Daylight hours are approaching, so it’s time to make the most of them before hibernation begins. Close the laptop, put down the cell phone and clear your head with a solo trip.
A global one Booking.com survey from 2024 found that 59% of travelers wanted to venture out alone. That doesn’t mean it has to be far away, or even overnight.
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Travel coach Dawn Pick Benson guides first-time solo trips to choosing a purposeful location.
With each traveler, she asks what they want to feel during their adventure, not what they want to see or how far they want to go.
Benson has traveled to nearly 50 countries and each trip, near or far, has changed her – whether it’s finding clarity in Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, or pouring inspiration into art galleries in Saugatuck, Michigan.
MLive asked Benson for her top Michigan recommendations for solo travelers looking to shake off the monotony of everyday life. Here’s what she suggested for day trippers and weekenders alike.
Creative – Saugatuck
My favorite time to visit is during late fall and winter when the tourist season is coming to an end. It’s a great place to find a cozy restaurant and enjoy a cocktail or a cup of coffee with a friend. The Southerner has a beautiful, cozy fireplace in the bar and good whiskey cocktails. Phil’s is always open, small, but cozy. And I’ve had some of the best conversations with strangers there.
I often start my visit with a cup of coffee from Uncommon Roasters and a walk through downtown, wandering in and out of stores. Then I go to Farmhouse Deli to pick out something fun and colorful for lunch.
And even when it’s cold, it’s a perfect time to stroll along Oval Beach and enjoy the cooler weather, without tourists.
I just let my mind wander and notice the beauty around me. It’s amazing how many creative ideas you can get when you give your brain a little room to breathe. After the beach I might head to J Petter Galleries to view some art while enjoying a glass of wine from their always great wine selection. During happy hour at Everyday People you can always start a fun and interesting conversation at the bar with some of the regulars (be sure to get there early to get a seat!). I would end the day watching the sunset over the lake.
Adventurous – Take the Red Arrow Highway
Red Arrow Highway is a scenic drive that runs from New Buffalo to Kalamazoo. I love exploring the 29-mile stretch from New Buffalo to St. Joseph, which is full of antique shops, wineries, breweries, and lesser-known lake views.
In St. Joseph I often stop at The Market, a great place to grab a bite solo. It has a coffee shop, a sandwich shop, a brewery/wine bar, as well as other small shops and a really nice wine shop. Right next door is Benton Harbor, and I discovered a few interesting restaurants to try, including a few places on my own to-try list: Mason Jar Cafe and Bread+Bar.
If you want to enjoy nature and enjoy your meal, you can visit Warren Dunes State Parkor there are also many nature reserves in the area, among others Chikaming open country near Sawyer, where you can enjoy hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. For dinner, I love it Cafe Gulistana unique Kurdish restaurant just south of Sawyer, open Thursday through Sunday. Or a little further away, you can also try itFlagship market for specialty foods and fish,a nice place where you can get incredibly fresh fish to take away.
If you make it to New Buffalo, give it a try Skip’s European Farmers Marketopen on weekends and Brewing Beer Church.
Connection – Muskegon Farmers Market and Cherry Point Lavender Labyrinth
A great way to feel more connected is to spend some time on the land and around those who live and work on the land. Visiting farmers markets or spending an afternoon at a local farm is the perfect way to do this, and Michigan has no shortage of locations to choose from.
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My personal favorite farmers market is indoors Muskegon. It’s full of great vendors and I enjoy the proximity to downtown Muskegon, Muskegon Lake and the Lake Michigan shoreline. The Saturday market remains open through December 7 and includes a winter market with unique gifts and goods for the holidays.
Inspired – pictured rocks
Visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula and hike along the cliffs on the Chapel Loop for an awe-inspiring experience. During the hike you will see a breathtaking series of colorful cliffs on the southern edge of Lake Superior.
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Carved by wind and water into intricate formations and arches, these sandstone rocks get their colors from a variety of minerals in the soil. This hike is the only way you can see these rock formations from land. You can park and then go to Chapel Falls, then hike to Chapel Rock where you will see a huge tree growing out of a rock and then walk along the cliffs until you reach the beach.
The loop is 17.5 miles long and can take 4 to 5 hours, so be sure to bring a backpack with snacks and plenty of water and dress for all types of fall weather. The trail is well marked so it’s a great hike if you’re alone.
Peaceful – Charlevoix
Charlevoix is a great place if you want a quiet weekend getaway.
The drive there from the west side is beautiful, and you can stop in Elk Rapids along the way to eat at Pearl’s and then have a cocktail at one of my favorite distilleries: Ethanology Distillation. Also in Elk Rapids is Bos Wine, located in a 1920s farmhouse, where you can enjoy a glass of wine in the garden, or order the full curation experience, which comes with all the pairings such as meat, cheese and accessories that suit every wine.
If you’re in Charlevoix, you can take a ride around Lake Charlevoix and cross on the Ironton Ferry until mid-November. Torch Lake is also nearby and a beautiful drive, especially in the fall.
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To continue the adventure, consider rustic solo camping at Fisherman’s Island State Park, where campsites are located in the dune area along Lake Michigan. A great place to pick stones.
Learn more about Benson’s coaching and travel programs at Dawnpickbenson.com.
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