Traverse City Accolades

Those of us who live in Traverse City already know what a special place it is. Just the same, it’s always nice to hear what others say about this great town and its surroundings. Here’s a list of national rankings that the Traverse City area has received over the last few years.


2025 Accolades

The best Midwest winter getaways for families (January 2025) - Time Out

2024 Accolades

10 Unforgettable Small Towns To Visit In The Great Lakes Region (January 2024) - World Atlas

The 24 Best Places in the World to Visit in 2024 (January 2024) - CNN Travel

51 Most Romantic Places in the U.S. (January 2024) - Travel + Leisure

11 Ideal Destinations For A 3-Day Weekend In Michigan (February 2024) - World Atlas

10 Best Places to Celebrate Cherry Blossom Season Across the United States (March 2024) - Matador Network

40 Vacation Spots the Whole Family Will Love | Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (March 2024) - The Today Show

40 Most Scenic Drives in America (April 2024) - Reader's Digest

15 Best Midwest Wineries Worthy of a Getaway (April 2024) - TimeOut

13 Best Small Towns in Michigan for a Charming Getaway (April 2024) - Travel + Leisure

The Best Bike Trails in Each US State (April 2024) - MSN

The Best Small Towns in the USA (May 2024) - TimeOut

The Best Weekend Escapes from Chicago (May 2024) - Observer

10 Best Beaches in Michigan (May 2024) - USA Today

The Most Beautiful Hikes That Show Off The Great Lakes (June 2024) - Explore

The 16 Best Places to Go for the Fourth of July (June 2024) - U.S News & World Report 

6 Beaches to Love This July 4 (and All Summer Long) (July 2024) - New York Times

10 Best Beach Towns in Michigan (July 2024) - PureWow

8 Towns In Michigan With The Best Downtown Areas In 2024 (July 2024) - World Atlas

The best beaches in the US for summer trips (July 2024) - The Points Guy

10 Small U.S. Towns You Can Visit Without a Car (August 2024) - Travel + Leisure

30 Great Midwest Fall Color Getaways (August 2024) - Midwest Living

6 Undiscovered Small Towns in the Great Lakes Region (September 2024) - World Atlas

The Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the United States (September 2024) - The Pioneer Woman

6 of the Most Walkable Towns in the Great Lakes (September 2024) - World Atlas

7 Towns in the Great Lakes Region with Vibrant Downtown Areas (September 2024) - World Atlas

The coziest small US towns to visit this fall (September 2024) - Lonely Planet

America's Most Charming Main Streets, Ranked (September 2024) - MSN

The Best Small Town in Every State of the US (October 2024) - The Quick Report

The 14 Best Weekend Getaways from Chicago (October 2024) - U.S. News

The Best Wineries (and More) to Visit in Michigan Right Now (October 2024) - Wine Enthusiast

10 Best Places to Go in 2025 (December 2024) - Wall Street Journal

2023 Accolades

2024 Family Travel Awards: Must-See City (November 2023) - Good Housekeeping

The Most Exciting Foodie Town in Michigan (November 2023) - Love Food

13 Top Places To Visit In Michigan In The Fall (October 2023) - World Atlas

10 Quaint Fall Getaways In The Midwest To Book For A Colorful Trip  (October 2023) - The Travel

12 Best U.S. Road Trips to See Fall Foliage (August 2023) - BestLife

9 Best Small Towns in America for Every Type of Traveler (August 2023) - Men's Journal 

Find the Best of Leaf Peeping in Traverse City, Michigan ( August 2023) - Global Traveler USA

6 Great Destinations for Fall Foliage Hikes (August 2023) - WhereverFamily

8 Incredible Lighthouses to Visit in the U.S. and Canada (August 2023) - Outdoors

The 10 Best US Destinations For Wine Tourism In 2023 (July 2023) - The Travel

10 Most Beautiful Towns to Visit on the Great Lakes This Summer (June 2023) - The Travel

16 Best Places to Visit in Michigan According to Locals (June 2023) - Travel + Leisure

13 Towns in The Northern United States that Have the Best Main Streets (June 2023) - World Atlas

10 Best Lake Towns in the U.S. (June 2023) - BestLife

Budget Travel's Coolest Small Towns 2023 (May 2023) - Budget Travel

The U.S. Destinations Travel Experts Return to Again and Again (May 2023) - HuffPost

