Northern Michigan Grand Loop

Arrive in Traverse City — wine country base

Check in to a winery inn on Old Mission Peninsula or a downtown hotel. Old Mission Peninsula Drive (M-37 north) is the first-night drive — vineyards on both sides of the road with Grand Traverse Bay views.

Afternoon Excursion

Half Day

Old Mission Peninsula wine trail

Chateau Grand Traverse, Brys Estate, and Bowers Harbor are the anchor stops. The peninsula sits on the 45th parallel — same latitude as Bordeaux. Tastings run $15-20 and include 6-8 pours.

4h~$50

Tip

Buy an annual Recreation Passport instead of daily passes

Michigan state parks charge $17/day or $35/year. If you are visiting 3+ parks on this loop, buy the annual passport online before you leave home.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Drive 35 miles west on M-72. The Dune Climb is the tourist move — but the more interesting experience is the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and the overlooks above Lake Michigan.

Evening

Activity

Empire Bluff Trail

1.5-mile round trip to a 400-foot bluff above Lake Michigan — one of the most dramatic lake views in the Midwest. Easy enough for most fitness levels. Go at sunset.

1h 30m~$0

M-22 north to Leelanau Peninsula

M-22 follows the Lake Michigan shoreline past Leland, Glen Arbor, and Suttons Bay. Stop at Good Harbor Beach, browse Leland Fishtown (historic fishing shanties), and end at Suttons Bay for dinner.

Afternoon

Meal

Fishtown in Leland

The last working commercial fishery on Lake Michigan — weathered cedar shanties right on the river. Carlson's Fisheries smokes cisco and whitefish. Best smoked fish you will find anywhere.

~$20

Charlevoix and Petoskey

Drive north on US-31. Charlevoix has the East Jordan Iron Works museum and Hemingway country begins here. Petoskey has the best farmers market on the circuit and Stafford's Perry Hotel.

Afternoon

Activity

Hunt for Petoskey Stones

Petoskey stones are fossilized coral found only along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Best hunting at Petoskey State Park or Fisherman's Island State Park. Kids love it.

2h~$0

Cross Lake to the Lake Huron shore

Drive east on M-119 (the Tunnel of Trees — one of the most scenic drives in the Midwest) to Mackinaw City. Cross the bridge and drive south on Lake Huron through Rogers City.

Alpena and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Alpena sits above one of the densest concentrations of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is free and genuinely fascinating.

Gaylord and return south

Gaylord is the alpine village of Michigan — kitschy but charming. Stop at Bavarian Falls mini golf and grab lunch before the final drive south on I-75.