15 Best Things to do Traverse City, Michigan

Looking for the best things to do in Traverse City, Michigan? Traverse City is a great place to visit for Michiganders looking for beach time, hiking trails, cozy coffee shops and more! Continue reading to plan your Traverse City adventure:

Why this blog? Hi there! My name is Maddy and I grew up looking forward to Traverse City summers! As a kid, my grandma would bring me and my sisters out to the Sleeping Bear Dunes and into town. In college, friends and I would spend the weekends driving up to play in the area in all season. Today, I work as a travel writer committed to exploring the Great Lakes. I’m stoked to show you around.

Oh hey there! This blog uses affiliate links. That means if you chose to make a purchase based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.

Best Things to do in Traverse City, Michigan:

From the cutest coffee shops, bookstores and wear to eat to adorable cabin rentals, hiking trails and beaches, check out the best things to do in Traverse City, Michigan.

1) Visit Horizon Bookstore

Horizon Bookstore is Traverse City’s two-story independent bookstore with a view of the Grand Traverse Bay. There’s a coffee shop in the front and thousands of books to browse — this is probably my favorite spot in Traverse City and when I took my fiance to visit in October, this was on my must-visit list.

2) Bike the Traverse Area Recreation Trail

The Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART) is a 10.5-mile paved trail great for a biking adventure through Traverse City! Check out bike rentals at Grand Traverse Bike Trails and be sure to check out beaches along the Grand Traverse Bay, the Reffitt Nature Preserve, and Boardman Lake Trail.

3) Visit Espresso Bay for coffee

Just down a block or so and across the street from Horizon Books, check out Espresso Bay coffee for great coffee drinks and a cozy atmosphere.

Sit and stay for a while, or grab your drink to go and walk the adorable Traverse City main street and then head toward the Grand Traverse Bay and walk the scenic boardwalk on the Boardman River.

4) Head to the Sleeping Bear Dunes Beaches

If you’re looking for one of the most beautiful places to visit near Traverse City, you’ll want to head to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Throughout the Sleeping Bear Dunes, you can find great hiking trails, scenic drives, paved biking routes, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the Midwest.

I recommend checking out the Dune Climb (difficult hike across four miles of Dunes to Lake Michigan), kayak the Crystal River and visiting Point Betsie Lighthouse.

READ: Ultimate Guide to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

5) Hike Empire Bluffs Trail

The single best hiking trail near Traverse City, and perhaps the best hiking trail in all of Michigan, the Empire Bluffs Trail is less than two miles round trip and leads to beautiful sweeping overlook of Lake Michigan, the National Lakeshore to the north and south, and the Manitou Islands in the distance.

This trail has some ups and downs, but is generally considered to be beginner-friendly. Parking is limited, so come with a backup plan in case the parking lot is full.

READ: Best Hiking Trails in Michigan (Maps linked!)

6) Visit wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula

One of the best activities Traverse City has to offer is the wineries in the area! I recommend booking a tour of the Old Mission Peninsula so someone else is in charge of driving.

7) Hammock in the woods

Traverse City and the surrounding woods have so many great spots to set up shop and forest bathe for an afternoon. I recommend packing your hammock and a good book and heading out into the woods for an afternoon.

I recommend checking out the Seven Bridges Natural Area, Sand Lakes Quiet Area and the Turtle Cove Nature Preserve.

9) Head up to the Boyne Mountain Skybridge

If you’re looking for one of the most unique things to do near Traverse City, check out the bucket-list worthy Boyne Mountain Skybridge. The Skybridge stretches across the Boyne Mountain ski area, with sweeping views of the valley below. While fall is the most popular season to visit and appreciate the spectacular colors, the Skybridge is open in all seasons AND they do lights for the holidays!

A chairlift ride up the hill is included in your Skybridge ticket, and there are often fun food trucks and even live music sometimes at the top of the hill.

10) Visit Bellaire, Michigan for small-town breweries

If you’re looking for one of the cutest small towns near Traverse City for an evening trip, check out Bellaire! Bellaire is also a good fit for anyone looking for a brewery instead of a wintery. Shorts Brewing has great food, better beer, a beer garden and live music, making it a fun place to hang out for a few hours as well as to grab lunch and a drink.