5 Lighthouses Where You Can Be an Overnight Keeper (April 2023) - Smithsonian Magazine

15 Most Underrated American Cities Worth a Visit (April 2023) - Reader's Digest

Top Golf Getaways Around the World (April 2023) - Luxury Travel Magazine

The 15 Best Lake Beaches in the USA (March 2023) - Fodor's Travel

16 Summer Vacation Ideas for an Unforgettable Family Experience (March 2023) - Good Housekeeping

The 10 Best Road Trips to Take With Your Family This Summer (March 2023) - The Points Guy

7 Underrated Cities for Wine Lovers in the US (March 2023) - Viator

10 Unlikely Cherry Blossom Destinations in the U.S. (March 2023) - Travel + Leisure

3 MI Cities on 'America's Favorite Small Towns To Visit' List (March 2023) - Patch

10 Underrated U.S. Destinations to Check Out This Spring (March 2023) - Travel Off Path

Athlete Choice Awards - Best Race Venue (March 2023), IRONMAN 70.3 in Frankfort

The 9 Most Picturesque Small Towns in Michigan (March 2023) - World Atlas

The Best Place to See Cherry Blossoms in the US (March 2023) - USA Today

10 Cities Known for Food and Drink in the USA (February 2023) - The Travel

The 39 Most Beautiful Main Streets Across America (February 2023) - Architectural Digest

20 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the U.S. (January 2023) - Travel & Leisure

12 Best Family Ski Resorts in North America/Crystal Mountain (January 2023) - Condé Nast Traveler

2022 Accolades

12 Best Romantic Getaways in Michigan You'll Love (December 2022) - MSN

14 Can't - Miss Food Festivals, Cooking Events and Cocktail Conferences to Hit this Year (January 2023) - Parade 

The Craziest New Year's Eve Ball Drops in the U.S. (December 2022) - Time Out

The 23 Best Places to Go in the U.S. in 2023 (December 2022) - Condé Nast Traveler

12 Best Places to Buy a Lake House in the U.S. (November 2022) - Travel & Leisure 

6 'Coziest' Small Towns in Michigan to Visit this Winter (October 2022) - MLive

The Best Ski Resorts in the U.S./Crystal Mountain (October 2022) - U.S. News & World Report 

Premier Affordable Area to Retire in the US (August 2022) - Herald Review (Realtor.com)

8 Most Charming Towns Towns in the U.S. for a Fall Getaway (August 2022) - Best Life

USA Today Best Winery Hotel-Readers’ Choice 2022/Chateau Chantal (August 2022) - USA Today

The Most Accessible National Parks in the U.S./Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (July 2022) - Condé Nast Traveler 

Every State's Top Fourth of July Show (July 2022) - Travel Pulse

7 of the Most Outdoorsy Cities in the U.S. (June 2022) - Trip Trivia 

7 Secret Beaches that are Worth the Trip to Get There (May 2022) - Morningstar

The Most Beautiful Place in Each State (May 2022) - Travel & Leisure 

10 of the Best Scenic Drives in U.S. National Parks (May 2022) - Trip Trivia

6 Great US Wine Regions You Haven't Visited Yet and Should in 2022 (April 2022) - Lonely Planet

8 Pro Traveler's Best Road Trip Ideas (April 2022) - AARP 

8 Unexpected US Foodie Destinations (March 2022) - Lonely Planet

Midwest Living's Best of the Midwest Winners 2022 (February 2022) - Midwest Living 

Top 50 Beaches in the US for 2022/Sleeping Bear Dunes (January 2022) - Randall "Mr. Beach" Kaplan 

8 Charming Great Lake Beach Towns (January 2022) - World Atlas 

22 Places You Need to Travel to in 2022 (January 2022) - Matador Network

2021 Accolades

Most Female-Friendly Golf Trip Destinations: Crystal Mountain & Grand Traverse Resort and Spa (December 2021) - Golf Digest

The Best Midwest Ski Resorts to Visit this Winter (November 2021) - Midwest Living 

10 Best Wine Regions (October 2021) - USA Today 

15 Best Fall Foliage Road Trips in North America (September 2021) - Fodor's Travel 

Best County to Retire In Every State (August 2021) - MSN Money

25 Best Wineries in the United States (August 2021) - Reader's Digest

12 Best Family Summer Vacation Places in the U.S. (July 2021) - Readymade Travel Plans

27 Top Lake Vacations in the U.S. (June 2021) - U.S. News & World Report 

The Best Beaches in the U.S. That Are Nowhere Near the Ocean (June 2021) - Fodor's Travel 

