Traverse City is one of Northern Michigan’s best spots for soaking up natural beauty, small-town charm and family-friendly fun. I’ve been making the 4- to 5-hour drive from metro Detroit since I was a kid — and now I share that tradition with my own children.
With sandy beaches, scenic trails, kid-friendly museums and plenty of sweet treats, it’s the perfect place to relax, explore and make lasting summer memories. Get a flavor here, then explore:
- Family-friendly water park resort Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
- Some of the best family restaurants in Traverse City
- Traverse City summer events worth the trip
Traveling to Traverse City from metro Detroit
The “Cherry Capital of the World” is about 256 miles northwest of Detroit, translating to about a four-hour and 15-minute drive via I-75 North and US-131. It’s an easy and often scenic road trip that gets a little quieter and greener the farther north you go.
3 cool pit stops on your way to Traverse City
Turn your road trip into part of the adventure with these family-friendly stops.
- Wilderness Trails Zoo in Birch Run: A small, walkable zoo with up-close views of kangaroos, camels, reptiles and more — plus a petting area that’s a hit with kids.
- Dow Gardens in Midland: This ticketed 110-acre attraction features flowers, shady paths and the nation’s longest canopy walk, lifting 40 feet high.
- Castle Museum in Saginaw: Housed in an 1898 building that looks like a French château, this quirky museum is easy to cover in an hour and prime for photo ops.
A sampling of things to do in Traverse City with kids
Whether beach days or book hunts, discover great ways to explore the city as a family.
- Clinch Park: This beautiful park has a 1,500 foot beachfront complete with public restrooms and picnic tables. Kayaks and paddleboards — as well as beach chairs/umbrellas — are available to rent. You can easily spend a whole day here! It is close to downtown, too, if you choose to eat lunch or dinner while in the area.
- Pirate’s Cove Adventure Park: An adventure golf course with 18 holes that was voted a AAA “Best in Michigan.” This is a place that we visited as kids that my children now enjoy. Besides golf, there are go-karts, bumper boats and a game room.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Michigan’s national park dunes are a short car ride from Traverse City in nearby Empire. Not only is this activity educational, but the dunes also provide a great way to get moving as a family and climb for spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
- Great Lakes Children’s Museum: This play-based museum is filled with exhibits geared to many age groups. Be sure to make reservations online in advance.
- Horizon Books: There’s just something fun about going into a large bookstore on vacation. Try our family tradition of picking out a new book and reading it on the beach.
Great spots to spend the night in Traverse City
Here are a few solid stays, from lakefront lounging to a bit of luxury or a homey cottage feel.
- North Shore Inn: A relaxed lakefront apartment hotel with seasonal pool and access to a private beach. There are small kitchenettes inside each unit, which makes it easier to make simple meals and enjoy hassle-free days at the beach or on-the-go with kids.
- Delamar Traverse City: This upscale resort offers views of the bay and waterfront, a fine dining restaurant and other excursions (boat tours, sunset cruises and more) available. It is best for older children (or a parents’ getaway).
- Airbnb: Another great option is to rent a cottage on Airbnb. The “home” type atmosphere is always comforting to kids, and usually cottages are stocked full of things you might need during your stay.
Delicious Traverse City places to eat
Refueling is easy in the city. These are a few favorites (check out our additional list too!).
- Paesano’s Pizza: A family-run, laid-back pizzeria. I highly recommend their breadsticks or Paesano cheese bread.
- Milk & Honey: This ice cream parlor serves delicious ice cream, gelato, sorbet and more. It’s hard to choose what to order, because there are so many options!
- Bubba’s: This restaurant has a bar atmosphere and is known for burgers and beer options. It’s a casual place that you can definitely bring kids to!
- Apache Trout Grill: Known for seafood with a lodge-type atmosphere, this is a restaurant we used to enjoy as a family when I was a child.
Want more Traverse City? Consider a weekend stay at Great Wolf Lodge, dive deeper into great places to eat — or discover big events to build your trip around.
Olivia Sims contributed to this story.
This content is sponsored by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers. Visit buyfordnow.com. Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s Ultimate Family Road Trip Guide.
