Northern Michigan in the summer is the stuff of childhood legend. The air smells like pine needles and fresh water, the sun doesn’t set until well after bedtime, and the cherry orchards stretch out like green and red quilts across the rolling hills. If you are planning a family getaway to the "Cherry Capital of the World," you are in for a treat. Finding the best things to do in traverse city with kids is incredibly rewarding because this region effortlessly blends massive outdoor adventures with easy, accessible town amenities that make parenting on the road just a little bit simpler.

From scaling mountains of sand that drop right into crystal-clear lakes, to eating ice cream while watching the very cows that helped make it, Traverse City is a destination that truly caters to families. But like any popular vacation spot, navigating the crowds, finding the right activities for your kids' ages, and avoiding the overhyped tourist traps requires a bit of insider knowledge. Grab a cup of coffee, and dive into this comprehensive guide to navigating Traverse City with your family.

For a complete overview of the area, you can always bookmark our main City Guide: /city/traverse-city to keep all your options organized.

The Absolute Best Things to Do in Traverse City with Kids

When building your itinerary, the goal is to balance high-energy outdoor excursions with relaxing, low-stakes activities. Traverse City is heavily focused on nature, so plan to spend the vast majority of your time outside. Here are the verified, family-tested highlights.

Conquer the Sand at Sleeping Bear Dunes

You simply cannot visit this region without spending a day at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This massive natural playground features towering sand dunes that look like a desert dropped right next to the Caribbean-colored waters of Lake Michigan. The main "Dune Climb" is a rite of passage. Kids of all ages love charging up the massive wall of sand, though be prepared for burning thighs and sand in every conceivable crevice of your clothing. Practical Details: A 7-day vehicle pass costs $25 USD. Arrive before 9:30 AM during the summer to secure parking and beat the midday heat, as there is zero shade on the dunes. Strollers are useless here; definitely bring a baby carrier for the little ones.

If you have toddlers or just want the stunning views without the exhausting hike, hop onto the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This 7.4-mile loop delivers the "greatest hits" of the dunes with almost zero hiking required. You can pull over, snap incredible photos, and let the kids stretch their legs at safe viewpoints. For families with slightly older kids who want a real hike, the Empire Bluff Trail is a manageable 1.5-mile round-trip path that transitions from a dense beech-maple forest to a spectacular boardwalk view of the lake.

🎟️ Find family-friendly tours & activities →

Set Sail on the Great Lakes

Getting out on the water is non-negotiable in Traverse City. For an unforgettable educational experience, book a morning with the Inland Seas Education Association. This hands-on "schoolship" experience turns kids into Great Lakes scientists aboard a 77-foot schooner. They get to trawl for fish, look at plankton under microscopes, and test water quality. It is incredibly engaging for kids ages 6 and up.

If you want a more traditional sailing adventure, the Tall Ship Manitou is a massive 114-foot replica schooner that offers families a hands-on sailing experience on Grand Traverse Bay. The crew actively encourages kids to help haul the lines and raise the massive canvas sails, which makes them feel like actual pirates. Alternatively, if your kids prefer speed over history, the Nauti-Cat Cruises is a high-speed sailing catamaran. It offers a very stable, breezy way to explore the bay without the intense rocking that can cause seasickness in little ones. Practical Details: Boat tours generally run $40-$60 USD for adults and $20-$30 USD for kids. Always pack windbreakers or light fleece jackets, even in July; the wind off Lake Michigan can drop the temperature by 15 degrees in an instant.

🎟️ Book family tickets & skip-the-line tours →

Paddle Gentle Rivers and Splash on Sandbars

For families who want to be in the water rather than just on it, head over to Crystal River Outfitters in nearby Glen Arbor. They offer a gentle, crystal-clear paddling adventure through the national lakeshore. The water is shallow, the current does the work for you, and kids absolutely love "shooting the tube"—a spot where the river goes through a fast-moving culvert pipe under a road.

For a beach day that feels like a tropical vacation, drive out to the Torch Lake Sandbar (via Torch Lake). Torch Lake is famous for its stunning, Caribbean-blue water. The sandbar allows kids to play in waist-deep, crystal-clear water for hundreds of yards. It is a highly popular spot, so renting a pontoon boat for the family is the best way to anchor at the sandbar, grill some hot dogs, and let the kids jump off the boat all afternoon.

