From lighthouses and dunes to cold beer and fine wines, Traverse City is a group travel hotspot tucked into the northwest corner of Michigan
Traverse City is a dream destination for group travelers. Its thriving agri-tourism culture boasts award-winning wineries, top-notch eateries, hundreds of miles of biking and hiking trails, historic lighthouses and the sort of welcoming environment that leaves guests feeling safe and comfortable. As you sit down to map out your trip, remember that Traverse City makes vacationing easy–with lots of laughs along the way.
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Traverse City’s Top Places to Eat and Drink
First on the menu: wine. Yes, Traverse City is a foodie town with a multitude of farm-to-table goodies–more on that later–but the Traverse Wine Coast, with nearly 50 wineries and two wine-growing regions along the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas, is a must-visit attraction. Guests come for the award-winning flavors and stay for the breathtaking panoramic views, not to mention live music performances in one of Michigan’s most awe-inspiring, photogenic locales.
For those seeking delicious food to accompany their whites and reds, there are restaurants ready to serve you some of the Midwest’s most scrumptious dishes, from Mexican fare at Mama Lu’s to Italian deliciousness at Trattoria Stella. Anyone looking for an exceptional ale should stop at the Filling Station Microbrewery, where guests pair flatbreads and salads with house-brewed beers in a vintage train depot. Finish your day off with a cone at Moomers Homemade Ice Cream, which was voted the best ice cream in the United States.
Outdoor Adventures in Traverse City, MI
Along miles of Lake Michigan shoreline sits Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, its towering hills of sand having delighted families for decades. Kids enjoy sprints up the slopes as their parents look out over the glistening waters, waves crashing onto the beaches below. There is no better way to explore the coast of Lake Michigan than in Traverse City, where the dunes make serenity feasible amid the hustle and bustle of group travel.
The next bit of outdoor fun comes on the waters of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. Group activities there are seemingly unlimited: a cruise on a two-deck touring vessel, a ride on a tall ship, and a spin on a catamaran are just some of the options available on the Bay. Looking for something to whet your intellectual appetite and expand your mind? The Inland Seas Education Association allows visitors to learn about the Great Lakes ecology in between water-based activities.
Finally, those ready to return to land should check out the four lighthouses situated throughout Traverse City: Mission Point Lighthouse, Point Betsie Lighthouse, Grand Traverse Lighthouse and Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse. They are majestic, not just as they ignite the sky under glowing stars but during daytime, too, as they symbolize the Midwest’s maritime lore. The Wolverine State has more lighthouses than any other state, so be sure not to miss these sensational landmarks.
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Cherry Picking Near Traverse City
Most of Michigan’s sweet cherry production is concentrated in the Traverse City area. Many of the golden sweet varieties are made into maraschino cherries. The cherry season starts in July and can last into August. The countryside is dotted with stands, markets, and u-pick signs offering cartons of sweet, dark cherries. Traverse City’s cherries are so renowned, it has hosted a National Cherry Festival since 1925.
Begun as the Blessing of the Blossoms, the event was a way to celebrate the area’s abundant cherry crop. It’s one of the country’s largest and most popular festivals, drawing more than 500,000 people in its eight days. The fest features an air show, rides and attractions and a slew of favorite food items including Gibby’s Fries and smoked turkey legs plus a variety of fare from local restaurants. Premier performers take center stage for live concerts.
History and Hands-On Experiences in Michigan
History enthusiasts should rejoice: Traverse City boasts some of the finest museums in the country. The Dennos Museum houses the largest collection of Inuit art of the Canadian Arctic, featuring exhibits that showcase a mix of historical and contemporary art. There is also the Music House Museum, which has a large number of rare automated musical instruments and offers fascinating group tours.
But this town is more than just art and music. Visitors can also find enrichment through hands-on experiences, like behind-the-scenes tours of breweries, wineries, factories, and distilleries. And if your group is interested in a particular subject matter, Northwestern Michigan College’s Adult Education Department can set up classes to give your group a hands-on fun and educational experience on nearly any given topic.
Four Seasons of Enjoyment in Traverse City
While some of the activities listed above might cater better to certain times of year, Traverse City attractions in general are fun across all seasons. Spring is for cherry blossoms: as trees burst into action along winding country roads, you will feel revived from the winter months, ready for a group tour that leaves lasting impressions.
Summer features long days, glowing warmth, and the chance to splash along the coast of Lake Michigan. When your group opts to leave the beach for a day, summer festivals and rounds of golf await. Then, when autumn arrives, visitors tend to embark on apple picking or walking around a corn maze. Just be sure not to get lost–it is best to save time for a relaxing drive along the winding roads, observing the red and gold of the changing fall leaves. Finally, winter brings colder days but more opportunities for fun, from a horse-drawn carriage ride to a walk along a snowshoe trail. Traverse City embraces the winter, when returning home after a long day of adventure means settling in next to a warm fire, hot cocoa in hand.
Are you convinced of Traverse City’s appeal? If descriptions of fine wines and Lake Michigan adventures weren’t enough for you, consider all the accolades this Midwestern wonder has garnered. CNN Travel listed it as one of the 24 best places to visit in 2024; ABC’s Good Morning America named it the most beautiful place in the country; Reader’s Digest said it was one of the most underrated cities worth a visit. The list goes on, as do the possibilities when you decide to visit Traverse City, where culinary delights and historical treasures await on the shores of Lake Michigan.
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