Designed for Adventure: Family travel, parenting, and practical life stories

About Designed for Adventure: Family travel, parenting, and practical life stories

Designed for Adventure is a practical family travel and parenting podcast about planning meaningful experiences — from Disney trips and destination races to museum day trips and everyday adventures — without losing yourself or your sanity. Honest conversations about travel, money, parenting, and life by design.

Publisher

Ellie Sewell

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Jan 2026

Latest episode

11 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

31 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Oct 2026

   Horses, Fudge, and No Screens: The Ultimate Guide to Mackinac Island with Kids

   In this episode of Designed for Adventure, Ellie and Jesse follow up on their kid-free getaway by sharing how to plan the ultimate family vacation to Mackinac Island with kids in tow. They break down why this car-free island is a giant playground for children, offering everything from horse-drawn carriage rides and scenic bike loops to cannon demonstrations and fudge shops. Whether you are trying to figure out hotel logistics for a family, renting bike trailers, or looking for a low-stress "no screens" vacation, this episode covers all the practical tips to make Mackinac Island a hit for all ages. Key Highlights: Ferry Ride & Island Arrival: Tips for sitting on the top deck during the 15-to-20-minute ferry ride, spotting fish in the bay, and packing jackets for the chilly lake breeze. Family Lodging Logistics: Why booking early is essential for families needing extra space, and highlights of kid-friendly properties like Mission Point Resort and The Grand Hotel with wide green lawns. Biking the M-185 Perimeter Loop: Navigating the 8.2-mile car-free highway with tag-along bikes, trailers, or kid bikes, plus important rules to know like the island-wide ban on rental training wheels. Horse Etiquette & Buggy Rides: Teaching kids how to yield the right-of-way to horses, watching for manure, exploring horse-drawn carriage taxis, and touring the Grand Hotel stables. Must-Do Kid Attractions: Visiting the Butterfly House & Insect World, playing mini-golf on real grass at Mission Point, flying kites, and finding hidden island playgrounds. Fort Mackinac & History: Experiencing hourly cannon and musket firing demonstrations, interactive museum buttons, and dining on the officer's balcony. The Grand Hotel Kids' Experience: Daily children's activities like the duck derby, flower pot painting, lawn games, and the fun tradition of dressing up for dinner. The "No Screens" Getaway: Why Mackinac Island's flexible pacing makes it easy to unplug and enjoy a spontaneous family trip without strict advance reservations. Connect with Design for Adventure: Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePod Facebook: Designed for Adventure ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.pinterest.com/designedforadventurepodcast/): Designed for Adventure Podcast E-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.com Subscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

2. 

   4 Oct 2026

   Kid-Free Vacation: 3 Days on Mackinac Island

   In this episode of Designed for Adventure, Ellie and Jesse recap their very first kid-free vacation after five years of parenting—a three-night getaway to Mackinac Island in Michigan. From navigating a car-free island where transportation is limited to horse-drawn carriages and bicycles to experiencing the luxury of the historic Grand Hotel, Ellie and Jesse share logistics, dining highlights, historical discoveries, and why this unique island destination packs a punch for couples. Key Highlights: Island Logistics & Ferry Systems: How Mackinac Island bans personal vehicles, relying on Shepler’s Ferry or Arnold Transit Company with seamless porter service that delivers luggage directly to your hotel. Hotel Experiences: A look at staying in the Mission District at the Harbor View Inn versus the iconic Grand Hotel, featuring traditional dinner dress codes, cupola views, live piano music, and an unbeatable breakfast buffet. Biking the Island: Surviving tandem bike rides around the 8-mile outer perimeter past Arch Rock, conquering inner island hills on multi-speed bikes, and visiting Fort Holmes—the highest point on the island. History & Fort Mackinac: Exploring Fort Mackinac's history museum, military JAG exhibits, and dining with panoramic views of downtown and Lake Huron on the officer quarters' balcony. Activities & Nightlife: Finding dueling pianos, playing mini-golf on real grass at Mission Point, carriage tours, shopping downtown across 11+ fudge shops, and options for renting your own horse-drawn buggy. Low-Stress Planning: Why Mackinac Island is a refreshing destination where you can wake up and decide your day without needing advance reservations for activities. Connect with Design for Adventure: Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePod Facebook: Designed for Adventure ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.pinterest.com/designedforadventurepodcast/): Designed for Adventure Podcast E-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.com Subscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

3. 

   20 Sept 2026

   15 Years of runDisney: Essential Tips, Corral Hacks, and Race Day Secrets

   In this episode of Designed for Adventure, Ellie and her mom return to share their ultimate insider guide to surviving and thriving during a runDisney weekend. Drawing from 15 years and 11 race weekends of experience, they cover critical logistics every runner needs to know—from navigating unexpected flight delays to beating the dreaded "balloon ladies". Key Highlights: The 2-Day Arrival Rule: Why you should always fly in at least two days before your race to account for travel delays, weather disruptions, and required expo bib pick-up. Carry-On Non-Negotiables: Never pack your running shoes or race outfits in checked luggage—wear your shoes on the plane and pack complete race outfits in gallon Ziploc bags inside your carry-on. Corral Warmth & Throwaway Clothes: How to stay warm during chilly 3:00 a.m. corral waits using thrift store robes, oversized sweatshirts, or Mylar blankets that can be tossed and donated before crossing the start line. Florida Weather & Chafing: Why you must bring cold-weather gear regardless of the forecast, plus strategies for managing Florida humidity and sun exposure. The Golden Rule of Race Day: Never wear brand-new shoes, sports bras, or untested costumes on race day—always run in them at least once during training. Beating the Sweepers: Understanding the strict 16-minute-per-mile pace requirement, training for a fast walk, and keeping comfortably ahead of the "balloon ladies". The Memory Maker Advantage: Why purchasing Disney's PhotoPass Memory Maker for your group saves precious time at character stops and captures high-quality race photos. Connect with Design for Adventure: Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePod Facebook: Designed for Adventure ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.pinterest.com/designedforadventurepodcast/): Designed for Adventure Podcast E-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.com Subscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Contact Designed for Adventure: Family travel, parenting, and practical life stories

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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