Traverse City Travel Blog

Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted six more weeks of winter in 2025, but don’t let that stop you from getting excited for summer! From the National Cherry Festival to Polaris Slingshot cruises to picnics on the shores of Lake Michigan, the opportunities for adventure are endless.

Fall is knocking at our doors, and it is time to embrace Northern Michigan’s most colorful time of the year. Knit sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, football games, corn mazes, pumpkin carving… all hallmarks of the beloved season.

Here are some that are unique to the Traverse City area that you can’t miss out on this autumn!

Summer isn’t over yet. Here are the top five things to do in Traverse City before the season ends. Book your trip up north now to complete the list! 

Benzie County is home to lovely inland lakes, picturesque towns, emerald rolling hills, the multi-recreational Crystal Mountain, and 25 miles of Lake Michigan coastline. You cannot miss out on exploring what Benzie County has to offer this season. Plan the perfect “Tour de Benzie” with the top summer activities listed below.

It’s the most patriotic time of the year: The Fourth of July! There is no better place to spend it than Traverse City; the Midwest Caribbean.

With so many events taking place this July, including the beloved National Cherry Festival, you’ll be guaranteed an action-packed holiday getaway. Prepare for an unforgettable summertime celebration of our American freedom. 

When you think of Traverse City, Michigan, what is the first thing that comes to mind? For many, the answer is the fruit that crowned Traverse City the “Cherry Capital of the World.” The state of Michigan produces over 70% of the national tart cherry crop annually, and the Grand Traverse region is especially suited for cherry production. This is due to its proximity to Lake Michigan, which provides a moderating effect on the local climate in addition to the area’s fertile, well-draining soil. Lake Michigan abates the icy winter winds and cools the cherry trees during the hot summer months, resulting in insulation from seasonal temperature drops and increases that would otherwise negatively impact cherry cultivation.

Craving a day by the pool? In addition to the many things to do in spring in Traverse City, make a splash in one of the many indoor pool options that Traverse City has to offer. Fun for the whole family awaits, or the serenity of an adult getaway is in store… whatever you choose, our town’s got it! 

As the daughter of a dedicated biker father who is a northern Michigan (NoMich) trail rider and connoisseur, the sport of biking has always been intertwined with the path of my life. I have experienced the spectrum of different types of biking, whether it be road, mountain, tandem, or even stationary cycling. For my family, the draw of the sport is not solely rooted in exercise, but in the opportunity for bonding it provides for families, children, and adults alike. Now, biking may not strike you as a winter sport, but thanks to fat tire bikes, it has transformed into one. 

I first graced the slopes of Hickory Hills as a wobbly-kneed two-year-old, nineteen years ago. By ‘slopes’, I mean the tow-roped Bunny Hill... But let us not be derailed by minutia. I may not remember the moment my parents strapped the toddler version of me into a hot pink training harness and let

Happy National Chocolate Day! This week, celebrate with heavenly chocolate treats from some of our favorite local businesses that cater to everyone’s sweet tooth. Take a page out of Willy Wonka’s book and embark on a Traverse City chocolate tour using the curated list below.