What to See and Do in the Traverse City Region of Michigan

Northern Michigan has offered the best of a vacation end point for three generations of Grossnickles. The Traverse City area provides the midwest with perhaps the best in hiking, swimming, boating, golfing, and a just plain relaxing atmosphere for all ages. And hence, was visited almost every year since the sixties.

The vineyard

Every year over a half million people join in on the festivities of the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City Michigan the week of July 4th.

The Northern District Fair in Cadillac,Michigan

Fall fun on the farm. Active fruit farm with a fall farm market. Pumpkin patch, corn maze and apple picking. Nugent Orchards is a family operated fruit farm established in 1918 just south of Benzonia in beautiful Northern Michigan. Take a tour of our Cherry Barn Event Venue for your wedding, or special event.

Established in 1992, Bel Lago began serving wine on the edge of Lake Leelanau in 1999
Today, our northern Michigan winery is known for crafting flavorful and complex red, white and sparkling wines.

Wildflower Hike- guided hike to explore the early bloomers and learn about the why, when, where and more! Weekends in May.

The Zombie Run, a 5K run/walk, has become a Traverse City Halloween tradition. And what's not to like? Zombies and beer have always been a winning combination. Come join zombies from all walks of life (or shall we say death)! You never know who will show up, but the one thing you will never see is someone not having a great time.

Our distinctive Inn, nestled below a hillside of vineyards and overlooking barns and pastures, features luxurious guest rooms with an exceptional package of services and amenities. We are proud to be a Select Registry “Distinguished Inn of North America.”

Located in the beautiful fields of Leelanau Peninsula, the Gill’s Pier Vineyard and Winery offers award-winning wines in an exquisite atmopshere. From Cabernet Franc to Semi-Dri Riesling, our wines will delight your palate and fill your senses.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located in Northwestern Lower Michigan along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan. The closest city is Traverse City, 25 miles to the east.

Our Animal Park features alpacas, Nigerian dwarf goats and miniature donkeys! Admission includes grain to feed the alpacas. Visit us to experience this unique, family-friendly park!

You are welcome to host your event at our unique property, Black Star Farms. Whether you are planning a meeting, a small gathering or a big celebration, we have the venue at our Suttons Bay farm to fit your needs.

The Simpson family has been growing fruit on the Leelanau Peninsula for three generations. Before the cultivation of vineyards, the Simpson’s were a cherry farming family caring for and harvesting over 300 acres. It was Bruce’s father, John Simpson who had the vision of vineyards and a winery.

With horseback, carriage, stagecoach, and hayrides to choose from, The Rockin' R is confident everybody will be able to fully enjoy the natural beauty of Northern Michigan.