Originally Written June 2021
Traverse City, MI
Travese City is a growing small town. In the summer, it is a popular tourist destination. It is visited by millions of “fudgies” every year. That’s what us locals call the tourists. Probably because most tourists tend to buy a lot of fudge, but I’m not 100% sure. I was born and raised in this beautiful city that I call home. It really is the best with its beautiful bay views, miles of recreational trails, shopping, delicious restaurants and more! TC has both the small town feel and big city vibes. If you are looking for a lovely vacation destination, put this on your list! While there are endless things to do in Traverse City, below are just a few of the highlights!
Take a Hike
There are so many great trails around TC! My personal favorite is Maple Bay Natural area. It is a gorgeous loop that goes through the woods and along the shores of East Bay. It’s also a great spot for a picnic, hammocking, or swimming in the summer! The trails behind the Old State Hospital are also lovely! The Tart Trail is a paved trail that is great for walking, biking, rollerblading, long boarding and all the things. There is also the Vasa Trail which is better for more hardcore biking and walking. It’s a dirt trail through the woods, so I wouldn’t recommend trying to rollerblade or longboard down it!
P.S. The AllTrails app is a great tool for finding neat hiking spots!
Cool off in the Bay!
There are so many fantastic beaches around TC! Personally, I’m a fan of East Bay over West Bay because it is cleaner and less busy, but both are lovely! It feels so refreshing to cool off in the bay on those hot summer days! Those who are really motivated occasionally find joy in taking a polar plunge during the cooler months. I, however, am not one of those people, but whatever floats your boat!
Some of my favorite beaches in the TC Area are:
TC State Park Beach, The State Park Beach, Greilickville Park, Mission Point Lighthouse, Elk Rapids Beach, Fishtown Beach, and Maple Bay Natural Area
Take a Stroll Downtown
There are so many neat little shops and restaurants downtown! Things close relatively early though, so you probably want to make it a late morning or afternoon endeavor!
In the summer, make sure to stop by the Farmer’s Martket on Wednesday and Saturday mornings to buy some delicious local food items! It is so fun to stroll through the market, chat with the vendors, and snack on a fresh croissant from 9BeanRows. Literally, these croissants are heavenly! There is usually a rush from 10am-12pm, so the earlier you arrive the better!
Some of my Favorite Local Restaurants in and around TC are:
Coffee: Mundos Coffee Co. or Table 12 Coffeehouse
Breakfast: Omlette Shop or GT Pie Co.
Lunch: Mary’s Kitchen Port, Grand Traverse Pie Co., Bad Dog Deli, Fresh Coast Market, Folgarelli’s
Dinner: Apache Trout Grill, Firefly, North Peak, The Flying Noodle
Go Parasailing or Take a Helicopter Ride!
Personally, I am not afraid of heights, so these activities were so thrilling! But even if you are afraid of heights, it is worth the butterflies! The views are spectacular and the experience is breathtaking! They are a little on the pricy side, but it is worth every minute!
Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes has so many miles of lovely nature to explore. Pyramid Point is a short, but intense hike up a path to one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. I would definitely recommend doing this hike! Pierce Stocking Drive has beautiful scenery for the perfect afternoon drive through the woods! There are a few nice places to catch views and picnic as well.
If you visit Sleeping Bear, you have to do the Dune Climb. This is fun for all ages, but will most likley kick your butt. After you enjoy the views at the top and catch your breath, make sure to race back down and see who can make it first without face planting! If you have extra time, there is a nice trail at the top of the dunes that leads to Lake Michigan and makes for a relaxing afternoon hike! Empire Beach and Glen Haven have beautiful beaches that are also in the Sleeping Bear Area!
Take a Drive up the Peninsula
If you like driving or if you are just looking for something to do, I highly recommend taking a drive up the Old Mission Peninsula. Both Center Road and Peninsula Drive offer phenonmenal views. You will find Pelizarri Natural Area at the beginning of the drive which is one of my favorite places to hike! There are plenty of farm stands and wineries to stop at along the way! Finally, at the very end, you will find the Old Mission Lighthouse and a nice sandy beach. Old Mission General Store is one of the Peninsula’s hidden gems. They sell the best ice cream and the portion sizes are huge! There are also some really lovely gardens to visit, too! Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery and Black Star Farm Secret Garden are two of my favorites!
Grace Phelps 