There’s nothing quite like Traverse City, Michigan. Nestled on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, this charming city boasts glistening crystal-clear waters, a delicious restaurant scene, and an amazing wine region that can compete with the West Coast. In the spring, the crisp air and cherry blossoms create a refreshing atmosphere. Summer brings long, sun-filled days when hydrangeas and cherries reach their peak. Then, as autumn arrives, the landscape transforms with the vibrant colors of changing leaves.
There are so many great things to do in Traverse City so I’ve written this comprehensive with my favorite activities. Most of them can be done throughout the whole year. So let’s get into it!
1. Omelette Shoppe for breakfast
If you’re looking for a satisfying breakfast that is clean, fresh, and healthy, look no further than The Omelette Shoppe!
Since 1975 they have been making all the breakfast staples and can whip up every omelet combination imaginable. It’s a place where the pecan rolls and cinnamon swirl pastries are baked fresh daily. They are dedicated to using local dairy, eggs, and produce. Plus, their orange juice is freshly squeezed – never from concentrate!
Make sure to come here hungry because the portion sizes will last you several hours. Wake up early or jump on the online waitlist because both of the Traverse City locations are always busy! The Omelette Shoppe is also open for lunch.
Hours: 8 am – 2 pm Saturday and Sunday; 7 am – 2 pm Monday to Friday
Locations: 1209 E Front St #2928; 124 Cass Street
2. Visit wineries
If there’s one thing Traverse City is famous for besides cherries, it’s wine! Riesling (my favorite!) and Chardonnay are the pride and joy of the region. These grapes can withstand the colder temps and have a longer growing season, allowing them to become more ripe, and delivering more exciting flavors.
The Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula boast incredible wineries many of which showcase fantastic views of Grand Traverse Bay. There are over 50 different wineries in Traverse City, so check out my favorites here!
3. Botanical Garden at Historic Barns Park
Tucked away just minutes from downtown, the Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park is a nature lover’s oasis. Spread across the 25 acres you will find an abundance of flowers and plants native to Northern Michigan.
The walled garden on the lower half of the property is where my husband and I had our wedding ceremony, so naturally, this place is extra special to us! Once inside the walled gardens, turn right to explore the hidden zen garden.
Once you visit, you’ll agree, that this hidden gem is one of the most unique things to do in Traverse City!
4. Venture Northeast and visit beautiful Bellaire/Torch Lake
One of the best things to do in Traverse City is to hop in your car and drive around! There are so many beautiful small towns in Michigan under an hour away.
Leelanau Peninsula is the most popular area to explore if you are based in Traverse City, however, for a more off-the-beaten-path option drive around to the northwest side of the bay.
Bellaire
Around 45 minutes away is the quaint little town of Bellaire. They are home to Short’s Brewing, one of the most well-loved beer brands in Michigan! The pub also sells mouthwatering appetizers and salads, sandwiches, and pizzas. The Whitepepper Sandwich is their bestseller.
We didn’t order food, and I’m not typically a beer drinker, but I had become a fan of their Soft Parade that’s sold in stores, so I had to get one fresh from the tap. I fully enjoyed it!
We also walked across the street to Bee Well Mead & Cider and enjoyed some delicious mead flights while vinyl played from behind the bar.
Alden/Torch Lake
Torch Lake is Michigan’s second-largest inland lake. In the summer it is super popular for boating, but with Caribbean blue water and sandbars, why wouldn’t it be?
The best way to enjoy Torch Lake is to rent a boat for the day or a clear kayak for an hour or two. When we visited a couple of years ago we just wanted to go for a quick swim but after driving around part of the perimeter we quickly learned that public beach access is VERY limited. Eventually, we found a pull-off to park at but it was only big enough for a handful of cars.
After the fact, I found out that there is a small designated beach with basketball courts and a kids’ playground at William Good Day Park. The bottom is not sandy like the other lakes in the area, so I’d bring waterproof shoes.
