Traverse City Travel Blog

August is National Picnic Month! At the crossroads of cuisine and the outdoors, the picnic is the perfect union of two of the best things that Traverse City has to offer. Here is a guide compiled by a local to the finest picnicking spots in the area coupled with suggestions of go-to markets and eateries to fulfill the all-important food element of your idyllic, summer picnic. 

In so many ways, Traverse City is defined by the water. This area was 20,000 years in the making when massive glaciers melted and cut gouges in the earth that became the Great Lakes. It was worth the wait. Today, it doesn’t matter if you are on, in, under, or just sightseeing; enjoying the beauty of the fresh, blue water, is an important part of any Traverse City vacation. 

One bite is all it takes. One bite when the red juice drips down your chin and you rotate your face so the sweet nectar doesn’t stain your shirt. Take that first bite of a northern Michigan strawberry and you will be spoiled for life. No other berry will compare. The problem is this sweet strawberry season only lasts a little over two weeks. After the harvest, you count the days until the next season starts. 

Throughout the past couple of years you might have gotten outside more and really ramped up your exercise, pushing yourself and logging more miles than ever, on foot or bike … or, you’ve experienced something on the other end of the spectrum as you’ve felt a little less inspired during the pandemic. (I can relate—I’m somewhere in the middle of this, trying at times to locate my motivation.) 

On this Global Running Day, June 1 — a worldwide celebration of running that encourages people of all ages and abilities to get moving — there’s no better time to reignite our love of moving and placing one foot in front of the other. Let’s be inspired by the many people who have turned to running (and other forms of exercise) as a solution to help release anxiety, gain perspective, cope with cabin fever, and keep up wellbeing. As organizers of this day say, “let’s run together to reflect upon the challenges we’ve faced and how our communities have endured.”

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. 

Don’t let your golf game hibernate this winter. There’s no need to fly to warmer climates to keep your skills sharp when the snow flies. There are creative ways to keep the swing, and the body, in golf shape in and around Traverse City during the offseason. 

If islands could talk, then Power Island would speak loudly of legends. This 200-acre island that sits north of Traverse City on West Grand Traverse Bay is currently owned by Grand Traverse County. It is a playground for swimming, hiking, boating, or just relaxing.

But there is a deep history

Photo: Noah Jurik

A one hour drive out of Traverse City will take you to one of the most breathtaking views of Lake Michigan to be found anywhere! 

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of the most beautiful and amazing places in the country. And it’s only a short drive from downtown Traverse City! Here are 10 ways to explore Sleeping Bear.