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City in Michigan
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Haem85 at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Traverse City is a scenic city on the Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. Directly north of Traverse City, the Old Mission Peninsula splits the Grand Traverse Bay in two, with a beautiful windswept landscape and great views of the bay on either side. Slightly to the west, the Leelanau Peninsula, with its charming small towns, forms the "pinkie finger" of the Michigan peninsula, jutting into Lake Michigan. Both peninsulas are prime winemaking regions within the state, and as such are one of the main tourist attractions in the region. Over a million visitors come each year to tour the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a scenic lakeside park with impressively large sand dunes. It's also a very popular destination for outdoor activities, owing to the proximity of Lake Michigan in summer, the impressive autumn colors, and the high snowfalls in winter.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Built in 1870 on the 45th parallel, and decommissioned in 1933, it now houses township employees. Located at the tip of the Old Mission peninsula, north of Traverse City.
Founded in 1951, now Northwestern Lower Michigan’s largest resident performing arts organization and only professional orchestra.
1891 opera house under renovation and restoration. Theatre productions and dancing.
Created in 1960 to bring amateur theatre to northern Michigan, now boasting a 358-seat mainstage auditorium and an 80-seat studio theatre.
Exhibitions and programs in the visual arts, sciences, and performing arts since 1991. Features three changing exhibit galleries, a sculpture court, a hands-on Discovery Gallery, an Inuit art gallery, the Milliken Auditorium and a museum store.
A one-of-a-kind collection of rare antique musical instruments and music-making machines, from 1870 through 1930.
A 1500-square-foot building offering public viewings once or twice a month; check the website for schedules.
Occasionally hosts events
Card games, roulette and craps. On-site Misheekeh Restaurant and Creekside Cafe.
Home of the Detroit Red Wings training camp, as well as ice skating, hockey, fitness center and hockey camps. It also has a store inside for hockey apparel and various items.
Multicolored, seven-story-tall hot air balloons flights over the Grand Traverse Bay area. One-hour sunrise or sunset flights with champagne celebration.
Paragliding down sand dunes near Lake Michigan.
A 195-acre four-season resort on the Boardman River, surrounded by the Pere Marquette State Forest. Horseback riding, trail rides, canoeing, inner tubing, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, fly fishing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, sports, backpacking, morel hunting, hayrides and more. Motel rooms, bunkhouse and camping available. On-site lodge restaurant.
Open 10AM to 11PM daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day; call for hours during the rest of the season (late April to early October). 18-hole championship adventure golf courses, water coaster, go-carts, bumper boats, kiddy cars, arcade game room. Adults $7.50-13, children $6.50-11. Pirate's cove is an outdoor activity
Ski boats, pontoons and wave runners for rent. Hourly, daily and weekly.
Or 1995 US-31 N or 2345 US-31 N. Snowmobile, jet ski, water trampoline, deck boat, pontoon boat, jet boat, ski boat and kayak rentals. Guided tours available.
Bellaire, MI. Full service marina on Torch Lake, Chain of Lakes providing Pontoon Rentals, Guest Slips, Season Slips, Sales, Service, Storage, Parts & Accessories, Convenience Store & Fuel Dock.
Ski boat, jet boat, jet ski, pontoon boat, water ski, knee board, wake board, tubes and water trampoline rentals. Boats $325-385 for 8 hours; jet skis $45-290, pontoon boats $215-385; water trampolines $195.
The minimum weight is 40-50 pounds and maximum of 300-500 pounds depending on wind conditions. It's $75 for a single ride for 800 feet of line. Additional discounts for tandem or triples rides are available.
Two-hour to three-day sailing adventures, wine tasting cruises, astronomy cruises, entertainment nights, bed and breakfast sailing trips. Two-hours cruises $33-40.
1½- to 3-hour cruises, including a kids' cruise, happy hour cruise and sunset champagne cruise. Rentals also available for waverunners, powerboats, paddle boats, escape sailboats, water trampolines, jetboats, single and double kayaks, hobie cat sailboats and pontoon boats.