Alden is a picturesque unincorporated community located on the southeast side of Torch Lake. Randomly, their public boat launch is pretty. It has a mini lighthouse, a creek flowing into the lake, and benches to relax and enjoy the views. A quick walk down the road you’ll find a spice store, brewery, bakery, antique store, gift shop, and ice cream store.
5. See the World’s Largest Cherry Pie Tin
There’s not much to it – it’s a giant pie tin. This is a completely random attraction but it’s worth a quick stop for a laugh and to take a few pictures.
The World’s Largest Cherry Pie Tin is located at 3424 Cass Road. You can’t argue in saying, it’s one of the most unique things to do in Traverse City.
6. Eat PIE at Grand Traverse Pie Company
The last Traverse City activity leads me to my next one. If you go and see the World’s Largest Pie Tin it would be a crime not to go and eat some actual pie. Grand Traverse Pie Company is enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike.
What started as a small pie shop with 6 employees has turned into 11 locations across Michigan and Indiana. My favorite flavors include West Bay Blueberry Crumb, Cherry Peach Crumb, and ABC Crumb.
7. Have a beach day at Clinch Park
In the summer, a beach day is one of my favorite Traverse City activities. You can’t beat the views from the bottom of the bay where you’ll see nothing but sailboats and lush green from the stretch of peninsulas on either side of you.
There are several different beaches on different parts of the Grand Traverse Bay but I like Clinch Park Beach because of how roomy it is. It was a hot day the last time I went so everyone was out at the beach, however, we still found a quiet section when we walked to the east.
Clinch Park also has clean public restrooms, changing rooms, foot showers, and concessions. There is a massive parking lot across the street and you can safely cross through an underground tunnel. Parking costs about $5 USD for 4 hours.
8. Drive out to Mission Point Lighthouse
Old Mission Peninsula is 18 miles long, and at the end is the historic Mission Point Lighthouse. The small lighthouse is beautiful and the pristine and shallow waters here are perfect for wading or hunting for petosky stones. Spending a couple of hours here is one of the best relaxing things to do in Traverse City. In fact, the peacefulness reminded me of Mackinac Island.
You can enter the main level of the lighthouse for free and there are interesting educational bits about the area and the lighthouse’s origin. You can pay $8 USD to gain access to the second-floor museum and enjoy impressive views of the lake from the tower.
9. Get coffee at a cute coffee shop
For Traverse City not being a big city it has a nice variety of coffee shops to check out! A couple of locals had recommended Mundo’s Roasting & Co and it didn’t disappoint! They have three locations in Traverse City so it is clearly popular. Their HQ location has so much seating which was so accomodating when I went with a group of 6.
Third Coast Bakery is strictly gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free so it is perfect if you have dietary restrictions. We had already eaten breakfast so we didn’t indulge in a baked good even though it was tempting. Their espresso was on the strong side for me so next time I would ask for more of their homemade syrup.
Any Dutch Bros fans out there? 7-Brew has the same drive-thru concept and the ability to go crazy with your drink customizations. Their coffee is super delicious! This chain has dozens of locations across the US but the Traverse City location is the only one in Michigan so far – random, I know!
10. Grab Homemade Ice Cream from Buchan’s
Getting ice cream is one of my favorite summertime activities in Traverse City and Buchan’s arguably makes the best homemade ice cream in town.
I originally discovered Buchan’s homemade ice cream through their blueberry farm on Old Mission. Now they have a West Bay location specifically for ice cream (and more recently pizza!).
I love that they flavor their hard-scooped ice cream with fresh fruit and use cane sugar for sweetness.
11. Shop for clothes or souvenirs on Front Street
Whether you’re shopping for a keepsake or want to add a couple of new pieces to your wardrobe Front Street is where you want to go for all of the best shops.
My favorite is the M-22 store which is a lifestyle clothing brand that embodies Northern Michigan. They are always rolling out fresh new designs!
