Traverse City Travel Blog

You can’t get Short’s Brewing innovations such as Pumpkincrusha on Nitro or Hot Loins aphrodisiac beer in the store. And you won’t find the Bellaire brewer’s Pistachio Cream Ale or S’more Stout at your local bar.

But you can come to taste them all this fall during Traverse City Beer Week. The annual celebration of northern Michigan brews returns Nov. 10-17 with drink specials – and special, experimental beers – at craft breweries all over the Traverse City area. 

The International Fireworks Championship transformed the night sky into a canvas of colors and shapes. These spectacular shows blend science, creativity, and pyrotechnic expertise to create breathtaking moments that left the audience in awe. Four teams from Germany, France, Mexico, and the USA took to the stage as spectators were treated to an unparalleled symphony of light and sound. In the end, the crowd would cast their vote for Best of Show with Germany taking home the trophy. 

Take a look at some highlights from the event! 

It seems like we just turned the calendar from June to July, and now we’ve changed it again to August. In just a few short weeks it will be fall, believe it or not.

As awesome as autumn is, why does summer have to go by so fast? Unfortunately, there is no pause button on life. But there is still time to slow down and soak up summer in northern Michigan before it’s too late. 

If you’re seeking a Michigan destination where you can really appreciate and contribute to the conservation of our state’s natural beauty, it’s hard not to think of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Traverse City-area treasure offers 70,000 glorious acres of trails and beaches spread along 65 miles of spectacular shoreline.  

If the arrival of spectacular summer weather wasn’t enticing enough to visit the Traverse City area, Up North Pride is organizing some special events in June that you won’t want to miss.

Quick, name a part of the world known for its wine. For many of us, the answer might be Napa Valley in California or Bordeaux in France. Well, get ready to add Traverse City, Michigan to that elite list.

In 2018, Michigan voters approved legalized cannabis for recreational adult use, and Michigan’s cannabis industry has grown substantially since that time. It is legal to use cannabis in the Traverse City region on a limited basis (details below). There are a number of licensed dispensaries where you can buy cannabis; however, smoking cannabis in public is not permitted and you cannot drive under the influence of cannabis. 

Are you planning to be in Traverse City for Mother's Day 2023? Here is a list of events going on to help celebrate that special someone you call Mom. From brunch and mimosas to a spa day or a Traverse Wine Coast Weekend, you won't come up short of finding the perfect celebration! 

There’s a lot of natural beauty at the Michigan Legacy Art Park, a 30-acre preserve in the Traverse City area with two miles of hiking trails that meander through woods and spring wildflowers up to sweeping views of the Betsie River Valley. 

There also are more than 50 permanent sculptures dotting the landscape and telling stories about the unique history and culture of our state through the eyes of professional artists.

Nearly 100 brewery members of the Michigan Brewers Guild will gather on Saturday, May 13 for the 2nd Annual Spring Beer Festival at Turtle Creek Stadium in Traverse City. Beer lovers will have about 465 different brews (and 76 unique styles) to sample from breweries all across Michigan. Tickets for the festival – one of five hosted each year by the Guild – are available for $50 in advance ($60 the day of) and include 15 tokens each redeemable for a 3-ounce beer sample.