Chloe & Ben
Things To Do
Downtown Traverse City
Such a wonderful place to stroll! Traverse City is known for Front Street, the main street with super cute shops, cafes, restaurants, and parks. Front Street is right across from Clinch Park, one of TC's best beaches. You can easily walk to the beach via an underground bridge at Park Street and Front.
Clinch Park
This beach is nestled within walking distance of downtown Tc. We love going to the beach, walking around the marina and park, grabbing an icecream, and then strolling back to town for more shopping, food, and delights. It makes for a truly lovely day!
The Little Fleet
Ben and I take almost all of our out of town guests here...because it's so much fun! The Little Fleet is a collection of food trucks right in downtown TC. The vibe is young and fun and there are plenty of awesome options to eat and drink.
Sleeping Bear Dunes
This is a must-see destination while you are in Northern Michigan. About 45 minutes west of Traverse City, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore attracts millions of visitors every summer for good reason. The insane, panoramic views of Lake Michigan, beautiful dunes, and lush forests make for lovely hikes! I recommend searching for the Empire Bluffs Trail (medium, uphill in parts, and moderate difficulty) or Pyramid Point (shorter uphill walk with a huge payoff at the end - jawdropping vistas. While you're in the area get lunch in the cute town of Glen Arbor or Empire. You may also take the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a curated road full of spots to pull off and hike, take pictures, or admire the views.
Peninsula Township
The Peninsula (same area as our wedding venue) is home to dozens of award-winning wineries to visit! At the very top of the peninsula is the Old Mission Lighthouse and beach - gorgeous! Some of our favorite wineries: Brys Estate Bonobo Mari Vineyards Bowers Harbor Chateau Chantal
Fishtown in Leland
Fishtown is a delightful attraction on a warm, sunny day! The town of Leland is just outside of Traverse City and offers an antique village of fishing shanties which have been converted into little riverside shops.
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
We love the resort! They have several beautiful golf courses and a wonderful spa. Their restaurant, Aerie, is on the 45th floor of the resort's tower and offers 360 aerial views of the area and really delicious, gourmet food.
Downtown Glen Arbor
This is the absolute cutest little town nestled nearby the Sleeping Bear Dunes. This is the perfect place to visit once you've trekked along the dunes and you're hungry for some lunch or dinner. There are plenty of adorable shops and eateries, including Art's Tavern (fyi - cash only!) and the original Cherry Republic store, full of every kind of cherry delight you can imagine plus an onsite winery and restaurant.
Cherry Republic | Glen Arbor
Northern Michigan is known as the Cherry Capital of the world for all of its groves and growers in the area. Cherry Republic is an iconic Michigan brand with its headquarters in Glen Arbor, alongside the Sleeping Bear Dunes. This adorable stop has a restaurant, gift shop with every cherry goody you can imagine, and a winery. Go in their yard to see how far you can spit your cherry pit. LOL!
Downtown Suttons Bay
A charming Northern Michigan town full of colorful stores along the shores of Lake Michigan. It's worth it to stop by for the drive alone - the route from TC to Suttons Bay is on M22, an iconic stretch of road with views of Lake Michigan the whole way!
Northport
I highly recommend venturing to the tippy top of the Leelanau Peninsula to see this cute town! The quaint village has great shops, art galleries, and a beautiful park and beach along Lake Michigan.
Leelanau Wine Cellars Tasting Room
Take a beautiful drive along M22 (the famous highway along Lake Michigan) to reach the Leelanau Cellars, one of my favorite places to take out of towners because its views really cannot be beat. Right next door is Knot Just a Bar which serves food as well.
Brown Bridge Quiet Area Trail 4 Trailhead
Hands down one of our favorite places to hike. This place is so beautiful and quiet that it almost feels sacred. The trails meander through forests, over rivers, through fields of wildflowers, swamps, and offers a very peaceful experience. I highly recommend this hike!
Empire Bluff Trail
One of the best hikes at the Sleeping Bear Dunes that offers stunning vistas of Lake Michigan.
Pyramid Point Trailhead
One of the best hikes at the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Your jaw will drop, I promise.
Farm Club Restaurant
Instagram-worthy restaurant serving fresh, homemade, locally-sourced food that is mostly grown onsite at their farm. They have a huge patio and a beautiful restaurant that serves minimalist-scandinavian vibes.