Northern Lower Peninsula
Traverse City, Michigan
City
Grand Traverse Bay's hub for wine, water and summer tourism
Traverse City sits at the base of West Grand Traverse Bay, the center of a cherry, wine and tourism region with a walkable downtown and the TART Trail.
History & Local Character
The city grew as a lumber port and later as a resort and agricultural center known for cherries and, more recently, wineries.
Housing & Real Estate
Housing ranges from downtown condominiums to lakefront homes, cottages and subdivisions outside the city.
Restaurants & Shopping
Front and Union streets hold restaurants, brewpubs, bakeries and coffee shops.
Schools & Education
Traverse City Area Public Schools serves the city and much of the county.
Parks & Recreation
Clinch Park, the Open Space, the TART Trail and Sleeping Bear Dunes nearby anchor recreation.
Transportation & Accessibility
US-31 and M-72 meet downtown, with Cherry Capital Airport southeast of the city.
Local Businesses
Front Street shopsWineriesBreweriesCherry growers
No businesses are listed in Traverse City yet. Add your business to be the first.
Nearby Attractions
- Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Old Mission Peninsula
- Clinch Park
- TART Trail
Advantages & Considerations
Advantages
- Walkable downtown and waterfront parks
- Strong food, wine and arts scene
- Outdoor recreation in every season
Considerations
- Housing costs driven by second homes and tourism
- Summer traffic congestion
- Seasonal employment patterns
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Traverse City in Grand Traverse County?
Yes. Traverse City is the Grand Traverse County seat, with portions extending into Leelanau County.
When is cherry season in Traverse City?
Tart cherries are typically harvested in July, and the National Cherry Festival is held in early July.