2021 Best Beach Towns to Live In (June 2021) - WalletHub 

Beach Destinations to Visit this Summer (May 2021) - Outside How 

Small Town Beer Scene (March 2021) - USA Today, 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards

The Most Charming Historic Town in Every State, Northport (March 2021) - MSN Lifestyle

6 Scenic Midwest Roadtrips Perfect for Families (March 2021) - USA Today

25 Affordable US Travel Destinations (February 2021) - Travel Pulse 

The Best Staycation in All 50 States (February 2021) - tripsavvy 

Top 100 Spas in America (Crystal Mountain, January 2021) - Spas of America 

25 Best U.S. Golf and Ski Resorts (Crystal Mountain, January 2021) - NBC Golf Channel

2020 Accolades

Top 25 Family-Friendly Ski Resorts in North America (Crystal Mountain, December 2020) - Travel + Leisure 

Best Racing Cities in the US (November 2020) - RaceRaves

Family-Friendly Road Trips for Sun or Snow (October 2020) - Neamb

Stunning Fall Drives in Every State (October 2020) - MSN Travel

15 Best Thanksgiving Getaways for Families or Couples (October 2020) - Oprah Magazine

25 Best Wine Regions to Visit in the US (September 2020) - Travel Pulse

12 Best Places to Visit in Michigan (September 2020) - TripSavvy

The Best Daytrips in Every State (September 2020) - Reader's Digest

Most Vibrant Arts City (September 2020) - SMU Data Arts

The Most Beautiful Lake Towns in America (September 2020) - The Active Times

The Best Road Trips in the U.S. (August 2020) - Outside 

The Most Charming Main Streets in America (August 2020) - MSN Travel

21 Best Winter Getaways to Start Planning Now (August 2020) - The Oprah Magazine

9 Quaint Michigan Beach Towns You Must Visit (August 2020) - Travel Awaits

The Best Road Trips in America: All the Great Lakes (August 2020) - Fodor's Travel 

10 Best Road Trips From Chicago for a Weekend Getaway (July 2020) - MSN Travel

Coastal Scenic Drives You Can Take in North America (July 2020) - USA Today

The Best Hikes in the U.S. (July 2020) - Conde Nast Traveler

Michigan's Best of 2020 Winners (Summer 2020) - Michigan Meetings + Events

The Ultimate American Wine Road Trip (July 2020) - Matador Network 

The Sweetest Small Towns in the U.S. to Visit in Summer (July 2020) - AFAR

2020’s Best Beach Towns to Live In (June 2020) - WalletHub 

8 Best Road Trips to Take in the Midwest (June 2020) - Trip Savvy

7 Best Road Trips in the Midwest (June 2020) - Travel + Leisure 

Most Picturesque Beach Towns in the US (June 2020) - Woman's Day

The Must-Visit Small Town in Every State (June 2020) - Thrillist

6 Best Road Trips from Chicago (May 2020) - Travel + Leisure

The Perfect Weekend Getaway: Traverse City from Chicago (May 2020) - Fodor's Travel

10 Affordable Places to Retire on the Water (May 2020) -  U.S. News and World Report

10 Best Social Distancing Travel Destinations In The USA (May 2020) - Pub Club

The Most Beautiful Lake Towns in America (April 2020) - MSN Travel 

11 Top-Rated Beaches in Michigan (April 2020) - Planet Wire

7 Best City-to-Sea Getaways (March 2020) - Family Vacation Critic

Best Cities to Retire In (March 2020) - Lists For All

16 US Destinations To Visit If you Want to Spot Cherry Blossoms (March 2020) - BuzzFeed

The 23 Best Summertime Buddies Trip Golf Destinations (February 2020) - Golf Digest

The Prettiest Towns in the USA (February 2020) - Conde Nast Traveler

America's 50 Best Cities to Live (February 2020) - MSN Money 

The Best US Road Trips for the Entire Family (February 2020) - Lonely Planet 

Best Places to Visit in Michigan (February 2020) - U.S. News 

Best Destinations for Baby Boomer Woman in 2020 (February 2020) - AARP Travel Center - Expedia 