Critters Clothing & Souvenirs is your stereotypical souvenir shop but I like them because most of their clothing is high quality. There’s nothing worse than buying a graphic tee that doesn’t hold up in the wash.
Bookworms must wander through Horizon Books. In the fall in winter, it would be cozy to grab a drink from their cafe and read by the fireplace.
The Cherry Republic is the place to stock up on Michigan’s Montmorency Tart Cherry flavored foods and snacks. There are over 200 different cherry-based products inside. So far the cherry salsa, chocolate-covered cherries, and cherry BBQ sauce have been my favorites.
12. Kayak the Boardman River
If you are an experienced paddler, (I am not!) you can try your hand at kayaking the Boardman River. Michigan doesn’t have whitewater rapids but this is the closest thing to it. The route takes approximately 90 minutes and begins with two light rapids followed by slow paddling past a cedar forest. Keep your eyes open for wildlife!
13. Bike the (Leelanau )West TART Trail to Sutton’s Bay
Biking is one of the best Traverse City activities for seeing beautiful landscapes.
The TART trail is the main network of bike trails in the Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties but the original section goes through town. You can go east or west but I’m highlighting the west section that turns into the Leelanau Trail because it’s still on my Traverse City bucket list. I’ve heard the views are incredible and it’s easy to stop in at several wineries that sit right off the trail. After biking 17 miles to Sutton’s Bay, I envision myself jumping into the lake to cool off and grabbing a bite to eat at one of the restaurants in town.
You can rent bikes from Brick Wheels or McLain Cycle & Fitness.
14. The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is one of the most unique things to do in Traverse City. What was once a mental institution in the 1980s has since been transformed into the area’s most happening place for dining, shopping, or walking. You can even learn about its twisted history on a guided tour. There is so much to do that you could easily spend the better half of a day here.
15. Go sightseeing on a boat cruise or sailboat
Instead of looking out at the bay, why not go out on it? A boating tour is one of the best activities in Traverse City for scenic views. You will not only admire the glass-like water but you can also learn about the area’s history from your captain.
This 2-hour cruise happens during the day and costs $48 USD per person. For something a bit more memorable, check out this stellar sunset sail tour that includes food and drinks. It is a splurge, costing $199 USD per person.
16. Sleeping Bear Dunes
The Sleeping Bear Dunes should most definitely be at the top of your Traverse City activities to-do list. From Traverse City, drive 40 minutes west to Glen Arbor where you can witness the vastness of the Sleeping Bear Dunes – the world’s largest freshwater sand dunes! There are a few different ways to see them:
- Dune Climb
- Piece Stocking Scenic Drive
- Sleeping Bear Point Trail
- Pyramid Point Trail
- Guided tour with private transport and lunch
My Finding’s Tip: To beat the constant crowds and have an even more magical view, I recommend going during sunrise or sunset!
Where to Stay in Traverse City
- Country Inn & Suites – This is the hotel we used during our wedding week. It was affordable and centrally located (just 2.5 miles from downtown!). Our guests only had good things to say about it. The pool and hot tub were spacious and I loved the floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights. They also serve a full continental breakfast. Country Inn is a bang for your buck!
- Seasons Inn – I spent three nights here and it was simple but enjoyable for the low price. The exterior and lobby are underwhelming but the rooms are very clean and updated. They also have a pool and serve breakfast daily. It is located 4.5 miles from downtown.
- Alexandra Inn – A new beachfront hotel with a restaurant, terrace bar, fitness center, and private beach access. Free parking is included. Staying here will make your trip to Traverse City all that more enjoyable! It is located 5 miles from downtown.
Are you excited to explore the best things to do in Traverse City?
Traverse City, Michigan, is one of my favorite places in Michigan, offering an abundance of experiences year-round. From the breathtaking views of Grand Traverse Bay to the vibrant wine region and the nearby small towns, there are always unique things to do in Traverse City.
Happy exploring! If you want more Michigan travel inspiration see these related guides below:
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