Overview
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.
8 sights · 25 things to do · 22 places to eat · 12 bars & cafés · 59 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Traverse City
Traverse Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1951, now Northwestern Lower Michigan’s largest resident performing arts organization and only professional orchestra.
City Opera House
1891 opera house under renovation and restoration. Theatre productions and dancing.
Dennos Museum Center
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 Audito…
Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel
Card games, roulette and craps. On-site Misheekeh Restaurant and Creekside Cafe.
Traverse City Film Festival
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.
Old Town Playhouse
Created in 1960 to bring amateur theatre to northern Michigan, now boasting a 358-seat mainstage auditorium and an 80-seat studio theatre.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 81°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Sep.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TVC Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City — 3 mi away. Directions
- PLN Pellston Regional Airport of Emmet County Airport, Pellston — 69 mi away. Directions
- GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 130 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $44–$222 a night (typical $75), from 53 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $18 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$80, mid-range ~$150, comfortable ~$380.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge, Bed and Breakfasts in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning City Opera House, Old Town Playhouse, Dennos Museum Center
- Lunch Cooks House
- Afternoon Traverse Symphony Orchestra, Ranch Rudolph
- Dinner Bubba's Restaurant and Bar
- Evening Union Street Station
Day 2
- Morning Music House Museum, Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel, Centre Ice Arena
- Lunch Don's Drive-In
- Afternoon Grand Traverse Balloons, Inc., Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf
- Dinner Middlecoast Brewing Company
- Evening Old Mission General Store
Day 3
- Morning J. H. Rogers Observatory, Turtle Creek Stadium, Traverse City Hang Gliders / Paragliders
- Lunch Trattoria Stella
- Afternoon American Boat Rentals, LLC, Sunset Watersports
- Dinner Grand Traverse Pie Company
- Evening Bowers Harbor Vineyards
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Traverse City is a city of around 15,700 people (as of 2023) founded in 1852 in the Grand Traverse Bay Area of Northern Michigan. It is known locally and branded as the "Cherry Capital of the World"; around 75 percent of the nation's cherries are grown in Michigan, and most of those come from the Traverse City area.
Climate
The Grand Traverse region has a temperate climate, with hot summers and cool winters.
Get in
By car
- Traverse City is on US-31 between Manistee and Charlevoix.
By bus
- Indian Trails provides daily bus service from St. Ignace, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo with connection to Greyhound service.
By plane
Go Cherry Capital Airport (TVC)
American, United and Delta offer daily flights year-round to Minneapolis, Chicago, and Detroit. During the summer season, additional flights are sometimes scheduled to Atlanta, Denver, Marquette, Cincinnati, and New York (LaGuardia) that operate several times per week.
- The nearest alternate airport is in Grand Rapids, about 2 3/4 hours south by car, where lower fares are often available.
Get around
- Rental cars are available at Traverse City airport; however, they tend to be expensive.
See
- North of Traverse City is one of the area's lighthouses:
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Do
Indoor activity
Outdoor activities
- Farmers Markets of Downtown Traverse Sara Hardy Farmers Market, GT Commons Market.
Do Ranch Rudolph
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.
Do Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf
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
Water sports
Do Nauti-Cat Cruises
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.
Fishing charters
You're in one of the best salmon, steelhead and trout fly fishing areas in the Midwest as well as North America.
Do TC Charters
Organizers of the Big Jon Invitational and the Grand Traverse Salmon Classic, held in early September.
Skiing
Snowmobiling
Golf
Events
Do National Cherry Festival
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.
Learn
- Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave, ☏ +1 231-935-8500. Local district library.
Buy
Shop The Cherry Stop
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.
Malls
Shop Olsons Outlets
Former shopping complex, AMC Cherry Blossom and IMAX theater, Hobby Lobby, & Oryana Co-Op, Outback Steakhouse, other pop-up stores & businesses
Eat
Eat Aroma's Coffee
Specialty coffees, teas and a large selection of soups and sandwiches.
Eat Amical
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.
Eat Apache Trout Grill
Fish, Salads, ribs and steak.
Eat Auntie Pasta's Italian Cafe
Eat Bubba's Restaurant and Bar
Appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, Tex-Mex, desserts. $6.50 - $16.
Eat Don's Drive-In
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.
Eat The Burrow TC (The Burrow)
The recommended dishes at this establishment are the Key Lime Pie, Mussels Appetizer, Lobster Roll, Hamburger and Crab Cake.
Eat Grand Traverse Pie Company
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.
Eat Mode's Bum Steer
Locals say it's the best steakhouse in town.
Eat North Peak Brewing Company
Fantastic menu options for the whole family. Award winning handcrafted beers brewed on site!
Eat Old Mission Tavern
Prime Rib night every Friday.
Eat Pâtisserie Amie
French bistro and bakery. Try their mochas, salmon crêpes, pissaladière, coq au vin, steak frites and pear-almond tartlets.
Eat Red Mesa Grill
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.
Eat Scott's Harbor Grill
Waterfront dining, specializing in seafood and ribs. Appetizers, flatbreads, salads, tacos al carbon, seafood plates, grilled specialties, desserts.
Eat Sleder's Family Tavern
One of Michigan's oldest saloons, with its original tin ceiling. Appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, entrees and Mexican dishes.
Eat Trattoria Stella ("Stellas")
Italian fare. Wine bar and wine classes available. Antipasti, cheese plates, salads, pasta, and meats inspired by Italian cuisine.
Eat Cousin Jenny's
Try the locally known pasty (PASS-tee).
