The Traverse City center point is around the area of Watermelon Sugar Gallery and the area of Great Lakes Children's Museum.
Traverse City weather can accommodate every type of seasonal activity whether it's fishing, boating, and sunbathing in the summer or skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating during the winter. During the summer, temperatures are in the pleasant 80-degree range, while ample snowfall and cold temperatures during the winter create the ideal landscape for snow activities and enthusiasts.
If seeing picturesque landscapes with acres of blooming cherry orchards is on your itinerary, visit Traverse City in May when the weather is comfortable and the visual delights are exceptional.
Fall is another season popular with visitors for camping, hiking, and fall foliage observation with the temperatures still comfortable through October.
The high season is summer from July to August with crowd-pleasing outdoor activities in the parks and on the bay. July is also Cherry Festival month, which draws big crowds. During the summer, rates are higher for hotels and services such as restaurants and rental cars.
For the best rates, winter is the off-peak season, but the weather can include snow storms. Except for the possibility of bad weather, winter is the ideal time for skiing enthusiasts to visit.
Great Wolf Lodge is an all-in-one destination location where comfort and family-friendly attractions blend together under one roof. Select standard, family, loft and fireplace suites, or one with a themed area for kids, such as the Wolf Den or KidKamp suite. Included with your stay, you'll enjoy unlimited Wi-Fi, activities for kids, a fitness center, shows in the lobby, and passes to the water park. The Great Wolf water park provides endless hours of fun splashing, gliding down water slides, and rafting under water falls and along a meandering indoor river. In the restaurant, kids will enjoy the wolf print waffles at the Camp Critter Bar & Grille, pizza, sweets, and poolside picnics.
West Bay Beach, situated on the waterfront of Lake Michigan, offers comfort every season throughout the year. With each room designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, guests enjoy relaxing views each day. The full-service restaurant is sure to please any palate, while the heated pool, fitness center, whirlpool, and sauna offer opportunities for complete relaxation. Additional amenities include room service, same-day dry cleaning, laundry facility, concierge service, and complimentary Wi-Fi. A free shuttle available 24 hours a day along with watercraft rentals are added bonuses at the smoke-free property. With its convenient location, guests are just minutes away from downtown, parks, trails, and cruises on the bay.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Traverse City offers an inviting atmosphere in each renovated guest room and suite decorated with warm pastel colors and modern furniture and accessories. Each spacious accommodation features luxury bedding with custom linens, a microwave, optional mini-fridge, and a CD player. Relax in a deluxe lounge chair while accessing Wi-Fi or searching for a favorite program on the 72-channel cable flat-screen TV. Unwind at the fitness center, refresh in the whirlpool, or swim a lap or two at the sparkling indoor pool. Enjoy a free buffet or continental breakfast or order from nearby restaurants that deliver. The hotel is conveniently located just five miles from Cherry Capital Airport.
Comfort Inn Traverse City is conveniently located near area attractions like Turtle Creek Casino, Leelanau Sands Casino, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for guest entertainment. For in-room comfort, inviting guest rooms are equipped with a coffee maker, microwave, and refrigerator to provide options for in-room dining. Each room also features a TV and complimentary Wi-Fi. Desks and whirlpools are also available in select rooms. Guest laundry facilities, free breakfast, whirlpool, and a 24-hour indoor heated pool add to the available amenities. The hotel also provides courtesy transportation, complimentary airport transportation, business center, meeting room, valet service, game room, computer, and a concierge desk.
For any visitor to Traverse City, whether on business or for pleasure, the city offers a menu of fun activities, cultural locations, outdoor sport locations, and extraordinary landscapes that include orchards, shorelines, and national parks.
The cultural scene in Traverse City is diverse with a variety of museums with interesting exhibits, events, and activities. Choose to spend the day exploring and discovering at the Great Lakes Children's Museum, Dennos Museum Center, the Grand Traverse Heritage Center, Watermelon Sugar Gallery, the City Opera House, and the Grand Traverse Art Center.
Outdoor enthusiasts have beautiful terrain to explore at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park where miles of beach, forests, and high dunes highlight the scenic views of the lake. Located just two miles from downtown, the 47-acre Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park offers visitors a lovely urban oasis featuring a pristine beach.
Traverse City is known for its annual cherry and grape orchards. For a taste of grape, take a tour of one of the wineries in the area such as Chateau Grand Traverse Winery, an award-winning winery and one the oldest in Michigan.
