Traverse City

Traverse City sits at the head of Grand Traverse Bay in northern Michigan, where cherry orchards, world-class vineyards, and one of America's best national lakeshores all converge within an hour's drive. The Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas frame the bay and produce wines that rival coastal California counterparts — over 40 wineries between the two. Downtown Front Street is genuinely walkable, lined with serious restaurants, independent shops, and craft breweries, all within blocks of the water. Cherry Festival in July draws 500,000 visitors; the rest of the summer is quieter and arguably better. The M-22 scenic route north along the Leelanau shore toward Suttons Bay and Leland's Fishtown is one of the best drives in the Midwest. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — massive sand dunes that drop straight into Lake Michigan — is 30 minutes west.