6 day itinerary for Traverse City

Itinerary

Traverse City is a beautiful destination with plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy. Here's an ideal itinerary for 6 days in Traverse City:

Day 1: Arrival and Beach Day

• Check into your hotel or vacation rental and settle in.
• Head to one of the many beaches in Traverse City, such as Clinch Park Beach or Bryant Park Beach. Spend the day swimming, sunbathing, and playing beach games.

Day 2: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

• Drive out to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which is about 30 minutes from Traverse City.
• Hike the dunes and take in the stunning views of Lake Michigan.
• Visit the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, which offers panoramic views of the dunes and lake.
• Stop by the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitor Center to learn more about the area's history and ecology.

Day 3: Downtown Traverse City

• Spend the day exploring downtown Traverse City.
• Visit the Traverse City State Theatre, a historic movie theater that shows indie and classic films.
• Check out the shops and galleries on Front Street.
• Have lunch at one of the many restaurants in the area, such as The Little Fleet food truck park or The Filling Station Microbrewery.
• Take a stroll along the Boardman River and visit the Open Space Park.

Day 4: Cherry Festival

• If you're visiting Traverse City in early July, be sure to check out the National Cherry Festival.
• Enjoy live music, carnival rides, and cherry-themed food and drinks.
• Watch the Grand Traverse Bay fireworks show at night.

Day 5: Wine Tasting

• Traverse City is known for its wineries, so spend the day wine tasting.
• Visit Old Mission Peninsula, which has several wineries with beautiful views of the bay.
• Some popular wineries include Chateau Chantal, Bowers Harbor Vineyards, and Mari Vineyards.

Day 6: Outdoor Adventure

• Traverse City has plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.
• Rent bikes and ride the TART Trail, which runs from Traverse City to Suttons Bay.
• Go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on the Boardman River.
• Visit the Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area, which has hiking trails and a historic mental asylum to explore.

I hope this itinerary helps you plan your trip to Traverse City!