Gourmet all-inclusive yacht charters on Northern Lake Michigan.
Guided Fly fishing is a great way to see the area and sites as well as experience some great fly fishing. All equipment is provided and the experience is one always remembered.
Offers 4-hour charter trips to East or West Grand Traverse Bays or Lake Michigan for salmon or lake trout. $300-400.
Organizers of the Big Jon Invitational and the Grand Traverse Salmon Classic, held in early September.
Salmon & trout fishing charters from the port of Frankfort & the Grand Traverse Bays.
14 ski runs. 2 chair lifts. Tube run. Rentals available. Serving a full dinner menu daily in the lodge. Full service bar. Lift tickets $7 - $33.
Over 100 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. 2½-hour 25-mile guided tours available.
18-hole championship golf course and practice green. On-site Mulligan's Pub and Grill and golf shop. Customized group outings available.
18 holes, par 72. On-site The Brook lounge.
In Williamsburg.
Held during a week in early July since 1926, to celebrate and promote cherries, tourism and community involvement. Cherry cuisine tasting, cherry pit spitting contest, cherry pie eating, cherry pancake breakfast, cherry buffet lunch, cherry industry information, Cherryopoly tournament, golf contest, beach volleyball tournament, sand sculpture contest, skateboarding tournament, kiteboarding demonstration, races, air show, classic film showings, arts and crafts fair, games, swing dancing, ice cream social, area tours, parades and fireworks.
Held in late July and early August. Six full days of "just great" movies in three classic theatres, and nighttime classic movies free of charge shown on an inflatable outdoor screen overlooking the bay.
Held in early August. Exhibits, animal shows, carnival, midway rides, harness racing, horse pulls, demo derby, llama and alpaca obstacle course, and go-cart races.
Specialty coffees, teas and a large selection of soups and sandwiches.
Open Monday through Saturday from 11AM for lunch and 5 to 10PM for dinner, and Sunday 9AM-3PM for brunch. Eclectic European cuisine. Seasonal menu with dishes like chicken with poblano and mushrooms, fetuccine with pancetta and leeks, and pork with smoky peanut mole. $12 - $30.
Fish, Salads, ribs and steak.
Appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, Tex-Mex, desserts. $6.50 - $16.
A 1958 drive-in diner serving soups, award-winning burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, fried appetizers, milkshakes and malts. There's a dining room and a picnic area, but why go to a drive-in if you're not going to eat in your car? Try the half-pound Big D burger and their fruit-laden cherry milkshakes. $3 - 12.
The Burrow
The recommended dishes at this establishment are the Key Lime Pie, Mussels Appetizer, Lobster Roll, Hamburger and Crab Cake.
Over 30 varieties of gourmet pie, including five varieties of cherry pie made with local cherries, and six varieties of Michigan apple pie. Baked goods, soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and quiche. Be sure to try the popular Grand Traverse cherry cobbler pie.
Locals say it's the best steakhouse in town.
Fantastic menu options for the whole family. Award winning handcrafted beers brewed on site!
Prime Rib night every Friday.
French bistro and bakery. Try their mochas, salmon crêpes, pissaladière, coq au vin, steak frites and pear-almond tartlets.
Very popular Mexican restaurant. Appetizers, soups and salads, tacos and tostadas, Mexican specialties, desserts. Great selection of vegetarian choices and an extensive tequila list as well.
Waterfront dining, specializing in seafood and ribs. Appetizers, flatbreads, salads, tacos al carbon, seafood plates, grilled specialties, desserts.
One of Michigan's oldest saloons, with its original tin ceiling. Appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, entrees and Mexican dishes.
"Stellas"
Italian fare. Wine bar and wine classes available. Antipasti, cheese plates, salads, pasta, and meats inspired by Italian cuisine.
Try the locally known pasty (PASS-tee).
Home of the stuffed burger. Full menu, open year round.
