Traverse City, Michigan: The Hamptons of the Midwest
Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City pairs stunning freshwater coastlines with a thriving culinary and wine scene. It possesses the breezy, upscale atmosphere of a New England coastal enclave, but operates on approachable Midwestern pricing.
When to go & weather: Summer is glorious but busy. To capture the luxurious feel without the crowds, visit in September. The lake waters retain their summer warmth, the air is crisp, and the local orchards begin their apple harvest.
Costs & passes: You cannot visit Traverse City without exploring the towering dunes and turquoise waters of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The park requires a vehicle entrance pass, which costs $25 and is valid for seven days. Be aware that the park operates entirely cashless, so you must use a credit or debit card at the self-pay kiosks or visitor center. If you want to bypass the fee entirely, plan your visit to align with the National Park Service fee-free days, which include holidays like Juneteenth and National Public Lands Day.
Crowd strategy & etiquette: The wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula offer spectacular bay views. To avoid the weekend bachelorette party crowds, schedule your wine tastings for Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons. Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles when hiking the delicate dune ecosystems.
Just visited and didn’t like Santa Fe. Agree, Traverse City is a gem. Newport can be pretty pricey but is a nice place to visit. San Antonio is delightful! Hoping Savannah and Wilmington will be part of next year’s road trip.
Last time we toured the Breakers it was told that the magnificent carved front doors came from a European hotel. I said “Gee, most people just take the towels”