Cruising Grand Traverse Bay
In addition to beautiful beaches, quaint towns, and great restaurants and microbreweries, this region offers over 40 wineries with tours and wine tasting. The soil and climate in this part of Michigan are the perfect combination for producing wines that can compete with the best in the country. Any trip to Northern Michigan must include a visit to Old Mission Peninsula, situated between the west arm and east arm of Grand Traverse Bay. Old Mission Peninsula was voted one of the 10 Most Beautiful Coastal Drives in North America.
Traverse City makes an excellent base for exploring the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to the west. Traverse City has ranked high on various lists--#2 small town travel destination in the United States and a top 10 place to retire in the U.S. A top producer of tart cherries has made Traverse City "The Cherry Capital of the World." The National Cherry Festival in early July is one of Michigan's premier attractions.