20 Midwest Destination to Visit with Your Family in 2020 (February 2020) - Chicago Parent

2019 Accolades

Top Travel Destinations in North America for 2020 (December 2019) - Mike's Road Trip

Michigan Wine Destination (November 2019) – Market Watch

America's Fastest-Growing Beachfront Retirement Towns (September 2019) - Coastal Living

50 Best Cities to Live in the US (September 2019) - USA Today Money

10 Small Towns In America That Should Be On Your Travel Bucket List (September 2019) - The Travel

14 Idyllic Fall Family Vacations Across the US (September 2019) - TripAdvisor

Great American Beach Towns that are Dirt Cheap in September (August 2019) - Thrillist 

Top Wine Region, Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail (August 2019) - USA Today 10Best

The Best Places to Visit With Your Dog (July 2019) - Reviews.com

25 of the Best Running Trails in the U.S. (July 2019) - Runner's World

Top 10 Places to Visit in Michigan (July 2019) - Travel Channel

The Best 4th of July Fireworks in Every U.S. State (June 2019) - Travel & Leisure 

2019's Best Beach Towns to Live In (June 2019) - Wallet Hub

Best Convention & Visitors Bureau (May 2019) - Michigan Meetings + Events 

20 Beach Towns You Need to Visit This Summer (June 2019) - Country Living

The Sweetest Small Towns in the U.S. to Visit this Summer (May 2019) - MSN

17 Amazing Places to Take Your Summer Vacation This Year (May 2019) - Thrillist

12 Best Michigan Vacation Ideas for All Seasons (April 2019) - Trips to Discover 

10 Unexpected Bachelorette Party Destinations (March 2019) - Travel Channel 

7 Best Beaches in the Midwest (March 2019) - Trips to Discover 

10 Awesome Vacations Your Fishing Family Will Love (March 2019) - Step Outside 

48 of the Best Road Trip Destinations in the U.S. for Families (February 2019) - Country Living 

North America's 18 Best Lake Towns (For Relaxation or Adventue) (February 2019) - TripAdvisor 

The Best Trips of 2018 According to Travel Experts (January 2019) - Travelocity

2018 Accolades

Affordable U.S. Destinations for 2019 (December 2018) - AARP

Best Five Destinations In the USA for Sparkling Wine Lovers (December 2018) - Glass of Bubbly 

9 Unique Ways to Celebrate New Years Eve (November 2018) - MidwestLiving 

5 Most Romantic Getaways in Michigan (October 2018) - trekbible

Top 20 Cities to Retire In (October 2018) - ListsforAll.com 

Best Wine Region: Leelanau Peninsula Named No. 3 (Oct. 2018) – USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice

The 25 Coolest Towns in America: 2018 (October 2018) - Matador Network 

Best Beach - Sleeping Bear Dunes (September 2018) - Budget Travel Awards

10 Most Beautiful Towns in the World (September 2018) - Select City Magazine 

7 Emerging American Wine Regions to Visit Now (August 2018) - Vogue

8 Dreamy Beach Towns for Entrepreneurs (August 2018) - Livability

30 Most Beautiful Main Streets Across America (August 2018) - Architectural Digest 

7 Small Beer Cities that Deserve National Attention (August 2018) - Thrillist

Most Arts-Vibrant Community (July 2018) - National Center for Arts Research

The Best Small Towns in the US for Summer Vacations (July 2018) - AFAR

The Best Coastal Towns in America (June 2018) - The Active Times

15 Most Underatted American Cities Worth a Visit (June 2018) - Reader's digest

America's Happiest Seaside Towns (June 2018) - Coastal Living 

Best Convention & Visitors Bureau (May 2018) - Michigan Meetings + Events 

16 Amazing Places to Take Your Summer Vacation this Year - Thrillist

Cheap Summer Travel: 23 Places To Go in 2018 (April 2018) - Forbes

The Most Under-the-Radar Food Towns in America (April 2018) - The Daily Meal

15 Best Vacations for Toddlers & Parents Alike (March 2018) - Trip Advisor 

The 20 Best Places to Go in 2018 (March 2018) - Money 

100 Most Popular Small Cities to Relocate (February 2018) - Move Buddha

23 Great American Small Cities to Visit in 2018 (February 2018) - Trip Advisor 

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