Bike the Trails and Hit the Playgrounds

Traverse City is incredibly bike-friendly. The TART Trails (Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails) is a massive network of paved, multi-use trails that connect the best parts of the city. You can rent bikes (or a burley trailer for the toddlers) and safely pedal away from vehicle traffic. The trails are 100% stroller and wheelchair accessible.

Take a scenic drive up the Old Mission Peninsula to Bowers Harbor Park. This is a hidden gem for families. It offers a perfect blend of shaded playgrounds, sports fields, and quiet picnic areas away from the downtown crowds. It’s the perfect place to let toddlers burn off steam before a restaurant dinner.

If your family loves animals, check the summer schedule for the Traverse City Horse Shows at Flintfields Horse Park. This premier equestrian venue hosts world-class jumping competitions. It’s surprisingly kid-friendly, with plenty of space to watch the massive horses clear incredible heights.

Indoor Escapes for Rainy Days

Weather in Northern Michigan can be unpredictable. When the rain clouds roll in, the Traverse Area District Library (Main Branch) is a lifesaver. This massive, modern library has a dedicated youth wing that feels more like a children's museum, complete with interactive play areas, reading nooks, and frequent free storytimes.

Another fantastic indoor option is the Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum. Housed in a beautifully restored 1902 Coast Guard station, kids can explore vintage rescue boats, learn about historic shipwrecks, and even try their hand at a breeches buoy rescue simulation. Admission is included with your National Park pass.

Where to Eat with Kids in Traverse City

Traverse City is a massive foodie destination, but finding places where kids can be a little loud while parents get a great meal is the key to a successful trip.

Make a beeline for The Filling Station Microbrewery. Housed in a historic 1927 railroad depot, this brewery sits right next to active train tracks. They serve high-quality, wood-fired flatbreads that please both discerning adults and picky toddlers. The outdoor patio is spacious, and when a train slowly rolls by, the kids lose their minds with excitement. Pizzas run about $15-$20 USD, and the environment is exceptionally welcoming to families.

For dessert, Moomers Homemade Ice Cream is a mandatory stop. This quintessential Northern Michigan dairy farm allows kids to eat award-winning ice cream while literally looking out the window at the cows that provided the milk. The line can stretch out the door during summer evenings, but it moves quickly. Grab a flight of ice cream (five mini scoops) so the family can share flavors like "Cherries Moobilee" and classic Superman.

What to Skip in Traverse City with Kids

Not everything in the travel brochures makes sense for families. Save your money and sanity by skipping these spots.

• Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City: While it's a kid-centric powerhouse, the high price tag and intense sensory environment feel like a waste when you have the majestic, natural waterpark of Lake Michigan just down the road. Save the indoor waterparks for winter trips near your hometown; spend your Traverse City days outside.
• Pierce Stocking Overlook #9: Within the scenic drive, this specific overlook features a steep, 450-foot drop directly to Lake Michigan. It is a magnet for kids who want to run down, but climbing back up is incredibly dangerous and exhausting. The park service charges thousands of dollars to rescue people who get stuck at the bottom. Skip the stress and view the lake from the safer, fenced overlooks.
• Adult-Centric Dining & Drinks: Traverse City has incredible fine dining and nightlife, but places like The Cook's House (an intimate, 26-seat white-linen dining room), The Parlor (a low-lit speakeasy cocktail lounge), and 7 Monks Taproom (a deafeningly loud, high-energy beer bar) are simply not built for kids. Leave these for a parents-only weekend.
• Chateau Grand Traverse: While some wineries in the area have sprawling lawns where kids can run, this specific one is a high-volume, adult-centric tasting room that lacks the open space or farm-style distractions needed to keep little ones happy while you sip Riesling.
• Traverse City Comedy Club: This is a traditional stand-up venue where the content is overwhelmingly adult-oriented. It is not suitable for family evening entertainment.
• Traverse City Beach Bums (now Pit Spitters) Stadium area - Fun Zone: While attending a minor league Pit Spitters baseball game is actually a fantastic, low-cost family evening, the adjacent "Fun Zone" features overpriced, rundown inflatables that distract kids from the actual game. Stick to your seats, buy some peanuts, and enjoy the baseball.

Age-by-Age Guide for Things to Do in Traverse City with Kids

Tailoring your days to your children's developmental stages makes the trip significantly more enjoyable for everyone. Here is how to break down the best things to do in traverse city with kids based on their ages.

Toddlers (Ages 2-3)

Keep things slow, tactile, and close to your hotel for easy nap access.

