Grand Traverse County, also referred to as the “Cherry Capital” of the world, is located in the state of Michigan and borders Grand Traverse Bay. This scenic county is renowned for its abundance of fruit orchards and for producing top-quality wine in the United States.
There’s so much to do in Grand Traverse County, that it’s almost impossible to visit the area and not find something to keep you busy. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or an outdoor adventurer, there’s something for everyone in this part of Michigan.
In addition to the natural beauty, there are plenty of cultural attractions to be found in the area as well. One of the most popular attractions is The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, where visitors can take in some local history and enjoy a variety of markets.
Here’s our list of the best and most fun things to do in Grand Traverse County, Michigan
The 88 Most Popular Things To Do In Grand Traverse County, Michigan
88. Tonawanda Lake
1.0 (1 review)
Credit: Kenneth Eklund, Google Maps
87. Ellis Lake
5.0 (1 review)
86. Headquarters Lake
5.0 (1 review)
85. Chandler Lake
5.0 (2 reviews)
84. HomeTech Outdoors
1.0 (2 reviews)
Location: 6299 Selsey Ln Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 421 1066
Web Address: https://hometechoutdoors.com/pages/about-us
83. Yoga in the Vines Traverse City
5.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Yoga in the Vines Traverse City, Google Maps
Location: 3299 Holiday Village Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 409 9118
82. Cedar Hedge Lake
4.3 (3 reviews)
Credit: JimTobita, Google Maps
81. Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail
5.0 (4 reviews)
Location: 15900 Rue Devin Traverse City MI
80. Mickey Lake
5.0 (4 reviews)
Credit: JimTobita, Google Maps
79. Bassett Island
5.0 (5 reviews)
78. Traverse Area Recreation Trail
5.0 (6 reviews)
77. Crooked Tree Arts Center – Traverse City
5.0 (8 reviews)
Credit: Crooked Tree Arts Center – Traverse City, Google Maps
Location: 322 6th Street Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 941 9488
Web Address: http://crookedtree.org/tc
76. Kids Creek Park
4.7 (9 reviews)
Location: 3315 US 31 Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 941 1620
Web Address: http://garfield-twp.com/kidscreekpark.asp
75. Rennie Lake
4.8 (10 reviews)
Credit: Patti Musci, Google Maps
74. Long Lake
4.9 (14 reviews)
Credit: Phoenix-Five, License, Wikimedia commons
73. Gens Park
4.2 (14 reviews)
Location: 2263 Munson Ave Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 947 8647
Web Address: http://gtrec.org/facility.asp
72. East Arm Grand Traverse Bay
4.9 (15 reviews)
Credit: James Valdez, Google Maps
71. Silver Lake
5.0 (17 reviews)
Credit: Phoenix-Five, License, Wikimedia commons
70. Bryant Park Beach
4.7 (20 reviews)
69. Duck Lake
4.9 (20 reviews)
Credit: Shawn, License, Wikimedia commons
68. West Arm Grand Traverse Bay
4.9 (20 reviews)
Credit: Tresho, License, Wikimedia commons
67. Bass Lake
5.0 (21 reviews)
Credit: Phoenix-Five, License, Wikimedia commons
66. Clinch Park Beach
4.4 (23 reviews)
65. Arbutus Lake
4.9 (25 reviews)
64. Spider Lake
4.8 (27 reviews)
Credit: GoToVan, License, Wikimedia commons
63. Old Mission Point Park
4.9 (27 reviews)
Credit: Brent Mikkelsen, Google Maps
Location: 4001 4475 Murray Road Traverse City MI
Web Address: http://peninsulatownship.com/parks.html
62. Elk Lake
4.8 (28 reviews)
Credit: Bernt Rostad, License, Wikimedia commons
61. Lake Skegemog
4.7 (30 reviews)
Credit: Notorious4life, License, Wikimedia commons
60. Traverse City State Park Beach
4.2 (31 reviews)
Credit: Tony Buckley, Google Maps
59. Boardman Valley Nature Preserve
4.8 (31 reviews)
Credit: Andrew Grettenberger, Google Maps
Location: 3000 Racquet Club Dr Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 941 1620
Web Address: http://garfield-twp.com/twpnaturereserve.asp
