UNDISCOVERED MICHIGAN

Explore the Great Lakes State - from stunning Traverse City to vibrant Detroit

- CATRIONA RIGNEY

TRAVERSE CITY

Sitting on Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City is a picturesque and vibrant destination offering something for everyone.

Traverse City proudly calls itself the “cherry capital of the world” and during its annual eight-day National Cherry Festival at the beginning of July you can taste cherry everything, from pies and ice cream to chocolate and wine. There’s also a Thunderbirds air show, parades and, we kid you not, a cherry pit spitting contest.

Flo Rida performed this year, while the festival even has its very own Cherry Queen – a cherry-championing ambassador selected from hopefuls across the state of Michigan.

WINE LOVERS REJOICE! 

There are more than 40 vineyards on the stunning Traverse Wine Coast. We felt like we were in a sun-dappled Hallmark movie as we drove out to Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery on Old Mission Peninsula. Frosé (frozen rosé wine), a Secret Garden where you can pick from 6,000 lavender plants, and sweeping views across the vineyard make this place truly Instagram-worthy.

Another pinch-me destination is Black Star Farms Suttons Bay, tucked away on Leelanau Peninsula, where a tasting room packed to the rafters with delicious wines is nestled beside an equestrian-inspired 10-room inn.

Traverse’s wine region is celeb-approved, too. Madonna’s family and Hollywood actress Amy Smart own vineyards there.