Blog

Each year people flock to Traverse City to see one of Mother Nature's most beautiful displays - the cherry blossoms. The blossoms blanket the miles of rolling hills throughout the area, and with the amount of attention they draw it's fair to say there are plenty of questions that go along with them!

In the midst of the morning rush—breakfast-making, backpack-grabbing, everyone scattering in different directions for the day—I remember to pull out a favorite pair of black running shorts and a red short-sleeve top to take with me. And shoes. Don’t forget your running shoes.  While I often log miles from my house on the east side of town—the Vasa Pathway , one of our area’s premier trail systems, is within steps of our neighborhood—I like mixing up my running routine and will head to favorite routes throughout Traverse City.

At this time of the year in northern Michigan, all eyes are focused on this beautiful season we call spring, when birds are singing, orchards are blooming and the air carries that earthy scent of newness.

May in Traverse City means the wonderful arrival of the cherry blossoms. They are the quintessential symbol of spring, a sign of new life, the approaching summer months, and the delicious fruit. And of course, living in the Cherry Capital gives us extra reasons to toast to these beautiful, white flowers.

Is there anything better than those first few days of spring when you can leave your jacket at home when it's time to venture outside? I love hiking in all seasons, but nothing quite matches that first hike on a warm spring day after what seems like 10 months of winter! We're lucky to have dozens of fantastic hiking spots throughout the region, but here are a few hidden gems you might not know about.

Four years ago, my wife Heather and I rented a house on the Leelanau Peninsula, just to the south and west of Northport. We had recently become a family of five -- our twin girls were 11 months old and our oldest daughter had just turned four.  It was a long weekend getaway at a time when we were considering a move to Traverse City from our home in metro Detroit. We loved Traverse City, and had visited many times, but never in May. 

It’s easy to get overwhelmed on vacation, and even easier to spend more money than you have. Luckily, Traverse City has plenty of options for families on a budget – and we’ve found the most fun, easy, and beautiful ways for you to enjoy one of the best cities America has to offer. 

Hard as it may be to believe sometimes, spring is upon us – and with spring comes one of America’s most wonderful and least hyped floral displays: the mid-May blossoming of the cherries in the orchards surrounding Grand Traverse Bay.

  In the forests of Northern Michigan, springtime promises the warmth of sunshine, a welcome symphony of birdsong, the brilliance and scent of woodland flowers -- and an eagerly-awaited gastronomic treat.

By MIKE NORTON Hiking in the Traverse City area can be fun in every season, but spring is one of the best times to be out on the trail! Why? Well, partly because it’s such a delight to be out on the