58. Lake Dubonnet
4.7 (31 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
57. Hickory Meadows
4.6 (32 reviews)
Credit: Jessica Lynn, Google Maps
Location: Randolph Street Traverse City MI
Web Address: https://natureiscalling.org/hickory-meadows
56. Miller Creek Nature Reserve
4.8 (33 reviews)
Credit: Mark Rogers, Google Maps
Location: Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 941 0960
Web Address: http://garfield-twp.com/millercreek.asp
55. Tart Trail
4.7 (34 reviews)
Credit: Mark Rogers, Google Maps
Location: N Four Mile Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 941 4300
Web Address: http://traversetrails.org/trail/tart-trail/
54. South Long Lake Forest Natural Area
4.7 (35 reviews)
Credit: Jason Rhoades, Google Maps
Location: Traverse City MI
53. Timbers Recreation Area
4.8 (41 reviews)
Credit: Craig Vescelus, Google Maps
Location: 7997 7825 Timbers Trail Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 929 7911
Web Address: https://gtrlc.org/
52. Cotton Creek Farms
4.9 (47 reviews)
Credit: Cotton Creek Farms, Google Maps
Location: 11885 Jewell Road Thompsonville MI
Tel: 231 631 2341
Web Address: https://cottoncreekfarms.com/
51. Old Mission State Park
4.8 (54 reviews)
Credit: Shane Tucker, Google Maps
Location: Traverse City MI
Web Address: https://m.facebook.com/OMSPoM/
50. Harbor View Nursery And Lavender Farm
4.9 (60 reviews)
Credit: Harbor View Nursery And Lavender Farm, Google Maps
Location: 17770 Center Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 223 4330
Web Address: http://harborviewlavender.com/
49. The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park
4.6 (69 reviews)
Credit: The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, Google Maps
Location: Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park 1490 Red Drive Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 935 4077
Web Address: http://thebotanicgarden.org/
48. Maple Bay Natural Area Parking
4.7 (84 reviews)
Credit: Lisa Heinl, Google Maps
Location: US 31 Williamsburg MI
Tel: 231 929 7911
Web Address: http://gtrlc.org/recreation-events/preserve/maple-bay-natural-area/
47. Twin Lakes Park
4.7 (88 reviews)
Location: 6800 N Long Lake Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 922 4818
Web Address: http://gtrec.org/facility.asp
46. City Opera House
4.6 (89 reviews)
Credit: Andrew Jameson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 106 E Front Street Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 941 8082
Web Address: http://cityoperahouse.org/
45. World’s Largest Cherry Pie Pan
4.2 (90 reviews)
Credit: Talon Rudel, Google Maps
Location: 3424 Cass Road Traverse City MI
44. Sand Lakes Quiet Area
4.7 (102 reviews)
Credit: Mark Rogers, Google Maps
Location: Broomhead Road Williamsburg MI
Tel: 231 922 5280
Web Address: https://michigan.gov/dnr/
43. Historic Barns Park
4.7 (125 reviews)
Location: 1500 Red Dr Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 409 8382
Web Address: https://historicbarnspark.com/
42. Hawthorne Vineyards
4.3 (136 reviews)
Credit: Hawthorne Vineyards, Google Maps
Location: 1000 Camino Maria Dr Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 929 4206
Web Address: http://hawthornevineyards.com/
41. Boardman River Nature Center
4.8 (137 reviews)
Credit: Alex Lowe, Google Maps
Location: 1450 Cass Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 941 0960
Web Address: https://natureiscalling.org/boardman-river-nature-center
40. Hickory Hills Ski Area
4.6 (142 reviews)
Credit: Derek Melville, Google Maps
Location: 2000 Randolph Street Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 947 8566
Web Address: http://traversecitymi.gov/hickory_hills.asp
39. Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve
4.7 (165 reviews)
Credit: jimflix!, License, Flickr
Location: 1450 Cass Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 941 0960
