5 ways to make the most of spring in Traverse City

May is Michigan Wine Month. It also happens to be the peak bloom for cherry blossoms in the Traverse City area. Combine those two occasions and you’ve got the perfect recipe for one of springtime’s most anticipated events: TC Uncorked.

Every day for a month, you can take advantage of special deals at nearly 50 wineries and tasting rooms – all while soaking in the stunning splendor of spring in the Traverse City area. 

“May is when the cherries blossom and out here on Old Mission Peninsula that’s a big deal that provides a beautiful backdrop,” said Marie-Chantal Dalese, president & CEO of Chateau Chantal. “It’s also perfect timing to take mom out for Mother’s Day.” 

Spring is just around the corner, and now is a great time to book a Traverse City getaway and make the most of Michigan’s annual rebirth. While April and May are lovely times to go wine tasting with friends and family, that’s just one of many spring activities to enjoy.

Here’s a look at four more things to do on a spring trip to TC:

Go on a Cherry Blossom Tour

Whether you stop at wineries along the way or not, a drive up M-37 on Old Mission Peninsula makes for a delightful tour of the emerging cherry blossoms with stunning views of both East and West Grand Traverse Bay. You can admire fields abloom along any number of country roads through the Leelanau Peninsula or down in Benzie County south of Traverse City too. The flowers tend to pop toward mid-May in locations to the south and away from the water, while spots farther north and nearer the lakeshore often bloom in the latter half of the month.

Ride a Bike Around TC

Not only is May Michigan Wine Month, but it’s also National Bike Month! Why not combine the two with a bike tour to Traverse City wineries? In addition to ready-made treks with Grand Traverse Bike Tours, you could chart your own course and explore the many miles of paved and dirt paths including the TART Trail with 10 miles through Traverse City, the Leelanau Trail that runs for 17 miles up to Suttons Bay or the Betsie Valley Trail that takes you through the heart of Benzie County for 27 miles. The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the new Boardman Lake Loop Trail are two more options you don’t want to miss.

Take a Lighthouse Tour

While you can stop and see the majestic beacons in the Traverse City area in all four seasons, spring is when they start to open up for public tours. One fantastic spring lighthouse experience in particular is a visit to 150-year-old Mission Point, at the tip of Old Mission Peninsula. Starting May 1, you can go inside the historic lighthouse and browse museum exhibits and a gift shop to relive what it was like to be a keeper back in the old days. May is also when the spring bulbs start to bloom on Mission Point, right around Mother’s Day, and it’s a pleasant season to walk several miles of adjacent trails and loiter on the beach.

Have Some Indoor Water Fun with the Family

We Michiganders know that sometimes spring weather can be wet. On those rainy days, you might as well really make a splash by taking the kids to one of the Traverse City area’s awesome indoor water playgrounds. Take your pick from among Great Wolf Lodge, with 52,000 square feet of slides, buckets, and rivers, the indoor swimming pools and water playground at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, and the family play area of the indoor pool at Crystal Mountain Resort. Many places to stay in the Traverse City area have indoor swimming pools, too.

Start planning your getaway today!