
One of the things I love most about living in Michigan is how close I am to so many great vacation spots. From thriving cities to natural wonders, this state’s got a vast array of destinations that attract tons of locals—and people from all over the country, as well!
Located along the lower peninsula’s northern shore, Traverse City is a scenic wonderland that melds midwestern culture with an artistic, beach town feel. This vibrant community is home to the annual National Cherry Festival, neighbor to the breathtaking Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and a favorite warm-weather setting for boat-loving travelers. While visitors flock north in the heat of summer for memory-making experiences, however, many don’t know that Traverse City offers a magical escape even before the air has lost its winter chill (and let’s face it—in Michigan, you can’t always predict when a cold day will strike regardless of the season).
To discover what a weekend in Traverse City would look like without water activities or "sandal weather," Brad and I decided to head up for a weekend in late spring and see for ourselves. Spoiler alert: If you're worried about rain and clouds ruining your vacation, I'm about to show you that neither of those things will dampen your day.
[Special thanks to the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa for inviting us to stay for the weekend! Room, spa services, and resort meals were provided for this trip. All opinions are 100% honest and my own.]
A WEEKEND IN TRAVERSE CITY: FRIDAY
Check-in at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Checking in to the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa around 5:00 p.m., we were offered a $10 gift card in lieu of housekeeping services to spend on food and beverages (anyone else love this increasingly popular option?), then headed up to our sixth-floor tower room (suites, condos, and rooms near the spa are also available) to unpack.


Dinner at Aerie


A WEEKEND IN TRAVERSE CITY: SATURDAY
Breakfast at Sweetwater American Bistro
On Saturday morning, we woke up early to catch breakfast at Sweetwater American Bistro (located near the Grand Traverse Resort lobby) before embarking on our adventures for the day. With a full dine-in menu and popular buffet option, Sweetwater gave us the chance to sample a little bit of everything—French toast, Mexican scrambles, meats, eggs, fruits, and other traditional breakfast options—without having to step foot off property. Brad and I both liked the variety here and the convenience of being able to visit in our “comfy clothes,” which eliminated the need to get dolled up first thing in the morning (adding flexibility for the next item on my agenda).Mani/Pedi at Spa Grand Traverse

Exploring The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Shopping in Downtown Traverse City

When you're downtown, be sure to also stop by the State Theatre. There are often indie flicks and special events going on here, and even if you're just passing through, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the handprints out front (Kristen Bell and Susan Sarandon are among the celebs featured). Plus, the marquee looks awesome no matter what time of day you're here, so you'll want to snag a photo or two!
Dinner at Bourbons 72

Above: Mouthwatering crab cakes at Bourbons 72
Ready to relieve our feet after a day on the move, we drove back to the Grand Traverse Resort for a quick rest and to change for dinner. Our reservation was set for Bourbons 72, a fine dining restaurant located inside the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel (a sister property to the Grand Traverse Resort). While we chose to make the short drive, there were also shuttles available between properties (a convenient option if you don't want to take your own car).
Our dinner was exquisite: Classy appetizers and entrees, a friendly and accommodating waitstaff, and a lowlight atmosphere with cozy, round booths that made us feel like we’d stepped into a scene from Ocean’s 11. Filled to capacity after a deliciously heavy dinner, we took our desserts to go and made our way back to the resort for some pool time.
Evening Unwind + Pool Time
When I was little, I remember thinking that the pool was THE most important part of any vacation. If there was no time for swimming, what were we even doing with our lives, ya know?As I’ve gotten older, I don’t spend nearly as much time in the water, but finding a nice pool and hot tub area is always a great way to relax after a busy day of exploring. The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa actually has two pools, one of which features an impressive water slide for young (and young at heart) visitors. We hit the pool area right at 10:00 p.m. (which, on Saturday night, was an “adults-only” time slot), so it was fairly quiet and we even had one of the pools to ourselves for a bit. And if you’re not a fan of being splashed by unexpected cannonball jumps, you’ll know what a joy that can be. ;-)
A WEEKEND IN TRAVERSE CITY: SUNDAY
Brunch in Downtown Traverse City

Above: Chorizo hash at Harvest in downtown Traverse City
We requested a late checkout on Sunday so we could head downtown for brunch at Harvest (and put off our packing a little bit longer). A trendy eatery specializing in local, sustainable comfort food, Harvest uses fresh ingredients (many are vegan and vegetarian) to create a menu that’s intriguing, yet familiar. On the menu for us: Biscuits and gravy, chorizo hash with root vegetables, and lots of (really good) coffee. As we munched and sipped and watched the world from the front window, we planned how we’d spend the next few hours before heading home.
Relaxing at the Resort

Above: A little R&R at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Partings are bittersweet, so when we returned to the resort and packed up the car, we decided to hang out for a little bit and explore some of the things we’d missed over the weekend. Leaving Brad to enjoy a Sunday paper at the resort cafe, I decided to browse the hotel shops (lots of cool apparel, gift options, and even a Dylan’s Candy Bar!) and ventured back over to the spa area to get a better look at the tennis courts. With all that was available at our fingertips, it’s no wonder why I wasn’t ready to leave.
Cherries, Lakeshores, & Goodbyes from Glen Arbor

Above: Cherry Republic's Flagship Glen Arbor Campus
I finally agreed to go when Brad bribed me with a side trip to nearby Glen Arbor and the original Cherry Republic location. How could I say no to one more adventure? The flagship campus was quiet that afternoon, so we took our time posing for photos, reading clever signage (there’s a lot of it!), and picking out various flavors of cherry ice cream. We chatted about jam and bread and Detroit with the ladies who ran the retail shop, then drove up the road for a brief glimpse of the hazy, Sleeping Bear Dunes lakeshore before calling it a day.

Above: Can you spot the birds? Late spring views near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
So much magic, so little time. I can’t wait to go back and experience it all again in every different season, but Traverse City and its surrounding areas definitely offer a great escape no matter what time of year it happens to be.