Traverse City Travel Blog

As couples, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day craziness of life. There’s so much accountability, and too often when we think we’ve found some resemblance of balance among the madness, the universe has a funny way of reminding us that we live perpetually on shaky ground.

No matter how rocky life’s journey becomes, it’s important to maintain our vitality as partners so we don’t get trapped preserving the status quo. For my wife and I, we keep our relationship fresh by tapping into new experiences in Traverse City together – these can be as simple as planning out short day trips (some great ideas and itineraries can be found here), a wine tasting, or riding our bikes somewhere we hadn’t before.

(All photos courtesy of Lake Michigan Whale Migration Station. No claims are made for their accuracy.)

The volunteers at the Traverse City Visitor Center can almost always come up with advice for baffled tourists who need directions. However, one question consistently leaves them speechless.

It’s the one about whale-watching tours.

I started my adventure from Traverse City and made my way north driving the beautiful M-22 highway for about an hour ending at the area known as Michigan’s “Little Finger." This area is home to the Leelanau State Park and one of Michigan’s oldest lighthouses.

We invited local photographer Heather Higham from Snap Happy Gal Photography to share what she loves about taking pictures in the Traverse City region. Take a look at what inspires her and where she goes to get the perfect shot. 

There’s a saying up here in the dune country. The sand gives, and the sand takes away.

Each day, hundreds of people – especially kids – will congregate along the Boardman River at 118 Hall Street, in the city’s warehouse district. If this season is anything like past years, there will be lots of laughter, jumping up and down, pointing of fingers and juvenile squealing.

Where do you find inspiration in the Traverse City Area? Local painter Adam VanHouten shares a few of his favorite locations that have inspired his Explore Traverse City Plein Air Painting Project. 

It’s easy to get overwhelmed on vacation, and even easier to spend more money than you have. Luckily, northern Michigan has plenty of options for families on a budget—and we’ve found 20 fun, easy, and beautiful ways for you to enjoy the region. 

You may already have seen them while walking or driving through Downtown Traverse City, spread across the otherwise blank walls of banks, stores and other buildings. A massive portrait of Ernest Hemingway -- a Japanese print of breaking waves, a strangely compelling picture of two urban acrobats

You planned. You prepped. You pop out of bed and hear a soft pitter patter. You peer out the window and...rain. Your perfect day outside may be postponed, but that’s okay - now you have a Plan B. A rainy day in Traverse City is full of possibilities.