Downtown Traverse City and its surrounding areas are full of exciting activities. Shops, restaurants, museums, golf courses, lighthouses and hiking trails are nestled among peaceful shores and forested areas. From the lake shore to downtown, each corner of Traverse City offers a special experience.
What Are Fun Things to Do in Traverse City?
The Traverse City area is bursting with history, architecture, nature, shops and flavors. Whether you want to experience the area’s peaceful natural areas, learn more about its history or treat yourself to some mouthwatering cuisine, you can enjoy the following activities when you visit this beautiful part of Northern Michigan:
1. Relax on Lake Michigan’s Shores
Dig your toes in the soft sand and listen to the gentle freshwater waves lap on the shore at one of Traverse City’s beaches. From splashing in the lake and building sandcastles to watching dazzling sunsets over the water, the following beaches are full of fun and serenity:
- Van’s Beach
- Glen Haven Beach
- West End Beach
- Frankfort Public Beach
- Good Harbor Bay
- East Bay Park
- Suttons Bay
- Haserot Beach Park
- Esch Road Beach
- Empire Beach
- Clinch Park Beach
2. Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is another way to experience Lake Michigan’s grandeur. You can take a scenic drive, hike through the lush forest, walk along the sandy shore or ride a ferryboat to the Manitou Islands. With a lighthouse and various lookout points, Sleeping Bear Dunes is also a great place to take some photos and soak in the incredible views.
3. Shop and Dine at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
The former Traverse City State Hospital grounds are home to gorgeous architecture, charming shops and beautiful galleries. You can stroll around the wooded campus, find some souvenirs and enjoy a hot cup of coffee with delectable breakfast pastries when you visit The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. The Village also features wineries, breweries, restaurants and farmers markets where you can delight your taste buds.
4. Take a Historic Asylum Tour
If The Village’s castle-like buildings catch your eye while you explore Grand Traverse Commons, consider taking a fascinating asylum tour. During a historic walking tour, you can walk the hallways of an unrenovated building and learn about the Traverse City State Hospital’s history. From the “Beauty is Therapy” patient care theory to the asylum’s structures and their purposes, you can learn more about the area’s history and how doctors approached mental conditions during this era.
You can also take a twilight tour for a spookier adventure. Follow your guide through the asylum’s tunnels, wards and basements after dark, learning about former employees’ firsthand experiences.
5. Play, Race and Splash at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Park
Challenge your friends or family to an exciting game of miniature golf. Pirate’s Cove Adventure Park offers an immersive course where you can venture through pirate dungeons and mountain caves, cross footbridges, pass under rushing waterfalls and explore pirate ships. At Pirate’s Cove, you can also race on the ultimate go-kart track or spin, rock and spray on exciting bumper boats featuring squirt guns.
6. Tour a Traverse City Lighthouse
Explore Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Leelanau State Park for a fun, educational experience. You can walk through the keepers dwelling, explore fascinating exhibits featuring historical artifacts and make your way up the lighthouse tower for spectacular views. Visiting Traverse City Lighthouse is a fantastic way to learn more about how lighthouse keepers lived and worked in the 1920s and 1930s.
7. Set Sail on Lake Michigan
Tall ship sailing is one of the most popular things to do in Traverse City. You can book a ride on the Schooner Manitou to experience what it was like to sail the Great Lakes in the 1800s. You can enjoy a gentle ride, take in the views and lend a hand sailing the schooner if you wish. Traverse Tall Ship Company offers special trips such as a Moomers Ice Cream Sail, brunch and dinner cruises, windjammer cruises and entertainment nights, giving you an unforgettable time on the water.
8. Tour the City on a Private Pedicab
A pedicab tour is an exciting way to experience the city’s top sights and locations. Bay Life Getaways offers Happytown Rickshaw pedicab tours that take you through the city’s best sites, such as:
- Warehouse District.
- Downtown Front Street.
- Grand Traverse Commons.
- Old Town.
- The Open Space beachfront park area.
You can also book special tours for unique adventures. Whether you book a foodie experience to taste the city’s best grub or a “Doin it for the Gram” tour to hit all the best photo opportunity sites, a pedicab is a fantastic way to discover all that Traverse City has to offer.
9. Enjoy Fresh Farm Produce
Roadside produce stands and farmers markets fill Traverse City during spring, summer and fall. You can purchase your favorite fruits and veggies from local vendors or visit a U-pick orchard for a fun, hands-on experience. Traverse City is famous for its cherries, so be sure to purchase or pick some during your trip if you visit between July and August.
10. Take a Wine Tour
The Traverse City area is home to numerous vineyards and wineries, making it the perfect place to sample new flavors. Add the following wine stops to your tour for a delightful day:
- Chateau Chantal Winery
- The Barrel Room
- Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
- Mari Vineyards
- Chateau Grand Traverse Winery
- Bowers Harbor Vineyards
- Left Foot Charley Winery
- ŌBrien Vineyards
If you would rather take a guided tour, companies such as Viator offer wine tasting excursions that take you to the city’s best spots.
11. Explore Slabtown
Slabtown is one of Traverse City’s most beloved historical neighborhoods. It is also home to Slabtown Burgers, a local favorite that serves fresh, hand-pattied burgers, homemade soups and delicious fries. You can bite into a savory cheeseburger or other tasty menu options such as salads, veggie burgers and wraps.
Experience Traverse City at Kampgrounds of America
With countless things to do and see in Traverse City, visiting this gorgeous area is a must. From delicious pastries, fresh fruit and juicy burgers to serene schooner cruises and exciting tours, you can have an unforgettable time in Traverse City.
Traverse City KOA offers a fun, relaxing base camp to enjoy the best of Northern Michigan. Just a short drive from Traverse City, KOA makes it easy to explore the area’s best natural areas and attractions. You can tour the city’s former asylum, climb a lighthouse tower, eat ice cream on the lake and enjoy a famous Slabtown burger before gathering around a crackling campfire under the stars.
With exciting recreational activities and convenient amenities, Traverse City KOA has everything you need to enjoy an unforgettable Traverse City vacation. Reserve a stay at KOA to start your Northern Michigan adventure.
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
