An already popular weekend destination, Traverse City has grown in popularity over the past few years. With a burgeoning wine scene, a National Lakeshore full of sand dunes, unique art and a heap of cherries, it’s no wonder that this destination is not only a local getaway but quickly becoming a national treasure. So whether you’re visiting Traverse City for a girls/guys trip, a romantic getaway or an adult family vacation, this weekend in Traverse City is the perfect itinerary to help you see all of the most amazing things Traverse City has to offer.
Traverse City Itinerary
Day 1 – Traverse City
Morning – Downtown
Spend the morning wandering downtown Traverse City. Front Street is full of unique and touristy shops. You’ll find a range of things to buy; like beautiful art for the well-to-do and bubble poppers for the kids. Don’t forget to get some Traverse City cherry treats as you wander. So must stops are Cherry Republic and the Grand Traverse Pie Company.
Next, cross of the main road and take a walk along the beach along the pedestrian walkway.
Then, have lunch at one of the fun downtown restaurants. Can’t decide which one? Check out the Little Fleet, a spot for multiple food truck to park with plenty of outdoor seating.
Afternoon – Wine and Cherry Tasting
Visit the Old Mission Peninsula in the afternoon. Here you can choose to taste cherries or wine or both. Additionally, the peninsula itself is a beautifully scenic drive. There are wineries and cherry farms every few miles. Chateau Chantal and Mari Vineyards are two of the most popular stops, due in part to their supreme views over the peninsula. Wine tasting in and around Traverse City ranges from $10-30 and normally includes pre-arranged flights of wines.
Lastly, end you drive up the Mission Peninsula with a visit to the Mission Point Lighthouse. If you’d like to climb to the top of the lighthouse tower, you will need to pay $5/person. However, you can enjoy the grounds and the beach for free.
Day 2 – Around Traverse City
Morning – Sleeping Bear Dunes
Spend the morning exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This park is impressive! Rolling Dunes for miles and water bluer than the Caribbean – yes, please! While visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes, make sure you drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and do some dune hiking. The most popular hike, the Dune Climb, takes a few hours. You can pack a lunch and have a picnic lunch on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Afternoon – More Traverse!
Take your pick! Maybe you want to visit more wineries. Maybe you want to want another scenic drive. We can recommend the Leelenau Peninsula. Both can be combined to end your weekend in Traverse City on a high note. However, don’t forget to designate a driver or book a wine tasting tour.
Are you looking for a less alcohol soaked activity? Check out The Village At Grand Traverse Commons, an old hospital complex that has been converted into shops. You can still take a historic tour which includes a walk through some creepy underground tunnels. This tour lasts two hours and costs $30+/person.
Want to Adjust the Itinerary?
We loved Sleeping Bear Dunes so we would have spent extra time there.
However, we also like wine, a lot. So if you have extra time and extra money, you could easily spend an entire weekend in Traverse City drinking wine. However, wine tastings in this area are higher in price and comparable to other popular wine tasting regions in the US, like Washington state. So if you have dreams of spending you weekend drinking, just know that it comes with quite a hefty price tag. This includes guided tours and private drivers which come with absolutely outrageous price tags.
Where To Stay When Visiting Traverse City
Traverse City has an amazing list of charming places to stay. From historic home stays to cute Bed and Breakfasts to modern hotels, you’ll find it all in Traverse City. And since this weekend in Traverse City is filled with driving, location doesn’t really matter. So choose a neat stay and let the charm of town wash over you.
However, you will pay a hefty price tag for charm. As this is a popular destination for girls trips, and us basic ladies like our charming stays, home rentals and Bed and Breakfasts do have a high price tag. You’ll get your best deal on downtown hotels that are part of larger chains. Clean and comfortable but lacking charm, these stays are best if you’re on a budget.
We hope this guide has helped you to plan your own weekend in Traverse City. This is a great destination for Michigan natives, like us, but it ranks well with other popular weekend getaway destinations throughout the United States. We hope you’ll love exploring this amazing beachside town as much as we did! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.
