Analog Art is Thriving Up North Handmade hobbies are one of the most popular trends today, and for travelers looking for hands-on things to do in Traverse City they’re a perfect way to get you and your family off screens, while creating, building or playing without technology. At Traverse Traveler we’re all about sharing [...]
Winter in Northern Michigan isn’t something you simply endure — it’s something you learn. It comes with its own vocabulary, rituals, gear collections, and bragging rights. If any (or all) of the following sound familiar, congratulations: you know how to do winter in Northern Michigan. You Know You Winter in [...]
Standing Out as an Urban Winery In the heart of the Traverse Wine Coast Our region’s reputation continues to grow while the wine industry itself is rapidly changing. How does Left Foot Charley Winery in the heart of Traverse City manage to rise to the top, and stay front of mind for travelers and [...]
Celebrate the Spirit of the Season in Downtown Traverse City Updated Nov 2025 There's nothing quite like strolling the streets of Downtown, popping in and out of shops while snowflakes drift to the ground. With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, there's no better time for holiday shopping. Downtown Traverse City wants [...]
The Best Treasures Are Off The Beaten Path Let's Visit A Vintage Sole When I heard there was a barn in the middle of the woods in Benzie county with a vault of vintage shoes for sale my first thought was, what? How have I never heard about this? So I made it my [...]
Your Guide to a Fall Color Wine Tour Planning a fall color wine tour in Northern Michigan this year? We've gathered a few tips to make the most of your next wine-tasting trip from Traverse City to Leelanau or Old Mission Peninsula. We've updated this post since it's original publication in 2012. [...]
National Lighthouse Day shines a light on a vital part of America’s maritime history. On August 7, 1789, Congress passed an act to establish and support lighthouses, beacons, buoys, and public piers, ensuring safe passage for ships along our nation’s shores. It was not until 200 years later, in 1989, that this landmark legislation was [...]
A Spring Walk Through the Woods It's a long-standing tradition for many Michiganders to search the northern woods for the elusive morel mushroom. I spent many a spring as a child wandering the woods with my family learning to identify the mushrooms, flowers and new growth that springs from the forest floor. Each [...]
Healthy Dining Options in Traverse City It can be hard to stay on a healthy eating plan when you know you'll be dining out. If you're like me, you walk in the door to order a salad only to be tempted by the creamy pasta, fried fish, or cheesy pizza. Lucky for us, [...]
Spring Break in Traverse City, Michigan No travel plans for spring break this year? Chin up! We've got some great suggestions to help you enjoy a staycation in Traverse City, Michigan. From local adventures to creative ideas, here are 7 ways to spend 7 days enjoying your time off without leaving town. [...]
8 Reasons the Traverse City Food Scene is So Special We've landed on countless lists citing Traverse City, Michigan, as a mecca for the gastronomically enthusiastic traveler. But what makes our little lakeside town such a delight for the culinary tourist? Beyond incredible flavors, Traverse City is home to chef-owned independent restaurants and [...]
It’s easy to plan activities in the summer, but what are the best things to do in Traverse City in the winter? When out-of-town guests come to visit, or you're hosting a group it can be challenging to think of new ways to entertain them, especially in the winter. Let Traverse [...]
Michigan’s winter harvest is a sweet ice wine When the temperatures drop, our spirits rise in northern Michigan wine country. Germany is known for their Eiswein, and so is Canada. But did you know that Michigan has been turning frozen grapes into liquid luxury since 1983? When you learn a bit about the process, you'll [...]
Original post updated in August 2025 Take a Roadtrip this Fall along the M-22 Scenic Drive Living in the heart of the M-22 corridor I’ve seen it through all seasons. Each has something amazing to offer, but none more varied and beautiful than autumn in Northern Michigan. In case you’ve never planned an M-22 [...]
If you've thought about marketing your small business with video, there are some important things to consider. Over the years we've created more than 100 videos for our in-room television channel. So we've learned a few things along the way. In this video, we share some of the secrets that have helped us create [...]
Traverse City Tourism, northern Michigan’s largest destination marketing organization has formed a merger with the Benzie County Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Traverse Traveler has worked closely with both communities since our inception. So we’d like to give you some perspective on how this regional approach to marketing affects the hospitality industry in northern [...]
Before we roll up our sleeves and tackle 2020 we're taking a look back at 19 moments that filled our year in 2019. Watch the video for 19 highlights in the adventures of Traverse Traveler. 1. Expanded Traverse Traveler Distribution. In 2019 we began distributing the Dining Guide in the Benzie Chamber [...]
We love sharing business stories. Since the Traverse Traveler story began eighteen years ago today, I thought it would be fun to share some of the history behind this little card business and take a look at what has changed from 2001 to today. How it All Began In the wake of [...]
The film Garth Trek | A Lost Dog's Adventure in Frankfort is the story of what happens when a dog gets lost in Frankfort and spends the day searching for his owner. This is the revised rendition of the film that took home our Traverse Traveler Choice Award at the 2018 Frankfort48 [...]
The Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism was held in Traverse City last week. Representatives from convention and visitor bureaus and hospitality professionals from across Michigan gathered to learn about the state of our tourism state. We had a legislative report from a panel of lobbyists in Lansing. Our keynote speaker addressed the State [...]
