8 Out of the Way Spots to Visit in Traverse City Michigan
- Desirae-Haunted Traverse
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
This article, 8 Out of the Way Spots to Visit in Traverse City Michigan, is a guide to help you plan a more unique, memorable visit to Traverse City Michigan. Do you want to explore beyond the popular spots or tourist spots? Maybe you prefer travels with a the quieter exploration of a community. I completely understand this. Let's get started.
First, welcome to Traverse City. I mentioned Traverse City as the place to visit but when you travel north in Michigan, the area becomes more sprawling. With that sprawling landscape, Traverse City becomes more of a base to travel from to the surrounding area-where out of the way hidden spots await your exploration.
1-3, The Leelanau Peninsula
Yes. This peninsula has many popular tourist spots to visit. You just might find yourself incorporating some of these spots with your travels to this location.
Popular Spots:
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Grand Traverse Lighthouse
A Plethora of Wineries
Lesser Known Spots Recommended:
Leland's Fishtown, Shops and stunning views of Lake Michigan await you here.
Good Harbor Bay Beach-great for rock hunting, beach activities.
Highway M-22-a coastline scenic road trip opportunity.
4 Power Island
If you stand on the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay and look out, you probably won't even see that it is there, but it is. Power Island sits in the bay a stones throw from Old Mission Peninsula (the peninsula of land that separates Grand Traverse Bay into East and West Bays).
Please note there are actually two islands connected by an isthmus, Power and Bassett Island. It's about a 6.5 mile boat ride from Clinch Park Marina. These two islands are nature preserves and the notoriety of famous visitors include Perry Hannah, Harvey Firestone, and Henry Ford.
Things to do on Power Island:
Camping with reservations-primitive campsites. 10 on Power Island, 5 on Bassett Island.
Picnic on the island at the picnic areas- Do NOT bring firewood to the island please.
Hike the trail system. Over five miles of hiking trails.
Pro-Tip: Rent a pontoon to dock at the main dock of Power Island or just offshore. Make it easier on your day by booking a ferry service- an easy, flexible transportation from Traverse City to and from Power Island.
Begin here to plan your Power Island Visit:
Camping or Day Trip?
Next, we need to get you there.
If you want to boat yourself to, around, and from the island, Rent your boat here-> Pontoon Boat Rentals
If you want a reliable, safe service to and from the island, Book your Pontoon Ferry Service here-> Ferry Service to Power Island.
An Alternative Trip Idea is the Following:
If you want ALL of the organization of the trip to be handled by seasoned professionals, booking a more structured tour is the best way to go.
Traverse City's Tall Ship Sailing Company will be able to assist your tour of the Island. It is worth it in my opinion because why deal with the hassle of handling a pontoon, or setting up a schedule for the day when all that worry can be off boarded to professionals?
There are other sailing companies to secure services too. Here is one more suggestion:
If you plan on camping or visiting the island, here is a short, helpful packing list:
Water Bottles (potable water is found on the island)
Bug Repellant (for the deep woods)
Sunblock
Towels and Beach gear
Coolers for food and drinks
Snacks and refreshments
Cash for wood
Lighters and fire starter materials
Hiking Shoes and socks
Fully Charged Cellphone with battery pack
Camping Gear (if needed for overnight camping)
This Orb Meaning Reference Chart helps investigators interpret what they’ve captured. You can buy this helpful guide here!
5 Cedar River Preserve
Located in Leelanau Peninsula, the Cedar River Preserve is a 548 acred public accessible nature preserve with the opportunity for kayaking or canoeing, birdwatching, boating, hunting, and hiking. In winter, wonderful snowshoe trails are available.
This is a quieter spot for an outdoor person or nature lover that wants to sink into the wilderness and all it whispers to us who reside in beautiful Northern Michigan.
For more information, visit leelanauconservancy.org
6 Alpacas! Let's Get You Experiencing the Cuteness!
Having owned an Alpaca Farm with my late mother, these furry fellas and ladies hold a dear place in my heart. But many do not know the wonders and awe an alpaca can inspire. Not to mention the great, soft, fluffy products they produce with their fleece.
Lucky for you, Traverse City is fast becoming an epicenter for Alpaca Farms.
Rainbow Valley Family Farms is leading the way with this and opening their farm up to visitors.
Click here to book a visit to an Alpaca Farm.
7 Explore a Cemetery
Traverse City was established on the cusp of the Victorian Era, and you can certainly see that influence in the cemeteries established throughout the region.
Perhaps, the best and largest of the cemeteries that beckons visitors to explore it is the Oakwood Cemetery located in the heart of Traverse City. This is a 65 acre cemetery established in 1861. Those that are buried here have created monuments that are eye catching and provocative to the imagination of what it must have been like to live during a more rustic, remote era in Northern Michigan.
Feel free to explore the grounds from dusk until dawn with easy accessibility off of the 8th street entrance.
If you would like a wonderful guided tour, I would be honored to host you on my Spirit of Oakwood Ghost and Cemetery Tour.
8 Explore Mt. Holiday
You are in wildnerness country in Northern Michigan. In the summer, there are canopies of trees for miles. In the winter, trails and ski slopes to snowshoe or ski down.
In the summer, a great way to explore Mt. Holiday is to be adventuress with a zip line experience through the trees!
Bonus Information! Rent Outdoor Equipment to Expand Your T.C. Outdoor Experience.
Do you want to make a day, weekend, or week of playing outdoors? Here are some helpful tips on equipment and rentals that will bring the fun!
Traverse City is going to have so many trails to bike or hike down such as the Leelanua Trails or the TART Trails. We have the East and West Grand Traverse Bay to explore aquatic activities. We have the Boardman and Platte Rivers to paddle or float down. And don't forget the scenic drives in a cool, top down car. You will need equipment. Here are some helfpul links.
Haunted Traverse Tours is happy to help plan your visit to Traverse City! Simply get your visit started by reaching out via email here.
📌 Want to Ghost Hunt and Investigate Orbs Yourself? Start With These Tools
Most orb photos are caused by dust, moisture, or lens reflection, but if you're serious about ruling out natural explanations, investigators rely on three core tools:
🔦 EMF Meter – Detect unusual electromagnetic fluctuations
🎙 Digital Voice Recorder – Capture EVP responses
📷 Infrared Camera – Monitor environments in complete darkness
Conclusion: 8 Out of the Way Spots to Visit in Traverse City Michigan
There is a very good reason why Traverse City is a popular destination in Michigan. There is a bit of everything fun and unique for everyone that wants to plan a visit up north. From outdoor recreation to water sports to lighthouses and nature preserves. The suggestions for things to do in Traverse City outside of our famous wine tours and downtown Traverse City cuisine and shopping should have you organizing a unique, memorable, and fun visit to Traverse City.
Thank you for visiting and enjoy your stay!
Thank you for visiting this article!
Wishing You Safe and Spirited Travels, my Dear Readers. ~
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Let's Explore More if You Have Time!
I explore the emotional and personal side of haunted travel and spiritual curiosity in my Substack reflections->Substack Here 🌙
More Haunted Destinations to Explore
Haunted travel doesn’t stop here. I’m continuing to explore some of the most paranormally active destinations across the U.S., including Savannah, Salem, Charleston, and beyond.
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