Traverse City is a popular tourist destination on the northwest shoreline of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. It is filled with hiking and biking trails, miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, skiing, restaurants, and shops. There are so many activities and sights to experience! Below are 10 things to do in and around Traverse City.
1. Tour the Mission Point Lighthouse
The coast of Michigan boasts dozens of lighthouses. Mission Point Lighthouse is at the top of the Old Mission Peninsula just north of Traverse City. There is a parking lot less than 300 feet from the lighthouse. The grounds of the lighthouse are free and there is access to the beach as well.
To view the museum and climb into the tower, it is a $5 fee per person. We chose to take advantage of the opportunity and climbed to the top! It is a narrow opening with steep steps on the final staircase, so watch your head. From the tower, you can see beautiful views of the beach and Grand Traverse Bay.
Active from 1870 until 1933, the lighthouse offers a look into the area at the time. Also on the grounds is the Hessler Log Cabin. The historic cabin was built in the mid-1850s. Today it is furnished as was typical for the period. Most of the pieces were donated by the historical society or members of the community.
2. Check out the murals and sculptures
There are several art pieces open to the public in the city. Many people take selfies with the murals. Below are a few examples you can see while walking near the river.
- The River Guardian sculpture
- The River Guardian is 12-feet tall with a body made of a canoe. It overlooks the Boardman River. Nearby, there is a 15-foot weathervane made of canoe paddles and metal bowls.
- Traverse City Postcard mural
- #DowntownTC mural
- Wear Your Wings TC mural
- The Hummingbird mural
- TC Color Blocks mural
- The Fox mural
3. Visit Front Street and State Street
Downtown Traverse City is full of 150 shops, boutiques, restaurants, and galleries. Meander along Front Street’s brick sidewalks and Victorian storefronts. Everyone is sure to find the perfect souvenir or snack.
4. Eat or drink something with cherries in it
Traverse City is the Cherry Capital of the World. The northwest Lower Peninsula is the largest producer of tart cherries in the U.S. Traverse City hosts the week-long National Cherry Festival in July, with a half-million visitors each year. In fact, the local airport is named Cherry Capital Airport.
Cherry Republic is a well-known restaurant and store with multiple locations, including Traverse City and Glen Arbor. We visited the original site in Glen Arbor. I don’t know if COVID-19 played a part in our experience but we didn’t like it. There are tons of places to get cherries and cherry pie in the area without visiting this particular store.
5. Take a winery or brewery tour
The same conditions that make the region perfect for cherry production, also make Traverse City ideal for the wine industry. It is known for its wine coast with approximately 30 wineries located on the two Grand Traverse Bay peninsulas.
There are also around 20 microbreweries and craft brew taprooms in the area. Based on its location near the lake, river, and bay, visitors have the opportunity for unique tours like a pub crawl called Kayak, Bike & Brew. Brew lovers should visit Traverse City in November when it celebrates Beer Week.
6. Drive down scenic M-22
This state highway follows Lake Michigan around the Leelanau Peninsula. There are plenty of pull-offs to stop and enjoy the view or picnic as you make your way along the shoreline. M-22 passes through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. M-22 is so popular that there is a chain of stores dedicated to merchandise.
7. Explore the sand dunes
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes is a must-see while you are in the area. The lakeshore is full of hiking trails and a scenic drive with multiple stops. There is a fee to enter but the pass is good for 7 days. If you have an annual pass through the National Park Service, that works for the national lakeshore as well.
The classic thing to do while at Sleeping Bear is the Dune Climb. Make sure to bring snacks and water as this is a long climb. From the parking lot, you only see the first dune. Most visitors make it to the top of this hill, get a view of Glen Lake, and come back down. Otherwise, be prepared to climb several more dunes before finishing this hike.
Arcadia Dunes
Located south of Sleeping Bear Dunes, Arcadia Dunes is in the C.S. Mott Nature Preserve. There was no fee to park or hike here. We hiked from the Baldy Trailhead, which has a universally accessible trail to an overlook for Lake Michigan. From the overlook, you can also hike to Baldy sand dune with its own scenic views.
8. Enjoy the beaches
In addition to the sand dunes, there are miles of beaches in and around Traverse City for visitors to enjoy Lake Michigan or Grand Traverse Bay. Beaches include Bayside Park, Bowers Harbor Park, Bryant Park Beach, Clinch Park Beach, East Bay Park, Glen Arbor Beach, Haserot Beach Park, Leelanau State Park, Sayler Park Beach, Suttons Bay Beach, and West End Beach.
Visitors can rock hunt, plein air paint, surf, stand-up paddle board, picnic, and walk along the shoreline. We saw a scuba lesson.
9. Walk the Michigan Legacy Art Park
The Michigan Legacy Art Park has 2 miles of hiking trails dotted with more than 50 sculptures! Each piece is accompanied by an information sign with the name, artist, and meaning of the work. The park is easy to explore with a park map labeled with key sculptures to keep you on track. We were able to walk the entire park, but you can easily split the trails into multiple visits.
This is a fantastic way to get outdoors while still enjoying the arts. Admission is $5 per person but free for children.
10. Experience Leland’s Fishtown
Leland’s Fishtown gives a glimpse into what a fishing village was like in the early 1900s. Fishtown was listed on the national register of Historic Places in 1975. Visitors can walk the docks amidst the fishing shanties, smokehouses, and tugs on the Leland River. Many shanties now act as gift shops, art galleries, and food shops; however, the town is still an active commercial fishing village. You can charter a boat and experience catching your own trout! Ferries to North or South Manitou Island also take off from Fishtown.
Those were 10 things to do in Traverse City. Do you have a favorite Traverse City tradition? Comment below!
Steph, I’ve been to Traverse City. Too long ago. You’ve made me think about re-visiting. Your blog made it seem busier now and more interesting. While in Michigan did you go to Mackinac Island? It is worth a trip there when in Michigan.
Thank you! I did get to see Mackinac Island, definitely worth the trip. Be on the lookout for a blog of all the things we did while on the island 🙂