Best Things to Do In Traverse City, Mich.

If you’re big into bubbly, Mawby Sparkling Wines is a family-owned operation set atop a hill overlooking rolling fields of vineyards. Their signature sparkling wine is called Sex, which lends itself to lots of fun, wine-infused innuendo. If bubbles aren’t your thing, head upstairs to bigLITTLE where you can try a collection of whites. Pro tip: Make reservations far ahead for weekend visits; the Mawby patio gets packed.

Black Star Farms on the Leelanau Peninsula shows just how pretty Traverse City’s wineries can be, where horse fences and a restored barn front views of the vineyards. The tasting room feels like eating inside an old riding stable and serves a great collection of vintage red blends. There’s also a luxe hotel onsite in a 19th-century mansion, if you want to make it a whole wine-tasting weekend on the farm.

Chateau Chantal lets you gaze out over Grand Traverse Bay while you sip and enjoy the cool winds coming off Lake Michigan. It’s especially nice during the summer when the winery runs its Jazz at Sunset program, which pairs wine with colorful skies and relaxing live jazz.

This relative newcomer to the Traverse City wine scene, Mari Vineyards has gotten some big publicity thanks to its owner Marty Lagina, who you may remember from “The Curse of Oak Island.” It doesn’t turn its cable TV celebrity owner into a gimmick, though: the tasting room looks like an Italian villa.

No discussion of Traverse City wines is complete without mentioning Chateau Grand Traverse, the OG TC winemaker that’s been bottling juice for over 50 years. The stately ranch is set right above the bay and has stunning vistas from the property. The tastings are good, too, with personalized samplings so you can try pretty much whatever you like.

The must-see natural stunner of Grand Traverse Bay is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a swath of Lake Michigan waterfront whose beaches look like they could be ripped from the Caribbean. Jump in the water and you’ll instantly know you’re in the Great Lakes (it’s cold), but the lake is refreshing after hiking two miles over sand dunes to the beach. The Dune Climb is the park’s signature experience, but if you’re not up for the exertion you can still take in the scenery along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a 7.4-mile road with a dozen places to pull over and appreciate the view. The park is also home to North and South Manitou islands, remote spaces where nature runs wild.

The four-hour Kayak, Bike and Brew excursion takes you to three different breweries on bikes and kayaks. You’ll learn the city’s neighborhoods on two wheels, then paddle through Boardman Lake, stopping at a handful of breweries along the way. None of the active parts of the tour are difficult, so you just need a basic level of fitness to enjoy this truly unique way to see the city

Some days, the blue sky and sunshine glittering off Grand Traverse Bay just begs for a boat ride. If you don’t have your own vessel, book a cruise with Nauti-Cat cruises, which operates from the marina at the Delamar Hotel. Happy hour and sunset voyages serve local beers and wine from a full bar as you cruise the bay for a couple hours on a catamaran.

Not far from downtown Traverse City, Silver Spruce Brewing has gained acclaim for its European-style beers that do a great job of approximating flavors from the old world. Grab a clean, crisp German Pilsner and drink it on the sunny front patio. There’s a taco truck onsite, too, in case you get hungry.

For a nice beer-and-lunch break, pop into Rare Bird a short walk from downtown. The neighborhood bar has an inventive lineup of house-made beers like the Blood Orange You Witty? and Jill Off Blonde Ale. If the weather allows, order lunch on the sunny back porch, where tacos, tasty salads and epic burgers await.

The folks behind this waterfront distillery are doing some crazy things with their spirits, including crafting a whiskey from Rosen rye — a long-forgotten Michigan grain grown on South Manitou Island. They’re also attempting to salvage whiskey from a century-old shipwreck in Lake Michigan, though that’s not on tap just yet at the time of this writing. For now, try a whiskey tasting or craft cocktails and see how their above-water stuff stacks up.

If you’re more into bourbon than craft cocktails or experimental mashes, this is the stop. The XXX Straight Bourbon is the signature spirit, but since you’re in town, you might as well try the American Cherry and Michigan Apple whiskeys too. They taste far more natural and clean than some of the artificial infusions you’ll find, and are especially enjoyable when sipped on the shipping container patio.

Traverse City bills itself as the cherry capital of the world, and if you’re not here for the annual National Cherry Festival, the must-visit place to experience the flavors is this Front Street pie shop. Its empire has expanded to much of the Midwest, but the original café has that small-town bakery atmosphere, with all sorts of cherry-filled sweets that extend far beyond the original pies.

Locals’ general consensus for the best restaurant in town is The Cook’s House, a 26-seat chef-owned spot that specializes in local ingredients. Reservations are hard to come by, and the menu is constantly changing. If you snag a table, opt for the five- or seven-course tasting menus to get an idea of what the chefs do best.

Sleder’s is the oldest continually operating bar in Michigan and still retains the feel of a friendly corner tavern. A giant moose head hangs on a back wall above the vintage décor, and giving him a kiss is said to bring the puckerer good luck. The food is solid bar fare, with a big selection of local beers.

