It’s summer! For those of us living in the Midwest, summers are short. But it’s not too late to book a trip to the Traverse City Region of Michigan. It has everything!
We generally make Traverse City our base for lodging, but also venture to the Old Mission Peninsula, Suttons Bay, Northport, Leland, Glen Arbor, and even Bellaire.
This is a stunning area in Northern Michigan with Lake Michigan and the Grand Traverse Bays surrounding the region, providing gorgeous views. So whatever you decide to do, don’t forget to enjoy the magnificent scenery as you get there!
10 Fun Things to Do In The Traverse City Region
1 – Visit a Winery
The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail and the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail are both located in the Traverse City area of Michigan, which makes Wine Tasting one of the top activities when visiting this region.
Old Mission Wine Trail
The Old Mission Peninsula is about 15 miles long, so the wineries are located close to one another. This is especially great if you only have a few hours for exploring and Wine Tasting.
Almost every winery on the Old Mission Wine Trail has a gorgeous and unique vantage point of one or both of the Grand Traverse Bays. So order a glass of wine, then kick back and enjoy the view!
Leelanau Wine Trail
The Leelanau wine trail is more spread out. If your time is limited, there are several wineries located near Suttons Bay. But if you have a while, it can also be a lot of fun driving through the countryside to find some of the more remote wineries.
Be sure to stop at Leelanau Cheese for some delicious local cheese or their warm raclette on potatoes or bread.
I worked in the wine industry for 10 years and have a few recommendations before you go wine tasting.
- Check winery hours, dark days, and reservation policy before going
- Have a designated driver or book a local van service for your group
- Limit your stops to 3 or 4 wineries to avoid palate overload and getting tipsy
- Pack plenty of snacks and water to stay hydrated along the way
- Have a great time and remember to tip your server!
2 – Go to the Beach
Traverse City and the surrounding areas are full of great beaches, so blow up your floaties, grab a towel, pack your cooler, and don’t forget to bring some sunscreen!
Here is a link to some of the Best Beaches in the Region.
3 – Visit a Brewery
There are so many breweries to choose from in the Traverse City Region. Here are some fun ways to explore them:
- Pick up a Brew Passport and enjoy a fun adventure collecting stamps when visiting area breweries
- Take a Kayak or Bicycle Brewery Tour
- Book the Magic Shuttle Bus and let them do the driving. You can join a ready-to-go tour or create a custom BeerVenture for you and/or your gang
Here are a few of our favorite Traverse City Area Breweries…
Hop Lot Brewing
One of our favorite breweries is Hop Lot Brewing in Suttons Bay. They have a HUGE beer garden, which features a kids’ area, picnic tables, campfires, and outdoor games. I swear their outdoor space gets bigger and better every year.
In addition to an extensive beer list, they also offer local wines and ciders. The food at Hop Lot is delicious, and there’s always something being smoked. Try their smoked chicken wings!
Shorts Brewing
Joe Short is one crazy dude! Shorts Brewing is a happening destination located near Torch Lake in Bellaire, Michigan, with an additional Pull Barn location in Elk Rapids. It’s a bit of a drive from Traverse City, but well worth it. Whether it’s exploring the extensive Tap List, hanging out in the Beer Garden, or gnoshing on some tasty grub. This place rocks…oh, did I mention they throw huge parties and host some awesome bands? Yeah…it’s the place to be.
You may have tried some of their beer in your local watering hole or found it in a store near you, but there is nothing like visiting the pub and trying a flight of their Tap Room Only beers and an order of their Little Birdy (buffalo chicken dip).
Check out the Play section below for details about Right Brain Brewing.
4 – Enjoy The TC Foodie Scene
The Traverse City region has one of the best food scenes in Michigan. From charming local cafes to gourmet restaurants and food trucks, TC has something for everyone. Whenever we visit the area, I look forward to trying new places and revisiting some of our old favorites, too.
Breakfast
The Omelette Shop – Downtown on Cass Street or on Front Street
The food at the Omelette Shop is delicious, and the portions are large. Prepare for a wait at either location. The downtown location is much smaller but has the same great menu. In addition to their fluffy omelettes and hearty scrambles, they also offer yummy blueberry ricotta pancakes. No matter what you order, get the cherry pecan toast on the side because it is divine.
45th Parallel Cafe – Suttons Bay
Slow down as you approach the caution light coming into Suttons Bay from Traverse City. The 45th Parallel Cafe is located on the left-hand corner. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. There is a wide variety of breakfast fare on the menu, the portion sizes are good, and the prices are reasonable.
Dinner
Firefly Kitchen & Bar – Cass Street, Downtown Traverse City
I have been dining at Firefly for many years. They make delightful cocktails and have a wide variety of dinner options. So I can order sushi and my husband can get a steak. They are located downtown on Cass Street with patio views of the Boardman River.
One must-try item on their menu is the house-made pita and hummus appetizer. The warm, soft pita is crazy good and goes perfectly with their fresh and chunky hummus.
Apache Trout Grill – West Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City
The Apache Trout Grill is located right on the bay on the west side of Traverse City. I would consider them a higher-end dining option. The Apache Trout Grill has several local fish selections on the menu, along with Prime Rib, sandwiches, and salads. They also have an extensive wine list that offers some local options.
This place draws quite a crowd. Get on the list early, then grab a drink to enjoy outside by the bay. The view is great, and you might even catch some live entertainment while you are waiting. They also offer Brunch on Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm.
