Traverse City, known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” is a city in Michigan famous especially for its vibrant shopping experience. The city also owes its popularity to its world-class culture, art festivals, dunes, and bustling streets. It is reputed as the culture, business, and education capital of Northwest Michigan. These are the best places you must explore in and near Traverse City –
1. Downtown Traverse City- Shopper’s Paradise
On Front Street, Traverse City, Michigan
You’ll love basking in Downtown Traverse City that flaunts the famous Front Street at its forefront. Simply walking on the street’s brick sidewalk is a charming experience as it spans the entire shoreline of West Arm Grand Traverse Bay. There are about 150 shops, restaurants, boutiques, and galleries – all with attractive Victorian storefronts.
Inside the Cherry Republic Store
Cherry Republic:
Traverse City is well-known for its cherries, and Cherry Republic really embraces this tasty fruit in many different ways. They have everything from jams, jellies, chocolates, and more – all made with cherries. You should definitely stop by the store to try out all these different cherry products for yourself. The renowned Cherry Republic Flagship store is also located right on this street where hundreds of people stop by daily.
2. The Village At Grand Traverse Commons
Tour, Indoor Activities, and Shopping at Grand Traverse Commons
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is located just a few minutes west of the downtown shopping area. It takes you away from the urban sprawl to a unique experience of shopping, dining, staying, and exploring in a historic complex with wooded grounds and dozens of stately castle-like historic buildings.
You can stroll around the complex to discover a plethora of restaurants, wineries, retail shops, and much more. Walking, running, skiing, and bird watching are common activities among visitors here.
3. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sand Dunes in Traverse City
The sleeping bear dune National Park located in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula abodes a long stretch of sand beach, clear lakes, flourishing forests, and distinctive flora and fauna. Hiking through the forest and spotting different birds and wildlife on the way feels like being in the lap of nature. You can see eminent examples of glacially caused landforms that the Lakeshore presents in the form of wetlands, streams, bogs, and abandoned farm site meadows.
The perched dunes above Lake Michigan are a prominent highlight. During winter, the filtering sun-rays falling on slushy ice bring out absolute glory of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Beaches that lure children and families during summer are blanketed with pristine snow and ice, and the whole view is rather marvelous.
sleeping bear dunes climb
There is no easy way around it: in order to see the dunes, you must first walk up the dunes. You can go at your own pace, and there were many families with small children and people of various fitness levels all over the dunes.
If you have time, take the dune climb and the trail all the way to Lake Michigan! If you have small children or do not engage in a lot of physical activity, I would recommend climbing only the first dune and enjoying the view. The hike to Lake Michigan is challenging.
4. Point Betsie Lighthouse
Don’t miss the beautiful lake Michigan Shoreline, It’s a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts and those seeking relaxation.
This lighthouse sits on the splendid Lake Michigan waterfront towards the south of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was built in 1858 and is the oldest standing structure in Benzie County. The outstanding view across the water stays fresh in your memory forever. It takes almost 1-2 hours to tour the Lighthouse. During the tour you will get to know the lake’s great maritime history, the coast guard keeper’s daily routines, visit the gift shop, the fog signal building, and the Boathouse Museum.
There is also an option to spend the night at the Lighthouse. So that you can fully appreciate the solitude and beauty of this location. In winter, you’ll find this lighthouse enrobed in snow, standing elegantly with its red roof and black lantern to dazzle its visitors. The snowy sight of Lake Michigan and the Lighthouse looks like a frozen fairy-tale landscape, and will make you want to enjoy view until your hearts are full.
Point Betsie Lighthouse I Michigan
5. Mackinac Island- A beautiful getaway place
We both enjoyed tandem bike rides along the Mackinac Island
Located in Lake Huron, between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula, this island is a widely celebrated travel destination in Michigan. The emotive experience of riding along the blues and teals of the lake will make you come back to this place time and again. You can read this article
for details on a day trip to Mackinac Island.
6. Charlevoix Mushroom Houses Tour
Charlevoix Mushroom Houses you can actually stay in!
Finally, the Mushroom Houses tour: The Mushroom Houses are architectural masterpieces built by Earl Young. Most of these homes are at a reasonable walking distance from downtown and taking a tour of these fascinating stone structures is the best thing to do in Charlevoix. Each of the 28 Mushroom Houses also known as Gnome Homes/Hobbit Houses is built using stones and boulders from the shoreline in Northern Michigan.
Every house reflects Young’s key design features – bare rafter tails, wide and wavy eaves, cedar-shake roofs – all built using indigenous materials. Half House, 306 Park Ave, Mushroom House are just some of the most photographed houses on the campus.
Though you can have a self-guided tour, I suggest you go for a guided tour as only then, you can get a better inside scoop of the information. In addition, If you’re looking for accommodation for vacation, reunion, wedding, or corporate retreat, you should look up the four unique Mushroom Houses available as rentals.
After a trip to Traverse City, I’m sure you’ll feel plugged into liveliness and the memories will always fill you up with gaiety.
We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights and tips to enhance your travel experiences and adventures. Every familiar place is unfamiliar to someone else. So, exploring new places and discovering hidden gems is what makes the world of travel so captivating.
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Remember, every journey is a story waiting to be told. Safe travels, wanderers!
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