A pub known for its good food and drink, also known for having a generous gluten-free menu. It is accepting of all. It has trivia nights on Wednesdays and live music events. It has an attached restaurant with excellent service. It also has a dog-friendly patio.
Pizzeria using dough & sauce made in house, offering a rooftop deck with panoramic views and outdoor dining and fully wheelchair accessible.
Fine dining, offering à-la-carte, 5 & 7 courses with optional wine pairing. Michigan cuisine, with techniques and ingredients from Michigan culture.
Historical General store on the Old Mission Peninsula. Food, wine, beer, spirits, gifts, ice cream, antiques, pizza, Deli.
21 white, rose, red, sparkling and fruit wines, including spiced cherry and Cherritage, made from Old Mission Peninsula cherries.
12 dry white, dry red and sweet wines.
Award-winning wines, occasional ice wine, and eau de vie. Tapas tours and cooking classes available.
28 Riesling, Chardonnay, specialty red and white wines, and fruit wines. Try the cherry wine sangria and the spiced cherry wine.
18 red, white, fruit and dessert wines.
Burgers, sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, seafood. Outdoor patio with live entertainment. Try their Black and Blue burger.
Large selection of beers and pinball. Try the CEO Stout.
On the site formerly occupied by the Right Brain Brewery (see above). Dog-friendly patio. Live music 4 nights per week.
There's been a bar at this site since 1891, today it's a venue with focus on live music.
Local and international beers and wines. Five televisions, one fish tank.
Voted "Best Place to Dance" in Traverse City. Live music, intelligent light show, nationally recognized sound system. On-site Streeters Grille and Bar, Liquid Lounge and billiards room.
48 rooms. Heated indoor pool, hot tub, sauna. Complimentary continental breakfast. Whirlpool and fireplace rooms available.
6 motel rooms, 8 cottages.
74 rooms. Indoor heated pool, hot tub, game room. Complimentary expanded continental breakfast. Hot tub loft rooms available.
182 rooms. Heated indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center. Complimentary continental breakfast.
10 rooms.
85 rooms. Indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center. Complimentary continental breakfast. Whirlpool rooms available.
39 rooms. 20 rooms include heart-shaped spas. Exercise room, video arcade game room. Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast.
15 rooms; 9 singles (no telephone), 4 doubles (with kitchenettes) and 2 cottages. Open May through October. Standard rooms $39 - 89, kitchenette rooms $59 - 109, cottages $69 - 139.
45 rooms.
35 rooms. Heated outdoor pool, indoor pool, spa, exercise room. Complimentary continental breakfast. Whirlpool rooms available.
15 rooms. Pool, waterslide.
21 rooms. Private beach and boardwalk. Complimentary deluxe breakfast bar.
66 rooms. Complimentary continental breakfast. Whirlpool and fireplace rooms available.
Provides free continental breakfast, free WiFi, outdoor pool and spa, and is dog-friendly. Rooms renovated as of 2016.
24 1- and 2-bedroom suites. Fireplace and jacuzzi suites available. Heated pool, outdoor whirlpool.
Traverse City. 6 Bedroom, 3 bath home on Cedar Run River. Sleeps 18.
3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Home on sandy Silver Lake.
119 rooms. Heated indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center. Complimentary continental breakfast.
120 rooms. Indoor pool and whirlpool, fitness room, game room. Complimentary breakfast and newspaper. Spa and fireplace suites available.
Beachfront rooms, spa rooms available.
83 rooms. Heated indoor pool, hot tub. On-site Courtyard Cafe. Whirlpool and fireplace rooms available.
47 rooms. Indoor heated pool, hot tub. Complimentary continental breakfast.
97 rooms. Private balconies, indoor heated swimming pool, hot tub. Complimentary continental breakfast.
125 rooms. Heated indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center. Complimentary continental breakfast.
179 rooms. Jacuzzi rooms available. Indoor and outdoor pool. Two on-site restaurants (CW's Blue Water Bistro and Wingers Sports Bar) and nightclub (Shimmers Nightclub).