Jolly Pumpkin – Old Mission Peninsula
If you are in the mood for great food, views, and cold beer, take a ride up the Old Mission Peninsula to Jolly Pumpkin. They serve fantastic food and feature both Jolly Pumpkin and North Peak beers. They always have a sour or two on their tap list.
They have you covered whether you are looking for a yummy appetizer, an artisan pizza, or a hearty entree. Some of our favorites are the JP Nachos (pulled pork) or the fish and chips dinner.
5 – Sail on the Nauti-Cat
Book a cruise on the Nauti-Cat. The Nauti-Cat is the largest commercial sailing catamaran on the Great Lakes. It sails from the dock near the Delmar Hotel on the West Grand Traverse Bay near downtown Traverse City.
They offer several cruise selections daily:
- Champagne Sunset Cruise
- Noon Cruise
- Happy Hour Cruise
- Windjammer Cruise
- Kids Cruise
I recommend making a reservation in advance during busy seasons. These sails are so much fun. You can purchase a drinks pack in advance, which comes with a metal commemorative glass and a drink token, or buy drinks on board to enjoy during your sail. Try the Catnip punch or do a Shot-Ski with your friends.
6 – Check out a Festival
There is always something going on in Traverse City. From Horse Shows by the Bay to Wine Trail Events, Festivals, and Small Town Celebrations. Never a dull moment.
2025 Traverse City Region Festivals and Events
The National Cherry Festival is a week-long lineup of concerts, family-friendly activities, food trucks, cherry everything, and carnival rides. Most of the activities are located in the Open Space Park, situated right on the West Bay, with the carnival rides just across the street.
The festival kicks off at the end of June and runs into July. You can catch spectacular fireworks shows over the bay on the 4th of July and on the last night of the festival.
Summer 2026 will be the 100th year of the Cherry Festival. I expect it to be spectacular, so if you want to go, make reservations early!!!!
7 – Shopping
Downtown Traverse City has a large shopping district with a wide array of stores, restaurants, and bars. TC has a movie theatre, a bookstore, and a great multi-level antique store. Don’t miss Rocket Fizz. It’s a fun candy, toy, and trinket store that’s a good place to find the perfect gift for someone.
Another great store in TC is Folgarelli’s Food Market. They have everything. Italian grocery items, an extensive wine shop, fresh-baked treats, a barrel of gardeniera, and a full deli case of meats and cheeses. Order a sandwich or just get some sliced to go.
Glen Arbor is one of my favorite small towns. They have a lovely shopping district with restaurants, art galleries, a bookstore, and clothing shops. It is also the home of Cherry Republic. They make everything cherry! Although you can order their products online, it’s so much more fun to visit their stores in person. The Glen Arbor Site has a Cafe, a Cherry Ice Cream Stand, a Winery Tasting Room, and a General Store filled with all of their products. They are not stingy with the samples either!
Suttons Bay is another colorful coastal town. They have a lovely shopping district with restaurants, a movie theatre, a fudge shop, art galleries, and clothing shops. I love to stroll through the Garden Shop looking at all the whirlygigs, wind chimes, and colorful yard decor.
8 – Get Outdoors
Whatever your favorite outdoor activity is, the Traverse City Region has something for you. Surrounded by water, it is the perfect place for water activities or just lazing by the beach. But there are also tons of hiking trails, Bike Paths, and Golf Courses. So get outside and enjoy all the beauty TC has to offer.
- Boating or Jet Ski
- Marathons
- Sailing
- Climb the Dunes
- Paddle Board
- Kayak and/or Bike Pub Tours
- Swim
- Golf
- Camp
- Bike
- Hike
9 – Play
Mini Golf and More
Pirates Cove is located on Front Street on the east side of Traverse City. They have Bumper Boats, Go Carts, and an 18-hole Mini Golf course. This place is fun for the whole family. It does get pretty busy on weekends and during the summer, so you may want to get an early start.
River Club is located right on the river in Glen Arbor. With a full bar, snacks, and live music, as well as mini golf, River Club is suitable for both families and adults.
Pinball and Arcade Games
Right Brain Brewing is one of our favorite places in Traverse City. It’s a great brewery located near the Boardman River with a focus on fun. Not only do they have some kick ass beer selections, but their taproom is filled with pinball machines and other fun games. They also host Pinball and Trivia Competitions, and are a stop on the Kayak and/or Bike Brewery Tours. Grab a flight and try some of their epic beers like Cherry Pie Whole, Spear Beer, Thai Peanut, or the Mangalista Pig Porter.
The Coin Slot Arcade Bar is located near Little Feet Food Truck Lot on Front Street in downtown Traverse City. They have a full bar and a wide selection of arcade games.
10 – Relax!
Yep. Kick back on a blanket by the beach, read a book by the pool, or get a treatment at a spa. Slow down…Eat good food…Laugh…Smile…and catch a gorgeous sunset.
Final Thoughts
Even though the areas within this region may look spread out on the map, they are actually quite close. That makes it easy to explore the area and find the perfect adventure. The best thing about this area is the beautiful scenery and lake views everywhere you go. It just doesn’t get much better.
I think summer is the best time to visit this area because the beaches are open and the water is so inviting. But there are endless activities all year long. So even if you don’t make it up to TC for the summer, it’s a great place to visit in any season. Plan a Fall Color Trip or a Winter Skiing or Snowshoe Adventure. You won’t be disappointed!
These 10 things are just the tip of the iceberg of things to do in this region, and I could go on for hours listing off more. I hope my list piqued your interest enough to plan your own trip to the Traverse City region. But be warned, once you visit, you will want to keep coming back again and again!
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