Fishing, sailing, and leisurely boating excursions are popular activities on Grand Traverse Bay. Hiking and golfing are also on the list of things to do. For a bird's eye view of the bay from atop a lighthouse tower, visit Mission Point Lighthouse, which was commissioned in 1870 and offers self-guided tours, a historic log cabin, hiking trails, gift shop, and picnic area.
Less than 40 minutes from Traverse City, adults can bring their “A” game to the gaming tables at Turtle Creek Casino and Leelanau Sands Casino. Whether blackjack, stud poker, slots, or roulette is your preference, both casinos offer hours of entertainment in a fun-filled atmosphere.
Traverse City is one of the premier small town destinations for seasonal climates, exceptional attractions, and a choice of reasonably priced hotels and resorts. From its many orchards and wineries to snow skiing and nearby casinos, leisure and business travelers have a diverse list of activities available for all ages any time of year.
No matter what time of year you choose to travel, Traverse City's small town vibe is big on catering to the enjoyment of visitors to the region.
Known for its cultivation of tart cherries, the city attracts more than 500,000 visitors every year towards its National Cherry Festival in July. Hotels in Traverse City are usually full during the season. It is gifted with natural beauty including freshwater beaches, green forests, skiing locations, and vineyards. The all-season resort has over 20 golf courses blending with vineyards and orchards. Tourism is definitely high on its list with advertising campaigns making it a popular brand worldwide.
Hotels are usually busy throughout the year, which is why many budget hotels offer great value for money. Grand Beach Resort Hotel - Located around 4.5 km away from downtown areas, the quiet property offers clean rooms at affordable tariffs. Guests have access to a large-sized hot tub, which is quite useful in the winter. Adequate portions are served with breakfasts. Rooms facing the Bay offer great views. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Traverse City - The hotel has been renovated in 2015 and modernized to increase visitor benefits. It also has a saltwater pool with friendly service attendants always at hand. Hotels in Traverse City do have the elegant look. Real value is provided within the rooms and at the breakfast table. Cheap hotels are highly functional and can compete with some mid-range hotels quite easily.
Spacious luxury hotels are found nearly everywhere spread around orchards and close to vineyards. They offer leisure stays and the opportunity to blend with nature. Country Inn & Suites by Carlson - Offering whirlpool suites fitted with tubs in the bedroom, the luxurious property has a great location. It is normally full during the holiday season, but friendly staff members are on their toes providing efficient services. Guests can relax in the Jacuzzi or large pool and enjoy delicious breakfasts. The pet-friendly hotel offers a shuttle service to the casino. Cambria Hotel & Suites - The property is close to downtown areas and shopping opportunities, restaurants, and wineries. Relax in a hot whirlpool. Attentive staff members ensure snow is cleared off vehicles parked within the property during winter. Tasty and elaborate home-made breakfasts are served. Cherry Tree Inn & Suites - An eternal favorite with guests, the hotel is an ideal spot with many seating areas for guests to enjoy each other's company. There's always the spacious pool and hot tub to relax. Well-designed rooms offer relaxing stays with excellent views of the lake. Other essentials like refrigerator and microwave oven are fitted within the rooms. Complimentary breakfasts are offered.
If the Cherry Festival in summer attracts huge crowds, the resort welcomes winter with the National Beer Week. Visitors have many opportunities to try out local dinners, sample craft brews, visit breweries, and attend workshops. Campsites are set up at the Traverse City State Park, which is less than 5 km away from downtown areas. Over 50 wineries are found close to the center, and travelers can also visit Old Mission Peninsula wineries including Black Star Farms and Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery. Traverse City hotels are found close to all these important tourist destinations providing great value for money.
Below are reviews of the city of Traverse City, MI from an actual visitor's perspective.
Very friendly people and the water views and the Haunted Lantern tour. The shopping was great and all the places to eat and wineries in area. The colors on the trees were gorgeous then, too.
Beautiful area!
Love, love, love Traverse City! Good food!!
The Lighthouse tour.
I love the TC Airport. Car rental was quick and easy.
Water view!
We love TC and all it has to offer, including the great restaurants.
I like Traverse City because it is close to the lakes and there are many places to visit close by.
There is always a lot to do and see in Traverse City!
The lake!
Downtown shopping was nice.
We come to visit family but there are always wonderful shops, beaches, and places to visit. I always buy a book at Horizon Books!
Downtown eateries and shopping!
