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Traverse City sits at the base of Grand Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan, in the northwest corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Lumber built the town, and cherry orchards later made it famous; the region is one of the country's leading producers of tart cherries, and a cherry festival takes place each summer. Clear water, sandy beaches and rolling farmland have turned it into a favorite summer destination for the Midwest.
Downtown's Front Street is lined with restaurants, bookstores and shops, and the restored State Theatre shows films in a classic setting. Clinch Park sits on the bay, linked to the TART Trail, a paved path for walking and cycling. The Village at Grand Traverse Commons has turned a former state hospital into a complex of shops, eateries and apartments. North of town, the Old Mission Peninsula stretches into the bay with wineries, orchards and the Mission Point Lighthouse at its tip. The Leelanau Peninsula, to the west, offers more vineyards and the village of Northport.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is an easy day trip. The Dune Climb is a steep slog up a giant sand slope, and the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive offers high overlooks above Lake Michigan. Glen Haven and the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail suit relaxed cycling. Summer is peak season, and fall color is lovely.
WiserMap travel guideTraverse City Michigan Sleeping Bear Dunes and CherriesPlan a Traverse City trip: Sleeping Bear Dunes, Old Mission Peninsula wineries, Leland Fishtown, cherry orchards, bay beaches and a walkable Front Street.Read the guide
Main downtown street of Traverse City, lined with restored brick buildings housing local shops, bookstores, cherry product stores, galleries, cafes and restaurants, a block from the bay. Summer evenings are lively. Park in the public decks, and try a cherry treat or pie from one of the local bakeries.
Restored 1916 movie palace on Front Street run by a nonprofit film society, with a star-studded ceiling that lights up before shows. It screens new releases, classics and kids' matinees at low prices, and it is a main venue of the Traverse City Film Festival. Tickets are cheap, so it is a great rainy-day plan.
Bayfront park at the foot of downtown with a sandy beach, splash pad, marina and lawns along West Grand Traverse Bay. The paved TART Trail runs along the waterfront for miles, ideal for biking or walking at sunset. Bike rentals are available downtown, and the beach is a short walk from Front Street.
Former Northern Michigan Asylum, a huge Victorian Italianate complex from the 1880s now reused as shops, restaurants, a winery and apartments in the Mercato under the main building. Wooded trails and old cherry trees surround it. Guided historical tours cover the history and the tunnels below. Book tours ahead.
Glen Haven is a preserved early 1900s village with a general store, a blacksmith shop and the Sleeping Bear Point Life-Saving Station Maritime Museum. The paved Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail links it with Glen Arbor and Empire through the park. Rent bikes in Glen Arbor and ride part of the trail.
White wooden lighthouse from 1870 at the tip of the Old Mission Peninsula, near the 45th parallel, halfway between the equator and the North Pole. Visitors can climb the tower and explore exhibits inside. Trails and a beach surround it. Combine it with a drive along M-37 through vineyards and orchards.
The Old Mission Peninsula stretches 19 miles into Grand Traverse Bay, lined with vineyards, cherry orchards and tasting rooms known for Riesling and other cool-climate wines. Many wineries have patios with bay views. Use a tour or a designated driver, and stop at farm stands for cherries in July.
Rural peninsula west of Traverse City with wineries, farm markets, small villages such as Suttons Bay and Northport, and the Grand Traverse Lighthouse at Leelanau State Park near its tip. The M-22 scenic highway loops around it. Plan a full day, and stop at the farm stands for fresh fruit and pies.
Paved 7.4-mile loop road in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore through forest and dunes, with overlooks of Glen Lake and the Lake Michigan Overlook, which sits 450 feet above the water. Do not try to climb down the steep bluff, as getting back up is very hard. Visit at sunset.
Famous steep sand dune in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, rising about 110 feet from the parking area. Kids love running down it. Beyond the top, the Dune Climb trail continues about 3.5 miles round trip over sand to Lake Michigan. Bring water and shoes, as sand gets very hot in summer.
Historic commercial fishing village in Leland, with weathered wooden shanties, smokehouses, fishing tugs and docks along the Leland River. Shops now sell smoked fish, clothes and crafts. Ferries leave from here to the Manitou Islands. Buy smoked whitefish at Carlson's Fishery and eat it on the dock.
Week-long summer festival in late June to early July along the Traverse City bayfront, celebrating the region's tart cherry harvest with parades, air shows, concerts, carnival rides and cherry pie eating contests. Many events are free. Book lodging early, as the town fills up, and try the cherry treats.
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