If you are looking for a weekend getaway that is not only beautiful but has it ALL, Traverse City, Michigan is such a hidden gem. Traverse City is a short 5 hour drive from Chicago, IL and has everything you could ever want in a weekend trip- golf, pickleball, hiking, beach, wineries, breweries, and the cutest little town. We have gone up there about 4 times in the 2 years that we’ve lived in Chicago and leave loving it more and more every time. Whether you go in the Summer to experience the crystal clear waters and breath taking sunsets or in the Fall for some of the best Fall foliage you’ve ever seen, here is a 4 day itinerary with almost everything being dog friendly including our amazing Airbnb.
DAY 1
Explore downtown Traverse City
Dinner- The Little Fleet has lots of food trucks and drink options. This is definitely the place to be + it’s dog friendly!
Sunset Cruise on the Nauti Cat– this is one of our favorite things that we have done! You can buy drinks on the boat. The sunsets in Traverse City are something else.
Ice cream- Moomers (lots of ice cream shops sell Moomers)
DAY 2
Golf- Bahle Farms
Lunch- Hop Lot Brewing Co.
Beach – There are beaches everywhere but drive to Good Harbor beach believe me it’s worth the drive. It’s dog friendly but dogs must be on a leash. Plenty of room to spread out as it’s not a crowded beach! The water in Traverse City seriously looks like the Carribean- it’s crystal clear!
Dinner- Artisan (grab an outdoor patio seat) or Trattoria Stella
Cocktails- North Bar (rooftop bar that sometimes has live music). We’ve gone here almost every trip to Traverse City!
Go out- Kilkenny’s Irish Pub
DAY 3
Breakfast- grab a breakfast burrito to go at Shipwreck Cafe
Hike/sightsee
- Empire Buff Trail- easy hike with a beautiful view
- Pierce Stocking Scenic Route ($25 to get into the National park, only do this if you have a few hours)
- Sleeping Bear Dunes overlook, trail, climb (this is 3 separate hikes with different difficulties)
- Pyramid Point Trailhead- if you do just one hike, let it be this one!
Coffee at The Mill
Walk around Fishtown
Lunch- Village Cheese Shanty (cash only)
Leland Wineries
Dinner- Apache Trout Grille (go early and sit on the back deck for a drink) or Farm Club (farm to table)
DAY 4
Breakfast- Towne Plaza
Coffee- Seven Hills (Mission Proper)
Visit Mission Point Lighthouse and Old Mission General Store
Winerie’s in Mission point
- Brys Estate (dog friendly + the Pinot Blanc and Froze are delicious)
- Bowers Harbor (dog friendly)
- Mari Vineyards (dog friendly, enjoy a flight in the adirondack chairs overlooking the winery and water)
- Black Star Winery
- Bonobo Winery
- 2Lads
Lunch- Jolly Pumpkin (opens at 12, ask about ghost Genevieve) or Peninsula Grill (both are dog friendly)
Go to the rooftop at Hotel Indigo for drinks
Dinner- Boathouse -make a reservation in advance but this view is something else! If you only do one dinner in Traverse City this is an absolute MUST.
