Traverse City Travel Blog

There is no better place to ring in the New Year than the coastal community of Traverse City.

Kick 2025 off to a magical start in the town’s picturesque, cozy setting. With so many ways to celebrate in the TC area, you’ll be sure to maximize holiday cheer.

The ski season in Traverse City is upon us, and there is no better way to celebrate than to explore the après-ski lifestyle in the area. For many people, après ski is the most sought-after part of a true winter experience. It’s a time to embrace the season, unwind, and celebrate a day on the slopes.

Whether you prefer more snowy adventures or indulgence in the food and beverage scene, these activities promise to create lasting memories. 

The first snowfall of winter ushers in one of the most exciting seasons of the year… Ski season! Skiing and snowboarding combine exercise and fun while providing a connection with nature during the winter months. Crystal Mountain, Hickory Hills, and Mt. Holiday are the forefront ski resorts in the TC area. All three of the resorts offer ski and snowboard rental equipment so you can get suited up on-site, as well as lessons so you can learn your sport of choice or perfect your skills. 

Calling all Midwest Princesses and Bears from the Dunes: Traverse City, Michigan, should be on your “must visit” list for LGBTQ+ friendly destinations!

Queerness exists everywhere and that includes the Cherry Capital of the World. We spent a long weekend exploring the city and found it to be a treasure trove of rainbows, community, and LGBTQ+ owned and inclusive businesses. Plus, the opportunity to celebrate their local Pride? Simply the cherry on top!

So, whether you’re visiting for pride, a “gaycation”, or a staycation, here are 10 ways to uplift the LGBTQ+ community year-round in Traverse City! 

When the snow starts to fall gently, it leaves a coat of white frosting on the trees. When the holiday lights twinkle in downtown Traverse City. When we seek a reason to curl up with a good book and sip a warm hot toddy. That’s when your thoughts may turn to starting to shop for those special holiday gifts. Whether you live in Traverse City or long for your next trip to this special place, there are unique ideas for presents that are made here or reflect the beauty of the region. 

With so many incredible destinations all across northern Michigan, Benzie County flies a bit under the radar. Many Michiganders don’t know about all the wintry joy that awaits in the collection of laid-back lakeshore communities southwest of Traverse City. 

What you’ll discover when you visit is an assortment of attractions that make Benzie County an amazing place this time of year. It’s home to one of Michigan’s best ski resorts with Crystal Mountain and offers some of the best winter hiking in America’s most beautiful place, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It’s where you can find several charming lake towns and Michigan’s first farm distillery, too. 

Traverse City Whiskey lights the flame of the outdoor heater on their patio when the cold weather hits, but customers are looking for something else. Something to warm them up from the inside. This is the time of year when Traverse City distilleries see their customer's tastes change from fresh, light summer drinks to something more robust, something that takes the chill out of the air and gives them warmth.

There is one bear where hibernation is not part of an annual hibernation ritual: the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Many people don’t realize that the National Lakeshore is open year-round. Word to the wise: if you miss a visit in winter, you are missing out on a remarkable experience. 

As the festive season approaches, communities come alive with an array of holiday events, creating a magical tapestry of joy and celebration. Whether it's cozying up with loved ones at a local restaurant, or attending a grand community celebration, these events have a little something everyone will love.

_{*Starting from the left, Sean O’Keefe, Larry Mawby, and Eddie O’Keefe Jr.}

Consider it an infant at 50 years old.

The Traverse Wine Coast turned 50 this year. Compared to other long-established wine regions in the world, that makes Traverse City a baby of the wine industry. But oh, how this baby has grown.