise
I am passionate about exploring my home state of Michigan and have combined my skills as a journalist and librarian with my love for Michigan travel to create MyMichiganBeach.com. As a recognized Michigan travel expert, I spend all four I don’t just write about Michigan—I spend all year exploring it.
From quiet Lake Huron beaches in Oscoda to summer weekends in Traverse City and fall drives through the Upper Peninsula, I’ve spent years visiting the places I recommend and figuring out what’s actually worth your time (and what’s not).
My focus is simple: helping you plan better trips.
That means going beyond “things to do” lists and sharing the details that make a difference—where to park, when to go, what to skip, and which spots are truly worth the drive. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a full Michigan vacation, my goal is to help you make confident decisions without wasting time.
Through MyMichiganBeach.com, I’ve created hundreds of guides covering Michigan’s beaches, small towns, scenic drives, and seasonal events—along with maps, itineraries, and local insights you won’t find in generic travel roundups.
Everything I share is based on real experience, with a focus on helping you discover the best of Michigan in a way that feels easy, memorable, and genuinely worth it.
National & Local Media Recognition
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.