140 rooms. Indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, exercise room.
Indoor heated pool, exercise room, deluxe continental breakfast. On-site cocktail lounge. Whirlpool, fireplace and kitchenette suites available.
96 rooms. Indoor pool and hot tub. Complimentary continental breakfast.
83 rooms. Private balconies, heated indoor swimming pool, heated indoor spa, game room.
61 rooms. 24-hour indoor pool and spa, game room. Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast. Jacuzzi rooms available.
Gas log fireplace and double-headed showers. Indoor heated pool with adjoining spa. Spa rooms available.
Luxury condominiums in downtown Traverse City.
Open year round. On Cedar Lake. 4-bedroom, 2-bath new home with cedar tongue and groove throughout most of home. Free pontoon boat, water trampoline, kayaks, pool table, PS2, boat dock, swing set, sand box, fir pit, paddle boat, fireplace and games.
78 rooms. Suites, whirlpool suites, fireplace suites and 2-bedroom apartments available. Balconies, Playstation 2, bathroom television, heated indoor pool, complimentary continental breakfast.
Guest spa rooms overlooking the bay. 2-person spa, 2-person shower, gas log fireplace.
In Acme. 238 hotel rooms, 186 tower rooms, and 190 condominiums. Named among the Top 50 travel destinations by Condé Nast Traveler, and a Golf Magazine Silver Medal Resort. Three world-class golf courses, full-service spa, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, beach club, gallery of shops, six on-site restaurants and lounges.
281 suites. 51,000-square-foot indoor entertainment area, waterpark, arcade, children's craft and activity room, spa, fitness room and outdoor pool. Two on-site restaurants, the Loose Moose Cottage and the Camp Critter Bar and Grille.
Part of the Boyne collection of resorts. European styled world class resort. Hotel is slope side.
Vacation rentals managed by Northern Shores Vacation Rentals, LLC. 13 luxury suites to choose from. All suites are 2 bedroom - 2 bathrooms. Resort enjoys an outside-bayside pool with hot tub & 330ft of private East Bay shoreline along the "miracle mile." Suites are a must see. Rates are weekly during summer from $2,200 - 3,000/week.
Studio, 1- and 2-bedroom units. Indoor heated pool, whirpool, sauna, exercise room, game room.
52 rooms. Bayside rooms, jacuzzi whirlpool, heated bayside pool.
1- to 3-bedroom residences equipped with gourmet kitchens, jetted tubs, gas fireplaces, and private decks overlooking the lake. Indoor pool, children's play area, arcade.
9 rooms, 2 2-bedroom carriage house apartments. Restored 1905 mansion with period furnishings.
3 rooms.
5 rooms.
3 rooms.
3 rooms. Gourmet Northern Michigan fusion with Tuscan/Provence breakfasts. Working farm and vineyard with U-Pick grapes. Boat and breakfast available.
6 rooms.
3 rooms.
3 rooms.
3 rooms.
13 cabins. Open from early May to November 1st. Completely furnished with kitchenettes, outdoor grills, shuffleboard and basketball courts, and beach play center.
4 cottages.
30 rooms. Heated outdoor pool, hot tub. Full kitchens, sundecks, beachfront. Whirlpool rooms available.
Premium Michigan dried cherries, cherry jams and preserves, tart cherry concentrate, condiments, cherry gifts, cherry gift boxes and baskets, bath and kitchen products, dried cherry recipes, CherryFlex, cherry capsules, nutraceuticals, dried blueberries, cranberries and strawberries, cherry trail mixes and blends, and more.
Selling wines and specialty products since 1978.
Northwest lower Michigan's independent, family-owned bookstore since 1961.
Unique array of local shops and boutiques
Over 100 shops and restaurants, movie theater with 9 screens.
Former shopping complex, AMC Cherry Blossom and IMAX theater, Hobby Lobby, & Oryana Co-Op, Outback Steakhouse, other pop-up stores & businesses
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Traverse City · Regional · TVC
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