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Traverse City

· Traverse City, MI

Why you should go…

Traverse City sits at the base of Grand Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan, earning its 'Cherry Capital of the World' title from surrounding orchards celebrated each July at the National Cherry Festival. The Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas that frame the bay are lined with wineries, and nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore draws hikers and beachgoers.

  • #cherry capital
  • #wineries
  • #grand traverse bay
  • #sleeping bear dunes
  • #northern michigan

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Traverse City, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Family Favorite

    Clinch Park

    Free

    A downtown Traverse City beach and marina where West Grand Traverse Bay meets Front Street.

    0.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Eat & Drink
    Foodie Favorite

    Grand Traverse Pie Company

    Under $25

    The original location of a Michigan pie shop built on the region's tart cherry crop.

    0.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

    Free

    A former 19th-century asylum campus reborn as shops, restaurants, and gardens.

    1.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Fishtown

    Free

    A cluster of weathered fishing shanties on the Leland River, still home to working charter boats.

    19 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Outdoor Adventure

    Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

    Free

    A 7.4-mile paved loop through Sleeping Bear Dunes with overlooks 450 feet above the lake.

    23 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Grand Traverse Lighthouse

    Under $25

    An 1852 lighthouse at the tip of Leelanau Peninsula, now a maritime museum with a climbable tower.

    32 mi awayMore like this