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Current Weather

26.0° Fair

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Family Fun

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Swimming in Grand Traverse Bay

Traverse City Kids Guide

You can view this online by clicking here or by clicking the guide to the right or download the PDF (60 Mbs).

 FUN FACTS ABOUT TRAVERSE CITY

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Traverse City is the world's largest producer of tart cherries. 
 

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This area was settled by American Indians around 1400.  The first pioneers and missionaries arrived in the early 1800s.  Lumber was the big industry which cleared the land for cherry trees and other crops.

Umbrella.JPGThe Martinek clock in downtown TC is over 100 years old, still has its original works and is wound once a week. The pendulum swings below the sidewalk.

Umbrella.JPGOver 1,200 talented students travel here each summer from around the world to attend the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Josh Groban, Norah Jones, Peter Yarrow, Jewel, Felicity Huffman and newsman Mike Wallace have attended summer camp.  Umbrella.JPG

Over 2.3 million people visit beautiful Traverse City every year.

 

Year-Round Fun Things To Do in Traverse City

 

 

1.  Visit a Museum

 

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2. Go Bowling

 

 

3. Attend Wiggler's storytime & Saturday Sampler or visit the Children's Garden at the Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave., (231) 932-8505

 
 

4. Visit Grass River Natural Area, 6500 Alden Highway, Bellaire, 
(231) 533-8576. Attend a guided walk or class for children and adults.  A portion of the 5 1/2 mile trail system is stroller and wheelchair accessible.

5.  Slay a dragon at Great Wolf Lodge's MagiQuest.  Live action adventure game for all ages, 3575 N. US 31 South, (866) GR8-WOLF

 
 

 6.  Interact with art at the Dennos Museum Discovery Room.  
Northwestern Michigan College, 1701 East Front St., (231) 995-1055

7.  Attend a performance at the Old Town Playhouse Children's Theatre, 148 E. Eighth St., (231) 947-2210

 
 

 8.  Get the star treatment at the Great Wolf Lodge Scooops kid spa with services designed exclusively for kids age 12 & under.  Located in 
Elements Spa, 3575 N. US 31 S., (866) 478-9653

9.  Visit Candyworld for everything from old-fashioned candy favorites to homemade fudge.  104 Broadway, Suttons Bay, (231) 271-2255

 
 

 10.  Paint pottery.  Camp Fire Pottery, 6298 Western Ave., Glen Arbor (231) 334-2300, Handz On Art Studio, 144 Hall St., Suite A, (231) 941-5071

11.  Visit the Great Lakes Children's Museum.  Available for birthday parties.  13240 S. West Bayshore Dr. 
(M 22), (231) 932-4526

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 12.  Learn about Traverse City history at the 
Grand Traverse Heritage Center, 322 Sixth St., (231) 995-0313

13. Eyaawing Museum & Cultural Center shares the history, culture, and language of the Grand Traverse Band.  2304 N. West Bayshore Drive, Peshawbestown, (231) 534-7764

 
 

 14.  Go rock climbing at GT Rocks (must be 7yrs. or older) 
160 Hughes Dr. off Hammond Rd., (231) 933-8229 

15.  Slurp down a Cherry vanilla cream soda at The Cherry Stop's old fashioned soda fountain.  Yummy!

 
 

 16.  Experience Lucky Jacks at Timberlanes.  Fun place with bowling, 
laser tag, billiards, redemption game room, laser maze, bumper cars, 
food and much more.  1705 S. Garfield, (231) 947-2610

17.  Zero in on a target at Gauthier's Archery featuring two 
air conditioned indoor archery ranges with dart interactive 3D target system.  
Archery Pro Shop, 1788 M 37 South, (231) 943-4432

 
  18.  Visit the Guntzviller Spirit of the Woods Museum.
Native artifacts and wildlife museum. Gift shop, 2 miles 
south of Elk Rapids.  11060 S. US-31, Elk Rapids, (213) 264-5597
19.  Listen to antique instruments at the 
Music House Museum.  7377 US 31 N, (231) 938-9300
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20.  Visit the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum.  
Leelanau State Park, 15550 N. Lighthouse Pt. Rd. Northport, (231) 386-7195

21.  Visit a rock shop at the Korner Gem.  13031 S. Fisherman Cove, 
(231) 929-9175

 
 

 22.  Hit a bucket of balls.  Traverse City Golf Center indoor driving range or use the indoor golf simulator and putting green.  6270 Secor Road, (231) 947-1185.  Grand Traverse Resort Golf Center 100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd., Acme, (231) 534-6000

23.  Visit North Coast Freeride a 7500 sq foot indoor skate and bike park, complete with rails, box jumps, wall rides, half pipes, street section and foam pit, 887 Lynch Drive, (231) 929-4962