Web Address: https://natureiscalling.org/grand-traverse-natural-education-reserve
38. Grace Macdonald Park
4.8 (169 reviews)
Credit: Noel Hernandez Jr, Google Maps
Location: 131 E Arbutus Lake Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 947 8647
Web Address: http://gtrec.org/facility.asp
37. Pelizzari Natural Area
4.7 (170 reviews)
Credit: Eddie Afanador, Google Maps
Location: 6852 Center Road Traverse City MI
Web Address: http://gtrlc.org/protected-land/pelizzari-natural-area/
36. Haserot Beach
4.5 (174 reviews)
Web Address: http://peninsulatownship.com/parks.html
35. Sunset Park
4.5 (177 reviews)
Credit: Rhododendrites, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 635 E Front Street Traverse City MI
Web Address: http://traversecitymi.gov/tcparksmaplist.asp
34. Peninsula Cellars
4.6 (182 reviews)
Credit: Peninsula Cellars, Google Maps
Location: 11480 Center Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 933 9787
Web Address: http://peninsulacellars.com/
33. Bryant Park
4.7 (186 reviews)
Location: 1101 Peninsula Dr Traverse City MI
32. Traverse City Civic Center Skate Park
4.5 (200 reviews)
Location: Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 922 4818
Web Address: https://gtcountymi.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Grand-Traverse-County-Civic-Center-2
31. Boardman Lake Trail
4.7 (205 reviews)
Location: W South Airport Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 941 4300
Web Address: http://traversetrails.org/trail/boardman-lake-trail/
30. Hull Park
4.5 (209 reviews)
Credit: Gerald England, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 660 Hannah Ave Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 922 4910
Web Address: http://gtrec.org/facility.asp
29. GT Butterfly House & Bug Zoo
4.9 (223 reviews)
Credit: GT Butterfly House & Bug Zoo, Google Maps
Location: 8840 M 72 East Williamsburg MI
Tel: 231 944 0774
Web Address: http://gtbutterflyzoo.com/
28. Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area
4.7 (229 reviews)
Credit: Gpwitteveen, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Red Dr Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 941 1620
Web Address: http://garfield-twp.com/gtcommons.asp
27. Whitewater Township Park and Campground
4.6 (239 reviews)
Credit: Mr. Nice Guy, Google Maps
Location: 9500 Park Road Williamsburg MI
Tel: 231 267 5091
Web Address: https://whitewatertownshippark.org/
26. Hippie Tree
4.7 (253 reviews)
Location: Traverse City MI
25. Music House Museum
4.8 (263 reviews)
Credit: Julie Povolo, Google Maps
Location: 7377 US 31 Williamsburg MI
Tel: 231 938 9300
Web Address: https://musichouse.org/
24. Lighthouse Park
4.8 (293 reviews)
Credit: Chris Light, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 645 0759
Web Address: http://peninsulatownship.com/parks.html
23. West End Beach
4.6 (326 reviews)
Credit: Chelsea Cook, Google Maps
Location: 716 W Grandview Pkwy Traverse City MI
Web Address: https://traversecity.com/listings/west-end-beach/1755/
22. Traverse City State Hospital
4.6 (327 reviews)
Location: 830 Cottageview Dr Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 941 1900
Web Address: http://thevillagetc.com/
21. East Bay Park
4.5 (333 reviews)
Location: 220 E Bay Blvd S Traverse City MI
Web Address: http://gtrec.org/facility.asp
20. Dennos Museum Center
4.7 (337 reviews)
Credit: Dennos Museum Center, Google Maps
Location: 1410 College Dr Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 995 1055
Web Address: https://dennosmuseum.org/
19. Silver Lake Recreation Area
4.7 (346 reviews)
Location: 1785 N East Silver Lake Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 941 1620
Web Address: http://garfield-twp.com/silverlakepark.asp
18. F and M Park
4.7 (358 reviews)
Credit: Eddie Grim, Google Maps
Location: 716 E Streetate Street Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 922 4700
Web Address: http://traversecitymi.gov/tcparksmaplist.asp
