Round out your time in the Grand Traverse Bay area with this list of insider-secret fun.
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10 Things to Do in the Traverse City Area
1. You could spend an entire afternoon among the many U-Pick flower farms on Old Mission Peninsula. At Moondance, groups can book a private yoga class then arrange bouquets.
2. Explore the Boardman River Valley by horse on an hour-long guided trail ride at Ranch Rudolph. No experience necessary; a wrangler provides basic instruction and help along the way.
3. The pizza bread at Gallagher’s Farm Market (weekends only) has been a local fave for three decades and counting. The pull-apart loaves are topped with oregano, garlic and basil.
4. Hang out at Traverse City’s Rotary Square. The downtown gathering space hosts outdoor movies and free symphony concerts throughout the summer.
5. Hike Timbers Recreation Area (the loop around Fern Lake is especially pretty) then stop at Moomers for an ice cream flight now and a pint of your favorite flavor for later.
6. Grab a Short’s microbrew at the refreshment tent, a grassy spot on the lawn and spend a perfect afternoon watching some of the best horses and riders from around the U.S. and the world compete in the 13-week Traverse City Horse Shows at Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg.
7. Take a stroll through the Gaslight District of historic 6th Street, admiring the Victorian homes and stopping at Crooked Tree Arts Center. Picnic on the shady banks of the Boardman River in Hannah Park.
8. Bike the 4-mile Boardman Lake Loop Trail, ending at the Filling Station for pizza and beer. Or, kids love Right Brain Brewery with its arcade games and dill-pickle popcorn.
9. Cheer for the Traverse City Pit Spitters, a collegiate summer baseball team, at Turtle Creek Stadium. With a footlong corn dog in hand, of course.
10. Fill a basket at the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market in the parking lot between Cass and Union streets on Wednesday and Saturday mornings all summer long. The eye-popping, Asian-French fusion pastries from Merlyn’s Pâtisserie are a must.
