Traverse City Travel Blog

Every small town in America has something they’re proud of—a claim to fame, a local treasure, a festival that encapsulates who they are. For Traverse City, that pride comes in the form of a small, juicy fruit that’s made a big impact: the cherry. And for a full century now, this community has thrown a party in its honor that’s grown into one of the largest and most beloved festivals in the Midwest.

This year, the National Cherry Festival turns 100. That’s 100 summers of pie-eating contests, parades, farm tours, and patriotic flair. A hundred years of honoring the humble cherry and the hardworking people who grow, harvest, cook, and celebrate it. 

The menus are coming in for this year’s Traverse City Restaurant Week, and they’re mouthwatering! Plus, they’re easy on the wallet.

More than 50 restaurants in the Traverse City area are offering special multi-course, prix fixe menus at $25, $35, or $45 per person for lunch, dinner, and takeout from Feb. 22-28.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a breathtaking park in Northern Michigan that’s filled with towering dunes, stunning sunsets and sandy beaches.

If you’ve visited the Dunes, it may come as no surprise that the National Lakeshore has been voted the most beautiful place in the United States

Ready to trade the winter blues for some St. Paddy’s greens? While you may think of Traverse City as a summer destination, those in the know look forward to every March, when the True North turns into a vibrant celebration of Irish spirit. 

Whether you’re a local or planning a weekend getaway, and whether you’re Irish or, well, not, St. Patrick’s Day in Traverse City offers the perfect blend of high-energy festivities, cozy pub vibes, and tranquil natural beauty.

Don your shamrock socks. It's time to plan your ultimate Irish weekend.

The pace changes. When the first flakes of snow begin to coat the barren tree branches, it’s time to hit the “slow down” button. It’s time to breathe in the crisp air and relax just a bit. Winter in the Traverse City region is a different experience. It may mean you linger a little longer at one of the award-winning wineries and listen to the winemaker speak with pride of the craftsmanship that goes into their creations. It could mean walking the snow-covered streets of downtown while you seek out the treasured memento of your vacation up north. 

The first snowfall of winter ushers in one of the most exciting seasons of the year… Ski season! Skiing and snowboarding combine exercise and fun while providing a connection with nature during the winter months. Crystal Mountain, Hickory Hills, and Mt. Holiday are the forefront ski resorts in the TC area. All three of the resorts offer ski and snowboard rental equipment so you can get suited up on-site, as well as lessons so you can learn your sport of choice or perfect your skills. 

You don’t really need an excuse to take a wine tour, but we’ve got some handy anyway.

Winery visits are an affordable and unique way to spend a winter day in Traverse City. Luckily, there are a variety of dynamic, educational, inspiring, and memorable Michigan wine tasting options, whether you’re

The beauty is in the little things. The single fall amber leaf is surrounded by the summer green leaves. The red crabapples are so ripe that they’re straining to stay on the tree for one more day. The sunflower spreads its golden petals to welcome a single industrious bee collecting its nectar and

As days slip into years, and years slip into decades, it can be difficult to separate folklore from reality. But if you embrace the tale, Jim Richards of Old Mission is following in the footsteps of giants. His steps take the same path as Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, Teddy Roosevelt,

America seems to be waking up to the beauty of northern Michigan’s fall colors. This short season sets the hillsides around Grand Traverse Bay ablaze with vibrant colors. Shades of red, orange, and yellow combine with mild temperatures to create a mad dash to capture one more hike in the forest, one more outdoor wine tasting, and one more walk along the beach before winter sets in.