Northern Michigan is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It’s still a relatively undiscovered locale that can be enjoyed in all seasons. My family lives in the area so I luckily get to travel up northern Michigan several times a year. As it gets more popular new spots keep popping up and the vacationability continues to rise exponentially.

There are so many must-sees and must-dos that I have to split this post into multiple parts! The first part is based on Traverse City and Old Mission Peninsula, the second guide will cover neighboring areas including Suttons Bay, Glen Arbor (and Sleeping Bear Dunes) and Elk Rapids. The following are a few of my favorite kid-friendly spots, most of which are open year-round.

Traverse City/Old Mission Peninsula

Shop:

Brilliant Books and Horizon Books - I never leave Traverse City without multiple stops at both of these bookstores. While they both have amazing selections of kid and grown-up literature, I would say Horizon books is best for board books and Brilliant Books is best for slightly older kids books. Both stores are absolutely amazing and you can’t go wrong in either. Brilliant Books also has an amazing book subscription service that I’m interested in signing up for since they ship anywhere in the U.S.. It’s similar to Book of the Month but much more personalized (and they have one for kids too).
Cherry Republic - Although this isn’t the original Cherry Republic store, it is the largest. Traverse City is the cherry capital of the world (bet you didn’t know that!) and therefore you can pretty much buy any type of cherry product imaginable here. My personal favorites are the chocolate-covered cherries and the cherry jalapeño jam. Plentiful samples throughout the store make this a required stop even if you’re not in the market for the latest innovations in cherry salsas.
Stroll down Front Street – There are dozens of amazing shops in downtown TC: little boutiques with wonderful selections, family run toy stores, restaurants and souvenirs. Stop in and discover them all!

Do/Eat:

See a movie at the State Theater - We took our two year-old to the Saturday morning kids program (they were showing “The Wizard of Oz”) and had a really great experience. The theater itself, owned by Michel Moore, is extremely beautiful (and in amazing condition) and the people that work there are clearly very proud of the theater. The children’s programming staff is all volunteer based which I think is amazing and makes me love it even more. Also if it’s your kid’s first movie make sure to ask for a “My First Movie” certificate to take home. You can also check out the State’s sister theater, The Bijou Theater, for additional programing.
Parks – If the weather is warm, check out the splash pad at the downtown Clinch Park right along the lake. We usually stop at F & M Park when we’re in the Oak Park neighborhood. It’s a cute little park with a playground structure and plenty of space to run.

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons – The site of restored historic buildings that were once the Traverse City Hospital, but are now filled with great restaurants and shops including Spanglish, a delicious casual Mexican spot and Trattoria Stella, fine dining in a beautiful building. While you’re there, pick up lunch at Spanglish and head over to the nearby botanic gardens for a picnic. Speaking of…

Botanic gardens - This is a true hidden gem! It’s free and located in the above-mentioned Commons area. Spread over 25 acres, It’s a great place to let your kiddos run around and there is even a fairy trail in the woods with tiny DIY fairy houses and hotels built by kids and hidden among the trees that will blow their little minds. Our daughter pretty much ran from tree to tree screaming in delight each time she spotted a new little fairy house. One of the volunteers there told me you can also request a scavenger hunt backpack if you’re local which I definitely plan to do next time we’re there.
Little Fleet – Make sure to check out my personal favorite, Little Fleet when you’re downtown. Little Fleet is a collection of food trucks scattered around the cutest little parking lot that attaches to a bar with additional tables. Stop by for a quick meal, a long hang sesh or some drinks. Bonus points for the kids toys and playhouse near the back bar.
Red Ginger – Another personal favorite for repeat eats. Red Ginger serves Asian-fusion food in a beautiful downtown setting right in the middle of all the excitement. They serve delicious Asian-inspired dishes, sushi and cocktails and the service is amazing.
Moomers and Grand Traverse Pie Company – You can’t visit Northern Michigan without a stop in these two dessert staples. Moomers makes some of the most delicious, creamy ice cream you’ve ever had, and of course as the cherry capital of the world, you have to indulge in some pie. Fun fact – my husband and I got married in the area and served cherry pie for dessert.
Dennos Museum - Great for kids and very small and manageable. This is a teeny tiny but very well-curated museum. To be honest I usually barely make it out of the highly engaging kid section because my daughter loves it so much, but it’s the perfect spot to spend an hour. Enjoy the little kids discovery area and then do a quick stroll around the rest of the space. It’s the perfect stop before or after you head up to Old Mission Peninsula.
Old Mission Lighthouse: After you visit the museum, take a scenic drive to the tip of Old Mission Peninsula and explore the lighthouse. Once you park it’s a very short walk through the woods to the lighthouse. The view is breathtaking, you can explore inside the lighthouse, peek into a little log cabin or just run around the beach. In warmer months bring a picnic along (perhaps with some of those newly acquired cherry products) and enjoy the beauty of lake Michigan.
Wine Tasting on Old Mission Peninsula and Breweries in downtown Traverse City – Northern Michigan proudly boasts an amazing wine region. There are tons of beautiful wineries to visit on Old Mission and luckily the region small enough that you could quite reasonably visit them all. I am not a huge wine aficionado so I can’t tell which one serves the best wine, but my favorite wineries to visit (for the view and vibe) are Two Lads, Bowers Harbor, Brys and Chateau Chantal. I’ve heard great things about Bonobos Winery too but haven’t had a chance to visit yet. If you’re there around Thanksgiving make sure to attend the Mac & Cheese and Wine event. Since I am personally more a beer drinker, I recommend Brewery Ferment in downtown, 7 Monks for an amazing beer selection and Jolly Pumpkin for the scenery and restaurant. There are always new wineries, breweries and cider houses opening up so make sure to check out the local guides for the most up-to-date listing.
The Boathouse - If you’re looking for a fancy dinner with amazing views, this is your spot! You wouldn’t necessarily think this is the best place for kids, but my two year-old kept herself entertained for more than two hours while we dined on basically the entire menu.
Swim/Ski/Boat – Traverse City is a truly unbeatable destination for anyone that wants to explore the outdoors. From the amazing TART trail that runs across the city and along the shoreline, to the miles and miles of waterfront and beaches, to the countless hiking trails and nature centers, you can really do it all. For detailed suggestions in these regards, check out The Fresh Exchange. I frequently visit her site for awesome recommendations on where to swim and new places to explore in the area.

I hope this list inspires you to book a ticket to my favorite town or get even more excited for a planned trip. Traverse City is a very special place and I hope you all get to enjoy it like I have!