Things to Do in Traverse City, Michigan: Wineries, Waterfront Views & More
Before this trip, Traverse City wasn’t even on my radar. Honestly, I had barely heard of it, so I had no idea what to expect from this little corner of Northern Michigan. What I found completely surprised me: rolling vineyards, waterfront views, charming downtown streets, and some seriously beautiful wineries.
I recently spent a few days exploring Traverse City, and somehow a long weekend gave me a little bit of everything: wine tasting, a spa morning, sightseeing along Old Mission Peninsula, time downtown, and a sunset sail across Grand Traverse Bay.
If you’re planning your own girls’ getaway, couples trip, or long weekend in Northern Michigan, these are some of the best things to do in Traverse City, Michigan.
Explore the Wineries on Old Mission Peninsula
You simply cannot visit Traverse City without spending some time in wine country.
Old Mission Peninsula stretches north from Traverse City between the East and West arms of Grand Traverse Bay, so you get vineyard views mixed with glimpses of that gorgeous blue water. The area has an established wine trail and is especially known for cool-climate varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
One of my first stops was Bonobo Winery, and it immediately set the tone for the trip. The winery has a relaxed yet elevated atmosphere, with vineyards surrounding the property and views of West Grand Traverse Bay. You can grab a glass of wine and settle in outside or reserve one of their tasting and food-pairing experiences.
This would be such a good first-night stop for a girls’ trip because you can get dressed up, order wine and small plates, and actually stay for a while instead of feeling like you’re rushing from tasting to tasting.
THREE DAYS IN TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN
Visit Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
Another Old Mission Peninsula winery that deserves its own spot on your itinerary is Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery.
The family-owned estate spans 155 acres and overlooks East Grand Traverse Bay. One of the highlights is the Upper Deck, which sits above the vineyard rows and offers panoramic views as you enjoy wine, Frosé, hard cider, or something from their food menu. Reservations for the seated experience are strongly recommended. There’s also a Secret Garden with lavender and flowers, and a farmhouse-style shop that’s open seasonally from May through October. So this is more than just a quick wine-tasting stop. Give yourself time to actually walk around and enjoy the property.
My tip: If you’re visiting several wineries, arrange transportation in advance rather than relying on rideshare apps once you’re out on the peninsula. Brys Estate specifically notes that guests have found Uber and Lyft unreliable for return trips into Traverse City.
Drive to Mission Point Lighthouse
Keep driving north through Old Mission Peninsula, and eventually you’ll reach Mission Point Lighthouse.
Built in 1870, the lighthouse sits at the northern tip of the peninsula near the 45th parallel. Even the drive there is part of the experience because M-37 winds past vineyards, cherry orchards, and beautiful Northern Michigan scenery.
You can walk along the beach, explore trails around Lighthouse Park, picnic, visit the gift shop, or pay a small admission fee to tour the lighthouse and climb to the tower. The lighthouse museum operates seasonally, but the surrounding park, beach, and trails remain open year-round.
This is an easy stop to add to your winery day, since you’ll already be exploring Old Mission Peninsula.
Spend an Afternoon in Downtown Traverse City
Make sure you leave a few hours to wander downtown Traverse City, especially around Front Street.
Downtown is extremely walkable and packed with local boutiques, restaurants, cafés and specialty shops. Even better, Grand Traverse Bay is only a few blocks away, so you can shop, grab lunch and then walk toward the waterfront. This was one of those places where I wished I had another couple of hours just to wander with no agenda. If you’re planning a girls’ weekend in Traverse City, I’d dedicate at least part of an afternoon to downtown rather than trying to squeeze it between activities.
Take a Sunset Sail on Grand Traverse Bay
One of my favorite experiences from the entire trip was seeing Traverse City from the water.
Wind Dancer Traverse City Tours offers sailing experiences on West Grand Traverse Bay aboard a schooner, including its signature sunset sail. The sailing season generally runs from late May into October.
And this isn’t just a quick boat ride. Their sailing experiences combine scenic views with locally sourced food and drinks, making for a full evening. Watching the sun begin to set over the bay while sailing was such a beautiful way to end our day.
If you’re visiting during the warmer months, put this high on your Traverse City itinerary.
Have a Spa Day
You know I’m never going to argue against working a spa treatment into a trip. We spent part of our stay at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, where you’ll find Spa Grand Traverse. The spa offers massages, facials, body treatments, nail services, and seasonal treatments, plus a Serenity Day Pass that includes access to amenities such as the cold plunge ritual, sauna, steam shower, pools, hot tubs, fitness center, and relaxation lounge.
A morning spa appointment followed by an afternoon of exploring or wine tasting is basically my ideal vacation schedule. And for a Traverse City girls’ getaway? This is an easy yes.
Spend Some Time Along the Water
It would be a mistake to visit Traverse City and experience only the vineyards, because the water is a huge part of what makes the area so beautiful.
Grand Traverse Bay has several beaches close to town, including Clinch Park Beach, which has direct access to the TART Trail and is convenient if you’re already exploring downtown. West End Beach and East Bay Beach are other options, and there are even quieter waterfront spots along Old Mission Peninsula.
During summer, you can swim, kayak, or paddleboard. Or just grab a coffee, find a spot near the water, and enjoy the view. And yes, the water really is that blue.
How Many Days Do You Need in Traverse City?
I think three to four days is perfect for a first trip to Traverse City. That gives you enough time for a winery day on Old Mission Peninsula, downtown Traverse City, a spa or beach afternoon, and one bigger experience like a sunset sail without turning the weekend into a race from one reservation to the next.
Obviously, you could spend much longer exploring Northern Michigan, but this itinerary gives you a really good introduction to the area.
Is Traverse City Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. What surprised me most about Traverse City was the variety. You can sip wine overlooking vineyards in the afternoon, walk along Grand Traverse Bay a few hours later, and still have a completely different experience downtown that evening.
It’s romantic enough for a couples getaway, relaxed enough for a solo trip, and honestly perfect for a girls’ weekend. I especially loved that the destination didn’t feel like it revolved around one single attraction. The wineries may bring you there, but the water, food, downtown, outdoor activities, and overall Northern Michigan charm give you plenty of reasons to stay.
Traverse City was one of those trips where I left already thinking about what I would do the next time I came back.
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