Day 1
Explore Traverse City
Day 1 Activity
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
A short trip from Downtown Traverse City, The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is a vibrant hub of shops, galleries and restaurants in a complex of restored 19th-century buildings. If you want to stretch your legs further, explore the site's lawns and historical arboretums.
Travel Tip
The Village is one of the largest historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects in the U.S. Take a guided tour to learn about its fascinating past as the Traverse City State Hospital.
Day 1 Activity
Kayak, Bike & Brew
Get ready for an afternoon of easy adventure with Kayak, Bike & Brew. You'll pedal along bike trails, paddle through the scenic West Grand Traverse Bay or the iconic Boardman River and visit some of Traverse City's local breweries in this three-to-four-hour trip.
Travel Tip
Every guest receives a complimentary reusable drawstring backpack to keep their belongings safe.
Day 1 Lodging
Delamar Traverse City
Lounge lakeside at Delamar Traverse City. Located right on the bay and steps from Downtown, this boutique resort offers spacious rooms with bay views, modern amenities and on-site dining at Artisan, their waterfront restaurant.
Travel Tip
No need to stress over your budget. With over 5,000 guest rooms in the Traverse City area, there are options that fit every budget, need and location preference.
Day 2
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore & Glen Arbor
Day 2 Dining
The Omelette Shoppe
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at The Omelette Shoppe. With fluffy eggs, pancakes and cinnamon rolls made from scratch, plus seasonal specials featuring locally sourced produce, it's a great way to fuel up before a hike.
Travel Tip
Arrive early or join the waitlist online – this restaurant fills up fast, especially on weekends.
Day 2 Activity
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
A scenic 50-minute cruise along M-72 and M-22 takes you from Traverse City to the sweeping dunes and shimmering waters of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where you will find the iconic Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. The 7.4-mile loop winds through beech and sugar maple forests, and periodic lookouts offer panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the dunes.
Travel Tip
Lake Michigan Overlook, Stop #9 on the scenic drive, stands 450 feet above Lake Michigan and provides a magnificent view of the shoreline as well as information on the Legend of the Manitou Islands and the Sleeping Bear.
Day 2 Activity
Dune Climb
At Sleeping Bear Dunes, you can choose from any number of scenic trails. If you're feeling especially energetic, try the first dune of the famous Dune Climb, a steep uphill walk on soft sand with rewarding views of Glen Lake at the top.
Travel Tip
Alternatively, a flat stroll along the 1.5-mile Cottonwood Trail, located at Stop #4 on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, offers a closer look at the ecology of the dunes without the steep ascent.
Day 2 Activity
Glen Haven Historic Village
After hiking, step back in time in Glen Haven Historic Village, a restored 1920s Great Lakes cordwood station. Visit the Glen Haven Cannery and Boat Museum, blacksmith shop and general store for a glimpse of the region's history.
Travel Tip
Stop by the Glen Haven General Store if you're craving a bite of food. The historic building may no longer have cloth or farm implements in stock, but it does sell tasty snacks and unique souvenirs.
Day 2 Dining
Blu
After your day out, settle down for a relaxing meal at Blu, which was recognized with a DiRōNA 2025 Award of Excellence for exceptional cuisine. This intimate lakeside restaurant blends European techniques with locally sourced ingredients.
Travel Tip
The chef creates a new menu daily, so you'll always enjoy the freshest cuisine.
Day 2 Lodging
Camp in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Enjoy the aroma of a crackling campfire under the stars in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Choose between Platte River Campground, D.H. Day Campground and more.
Travel Tip
If camping isn't your thing, there are endless choices for accommodations in the Traverse City area from a full-service resort to bayside hotels.
Day 3
Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail & Grand Traverse Lighthouse Loop
Day 3
M-22 Scenic Drive
Day three’s loop follows the M-22 throughout the Leelanau Peninsula, with leisurely drives between wineries, a lighthouse visit and gorgeous views.
Travel Tip
There are over 20 award-winning wineries to choose from, so feel free to mix and match to your tastes and interests.
Day 3 Dining
Verterra Winery
Located in charming Leland, Verterra Winery's tasting room offers an assortment of wines and hard ciders. Their Unoaked Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc are some of their most popular wines and are consistent award winners.
Travel Tip
After your tasting, explore historic Fishtown, a former fishing village just across the street. The weathered fishing shanties, smokehouses and docks have been repurposed into gift shops.
Day 3 Activity
Grand Traverse Lighthouse
Located in Northport, at the top of the Leelanau Peninsula in Leelanau State Park sits the restored 19th-century Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum. Consider touring the revitalized keepers dwelling and climbing the lighthouse for a stunning view of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay.
Travel Tip
Stop by the gift shop for regional history books and locally made goods.
Day 3
45 North Vineyard & Winery
Located directly on the 45th parallel, 45 North Vineyard & Winery offers an extensive collection of red and white blends, in addition to a variety of fruit wines sourced from locally grown fruits and experimental dessert wines. The tasting room is situated in a hand-hewn barn next to the vineyard.
Travel Tip
Try the 3-mile Vineyard Trail for a closer look at the vineyards. The trail starts near the tasting room and meanders through the grape vines, with optional shortcuts if you're looking for a lighter walk.
Day 3 Lodging
Black Star Farms
Voted the best winery bed and breakfast in Traverse City, Black Star Farms’ elegant 160-acre estate offers a unique wine-country experience. The family-owned bed-and-breakfast is nestled below a hillside of vineyards with sweeping pastoral views. Guests at the farm enjoy a personalized bottle of wine upon arrival, nightly hospitality hour with wine and small plates, daily chef-prepared breakfasts, and a complimentary wine tasting.
Travel Tip
Consider signing up for one of Black Star Farms' many workshops. They range from classes focused on chocolate, cheese and charcuterie pairings to bubble glazing, hat burning and more.
Day 4
Cideries & Views on the Road to Traverse City
Day 4 Activity
Suttons Bay Ciders
After a day of exploring a range of delicious wineries, consider capping your trip off by sampling some of the peninsula's ciders at Suttons Bay Ciders. The apples, cherries, saskatoon berries, sumac berries and lavender used in their delicious drinks are sourced directly from the Leelanau Peninsula.
Travel Tip
Perched high above the bay, the patio outside Suttons Bay Ciders offers some stunning panoramic views of Leelanau County and the Grand Traverse Bay.
Day 4
Grand Traverse Bay to Traverse City
Continue south on the M-22, looping gradually down the Leelanau Peninsula along the western shore of Grand Traverse Bay as you return to Traverse City.
Travel Tip
For one last detour, stop at West End Beach just before town for more bay views and sun-soaked beach time.
Day 4 Dining
Mundos HQ
On your way out of town, grab a bite and fuel up with some delicious coffee before you hit the road at Mundos HQ. Known for their ethically sourced coffee from around the world, Mundos also features freshly made pastries and a range of food options made with ingredients sourced from local organic farms.
Travel Tip
If you need to do any last minute shopping before heading home, Mundos HQ offers coffee beans that have been roasted onsite, a curated selection of gifts and even plants.
Ready to explore Traverse City and the Leelanau Peninsula?
Ready to explore Traverse City and the Leelanau Peninsula?
This itinerary is only a sampling of all that the region offers. Find more wine, adventure and relaxation in Traverse City and beyond.