Downtown eateries and shopping!
The water, restaurants,winerys.
Traverse City is a wonderful area and being near the water is just excellent. Good restaurants, good walking, good relaxation. The cherry orchards and vineyards are outstanding.
We enjoyed shopping and the beaches!
The lakes, the restaurants, the wine, the shopping!
Bustling with excitement and people!
Beautiful area to hike in.
Several great restaurants in and around the city.
Shops and Mode Bum Steer & Omelet Restaurant!
U and I Lounge is greatest quality/cost venue around - always enjoy the state!
I loved all the little stores so many small businesses!! My fav was The Cheese Lady!!
Beautiful water and breweries; a foodie town!
We love the atmosphere of Traverse City. We like the boardwalk and occasionally fishing the river. We do hit the wineries and pubs.
Loved the Twisted Fish Art Gallery!
The stores are nice, the eateries are good, bars are fun! Scenic drives are beautiful!
Beautiful city. Lots of close by restaurants and parks.
We visit Traverse City a few times each year and stay over at least once. Best food and great shopping!
The hotel personnel was very friendly and room comfortable and clean. everything
Beautiful city, very friendly people.
It is a wonderful area, we try and visit twice a year.
The views!
Lovely city.
The shopping!
This is a gorgeous location and has great accommodations throughout the city. Beautiful golf courses, wonderful water experiences to offer, gorgeous geographic locations and access to many other local offerings including the bridge and Mac Island within reach.
There was so much to see. We went to many wineries and went shopping.
The views!
Great food, water sports are amazing, points of interest (lighthouse trails and art fairs) Lots of fun!
The restaurants in town are fun and the shopping is great.
Beautiful area, shopping, nostalgia from Interlocken days!
Wonderful town, we frequent at least three times per year.
Very walkable city with many dining and shopping options.
Very walkable city with many dining and shopping options.
Was there for a wedding at Blue Ridge Event Center in Grawn.
Always great downtown!
Very nice setting. Clean. Very nice staff.
So close to the water and Mission Penninsula!
Great, busy main street, lots going on, great restaurant choices.
Enjoyed the ambiance, the Bay and the stores. Also Patrick, who served drinks and food at the inside bar and on the roof bar, where he demonstrated his juggling capabilities!
Traverse city is beautiful. Lake is gorgeous, lots of shopping and breweries and wineries. Town is great. Would def. return to Traverse City to explore.
Beautiful town! I liked that there were a lot of wooded areas right in the middle of town.
Parks and restaurants!
The room was very clean, and the hotel was very nice and Staff friendly. The check in staff was very kind!
Friendly, helpful, very clean. The check in staff was very kind!
Traverse City is beautiful!
Beautiful city with a lot to do. The hotel location is great.
Stayed there for 8am medical appt.
Availability of shopping!
Very clean, comfortable and excellent service. Restaurants, wineries and breweries for everyone's
Property was clean and staff very friendly. Traverse City has so much to see and do. Also has many different restaurants to choose from.
Great place to visit!
Medical care at Cooper Ridge.
Shopping!
Lake views!
LOVE EVERYTHING! Have been coming there for 30 years! Plan to move there
Very fun!
The downtown is charming with great little shops. The restaurants are amazing. Great food! It is only a few hours away from home.
Hotel was okay. We enjoy the restaurants & bars.
I grew up not far from there and it's such a beautiful area. The grandkids enjoyed a game of mini golf the next morning at Pirate's Cove where their mom played when she was a kid. Still fun!
Wine tastings!
Wine tastings!
Shopping!
Loved it. It was beautiful. The weather cooperated and the water was different shades of blue and lovely.
Shopping and good restaurants near by the hotel were mainly the reasons we came to Traverse City.
Traverse City is a nice place. Friendly people and fun shopping.
Love it!
The friendliest place in town.
Meeting new people and walking through the downtown area. Also, we love the Opera House and have seen many wonderful acts there.
Variety of things to do from casino to shopping ...if weather was warmer we would also enjoy the outdoor things...maybe next time we'll visit in the summer
We enjoyed a sail on the Manitou. Ideal cruise for visitors to the area with great views of Grand Traverse Bay.
Visting Blackstar Farms Winery was great, relaxing experience. I recommend it.
Traverse City offers the small town friendliness that is most enjoyable. The shopping was good and diverse. The restaurants had menus that made it hard to make a choice because of the nice variety. We loved the personal attention given to every concern.