Eat Mulligan's Pub & Grill
Home of the stuffed burger. Full menu, open year round.
Eat Middlecoast Brewing Company
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.
Eat Pangea's Pizza
Pizzeria using dough & sauce made in house, offering a rooftop deck with panoramic views and outdoor dining and fully wheelchair accessible.
Eat Cooks House
Fine dining, offering à-la-carte, 5 & 7 courses with optional wine pairing. Michigan cuisine, with techniques and ingredients from Michigan culture.
Drink
Drink Old Mission General Store
Historical General store on the Old Mission Peninsula. Food, wine, beer, spirits, gifts, ice cream, antiques, pizza, Deli.
Wineries
Wineries are scattered throughout two areas - the Old Mission Peninsula north of Traverse City, and on the Leelanau Peninsula northwest of Traverse City. They are situated on the 45th parallel which provides excellent climate conditions for growing wine grapes. Tasting room tours are popular diversions on both peninsulas any time of the year and are a great way to explore the territory.
The five wineries in the Traverse City area are all located about halfway up the Old Mission Peninsula, just north of the city via US-31.
Drink Bowers Harbor Vineyards
21 white, rose, red, sparkling and fruit wines, including spiced cherry and Cherritage, made from Old Mission Peninsula cherries.
Drink Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
12 dry white, dry red and sweet wines.
Drink Chateau Chantal
Award-winning wines, occasional ice wine, and eau de vie. Tapas tours and cooking classes available.
Drink Chateau Grand Traverse
28 Riesling, Chardonnay, specialty red and white wines, and fruit wines. Try the cherry wine sangria and the spiced cherry wine.
Drink Peninsula Cellars
18 red, white, fruit and dessert wines.
Breweries
Drink North Peak Brewing Co.
Burgers, sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, seafood. Outdoor patio with live entertainment. Try their Black and Blue burger.
Drink Right Brain Brewery
Large selection of beers and pinball. Try the CEO Stout.
Drink Workshop Brewing Co.
On the site formerly occupied by the Right Brain Brewery (see above). Dog-friendly patio. Live music 4 nights per week.
Coffee Houses, Bars and Nightclubs
Drink Union Street Station
There's been a bar at this site since 1891, today it's a venue with focus on live music.
Drink Firefly
Local and international beers and wines. Five televisions, one fish tank.
Drink Streeters
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.
Sleep
Traverse City's "Motel Mile" is along US-31 between 3 Mile Road and 4 Mile Road, although you'll find lots of places to stay at just about any point along the waterfront, from downtown continuing east to 5 Mile Road.
Budget
Stay America Inn Motel and Suites
48 rooms. Heated indoor pool, hot tub, sauna. Complimentary continental breakfast. Whirlpool and fireplace rooms available.
Stay Days Inn
182 rooms. Heated indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center. Complimentary continental breakfast.
Stay Fairfield Inn
85 rooms. Indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center. Complimentary continental breakfast. Whirlpool rooms available.
Stay Grand Traverse Motel
Stay Pine Crest Motel
35 rooms. Heated outdoor pool, indoor pool, spa, exercise room. Complimentary continental breakfast. Whirlpool rooms available.
Stay Super 8 Motel
66 rooms. Complimentary continental breakfast. Whirlpool and fireplace rooms available.
Stay Whiting Hotel
Mid-range
Stay Baymont Inn & Suites
119 rooms. Heated indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center. Complimentary continental breakfast.
Stay Courtyard by Marriott
83 rooms. Heated indoor pool, hot tub. On-site Courtyard Cafe. Whirlpool and fireplace rooms available.
Stay Hampton Inn
125 rooms. Heated indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center. Complimentary continental breakfast.
Stay Holiday Inn West Bay
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).
Stay Main Street Inn
Stay Sierra Motel
Stay Traverse Victorian Inn
Gas log fireplace and double-headed showers. Indoor heated pool with adjoining spa. Spa rooms available.
Splurge
Stay Cedar Lake Lodge
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.
Stay Gold Coast Inn
Guest spa rooms overlooking the bay. 2-person spa, 2-person shower, gas log fireplace.
Stay Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
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.
Stay North Shore Inn
Stay Peninsula Bay Resort Condominiums
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.
Bed and Breakfasts
Stay Antiquities' Wellington Inn
9 rooms, 2 2-bedroom carriage house apartments. Restored 1905 mansion with period furnishings.
- Cedar Creek Bed and Breakfast, 7651 East Timberwoods.
- Chateau Chantal Bed and Breakfast, 15900 Rue de Vin. 3 rooms. Average price $247.
Cottages and condos
Go next
- The Leelanau Peninsula is northwest on M-22 and M-72.
- The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is about 30 minutes west on MI-72.
- Frankfort is about 1 hour west on US-31.
- Charlevoix is about 1 hour north on US-31.
- Petoskey is about 1.5 hours north on US-31.
- Manistee is about 1.5 hours south on US-31.
- Interlochen is 20 minutes southwest on M-137.
- North and South Manitou Islands are about 2 hours northwest on MI-204 and ferry.
- Beaver Island is about 4 hours north on US-31 and ferry.
Nearby
Interlochen
City / town · 6 listings · 11 mi away
Leland
City / town · 13 listings · 19 mi away
Honor
City / town · 5 listings · 21 mi away
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Park · 12 listings · 22 mi away
Kalkaska
City / town · 1 listings · 22 mi away
Frankfort
City / town · 21 listings · 31 mi away
Bear Lake
City / town · 3 listings · 35 mi away
Arcadia
City / town · 10 listings · 35 mi away
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