Traverse City Travel Guide

Along the Grand Traverse Bay and shores of Lake Michigan is the welcoming Traverse City, a small place with a big heart and full of fun for the whole family. This is the perfect vacation destination at any time of the year, with everything from sandy beaches and golf courses to wineries, fishing and skiing. Traverse City is also famous for its National Cherry Festival, since it is the biggest producer of tart cherries in the country. When it comes to dinner, vacationers are spoilt for choice, with everything from cheap eats to award-winning fine dining. Shopaholics can also enjoy some retail therapy in downtown Traverse City, as well as the amazing Village at Grand Traverse Commons.

Things to Do in Traverse City

Top things to do include visiting West End Beach where there are white sands and blue sea for relaxing. Dennos Museum offers visitors the opportunity to learn about Inuit art, with one of the largest collections in the United States. Visitors can also enjoy a show at the City Opera House, which is one of the historic Victorian Opera Houses in the state. The Village at Grand Traverse Commons offers a fantastic shopping experience, with everything from boutiques and art galleries to restaurants. Open Space is a park where there are beautiful views of Grand Traverse Bay and where families love to gather and have fun. In addition, this is where the National Cherry Festival is hosted.

Best Time to Visit Traverse City

The best time to visit Traverse City for good weather and a vibrant atmosphere is in the summer months. The National Cherry Festival is held in July.

A Local's Guide to Traverse City Vacation Rentals

On the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, Traverse City provides travelers and locals alike with long, gorgeous beaches, plenty of local wineries, an intriguing art scene, and a marvelous selection of superb restaurants. The main inland port of Grand Traverse Bay, and home to approximately 15,000 people, Traverse City is an ideal destination to relax on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Local Delicacies & Landmarks

Known for its annual Cherry Festival which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Lake Michigan coastal town yearly, the Grand Traverse area grows more cherries than anywhere else in the United States.

Attractions in this coastal northern Michigan town include various wineries, the buzzing downtown scene at Front Street, Mission Point Lighthouse, and of course the beach. Traverse City has burst into the forefront of savvy traveler’s wish lists when the nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was named “The Most Beautiful Place in America,” by ABC’s Good Morning America.

Wine lovers rejoice, the temperate climate of the Traverse City area is ideal for grape growing, making Traverse City a hotspot for vineyards and a picturesque vacation destination any time of year.

Did You Know?

Filmmaker Michael Moore calls Traverse City home and has been the driving force behind the city’s blossoming film festival, which began in 2005.

Cabins in Traverse City

For anyone who loves the great outdoors, Traverse City is one big playground. When each season comes around, the city has something different to offer. In the winter, the mountains come alive as people ski down the slopes and enjoy cozy evenings downtown. The summer months are best for exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes and sampling the many local wines.

Some of the best Traverse City cabin rentals can be found in the downtown area, where the brick sidewalks and Victorian storefronts create a rustic vibe. Spring brings white blossom to the town, and in the fall the city transforms into rich oranges and reds. It is in this central part of the city that you will find over 150 shops, boutiques, galleries and restaurants -- ideal for a little retail therapy. Explore the range of vacation rentals on offer and start planning your adventure today.