Traverse City: Outdoor Activities

Sweet Diversions: Orchards to Wineries

From early July through October, roadside fruit stands and farmer’s markets are filled with the harvest of local crops, most notably cherries, apples and other fruits in the summer, and pumpkins, grapes and apples in the fall.

Some of the orchards allow visitors to pick their own fruit, an excellent family activity where there’s a reward for the labor. Try Gallagher’s Farm Market for cherries and pumpkin picking—or for their excellent jams. When the kids are all picked out, there are plenty of animals to pet year-round and a corn maze in the fall. Other roadside stands simply offer their produce and often, fresh pies.

Along the Mission Peninsula, the site of many farm stands and orchards, parents might be able to finagle a quick visit to one of the wineries. More than 20 wineries are clustered here, starting a few miles north of the city center, with more on the nearby Leelanau Peninsula. Riesling, chardonnay and fruit wines are produced here, as well as a few ice wines and sparkling wines in the method champenoise. Chateau Grand Traverse vineyard boasts picture perfect views down to the water; the winery features both barrel and un-wooded chardonnay, in addition to a selection of reds and fruit wines.

• Since it’s a small town, the downtown is mainly a single street, Front Street, which runs parallel to the main West Grand Traverse Bay beaches.
• Courtesy of Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau

For true cherry lovers, a stop at Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor is a must. Kids will like the cherry-flavored candies, dried cherries and nut mixes; parents will dig the salsas, cherry barbeque sauce and other concoctions at this family-run business.

Trail Mix

The trails around Traverse City are getting better by the day, and feature hiking and biking paths that range from a easy to difficult. Many trails, including the Leelanau Trail, are only partially paved and require a mountain bike or serious hiking boots for full exploration. In town, the Brown Bridge Natural Preserve is a quiet lake that was formed by a dam on the Boardman River, and offers a quick commune with nature.

• The sun shines down on the beautiful green at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa golf course.
• Courtesy of Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

Brick Wheels on Eighth Street in downtown Traverse City is an excellent bet for rentals, and offers great advice on trails best suited to a family’s particular abilities.

Winter, of course, is all about cross-country to downhill skiing. A number of excellent ski areas are within anywhere from a few minutes to an hour’s drive. Beginners will like the easy runs offered at the in-town Hickory Hills, while experienced skiers will head to Shanty Creek or Crystal Mountain.

• The waters of the Crystal River reflect the fall foliage.
• jsorbieus

Lodging

For families with kids from toddlers to early teens, stay at the Great Wolf Lodge, which features a huge indoor water park and pool area, with separate splash area for little ones. A kid-friendly spa featuring ice-cream pedicures, a mini-golf range, animated animal story time and a magical scavenger hunt throughout the hotel means there’s never a cry of ‘I’m bored.’ Rooms feature lodge-like bunk beds for the kids with a separate sleep area for parents, and dining takes place in a camp-like setting complete with picnic-style seating. Adults who need a break can take advantage of the pool-side cabanas with flat-screen TVs and a modicum of privacy; adult beverages are available both in the dining room and the pool area. Rates for a family suite begin at $170 per night. www.greatwolf.com

Parents of tweens and teens might prefer a resort setting, which offers customized adventure experiences. Shanty Creek Resort provides guided hiking, kayaking or canoeing, even geocaching—a high-tech scavenger hunt that uses a handheld GPS. Following family adventures, the kids can relax by the pool or join their parents in the spa or on the golf course. In the winter, adventure options include snowshoeing and dog-sledding. Room rates begin at $95 per night.

For additional resources, visit the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.visittraversecity.com.