
Special Guest Mike Kent stopped by to talk to Rob and Danny about Traverse City, MI.
When asked what separates Traverse City from other places families can travel, Mike says that hands down it's the people that make the difference. Traverse City has all the attributes of a larger city with more natural beauty. Mike talked about some incredible biking paths and walking trails in the area. He also touted Sleeping Bear Dunes which was recently tabbed by Good Morning America as the most beautiful spot in the US.
Wineries
Mike was excited about the over 40 wineries in the area and mentioned how Traverse City is on the 45th Parallel which is the same parallel as some of the finest wineries in France and Italy. These wineries are family-friendly with plenty for kids to do.
Year-Round Town
Traverse City is not just a summer town. Obviously, during the summer months, there are fantastic beaches and festivals for families to enjoy. Fall brings a breathtaking change of colors. Winter offers downhill skiing and snowmobiling with springtime bringing rebirth and the blooming of hundreds of miles of Cherry Trees.
Beaches
One of the most interesting things Mike mentions about the beaches in the area was that, yes, there are miles and miles of lifeguarded beaches. But there are also endless trails that have trails branching off to secluded beaches.
Festivals
Some of the iconic festivals in the area include:
Family-Friendly Lodging
Restaurants
Farm Club -Farm to Table
Little Fleet -Food Trucks
Moomers Ice Cream! - Can't miss, must stop!
If you're ready to plan your next family vacation, don't forget Rob is a Certified Travel Associate. His services are free to his clients, just drop him a line at [email protected]
The Family Vacationer
A podcast dedicated to families that travel. So many of our memories come from time spent with our family. We want to help you make the most of your family vacations. We do that by covering travel destinations, travel apps, and gadgets, and talk to travel experts for ways to make family travel less stressful. Who doesn't want that?
Meet the Hosts

Growing up, Rob Jones mainly traveled to Florida for vacation. Those family trips to Orlando and the Gulf Coast are cherished memories that influence him to this day. His entire professional career has involved travel. From working in the music business to event marketing, Rob has traveled to 46 states and five countries. Rob has been married to his wife, Traci, for 16 years and they love to travel with their three children: Ruthie, Nash, and Chase.

Traci's been shaking up the Dawson County School System for four years now, injecting it with her unique brand of energy and enthusiasm. When she's not molding young minds, you'll find her co-conspiring with her sister at Seasonal Events and Design—because who doesn't love a good party?
She's a self-proclaimed beach aficionado, never meeting a sandy shore she didn't instantly click with. And let's not forget her partner-in-crime for the past eighteen years, Rob, who's been keeping up with her antics and their three beautiful troublemakers—Ruthie, Chase, and Nash. Together, they're a whirlwind of chaos, laughter, and love.
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