Traverse City, MI is a place to explore year round. With lots to do, see, eat, and drink, there’s no bad time to come up north. Here is my 2020 Winter Guide to Traverse City and surrounding areas.
Explore:
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Walk around downtown
Downtown TC is twinkling with lights for the holiday season, making walking around in the cold much more tolerable. Parking is free after 6pm and on Sundays. Grab a cup of something warm at Espresso Bay and catch a glimpse of the Christmas tree at the corner of Front and Cass. Walk along Front St, from Union St down to Boardman Ave and then down to State St back to Union to catch the rows of lighted trees, making for a dreamy walk (especially in the snow).
Step it up a notch:
Catch a flick at the State Theater or Bijou by the Bay Theater (calendar of events here).
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Hike the Boardman River Trail system
A completely free, well maintained trail system located in the central southern part of Traverse City. With over 5 different trails to chose from, you can pick how long you’d like to hike for, whether you’d prefer for forest hiking, or out along the Boardman River. Minimal elevation change can be found on these trails.
My personal favorites are the Keystone Rapids and Olson Bridge trail head [check it out on AllTrails] and Boardman Valley and Sabin Pond trail head [check it out on AllTrails].
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Adventure around Sleeping Bear Dunes
Esch Road Beach
Sleeping Bear Dunes never really sleeps. It’s beautiful to explore this area year round. Whether you hike Empire Bluff Trail, explore Esch Road beach, tackle the Dune Climb (maybe just the first dune), or climb Pyramid Point, the views will be spectacular.
Tips for exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes in the winter:
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Be prepared – dress warm with lots of layers, wear proper (water-proof) boots, bring a snack and maybe a thermos of coffee or hot cocoa after exploring in the chilly weather
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Be aware – weather patterns change constantly with the lake, snow can pop up quickly
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Be careful – roads around SBD aren’t always cleared of snow, and have a watchful eye for deer. Ice cleats aren’t a bad idea when hiking around, popular trails can be very icy due to high traffic volumes
Dune Climb
Hop Lot
Eat:
There are so many incredible restaurants in and around Traverse City, here are a few of my favorites:
– Rare Bird (Traverse City) – great spot for burgers and fries, delicious appetizers (affordable too)! [menu here]
– Taproot (Traverse City) – perfect spot to accommodate all diet types, with vegan and vegetarian options available! Lots of yummy small plates and appetizers as well! [menu here]
– Robby’s Mexican & Spanish Cuisine (Traverse City) – a short drive from the downtown area, if you’re looking for some delicious Mexican food and a beautiful atmosphere, look no further! [menu here]
– Hop Lot (Sutton’s Bay) – good spot for appetizers and lunch food. Toast some s’mores on one of their outdoor fire pits! Not to mention all the delicious beer that you can enjoy in your own personal, heated igloo! [menu here]
– Joe’s Friendly Tavern (Empire) – great local joint. Grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner, all delicious and affordable! [menu here]
– Cherry Republic (Traverse City) – after you’re done eating dinner, stop by Cherry Republic to snack on all the delicious sweet and savory treats! See if you can narrow down what you want to take home! [purchase online too]
BLK MRKT
Drink:
Coffee:
BLK MRKT (Traverse City) – beautiful place to grab coffee or espresso drink in the Warehouse district of TC. Tons of great natural lighting, perfect for catching up on emails or reading the paper.
Brew (Traverse City) – downtown TC local, that doesn’t just serve coffee, but also has beer on tap! Along with some light breakfast and lunch options.
Beer & wine:
Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail – over 20 wineries can be found from TC, to Sutton’s Bay and Leeland, all the way up to Northport. Check them all out here, many have live music and happy-hour specials.
Hoplot (Sutton’s Bay) – enjoy delicious beer, wine, or cider outdoors around a fire, in your own personal heated igloo, or inside! They also have a whole bookshelf of games to play. A perfect place for families and friends! [book your igloo here]
Taproot (Traverse City) – a cider house in downtown TC, with TONS of delicious ciders from all across the state of Michigan. Grab a flight or grab a glass, and bring your friends!