Hello Reader,

If someone told you there was a place with turquoise water, towering sand dunes, award-winning wineries, cherry orchards, and one of America's most beautiful drives...

...you'd probably start looking for flights somewhere in the Mediterranean.

Instead, I'd like to introduce you to Traverse City, Michigan.

Nestled on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, this little corner of northern Michigan manages to cram an astonishing amount of natural beauty, fantastic food, and outdoor adventure into one incredibly charming town.

It's also one of those places that feels like feels like summer and fall collided in the best possible way. It’s a laid-back lakeside escape where locals greet you with a smile, the sunsets are cinematic, and every road seems to lead to a vineyard, a beach, or a pie shop.

One of our favorite things about Traverse City is that you can spend the entire day outside without ever feeling like you're repeating yourself.

Start the morning wandering downtown, grabbing coffee before browsing local bookstores, boutiques, and the cute little shops that line Front Street.

Then head out to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where enormous sand dunes tumble dramatically into Lake Michigan. Fair warning, though: running down them is much easier than climbing back up. Ask anyone who's done it.

From there, you can cool off in the astonishingly blue waters of Lake Michigan, kayak along the shoreline, or hop in the car for a drive along the famous M-22 highway, one of the most scenic road trips in the Midwest.

And then there's the food.

Traverse City proudly calls itself the Cherry Capital of the World, so yes, there are cherries everywhere. Cherry pie. Cherry salsa. Cherry wine. Cherry jam. If someone hasn't found a way to put cherries in it yet, they're probably working on it.

And of course, no visit is complete without indulging in Traverse City’s famous cherry pie - preferably warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Prefer your adventures in a glass? Traverse City is home to some of Michigan’s best wineries and breweries, where you can sip Pinot with a view or sample a local cider made from the orchards just down the road.

The region is not only home to fantastic wineries, but there are incredible farm-to-table restaurants, and enough local produce to make every meal feel like summer on a plate.

What I love most though, is that Traverse City is kind of place where you can spend hours hopping between beaches, vineyards, hiking trails, and waterfront restaurants without ever feeling rushed.

Which is exactly how summer holidays should feel.

Whether you're planning a Great Lakes road trip, a long weekend away, or you're simply looking for somewhere a little different this summer, we've rounded up all the best things to do in Traverse City - from wineries and beaches to lighthouses, dunes, and hidden local favorites.

Trust us. You're going to wonder why it took you so long to visit.

For this post we tapped a local insider to craft the ultimate guide to things to do in Traverse City, from the best beaches and scenic drives to local foodie favorites and hidden gems you won’t find on the typical tourist trail.

So pack your picnic basket, grab a bottle of local wine, and head north - Traverse City is waiting to show you just how sweet life by the lake can be.

Until next time,