Of all the amazing places I’ve been fortunate enough to visit during my travels over the years, my favorite place on earth remains Pleasant Lake, in Coldwater, Michigan. My family has been coming to this lake my entire life. We started out going to my grandparent’s cottage (which they bought in 1965) until I was about 8 years old; at which time my parents bought a cottage just down the lane, our own private paradise. Our cottage is small, but it’s perfect for us.  It’s been my life during the summers and I wouldn’t want it any other way.  I love spending time with my family, relaxing and being on the water.  When I was living in Detroit, I went every single weekend.  Not being able to visit regularly, now that I live in New York, has been really hard for me. But I always make at least 2 trips each summer; usually Memorial Day weekend to kick off the summer, and again the last week in July.

We are lucky enough to have the best neighbors on both sides of us. They are my second family, and getting to spend time with them is the other main reason I have always loved being at the lake. We spend the days together on the water, eating and drinking, playing cards, laughing and just having the best time.

Top 5 – Pleasant Lake

1 – The lake itself

I love water sports (skiing, wake boarding, tubing, knee boarding, paddle boarding, etc) and being active, but I also love a raft and a cocktail. I prefer the private waters of Pleasant lake, however there are many other lakes around the area to explore. Because our lake is private, you must own property or be staying with someone on the lake in order to bring on any kind of watercraft (boat, jet ski, etc). We love that because it keeps the lake cleaner and it ensures it isn’t too busy or has unsafe drivers on the water. However, if public lakes are your thing, many of the other lakes around have public access and sandbars where you can find the crowds and parties.

2 – Wineries

If I’m not at the lake, there are most likely only two other places you’ll find me. One of them is wine tasting at some of the local wineries. If you know me, you know I love a wine tasting. The two wineries closest to us at the lake are Briali and Satek, but there are several others in the area. (Check out Byler Lane Winery from my Indiana post earlier this year!) Both places have tasting rooms and offer tastings of their wines and wine slushies.  Satek offers a free tasting of 10 wines…a freaking steal! Briali charges $5 for their tasting, which includes a tasting of 5 wines.  Both of their wines are slightly on the sweeter side (as are most Indiana wines I’ve tasted), but they are good. It’s something fun to do on a rainy day or when you need a break from the sun.

3 – Outlet Mall shopping

The outlet mall near us has gone way downhill over the years, but it still has a few decent stores.  This is the other place you’re likely to find me if I’m not at our cottage. I just can’t pass up a bargain! They’ve been called many names over the years, but now they are just called The Outlet Shoppes at Fremont. My go-to’s are Gap Outlet and Under Armour. Everyone knows that shopping is the perfect rainy day activity.

4 – The annual Brown/Parnin/Thiele fish fry

This one is specific to my family, but if you’re on a lake that has fish, it’s do-able for anyone! Each year when I’m home, we have a big fish fry with the fish my dad catches over the summer. We fry up fish and usually some wild turkey nuggets, make a bunch of delicious sides and desserts and stuff ourselves until we literally can’t eat another bite. It’s the best meal of the summer hands down, and I look forward to it every year.

5 – Local lake bars

The local lake bars made major news last year when Justin Bieber happened to be in the area and was hanging out at The Venue. I don’t really frequent the bars in the area, but from the few I’ve visited, they are fun. I spent my 21st birthday out at Club P, and from the little bit I remember, had a blast! They are dive-y so don’t go in expecting high class. But in my opinion, sometimes dive-y is the best.

Many people think of the midwest as the “flyover states,” but being from there, I couldn’t disagree more.  There are so many great places to visit and things to do and it would be a perfect vacation for anyone needing a break from city life. I love traveling the world and exploring new places, but I look forward to my trips to the lake more than anything.  It’s just the best for relaxation, fun on the water and quality time with my family.