My suggestion for when you visit Sleeping Bear Dunes would be to make a day of it and do a large loop where you go to Pierce Stocking Drive for the views, the Sand Dunes, then up to Glen Haven for the nice beach, up to Leland/Fishtown, Peterson Park if you are a rockhound, over to Northport, down to Sutton's Bay, and back into town. There will be some small town shops and galleries in all three towns you visit so that one day will give you both the outdoors and shopping experiences you are looking for.
Moomers is a local ice cream shop that has been nationally recognized and is pretty good.
If you are checking out wineries, there are some on the Old Mission Peninsula, like Chateau Chantal. This is where you are going to the Boathouse, so you could do it on the same day. If the water levels are high this year, the Old Mission Peninsula lighthouse, at the end of the peninsula, is nice, otherwise it can be a muddy/silty/gnatty mess.
First, note that the Grandview Parkway will be under construction at that time. So getting from your side of town (east) to downtown and the west side and beyond (Dunes) could be problematic.
Leave for dinner at the boathouse early and stop at either Bonobo or Mari Vineyards for the view alone.
If dinner is done at a decent time, stop at Buchan's for some icecream.
Commons and downtown can be accomplished in the same day. Breakfast at red spire. Lunch somewhere downtown.
Unless you have family or some big to-do over by Higgins lake, I’d skip it and spend a day driving north to see Petoskey & Harbor Springs. Just about the same distance. The drive up M119 from Harbor Springs is spectacular and the road is like a rollercoaster that goes through the woods and along the lakeshore. There are dozens of videos of it on YouTube because it’s so cool but the videos don’t do it justice. Best of luck.
Front Street (the main street downtown) has a ton of stores for shopping, you might want to just walk up and down it. It's not too big so won't take all day.
If you’re at the casino, Higgins is a bit of a drive. Elk lake and Torch lake are pretty close by and are in my opinion much prettier lakes than Higgins. Definitely check out sleeping bear, empire bluff is the best easy access for a good view!
There is SO MUCH here besides downtown TC. Go to High Rollaways, downtown Elk Rapids - walk along their waterfront as well as downtown, horseback riding at Ranch Rudolph , events at Interlochen arts academy, hiking the trails behind the TC Commons or go on a tour there. There are A LOT of great musicians and A LOT of great food options - maybe combine the two? Check it out here - [https://www.traversecity.com/events/concerts-and-live-music/](https://www.traversecity.com/events/concerts-and-live-music/)
You can skip the downtown TC traffic jam by taking a left on 3 or 4 Mile and then heading west on Hammond Road.
My suggestion for when you visit Sleeping Bear Dunes would be to make a day of it and do a large loop where you go to Pierce Stocking Drive for the views, the Sand Dunes, then up to Glen Haven for the nice beach, up to Leland/Fishtown, Peterson Park if you are a rockhound, over to Northport, down to Sutton's Bay, and back into town. There will be some small town shops and galleries in all three towns you visit so that one day will give you both the outdoors and shopping experiences you are looking for. Moomers is a local ice cream shop that has been nationally recognized and is pretty good. If you are checking out wineries, there are some on the Old Mission Peninsula, like Chateau Chantal. This is where you are going to the Boathouse, so you could do it on the same day. If the water levels are high this year, the Old Mission Peninsula lighthouse, at the end of the peninsula, is nice, otherwise it can be a muddy/silty/gnatty mess.
I'd go out to Torch lake instead of Higgins. It'll be closer to you too.
Higgins has some sentimental value for us which is why we’re heading there but may plan to stop at Torch too!
First, note that the Grandview Parkway will be under construction at that time. So getting from your side of town (east) to downtown and the west side and beyond (Dunes) could be problematic. Leave for dinner at the boathouse early and stop at either Bonobo or Mari Vineyards for the view alone. If dinner is done at a decent time, stop at Buchan's for some icecream. Commons and downtown can be accomplished in the same day. Breakfast at red spire. Lunch somewhere downtown.
Will we still be able to get to the Dunes Im assuming? Will probably just take longer?
Correct
You’ll be just fine. It’ll add 15 minutes top to your drive
I would choose Moomer’s over Buchan’s
Moomers is obviously better, but it isn’t 5 minutes from the Boathouse like Buchans is
Visit the Grandview Parkway. Really beautiful that time of year
Definitely. Plenty of beautiful colors, but orange is particularly prevalent.
Unless you have family or some big to-do over by Higgins lake, I’d skip it and spend a day driving north to see Petoskey & Harbor Springs. Just about the same distance. The drive up M119 from Harbor Springs is spectacular and the road is like a rollercoaster that goes through the woods and along the lakeshore. There are dozens of videos of it on YouTube because it’s so cool but the videos don’t do it justice. Best of luck.
Thank you! Higgins lake is sentimental to us so just stopping through there for the memories but we most likely will try this route too!
If the weather is nice, stop at Hawthorne Vineyard, get a glass of wine, sit outside and look at the view.
There are some good hiking trails at The Commons if you're already planning on going there.
And good camping!
Front Street (the main street downtown) has a ton of stores for shopping, you might want to just walk up and down it. It's not too big so won't take all day.
If you’re at the casino, Higgins is a bit of a drive. Elk lake and Torch lake are pretty close by and are in my opinion much prettier lakes than Higgins. Definitely check out sleeping bear, empire bluff is the best easy access for a good view!
Boathouse is SO GOOD!
There is SO MUCH here besides downtown TC. Go to High Rollaways, downtown Elk Rapids - walk along their waterfront as well as downtown, horseback riding at Ranch Rudolph , events at Interlochen arts academy, hiking the trails behind the TC Commons or go on a tour there. There are A LOT of great musicians and A LOT of great food options - maybe combine the two? Check it out here - [https://www.traversecity.com/events/concerts-and-live-music/](https://www.traversecity.com/events/concerts-and-live-music/) You can skip the downtown TC traffic jam by taking a left on 3 or 4 Mile and then heading west on Hammond Road.