Traverse City Michigan Travel Guide

Traverse City Michigan

Located on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay with the Boardman River running through it and emptying into Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay.  This city is located in a geographical gem and is one of the most beautiful and unique vacation regions in the United States!  Traverse City offers many fine restaurants, hiking, boating, camping, beaches, golfing, skiing and the amazing Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  Just an amazing and wonderful place to visit.

Traverse City is such a four-season vacation destination that it has been named Second Best Small Town Vacation Destination and one of the top 10 places to retire in the United States. Considering the amazing Autumn leaves that take breath away- exhilarating Ski slopes, fantastic freshwater beaches, exquisite vineyards, National Lakeshore, and numerous plush forests, Traverse City is sure to please travelers from all around. Come discover the True North!

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Rental Managers in Traverse City Michigan

History/Geography

Located at the head of the Traverse City Bay, featuring 250 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Traverse City is the largest city in the 21 county Northern Michigan Region with the approximate population 14,674. The Traverse City area is the largest producer of tart cherries in the entire U.S. and in fact has been called the Cherry Capital of the world. The home of the Annual Cherry Festival in July, Traverse City attracts over 500,000 visitors a year. The area is also one of the highest grape producing areas in the nation. The very first inhabitants of the area are the Ottawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi Indians. They became known as the Three Brothers because of their frequent friendly meetings and dealings together in this place. After 1840 white settlers came into the area especially interested in the potential for a lucradive lumber industry. Several men staked all theyhad on the beginnings of the lumber industry-one such man was Perry Hannah who was key in the developement of the Traverse City of today. The investment of Hannah and many others during that time lead to the economic boom of the area and the nickname theycarried,"Queen City of the North."

Tourism

 You will find music of all types featured in the local restaurants and bars from jazz to classical to rock.  The food and wine connoisseurs love in Traverse City as well.  Bon Appetit Magazine names Traverse City the 5th best "foodie" destination. Discover the area's incredible wine by touring some of the tasting rooms along the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsula wine trails. Music, food, and wine ... is there anything more?  Well, there is the geography ... location, location, location - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (recently nominated as the 8th Wonder of the World by VirtualTourist.com) offers magnificent views over sweeping vistas of Lake Michigan from atop high dunes, miles of perfect freshwater beaches, forested wilderness islands, hiking trails and a series of preserved historic farmsteads. The glistening waters of Lake Michigan make a stunning backdrop for the dunes and forests, while abundant wildlife and a diverse ecosystem thrill the nature lover. Hiking, boating, camping, beaches, golfing, skiing, paddling, and other outdoor adventure abound.  For the Golf lover, the Traverse City area golf courses have been rated one of the top six golf destinations in the country. Enjoy course designs by Nicklaus, Palmer, Player and Weiskopf. Families can pile in and hang out at the drive-in movie theater,  play laser tag, billiards or bowling if rain keeps the fun to the indoors. Don't leave traverse city without delving into the area's rich maritime history! Beautiful lighthouses and maritime museums, lovely tall ships that glide along West Grand Traverse Bay are a long-time favorite sight for locals and visitors alike. For more information on Traverse City Chamber of Commerce. 

 

 

Map of Traverse City Michigan