Traverse City Travel Blog

“He stands like a statue, becomes part of the machine. Feelin’ all the bumpers, always playin’ clean” – The Who, Pinball Wizard.

He stands in his bedazzled, shiny shirt, not like the stoic pinball wizard from the song, but instead, he shows an animated display of emotion, intent on connecting to his machine. Brock Nummerdor from Reed City came to Traverse City earlier this year, hoping to make his mark on the Michigan Pinball Championship at Right Brain Brewery. “It’s just a physical connection. We’ll call it visceral. It’s the bells, the chimes, the bleeps, the bloops, the thuds. It’s a very intense game,” said Nummerdor. 

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 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. 

There is a moment when the sun sets through whisps of clouds over Grand Traverse Bay, when you have a realization that you never knew the color red had so many shades. Sitting on the hilltop at Chateau Chantal, you see those colors emblazoned in the sky in front of you. It’s a moment that can never be captured through the lens of a camera. The colors will never be that vibrant. The panoramic scope will never be fully appreciated. It’s a moment that will only play out in your mind. There it will replay again, and again, and again. Those vibrant colors may lose some of their vibrancy, but the memory will leave a constant glow in your heart.

It’s become iconic. A bushy and somewhat unruly mustache that curls up with a handlebar swoosh at the ends. That’s how you recognize the front-facing owner of the northern Michigan brewer, Joe Short, from Short’s Brewing. 

This small-town brewery is based in Bellaire. But don’t think this little brewery doesn’t leave a big footprint. And don’t for a moment think that the mustachioed man goes it alone. Joe’s wife, Leah, is the grounding force that makes the brewery hum. 

When the snow starts to fall gently, it leaves a coat of white frosting on the trees. When the holiday lights twinkle in downtown Traverse City. When we seek a reason to curl up with a good book and sip a warm hot toddy. That’s when your thoughts may turn to starting to shop for those special holiday gifts. Whether you live in Traverse City or long for your next trip to this special place, there are unique ideas for presents that are made here or reflect the beauty of the region. 

Traverse City Whiskey lights the flame of the outdoor heater on their patio when the cold weather hits, but customers are looking for something else. Something to warm them up from the inside. This is the time of year when Traverse City distilleries see their customer's tastes change from fresh, light summer drinks to something more robust, something that takes the chill out of the air and gives them warmth.

_{*Starting from the left, Sean O’Keefe, Larry Mawby, and Eddie O’Keefe Jr.}

Consider it an infant at 50 years old.

The Traverse Wine Coast turned 50 this year. Compared to other long-established wine regions in the world, that makes Traverse City a baby of the wine industry. But oh, how this baby has grown.