Traverse City--The Cherry Capital
Named one of America's Top 10 Beach Towns, Traverse City is Michigan's favorite northern travel destination. It has something for everyone, no matter what the season. Miles and miles of sugar sand beaches along Lake Michigan, exhilarating outdoor activities, restaurants that offer culinary delights, and award winning wineries make Traverse City the place to be!
BEACHES
Over 180 miles of shoreline await you on Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. The water is clear blue, clean, and FRESH! None of that pesky salt water to dry out your skin. You'll feel refreshed and relaxed after your swim...and with all this space, you'll avoid the crowds and have your own special spot on the beach. Build a sand castle, soak up some sun, and feel the stress leave your body.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
If you like to hit the links, Traverse City golf championship courses will become your favorite places to play. With designs by such famous players as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Tom Weiskopf, you'll find these courses both beautiful and challenging. Pamper yourself with a visit to one of Traverse City's premier spas, visit a museum or lighthouse, or try your luck at a local casino. For just $10, watch a Traverse City Beach Bums baseball game in Wuerfel Park, which resembles a hotel more than a ballpark. Kids will love the waterpark at Great Wolf Lodge...and one place you won't want to miss is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where you can climb a high dune and enjoy breathtaking vistas of Lake Michigan. During the winter, anything you can do on the snow...you can do in Traverse City! Snowshoeing, cross country & downhill skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating...there's no better way to survive the cold than to immerse yourself in it and have fun!
FESTIVALS
In early to mid-July, thousands flock to Traverse City for the National Cherry Festival. This eight day event is one of Michigan's premier festivals, featuring an air show, arts and crafts fair, midway, classic car show...and more cherry-infused food than you even know existed! It's all to celebrate the wonderful cherry...known for its sweetness and health benefits. Then in late July, the Traverse City Film Festival takes place, founded by filmmaker Michael Moore. Documentaries, foreign films, shorts and indies are shown throughout the week at the State Theater in downtown Traverse City.
LODGING & RESTAURANTS
When it's time to retire for the evening, Traverse City has the most wonderful variety of accommodations. Hotels and motels, bed & breakfasts, cabins and resorts, condominiums and vacation rentals are available in all styles and price ranges. You certainly won't go hungry in Traverse City--their distinctive cuisine will both surprise and delight you. Fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables are showcased in delicious entrees and desserts. Tantalize your taste buds with a glass of wine produced from area vineyards. Whether you stop into a cafe, bistro, or elegant restaurant, you will not be disappointed.
Whether you're looking for a private couples getaway or a family vacation, set your GPS north to Traverse City, Michigan, the Cherry Capital of the World.
