10 Best Things to Do in Traverse City

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons offers a unique shopping and dining experience housed in historic buildings with scenic surroundings. The site showcases historical preservation, with buildings being repurposed instead of demolished.

The complex was originally a state hospital and asylum, and now is a family destination with 63 acres of walkways, historic arboretums, broad lawns, picnic areas, and hiking and biking trails. Beyond the dining, shopping, and entertainment options, you can also take guided tours of the historic buildings. The complex is located about 7 minutes southwest of city centre Traverse City.

The Mission Point Lighthouse offers a stunning view of Lake Michigan as well as miles of hiking trails, a gift shop, and hand-baked treats on some days. The historic lighthouse was erected in 1870 and is located about 19 miles up the peninsula from Traverse City.

The scenic drive to get there will take you through gorgeous orchards of cherry blossoms and vineyards. On the same property as the lighthouse sits a historic log cabin dating to 1854, which today is open every third Sunday to visitors, and homemade treats are served to those who come through its doors.

The Dennos Museum Centre offers a massive collection of Inuit artwork and prints, sculptures, textiles, and drawings focused on Canadian Woodland Indian culture. In addition to the museum's extensive collection of Native American artwork, it features works of 19th- and 20th-century American and European art, Japanese prints, and artwork from all over the world.

An on-site gift shop allows you to find the perfect keepsake, and regular guest speakers, family programmes, and concerts are held to entertain and educate. It's just 7 minutes east of the city centre area.

The City Opera House is a magnificent historic building that offers live entertainment from Broadway musicals to concerts, stand-up comedians, and opera. It was built in 1892 and has been meticulously restored to its original form, with barrel vault ceilings, gold leaf, frescoes, and Victorian charm.

The opera house seats up to 650 people and offers some of the best acoustics in the city. It hosts both private and public events and is amongst the sites where the annual Traverse City Film Festival is hosted. The City Opera House is right in the heart of city centre Traverse City.

Bryant Park offers a picnic area with charcoal grills under pine tree groves, a playground for the kids, and a long stretch of golden sand on the lakeshore. This is the place people go to relax and swim in Lake Michigan, take in some sun on the beach, or play some beach volleyball.

Other options to enjoy here include having lunch with family and friends or just relaxing the day away. Lifeguards are available in the summer to keep swimmers safe in the cool lake waters, and the park offers on-site bathrooms. Bryant Park is on the southern shore of West Arm Grand Traverse Bay.

Clinch Park offers a beautiful beachfront escape just a few steps from the wealth of shopping and dining opportunities in the business district. This park features a 1,500-foot stretch of golden sand and cool, fresh waters for safe swimming monitored in the summer by lifeguards.

Bike trails with bike racks attract cyclists from all over, and on summer nights you can experience free concerts by local bands. You can enjoy a splash pad, rent kayaks to get out on the water, or visit the on-site snack bar for quick eats. Clinch Park is north of the city centre area right on the lakeshore.

The Traverse Area Recreation Trail offers paved trails for hiking and biking as well as natural scenery where motor vehicles are prohibited. The trail extends for 10.5 miles from Traverse City's western edge to the town of Acme.

The trail is popular not just with fitness fans, but also with those who want a serene lakeshore experience with outstanding natural scenery and a peaceful escape from the crowds and bustle of the city. It's part of US Bicycle Route 35 and connects to several other multi-use trails along the way.

Gallagher's Farm Market and Bakery sells seasonal fruits and vegetables, baked goods, salsa, jams, jams, local wines, cheeses, and honey. The kids can visit a petting zoo, and in the fall the farm hosts a corn maze and pumpkin picking straight from a seemingly endless pumpkin patch.

This is a popular location for visitors to pick up outstanding local foods and produce, from award-winning pies to homemade maple syrup. The family-owned and -operated farm has been here for decades and is located just a 16-minute drive to the west of city centre Traverse City.