Traverse City Travel Blog

The northern Michigan area is home to dozens of incredible attractions, like the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, and the region’s many freshwater beaches. But whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth, there’s still more to explore. Let’s get to know some of the Traverse City area’s hidden gems.

Northern Michigan is a hub for talented artists, with galleries and museums to explore, street art to admire, and a gorgeous natural backdrop to it all. We caught up with local artist Heather Spooner of Ampersand Lettering Lab to get the scoop on the TC art scene.

In July we hosted a photo contest asking our fans to show off responsible COVID-19 practices and mask wearing. From shopping downtown, to Tall Ship sailing, to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, we received a variety of fun pictures! Some of them were even snapped at wineries and breweries! THANK YOU EVERYONE for your photos and comments. Take a look below. 

Fresh ingredients. Fast service. Fun flavors. Each food truck brings its own unique flair to the dining scene in northern Michigan, and we’re highlighting some of our favorites around town. 

Welcome to the new downtown Traverse City! Several exciting changes are underway on Front Street and beyond, and we’re bringing you the scoop.

There’s no place like the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The towering bluffs, golden dunes, and turquoise waters take your breath away, even when you’ve been there a dozen times. This year, things are a little different at our favorite national park, but we have all the info you need to create a perfect trip.

It’s times like these that a local guide can point you in the right direction. Luckily, we’ve been creating one annually here in Northwest Michigan for over 16 years. The Local Food Guide debuted in June 2020 and now officially covers the entire state, so wherever you’re from, we’ve got the tips to explore Michigan’s food and beverage scene like a local. 

Northern Michigan is THE place for the summer harvest. From our signature cherries to just about every fruit and veggie you can imagine, it’s all here. Our farmers markets also host local butchers, cheese makers, bakeries, and more. Yum!

We may never agree on where an apostrophe goes in Farmers/Farmer’s/Farmers’ Market—in fact, you’ll see different punctuation on the names below—but we certainly CAN agree that we love shopping all the fresh and fabulous options. Here are seven must-visit markets for your next visit up north.

It’s no surprise that the Fourth of July is going to look a little different this year. But while the big parades and firework shows are postponed to 2021, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate Independence Day in Traverse City.

Looking for an outdoor art experience? Head to downtown Traverse City, where murals and street art have begun to pop up to decorate the sides of buildings and illuminate alleyways. While there are more than just five murals downtown—and far more than that around the region—we chose five classics to start your art education.