Best of 2020: Travel Year in Review and Inspiration for 2021

While this best of travel list may be small due to the COVID-19 crisis, I find it important to reflect on each year of travel and the new, bucket list places I’ve had the privilege to visit. Hopefully this list will provide you with travel inspiration throughout 2021.

Family Trip of the Year: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
A trip out west was the only out of state travel I did this year. Our family trip to Las Vegas was two weeks before the state of Michigan experienced its first COVID-19 case. While we didn’t know it at the time, this last-minute trip was our final opportunity to travel before lockdown.

While in Las Vegas, we took a day trip to the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. It was nearly a four-and-a-half-hour drive one way. Along the way we stopped at the Hoover Dam and on Route 66. The Grand Canyon National Park is the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. While the West Rim of the Grand Canyon is closer to Las Vegas, there is not much to see or do in the area. Home to the famous Skywalk, lines at the West Rim can be long and tickets are expensive.

The South Rim, however, provides breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon, hiking trails and tons of wildlife. No pictures can truly do the South Rim justice.

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon taken at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.

Best Summer Day Trip: Traverse City, Michigan

Regardless of how many times I travel to Traverse City, I always experience something new. Traverse City is home to some of the best wineries in the state of Michigan. My personal favorite wineries are as follows: Chateau Chantel and Peninsula Cellars.

Chateau Chantel has amazing views of the Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. I never leave Chateau Chantel without bottles of Bubbly Cherry and Cran-Apple wine. Peninsula Cellars offers a unique atmosphere. Located in an old schoolhouse, it’s a quaint winery with the opportunity to sit outside, directly in the vineyard. My personal favorite wine at Peninsula Cellars is Hot Rod Cherry at $16.99/bottle.

Downtown Traverse City offers local, small shops perfect for gift shopping, souvenirs and spoiling yourself. Every time I shop in downtown Traverse City, I stumble upon a restaurant or shop I have never been in before. After a day of winery hopping, I recommend eating at Taproot Cider House in downtown Traverse City. Taproot Cider House offers local hard ciders and cocktails, as well as farm-to-table fare in its rustic tavern. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, such as me, Taproot offers a great black bean burger. Another personal favorite is Taproot’s loaded mac and cheese.

Wine flight at Chateau Chantel in Traverse City, Michigan.

 Best Winter Day Trip: Frankenmuth, Michigan

There’s no better day trip in the winter than to Frankenmuth. Frankenmuth is known for its Bavarian-style architecture. The city highlights the area’s German roots. While taking a trip in the winter, don’t forget to stop at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store. Every year I purchase an ornament at the store and get it personalized while shopping.

There are many locally owned shops to browse on Main Street. I recommend walking the stretch, buying some fudge, looking at the lights, visiting the reindeer at Grandpa Tiny’s Farm and even taking a horse-drawn carriage ride throughout the city.

Frankenmuth River Place Shops in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Best Hike: Sleeping Bear Point Trail, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
While 2020 was filled with hikes throughout beautiful Michigan, one trail stood out. The best trail I hiked in 2020 is Sleeping Bear Point Trail. Sleeping Bear Point Trail is off the beaten path in comparison to other, more popular trails at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. However, this hike is more difficult than others.

Before heading to the Dune Loop Trail portion, you can take the trail to the right for remote access to Lake Michigan. This was an excellent spot to hunt for Petoskey stones and skip rocks. The Dune Loop Trail is about 2.5 miles long. However, the views of Lake Michigan are breathtaking and worth it. The first portion of the hike feels like a scene throughout a movie; you are but an ant in the immensity of the dunes. The hike ends through the forest, a nice break from the high incline of the sand dunes.

Sleeping Bear Point Trail overlooking Lake Michigan at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park in Michigan,

Hopefully this list will inspire your travel for 2021!