From Vineyards to Lighthouses: Experience the Best of Traverse City, MI
Traverse City, Michigan, is a small town that offers visitors various activities and attractions.
Located on Lake Michigan and Leelanau Peninsula, it is a paradise for outdoors enthusiasts.
The city is famous for its cherry orchards and various outdoor activities. In addition, the city hosts the National Cherry Festival, which draws thousands of visitors annually.
Traverse City is a scenic place to visit, and there are many fun things to do while you’re there.
There’s the Dennos Museum Center, The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, and Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park, to name just a few.
Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park
Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park is just a couple of miles from the center of the action in Mitten City.
It is also one of the most popular resort towns in Michigan.
The park’s main attraction is a quarter-mile of sandy beach, but visitors can also enjoy a plethora of mini cabins, a modern campground, and a fully equipped lodge.
There are also many other amenities, from a free pumpkin carving contest to a trick-or-treating trail.
There is a reason the park is a hit with locals and tourists alike.
Its location on Grand Traverse Bay is the perfect spot for a summertime swim or an early morning jog.
Despite its proximity to the bustling downtown, the park is still quite secluded, a welcome change of pace from the city.
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
If you’re looking for a great way to spend a day in Traverse City, Michigan, stop at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
It’s a collection of restored historic buildings and a fun place to shop and dine.
You can also learn about the history of the area.
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is a sprawling enclave of old Victorian-Italianate buildings.
It is the heart of the most significant historic preservation project in Michigan.
This redevelopment of the former Traverse City State Hospital has created an eclectic mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment.
You’ll find unique shops, a brewery, wineries, and even an art gallery.
You can also hike the 140-acre Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area, which features a hiking trail and wooded areas.
Grand Traverse Lighthouse
Located on the Leelanau Peninsula of Northern Michigan, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses in the Great Lakes region.
This historic landmark is situated in Leelanau State Park and offers stunning views of Lake Michigan’s beautiful waters.
During the summer months, the lighthouse is open to visitors.
In addition to enjoying the sights and sounds of the lake, there is also a shipwreck exhibition, treasure hunts, and a picnic area.
The Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy owns the Grand Traverse Lighthouse.
As a member, you can enjoy free admission, discounted Lighthouse Gift and Camp Store items, and a quarterly newsletter.
You can also become a volunteer at the lighthouse to learn about its history.
Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the lighthouse and a hands-on exhibit.
In addition, there is a tower climb, and visitors can even learn about the Tug Albatross’s shipwreck.
Mari Vineyards
Mari Vineyards is a famous winery in Traverse City, Michigan.
It produces a variety of reds, whites, and sparkling wines from its vineyards.
You can tour the facility or buy a bottle of wine to take home.
The facility is situated on a hill overlooking the Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan.
You can choose to taste five wines from the tasting menu.
There is also a wine cave where you can learn about the process of making wine.
Mari Vineyards is home to 60 acres of grapes. Mari produces 22 varieties of wine.
They are a leading grape-growing facility in the Northwest Lower Michigan area.
You can visit the winery for a wine tasting within a short drive from the city.
You can take a self-guided tour or book a private tour.
Dennos Museum Center
The Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City, Michigan, is a fine arts museum with impressive collections.
The museum has an extensive collection of Inuit art and showcases various exhibitions in different genres.
The Dennos Museum was the first to display the works of Inuit artists in the United States.
It houses a collection of over a thousand pieces of Inuit art, including sculptures, prints, and paintings.
As a museum, the Dennos Museum Center seeks to inspire audiences of all ages.
Accordingly, they have hosted an impressive number of traveling exhibits.
In addition to its collection of Inuit art, the museum also holds a collection of Canadian Woodland-style artists, key Michigan contemporary artists, and fourteen outdoor sculptures.
The Dennos Museum Center is an extension of Northwestern Michigan College.
The college features three galleries with changing exhibits, a sculpture court, and a performing arts venue.
