Traverse City Events: This month features the first annual Winter Comedy and Arts Festival in Northern Michigan's Traverse City. The festival promises to keep your family busy with laughs—but we've got you covered on breaks between shows. Make your comedy getaway unforgettable by following our list of "to-do's" while in Traverse City. So bundle up, grab your camera, and come on an empty stomach because we've got your itinerary full of good eats, great activities and Kodak moments.
Free On Front Street:
During the Festival, the heart of downtown Traverse City will be featuring dozens of free activities and events that you wont want to miss. It's enough fun and variety for the whole family to enjoy, and you heard me right, it's free! Activities include a ferris wheel smack dab in the middle, providing breath taking views of the bay, an ice skating rink in front of the historical State Theatre with free skate rentals (or bring your own!), a sledding hill provided with snow tubes, and a sports arena featuring events such as ice bowling, rowboat races, tug of war and many more. While your down there, be sure to enjoy the ice sculptures along the street.
Front Street Hours:
Friday, February 15: 4 pm – 9 pm Saturday, February 16: 10 am – 9 pm Sunday, February 17: 10 am – 5 pm
For more information check out the Winter Comedy and Arts Festival web page.
Free Festival Events:
In addition to all the free activities on Front, the festival will also be featuring a large handful of free events around town, so once you've completed the fun on front you can tackle these group activities. Events include a bonfire with complimentary s'mores and music, an evening laser light show, hot chocolate tasting, a winter sports exhibit hosted by the history center and a snowman building competition.
Events are held throughout the weekend from February 15-17th
For a full list of specific event times and dates take a look at the Winter Comedy and Arts Festival web page.
Visit the Most Beautiful Place in America:
Hey out of towners, we've got a secret for you. Traverse City is just around the corner from the Sleeping Bear Dunes, voted the Most Beautiful Place in America by Good Morning America viewers in 2011. So, why not take advantage of Traverse City's proximity to these landmark dunes—that are as breathtaking in winter as they are in summer.
Good Foods Galore:
You can't visit Traverse City without becoming a full on foodie because here in Northern Michigan good eats are a priority. The amount of awards and praise that Traverse City restaurants have heaped on them regularly, promises fabulous meals. Downtown Traverse City restaurants offers a wide range of ethnic cuisines including French, Middle Eastern, Italian to Asian. Most restaurants make a concerted effort to use local ingredients. Beyond sit down restaurants, find a wide array of grab and go coffee shops and find the best hot chocolate this side of the Mississippi at SugarKissed on Traverse City's Front Street.
For more info on Traverse City check out our MyNorth Northern Michigan Restaurant guide. Yum!
Visit the Historical Village at Grand Traverse Commons:
Tucked inside a gorgeous historical Traverse City hospital building, a repourposed and renovated commons area has been developed, providing exquisite shops, restaurants and art. The commons offers an amazing amount of history and culture all in one, not to mention it is absolutely beautiful. The exposed brick, locally owned shops and hand crafted artisan goods inside are well worth the visit. In addition to the commons area, the nature surrounding is equally lovely. Supplied with dozens of trails and cool buildings nestled inside the woods the State Hospital grounds can help create a perfect snowshoeing or winter hiking adventure during your Northern Michigan visit.
For more information visit the Village at Grand Traverse Commons website.
With these tips, we're sure that your Northern Michigan visit to Traverse City is bound to be one of the best yet.