17. Bonobo Winery
4.3 (424 reviews)
Location: 12011 Center Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 282 9463
Web Address: http://bonobowinery.com/
16. Jacob’s Farm TC
4.7 (449 reviews)
Credit: Tony Simonton, Google Maps
Location: 7100 East Traverse Hwy M 72 West Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 632 6293
Web Address: http://jacobsfarmtc.com/
15. Grand Traverse County Civic Center
4.6 (462 reviews)
Location: 1213 W Civic Center Dr Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 922 4818
Web Address: http://co.grand-traverse.mi.us/916/Civic-Center
14. Interlochen State Park
4.6 (1,232 reviews)
Credit: jimflix!, License, Flickr
Location: 4167 J Maddy Pkwy Interlochen MI
Tel: 231 276 9511
Web Address: http://michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx
13. Pirate’s Cove Adventure Park
4.6 (1,364 reviews)
Credit: Pirate’s Cove Adventure Park, Google Maps
Location: 1710 US 31 North Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 938 9599
Web Address: http://piratescove.net/traverse-city
12. Clinch Park
4.6 (2,372 reviews)
Location: 111 E Grandview Pkwy Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 922 4904
Web Address: http://michigan.org/property/clinch-park/
11. Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park
4.5 (2,694 reviews)
Location: 1132 US 31 Traverse City MI
Web Address: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/details.aspx
10. Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel
3.9 (4,835 reviews)
Credit: Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, Google Maps
Location: 7741 M 72 Williamsburg MI
Tel: 231 534 8870
Web Address: https://turtlecreekcasino.com/
Our Top picks
9. Left Foot Charley
4.6 (261 reviews)
Credit: Left Foot Charley, Google Maps
Location: 806 Red Dr Suite #100 Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 995 0500
Web Address: http://leftfootcharley.com/
8. Chateau Grand Traverse
4.6 (297 reviews)
Credit: Chateau Grand Traverse, Google Maps
Location: 12239 Center Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 938 6120
Web Address: http://cgtwines.com/
7. 2 Lads Winery
4.2 (303 reviews)
Credit: 2 Lads Winery, Google Maps
Location: 16985 Smokey Hollow Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 223 7722
Web Address: http://2lwinery.com/
6. Mt. Holiday
4.6 (395 reviews)
Credit: Mt. Holiday, Google Maps
Location: 3100 Holiday Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 938 2500
Web Address: http://mt-holiday.com/
5. Bowers Harbor Vineyards
4.6 (418 reviews)
Credit: Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Google Maps
Location: 2896 Bowers Harbor Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 223 7615
Web Address: http://bowersharbor.com/
4. Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
4.6 (455 reviews)
Credit: Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery, Google Maps
Location: 3309 Blue Water Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 223 9303
Web Address: http://brysestate.com/
3. Mari Vineyards
4.5 (698 reviews)
Credit: Mari Vineyards, Google Maps
Location: 8175 Center Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 938 6116
Web Address: https://marivineyards.com/
2. Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn
4.5 (1,176 reviews)
Credit: Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn, Google Maps
Location: 15900 Rue Devin Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 223 4110
Web Address: http://chateauchantal.com/
1. Mission Point Lighthouse
4.7 (2,947 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 20500 Center Road Traverse City MI
Tel: 231 645 0759
Web Address: http://missionpointlighthouse.com/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Grand Traverse County, Michigan! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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