Traverse City is the biggest little beach town on the "Third Coast"—the U.S. shores of the eight-state Great Lakes coastline. The region's 180 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline basically trace the upper left edge of Michigan's "mitten." Add another 149 inland lakes that are 10 acres or larger and you get a rambling Cape Cod-on-freshwater summer playground: quaint port villages, sandy beaches, historic lighthouses, rolling orchards, family-friendly festivals (including the National Cherry Festival, July 7-14), and summer-only Traverse City Beach Bums pro baseball games (team members bunk with local families).
Head northwest from Cherry Capital Airport to the Leelanau Peninsula and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (pictured here). Michigan's monumental sandbox is best known for its 150-foot Dune Climb (or roll), but there's also 35 miles of pristine Lake Michigan beach. Take the 7.4-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive loop in time to watch the sunset from Lake Michigan Overlook observation deck, perched 450 feet above the water.
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Most Beautiful Place in America
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is Good Morning America's No. 1 Most Beautiful Place in America.
Traverse City featured in National Geographic's list of the "Best Summer Trips 2012".
Traverse City named one of Mario Batali's Top Summer Destinations For Foodies
See why every summer, Mario and his family head to Traverse City.
Learn about our beaches, parks, golf courses and resorts. Then check out a vacation package to Traverse City.