Five days — Founders and the full brewery circuit, ArtPrize or Meijer Gardens, a Sleeping Bear Dunes day, and Traverse City wine on the way back.
Founders taproom in the afternoon, then Brewery Vivant (a certified LEED brewery in a converted chapel), then HopCat for the late evening. HopCat has 130+ taps — the crack fries are famous.
Pure Michigan runs a Brewers Guild passport program — scan a QR code at each participating brewery, collect stamps. Completing sets earns merchandise. It's a good excuse to be more systematic about the brewery circuit.
The scenic route from Grand Rapids to Traverse City takes 2.5 hours via US-131 north to M-37 through the Cadillac lakes region. The direct route on US-131 is 2 hours. Either way, arrive in Traverse City by 3 PM to catch the dinner service.
LEED Gold-certified boutique hotel in East Hills — the only certified green hotel in Grand Rapids. Walk to Founders and the best restaurants. Rates $120–200/night.
The full Meijer experience — outdoor sculpture grounds, tropical conservatory, Michigan farm, and the butterfly house (April–October). End at the outdoor amphitheater if there's a summer evening concert.
Leave at 7 AM. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (full loop), Pyramid Point Trail (2.6 miles, dramatic Lake Michigan views), and the dune climb. Return via Traverse City for dinner.
Old Mission Peninsula wineries are 15 minutes north of downtown Traverse City — Black Star Farms, Chateau Chantal, and Brys Estate are the strongest. The peninsula is narrow enough to drive end-to-end in 30 minutes and taste at all three.
Final morning — East Hills neighborhood around Cherry Street. Brewery Vivant for a farewell pint, then the airport.
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