Traverse City Travel Blog

I was forced to hit my brakes — immediately. Traveling along the Leelanau Trail on my bike just outside of Traverse City, I made an abrupt stop. Standing in front of me, just a few feet away, was a majestic deer. He was bigger than me, and he wasn’t going anywhere until he was ready to move along. I swear he gave me a little smile — and slowly went on his way. It’s that type of experience you don’t soon forget along the trails of northern Michigan. 

Hop on two wheels instead of four and discover Traverse City like a local from Norte!, Traverse City's bike education and advocacy group.

As the weather starts to heat up, so do the trails. The paved Leelanau Trail spans a full 19 miles, flowing through orchards, wooded wildlife sanctuaries, wineries and open meadows – offering miles and miles worth of biking paradise. Every mile has something new to offer for both experienced cyclists and beginners alike. Ready to explore? 

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 visitors on a budget. Here you'll find our list of free and almost free activities around the region.

If you’ve never seen it before – two million blooming cherry trees climbing the steep glacial ridges like battalions of tidy white clouds, their soft lines contrasting with bright new grass, acres of yellow dandelions and the deep blue waters of Grand Traverse Bay – you’re in for a special treat. 

Traverse City is home to the largest one-day mountain bike race in America, the Iceman Cometh Challenge. For those with a mountain bike and a network of CamelBak-ed friends, the Iceman is bandied about from the moment snow melts off the trails in the spring. Threats and bets are made amongst

What do you love about Traverse City? Beaches, colorful sunsets, delicious food, award-winning wines, craft brews, four season recreation, and so much more—whatever you favor you will find in "Take Me There"—Traverse City Tourism's new theme song by The Hacky Turtles.

"Take Me There" was selected

By MIKE NORTON

They told us we weren’t going to have any fall color this year. The summer had been too hot and too dry, they said, and when autumn arrived the leaves would all just curl up, turn brown and fall off the trees. As usual, they were wrong. Why do I ever listen to “experts?”

Honestly, I

Cycling the Leelanau Trail, just south of Bingham

By MIKE NORTON

Fall color still hasn’t quite arrived in Traverse City yet, but there are little hints of it here and there. For a while, we were worried that the lack of rain and the hot dry summer would mean no autumn color at all, but now

Walking on the new Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail near the Dune Climb

By MIKE NORTON

That was a great Cherry Festival week! Perfect weather, great events and really smooth coordination. But now I’m ready for some peaceful time alone with Mother Nature and away from other human beings.

If you’re