A Complete Travel Guide to Traverse City, Michigan

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Guest Post! Allie from The Hoppy Passport wrote this post: A Complete Travel Guide to Traverse City, Michigan. Allie is a travel and craft beer blogger who was born and raised in Michigan. Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click the link or make a purchase through the link. This is at no extra cost to you, and your support keeps this website running! Please contact me if you have any questions. Traverse City is a popular vacation destination located in Northern Michigan. Traverse City sits on the coast of Lake Michigan and boasts the most beautiful sandy beaches in Michigan. This popular town has a ton of activities to offer year-round. Snowmobiling and ice fishing are winter favorites. Wine tasting and water sports are best enjoyed in the warmer months. The vibrant downtown filled with trendy restaurants and boutique shops can be enjoyed in any season. Traverse City is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. There’s a plethora of  activities to keep you busy all weekend: dining, drinking, shopping, and more.

Where To Stay in Traverse City 

TC has lodging options for every budget. There are a few luxurious hotels, resorts, and cabins for those wanting something really special. Mid-range bed & breakfasts, hotels, and cabins are always available. The most budget friendly option in Traverse City is AirBnB. You can always find a good deal on AirBnB to split with friends or for a solo weekend getaway. Hotels might be the easiest option if you’re looking for something in downtown TC for the weekend. If you’re staying longer, we recommend renting a condo or cottage on AirBnB.

How to Get Around Traverse City

Michigan does not have the best public transportation systems, and unfortunately, that includes Traverse City. We recommend renting a car while visiting because the area is so large and there is so much to explore! Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are good options as well.

Traverse City in the Winter

Winter in Traverse City is magical. Michigan winters can be brutal, but TC makes the best of it. Winter festivals and holiday decor can make the coldest, snowiest days feel cozy. TC has a lot of winter sports you can enjoy on your vacation. Skiing and snowboarding are available at both Crystal Mountain and Shanty Creek Resort. Cross Country Skiing is popular on the Betsie River Pathway and the Leelanau Trail. Snowmobiling, ice fishing, and snowshoeing are other fun snow sports that you can participate in during the cold months. Snowshoeing at Empire Bluffs in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a must-try activity in winter!

Traverse City in the Summer 

Traverse City in the summer is just as magical as the winter. Adventure seekers can enjoy water sports such as boating, jet skiing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Those looking for a more relaxing situation can lounge on one of the famous beaches such as Clint Park Beach or West End Beach, which are both just steps from downtown TC. Whether you’re an avid golfer or a newbie, Elmbrook Golf Course is a great place to spend an afternoon. Empire Bluffs in Sleeping Bear Dunes and Pyramid Point are epic spots for hiking! Hop Lot Brewing Company is our favorite in the area. It’s located in Suttons Bay and is the best spot year-round. They have igloos in the winter and bonfire pits in the warmer months. Their beer and food is outstanding. Looking for something a little more historical? There are some really unique lighthouses in the area. Checkout Mission Point Lighthouse on Old Mission Peninsula, Grand Traverse Lighthouse on Leelanau Peninsula, or Point Betsie Lighthouse in Benzie County.

Brewing Hopping in TC 

Brewery hopping is an absolute must- no matter the weather! Right Brain Brewery is our favorite in Traverse City proper. Their beers are experimental and amazing. Jolly Pumpkin and North Peak are two additional breweries we love in downtown TC. Jolly Pumpkin makes wicked sours and North Peak does IPAs fantastically well. 7 Monks Taproom is a great option for both beer and cocktail lovers. 7 Monks is a taproom that features some of the best beers in the state. There’s a super cool secret speakeasy style bar in the basement of 7 monks.

Wine Tasting Tours 

Wine is crazy popular in Traverse City. There are tons of wineries on the peninsulas and in the general downtown area. We recommend doing a wine tour, so you can try a little bit of everything. Some of the tours even include transportation between stops! We’ve heard great things about Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail and Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail.

Shopping in Traverse City

Shopping is another popular activity in Traverse City. There are multiple places for shopping: downtown TC and Grand Traverse Commons are our favorites. Cherry Republic is a must-visit. Traverse City is famous for cherries and Cherry Republic sells everything cherry flavored with TC cherries. Their products are delicious and make perfect gifts! Cherry Republic is conveniently located in the downtown area. Another cool shop in downtown TC is M22. M22 is a store that specializes in unique Michigan products. M22 is a state highway in Northern Michigan and symbolizes “Up North” for many Michiganders, hence the store name. Grand Traverse Commons is a unique village with tons of shopping. The Commons is now a cute shopping district, but it used to be a psychiatric hospital. There are rumors that parts of the Commons are haunted by former hospital patients. You can take spooky tours of the grounds around Halloween time.

The Best Eats in TC

Traverse City has dining options for every traveler. The Cooks’ House is a fine dining establishment known for their exquisite, sustainable fare. Red Spire Brunch House, located in the Grand Traverse Commons, is a great breakfast and brunch spot. They have a trendy menu, a plethora of brunch beverages, and mid-range prices. The Little Fleet is a collection of food trucks in downtown. The Little Fleet has unique food trucks, outdoor seating, and an awesome bar. Paesano’s Pizza is the best spot to pick up a to-go pizza to enjoy at your condo or on the beach. Slabtown Burgers is a burger shack known for their budget-friendly burgers and fries. Traverse City is the most picturesque, fun town in Michigan. It has a lot to offer year-round and is well worth a weekend visit! TC is home to some of the best food, drinks, shopping, beaches, and outdoor activities in the Midwest. Hi, I’m Allie! I’m a travel enthusiast, craft beer connoisseur, and creator of The Hoppy Passport. The Hoppy Passport is a website designed to teach you how to be an efficient traveler and an explorative beer drinker. Whether you’re hopping around neighborhoods or traveling the world, The Hoppy Passport will bring you the best brewery guides, travel tips and beyond to ensure you stay well-traveled and inspired to indulge in the ever-developing international craft beer scene. Follow The Hoppy Passport on Instagram! Cheers! Thank you Allie for writing this complete travel guide to Traverse City, Michigan! For more Midwest travel, read about Chicago here or Minnesota here! I also wrote a post for The Hoppy Passport about the best breweries in St. Paul, Minnesota. Don’t forget to find and book the cheapest flights using Skyscanner!