Occupying a bay on Lake Michigan in the southern central area of the state, Traverse City is one of the largest cities in Michigan with a thriving waterfront and a huge array of activities on offer such as fishing and skiing. Among the more off-the-wall outdoor pursuits enjoyed in the city is cherry picking, which has earned the city the moniker as the ‘cherry capital of the world.’ There is even a cherry festival held here each year.
If you’re a fan of the outdoors then Traverse City is the place to come with even more activities on offer than your average Great Lakes city. In winter, Traverse City turns into a fully-fledged ski resort that also features snow-mobiling and ice skating. Once May comes along and the weather heats up, Traverse City is a mecca for bathers with its many freshwater beaches. There are also a number of golf courses in and around the city along with opportunities for fishing, sailing, kayaking and many more activities both in the water and on dry land.
A lot more laid-back, the vineyards in Traverse City are among the best in the region. The city’s five wineries lie just north of Traverse City, with opportunities to taste locally-produced reds and whites.
Highlights
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park: featuring huge shifting sand dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan, this reserve is an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Bowers Harbor Vineyards: one of the most popular winemakers in Traverse City, producing 21 varieties of wine including a cherry wine, a popular local choice.
Traverse City State Park: close to the city, this park features a beach, biking and walking trails as well as camp grounds with barbeques perfect for the summer.
JH Rogers Observatory: offers public viewings through its powerful telescopes a few days a month.