READ: Best Things to do in Bellaire, Michigan

11) Hike on the North Country Trail

The North Country National Scenic Trail winds 4,800 miles from Vermont to North Dakota, and an especially scenic stretch of this trail runs to the south, east and north of Traverse City.

Along the North Country Trail, check out the Manistee River Trail, Fife Lake Loop, and Jordan Valley Pathway.

12) Boat on Torch Lake, Michigan’s “Caribbean”

Just north of Traverse City, you can find one of the clearest and bluest lakes in the Midwest. Torch Lake is a large and gorgeous lake with crystal clear teal water and a sandy bottom. The Lake has earned the nickname “The Caribbean of the North”.

One of the best ways to experience Torch Lake is to rent a boat. Rentals are available at Dewitt Marina and kayak rentals are available at Bellaire-based Paddles and Pedals.

READ: Ultimate Guide to Torch Lake, Michigan

13) Rent a cabin for the weekend

If you’re looking for a more quiet, secluded vibe for your Traverse City getaway than a hotel downtown, consider booking a cabin in the woods nearby. Booking a cabin can give you a lot more freedom and set you up for a slower-paced vacation and be a great spot for a longer stay.

Bucket-list cabin stays near Traverse City include the Retreat North tiny cabins, KOTI Scandinavian cabins, Water Camp cabins on Torch Lake, or Crystal Mountain Resorts.

14) Day trip to Frankfort, Michigan

If you’re looking for a magical day trip destination from your Traverse City basecamp, head south to Frankfort, Michigan. Frankfort is just south of the Sleeping Bear Dunes tucked away on the West Coast of Michigan with big small west coast surf town vibes. Here you can get delicious local food, hike dunes above the Lake, and check out Crystal Mountain Resorts.

Some of my Frankfort favorites include…

• Arcadia Overlook (above, middle)
• Stormcloud Brewing (above, right)
• Bee Well Mead & Cider
• Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve
• The Thistle (Scottish food, amazing)

READ: Best things to do in Frankfort, Michigan

15) Go mountain biking

The Traverse City Area has so many good options for mountain biking! Check out Glacial Hills Trails, Vasa Pathway, and CS Mott Preserve.

Where to stay near Traverse City:

Beyond adorable cabin rentals, there are so many great places to stay in Traverse City! Check out these hotels, campgrounds and overnight options.

• Arbutus Lake State Forest Campground: first-come, first-serve, no electric rustic campground on a small lake. I really like the Michigan State Forest Campgrounds– you can generally find last-minute camping, they’re clean, pretty and a good location for anyone looking for a wilderness-adjacent spot to camp.
• Leelanau Pines Camping Resort: RV sites, cabin rentals, campsites, and glamping pods on Lake Leelanau.
• Delmar Traverse City: Hotel in Traverse City, lake view
• Cherry Tree Inn and Suites: Hotel in Traverse City, lake view
• Grand Beach Resort Hotel: Hotel in Traverse City, lake view

What to pack for a Traverse City trip:

• Long pants: for women looking for a flattering fit and functionality try Kuhl Freeflex or REI Trailmade
• Long sleeve wool baselayers : wool tops like this make a great hiking layer both for sun protection and for regulating body temperature 
• Shorts: I like a quick dry pair with a built-in belt  and a elastic waist, swim-friendly pair
• One nice outfit for wineries
• If paddling or swimming: a UPF sun hoodie
• A down puffy jacket that packs down small: nights are a lot cooler than you might expect!
• Leggings with pockets!!! 
• A solid day hiking pack
• On rugged or sandy trails, trekking poles
• Hiking boots: I like Oboz Bridger Mids for best grip and ankle support, or alternately hiking/paddling sandals like Bedrocks (designed for paddling guides and paddling guide (me) approved)
• A solid raincoat
• Binoculars for watching wildlife
• If backpacking, backpacking gear!
• An America the Beautiful Pass

Where to next!? Explore more iconic Michigan Destinations:

Looking for your next Great Lakes adventure idea? Check out…

• Explore Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
• Head way up north an check out the Keweenaw Peninsula
• Plan a road trip through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

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