Traverse City Guides

Explore our curated Traverse City guides -- the best places, tips, news, and stories that define life in your city.

Four people clink large mugs of beer together in a celebratory toast at a wooden table in a dimly lit bar.
Michigan’s Best Breweries & Distilleries: A Complete Guide
Let me tell you about the time I accidentally planned an entire Michigan vacation around beer. What started as a weekend trip to Grand Rapids somehow turned into a two-week…
Read More →
A green building with a large "MARKET" sign, featuring striped awnings, potted plants, and benches outside, under a clear blue sky.
Michigan’s Best Small Towns: Art, Beaches & Adventures
Michigan's most captivating travel experiences often lie beyond its major cities, nestled in small towns where Victorian architecture meets pristine beaches, where German heritage transforms Main Street into Bavaria, and…
Read More →
A person holding a smartphone with a calculator app displaying the number 978,912, next to tax documents, a pen, and a computer keyboard on a wooden desk.
Michigan Taxes Explained: Income, Property, Sales & More
Whether you're new to Michigan or just trying to understand why your wallet feels lighter, navigating the state's tax landscape can feel like solving a Rubik's cube blindfolded. Let's break…
Read More →
A charming gray bungalow with a white trim, a small front porch, and a well-maintained lawn with shrubs and potted plants.
Michigan Home Styles: Complete Guide to Architecture Types
Ever driven through a Michigan neighborhood and wondered why half the houses look like they're wearing winter hats year-round? Those steep roofs aren't just for show. Michigan's home architecture tells…
Read More →
Two children joyfully run near a parked jeep by a serene lake, with mountains and a couple standing by the water in the background under a bright, sunny sky.
Family-Friendly Michigan: Top Destinations for Kids in 2025
Michigan offers families an extraordinary blend of natural beauty, educational attractions, and adventure opportunities that engage children while remaining budget-conscious. With over 3,200 miles of Great Lakes shoreline and 103…
Read More →
A person in a polka dot shirt packs a cardboard box on a table with office supplies, near a clothing rack filled with various garments.
How to Start a Business in Michigan: 2025 Complete Guide
Starting a business in Michigan might sound about as exciting as watching paint dry in January, but here's the thing: the state just hit its highest business ranking ever. With…
Read More →
A croissant sandwich filled with sliced turkey, fresh spinach, and a spread, placed on parchment paper over a wooden board.
Stacked: 12 Must-Try Sandwich and Sub Spots in Traverse City
Craving that perfect sandwich—one that’s piled high, packed with flavor, and made with care? Traverse City has you covered, with local shops turning out everything from classic deli combos to…
Read More →
A cozy library with wooden shelves filled with books, a camera, and a bright window illuminating the wooden floor.
6 Can’t-Miss Book Stores Around Traverse City
Whether you’re searching for your next gripping read or just want to escape into a world of stories, the bookstores around Traverse City have plenty to offer. From indie shops…
Read More →
A bookshelf filled with rows of vintage legal books, featuring worn spines and a variety of colors, titles, and publication years.
Michigan Laws So Strange You Won’t Believe They’re Real
Ever wonder if you're accidentally breaking the law just by living your normal life? In Michigan, you might be. From criminalizing unmarried couples who dare to share a mortgage to…
Read More →
A colorful playground features slides, climbing structures, and a tic-tac-toe panel, set against a backdrop of trees and a clear sky.
Beat the Boredom: Traverse City’s Coolest Spots for Active Kiddos
Traverse City is packed with things to do for families, whether your crew craves outdoor adventures, creativity, or just a change of scenery from the backyard. From hands-on museums to…
Read More →
A person wearing a hoodie and cap is standing on a ladder, carefully painting the trim of a window on a stucco building.
Essential Home Maintenance Checklist for Michigan Homeowners
Living in Michigan means your house faces weather that can't make up its mind whether it wants to freeze you solid or melt you into submission. Between the lake-effect snow…
Read More →
A pet store aisle with shelves displaying various colorful pet toys, leashes, and accessories on both sides.
Treat Your Best Friend at These Traverse City Area Pet Stores
Whether you’re shopping for gourmet biscuits, stylish collars, or just a new toy for your furry (or scaly) friend, Traverse City’s pet stores deliver far more than the basics. With…
Read More →
A vintage store interior filled with eclectic items including bags, hats, plants, and decorative objects displayed on wooden tables and shelves, with framed art and mirrors on the walls.
Home Decor Refresh: 10 Traverse City Stores Worth a Visit
Whether you’re hunting for that perfect statement piece or dreaming up a full home makeover, the Traverse City area is packed with shops ready to inspire every style and budget.…
Read More →
A wooden boardwalk with a railing winds through a lush, green forest, surrounded by trees and foliage, under a clear sky.
A Local’s Guide to Hiking Trails & Walking Paths Near Traverse City
Traverse City stands at the crossroads of rolling forests, sparkling lakes, and some of the most accessible hiking trails in the region. Whether you crave peaceful boardwalk strolls, woodland adventures…
Read More →
A person with curly hair is working at a desk cluttered with open binders, a calculator, a keyboard, and a monitor, viewed from above.
Michigan State Benefits: Complete 2025 Guide to All Programs
Navigating Michigan's benefit programs feels like trying to solve a Rubik's cube blindfolded while someone shouts conflicting instructions at you. But here's the thing: nearly 1.5 million Michiganders currently receive…
Read More →
A blue sign with a lighthouse illustration reads "Welcome to Michigan, Great Lakes, Great Times" against a clear sky, with trees in the background and a directional sign above.
Complete Guide to Michigan State Symbols: History, Facts & Stories
Most people can name Michigan's state bird (the robin) and maybe the state flower (apple blossom). But did you know Michigan has 16 official symbols, including a 350-million-year-old fossil, a…
Read More →
A crowd of people with raised hands enjoy a lively outdoor concert, illuminated by bright stage lights in the evening.
Michigan’s Best Nightlife: Top Bars, Breweries & Music Venues 2025
Michigan's nightlife scene hits differently than what you'd expect from the Midwest. Between Detroit's underground techno temples and Grand Rapids' beer paradise, the state serves up everything from $4 college…
Read More →
A lush, green golf course features a checkered flag marking the hole on a well-maintained putting green, surrounded by gently rolling hills.
Michigan Golf Trip: 15 Spectacular Courses You Need to Play
Michigan's golf scene hits different than your typical Florida or Arizona trip. With over 650 public courses scattered across two peninsulas, you'll find everything from windswept links perched above Lake…
Read More →
A group of people gather around a large pepperoni pizza on a wooden table, each reaching for a slice, with glasses of beer nearby.
12 Drool-Worthy Pizza Spots Hiding Around Traverse City
Pizza in Traverse City is more than just a quick bite—it’s a way to savor the city’s creative spirit and local flavors, one slice at a time. Whether you’re a…
Read More →
A woman and a man drive in a convertible under a clear sky, with the woman pointing towards the horizon and sunlight streaming in from the right.
Michigan’s Quirky Roadside Attractions: 2025 Road Trip Guide
Michigan pulls in over 125 million visitors each year, most heading straight for the usual suspects—Mackinac Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes, or those gorgeous Great Lakes beaches. But if you're willing…
Read More →