Nestled into a narrow space downtown, Amical’s walls are lined with European art that sets the scene for its continental food. The menu travels from French onion soup to risotto with Italian sausage to Provençal rabbit with chickpeas, all paired with one of Traverse City’s most extensive wine lists.

Another local favorite is Slabtown Burgers, a simple burger joint inside an old Craftsman home. The basic burgers never fail to satisfy, but if you want to try something a little different, order one of the stuffed burgers. 

If you’re looking for a little break from the parade of hearty Midwestern American food, plan dinner one night at Firefly. Yes, it’s got a big selection of sandwiches and steaks, but it also puts out the city’s best sushi too. Firefly plays the classics like California and spicy tuna rolls, and its original creations are intriguing, like the Fishtown Philly roll with smoked salmon, surimi crab, cucumber, scallion and cream cheese.

Low Bar is Traverse City’s take on a speakeasy, hidden at the bottom of a nondescript, fluorescent-lit stairway downtown. Once inside, you’ll find a dark, sexy space with an eclectic cocktail menu, and the bartenders will mix up whatever you like. For something refreshing, order the East Side, made with gin, lime, sugar, mint and cucumber. It’s like a mojito with a Midwest twist.

For rooftop drinks with unbeatable views of the sunset, head a little east of town to this bar atop the Alexandra Inn. Couches line the bar’s outer railing, where you can post up with a cocktail and watch the sun as it sets over Grand Traverse Bay. The bar has a pretty sizable food menu, too, so if your stomach is grumbling around dinnertime, you’ll have options.

Traverse City’s other big rooftop bar sits atop the Hotel Indigo downtown. H&L Social skews a little more sceney — if such a thing exists in a laid-back, Midwestern lake town. Well-heeled patrons fill the sunny outdoor space for sunset during summer, and even in cooler months heat lamps keep the party going. If you’re in town on a weekend and want a sense of Traverse City’s professional scene, this is the place to be.

Every city has its late-night dive bar of last resort, and in Traverse City that bar is U and I. Unlike some landmark dives, this lounge still feels bright and friendly, and locals will happily ask you where you’re from and why you’re visiting. Drinks are cheap and strong, and for dive bar aficionados, this place will become your nightly go-to. This pizza isn’t bad, either.

The towering icon of the Traverse City skyline is the historic Park Place Hotel, dating all the way back to 1930. Its latest renovation has made it decidedly modern, though, so aside from the lighthouse on the top floor, you won’t find many antiques. However, to get a fantastic view, optimal location and a slice of the city lore, the Park Place is the move.

Traverse City’s beachside hotels are mostly clustered about 10 minutes east of the city on Highway 31. The newest — and nicest — of the bunch is the Alexandra Inn, a five-story beach house with a panoramic rooftop bar. Rooms are designed to feel like little beach bungalows, and with instant access to the sand, it’s ideal for a relaxing waterfront getaway. There’s also nightly chocolate chip cookies at happy hour, a treat for both adults and kids.

The best hotel in Traverse City for big groups, weddings and corporate events is the lakefront Delamar Hotel. It’s just a short walk from downtown, and with 173 rooms boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, everyone in your crew can get a real sense of place. The Delamar has a big swimming pool in its center and its own marina in case your group wants to charter a sailboat.

As far as lifestyle and boutique-style hotels in Traverse City go, your best option is downtown’s Hotel Indigo. It maintains the colorful and artistic ethos of the brand in its minimalistic, modern rooms. You’ll find locals milling about the lobby, generally waiting to head up to the rooftop bar, which seems to always be packed during warmer months.

Home to shops, galleries and restaurants, the Village at Grand Traverse Commons is located in a former hospital complex that first opened in 1884. It includes an arboretum and is surrounded by acres of beautiful grounds, which means you can wedge a hike into an afternoon of shopping. 

Dennos Museum Center features more than 3,000 works of art spanning the 19th to 21st centuries. It is particularly notable for its extensive Inuit art collection, the largest and most comprehensive in the U.S., with over 1,600 pieces, including sculptures and prints by contemporary Inuit artists.

Up for a day trip? Michigan is home to more lighthouses than any other state (120) and there are four in the Traverse City area you should check out: Mission Point Lighthouse (pinpointed on map), Point Betsie Lighthouse, Grand Traverse Lighthouse and Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse.

Grand Traverse Bay is home to many including Bryant Park Beach, Clinch Park Beach (pictured), West End and Traverse City State Park Beach.

This 116-mile scenic highway runs along the Leelanau Peninsula and the coastline of Lake Michigan. The route passes through several charming towns and villages, including Leland, Glen Arbor, and Empire, and it’s also known for its stunning views of the lake, vineyards, and cherry orchards.

One of the largest farmers markets in Michigan, the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market runs Wednesday (from June through October) and Saturdays (May through October). The Market takes place in Downtown Traverse City at the corner of Union and State Streets.