Come early or stay late to enjoy all the area has to offer
There’s truly something for everyone. Wine lovers can tour one of the 50+ nearby wineries or channel your inner beer snob at one of more than a dozen microbreweries. The area is also home to multiple distilleries and cideries, for those ready to try something new.
Don’t worry, foodies, you’re in the right spot, too! In fact, for two years in a row, Midwest Living has listed Traverse City among its Five Top Food Towns, and Bon Appetit has listed it as one of America’s Top Five Foodie Towns. Find a farm-to-fork experience, participate in local foodie happenings, or simply enjoy a delicious meal with friends at any of the area’s 300+ restaurants, many of which boast views that will take away your breath (but not your appetite!).
Outdoorsy types will find plenty of options to whet your appetite for adventure. View awe-inspiring vistas or immerse yourself in a forested wilderness at the beaches, dunes and hiking trails within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This 111 square mile national park is a treasure that never fails to awe its visitors (and locals).
The area also boasts many other parks, lighthouses, an urban bike trail, dozens of hiking trails, not-so-secret fishing spots, plus more than a dozen golf courses. If the weather cooperates, pack a picnic dinner grab a blanket (or two!), and enjoy a sunset over Lake Michigan or one of the bays.
Looking to find that perfect souvenir, explore one-of-a-kind boutiques or invest in a unique piece of art? Shoppers will love wandering downtown Traverse City or take the back roads and immerse yourself in one of many charming lakeside towns. Or, if you need to wind down after three busy days of learning, visit a local spa and experience a hot mineral bath, reflexology massage or a botanical facial to sooth the stress away.
Learn more about these and many other opportunities to enjoy and explore the Grand Traverse region at https://www.traversecity.com.
Need help during the MTA Conference finding a great place for dinner or the best post-Conference sights to see? Visit the Traverse City Tourism booth, which will be located in the main lobby at the Grand Traverse Resort on Monday through Wednesday of the Conference.