• Play: Spend mornings at Bowers Harbor Park for the shaded playground, or walk the paved TART trails with a stroller.
• Explore: The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is perfect because toddlers can safely look at the views without needing to hike.
• Eat: Moomers Ice Cream is a sensory delight for this age—cows and ice cream are basically a toddler's two favorite things.

Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)

This age group has endless energy but short legs.

• Play: The base of the Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear is basically the world's largest sandbox. Bring plastic buckets and shovels and let them dig at the bottom while older siblings climb.
• Explore: The Traverse Area District Library’s youth wing is a perfect mid-day, air-conditioned break.
• Eat: The Filling Station Microbrewery gives them trains to watch while waiting for food, eliminating restaurant meltdowns.

School-Age (Ages 6-10)

This is the golden age for Traverse City adventures.

• Play: Book a morning with Crystal River Outfitters. The gentle kayak or tube ride is thrilling but safe, and they are old enough to paddle a bit themselves.
• Explore: The Inland Seas Education Association schoolship makes them feel like real scientists. They will love analyzing the fish they catch.
• Hike: The Empire Bluff Trail is exactly the right length. It feels like a "real" hike through the woods but ends with a massive boardwalk view before they get too tired.

Tweens & Teens (Ages 11-14)

Older kids want independence, speed, and things that look great on camera.

• Play: Rent a pontoon boat for Torch Lake. They will love swimming in the deep water and hanging out on the sandbar.
• Explore: Nauti-Cat Cruises provides that fast, wind-in-your-hair experience they crave. Let them sit on the catamaran netting right over the rushing water.
• Hike: Challenge them to complete the entire Dune Climb to Lake Michigan (a strenuous 3-4 hour round trip hike over shifting sand). It’s a serious physical challenge they will brag about later.

A Perfect 3-Day Traverse City Family Itinerary

Day 1: Dunes and Dairy Start your morning early (by 8:30 AM) at the Sleeping Bear Dunes Dune Climb before the sand gets hot. Spend two hours climbing and rolling down. Afterward, take the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive to eat a packed picnic lunch at one of the shaded overlooks. Head back toward town in the mid-afternoon, shower off the sand, and drive out to Moomers for a pre-dinner ice cream flight. Finish the evening with wood-fired pizza and train spotting at The Filling Station.

Day 2: Sails and Trails Rent bikes in the morning and cruise the paved TART trails along the waterfront. Stop at one of the downtown beaches for a quick splash. Grab sandwiches from a local deli and head to the marina for a 1:00 PM sail on the Tall Ship Manitou. Let the kids help raise the sails. In the late afternoon, drive up the Old Mission Peninsula to let the kids burn off any remaining energy at Bowers Harbor Park before grabbing a casual dinner nearby.

Day 3: River Paddling and Downtown Wandering Drive out to Glen Arbor and spend the morning doing a gentle kayak trip with Crystal River Outfitters. The clear water and shaded tree canopy make for a perfectly relaxing morning. Grab lunch in Glen Arbor at a local tavern, then head back toward Traverse City. If the weather is iffy, spend the afternoon at the Maritime Museum or the District Library. Wrap up your trip with a walk down Front Street in downtown Traverse City to buy some cherry gummy candies and souvenirs.

Pro Tips from Parents for a Smooth Trip

• Mind the Cherry Festival: The National Cherry Festival takes place over a week in early July. It brings incredible events (like the Blue Angels flying over the bay), but it also brings massive crowds, impossible parking, and surging hotel prices. If your kids hate crowds, visit in late June or mid-August instead.
• Pack for Three Seasons: Northern Michigan weather is heavily dictated by Lake Michigan. You can wake up to 55°F (12°C) and shivering, be sweating in 85°F (29°C) by noon, and need a fleece jacket by the campfire at night. Always pack layers.
• Embrace the Grocery Store: Dining out for three meals a day with kids gets expensive and exhausting. Hit up a local Meijer or Family Fare supermarket on day one. Pack coolers with sandwiches, fruit, and snacks for your dune and boat days.
• Water Shoes are Mandatory: While the sand dunes are soft, many of the beaches on Grand Traverse Bay and the inland lakes are incredibly rocky. Pack sturdy water shoes for the whole family to prevent cut toes and whining.
• Download Offline Maps: Cell service in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and up the peninsulas can be spotty to non-existent. Download your driving routes on Google Maps before leaving your hotel Wi-Fi.

Traverse City is one of those rare destinations that doesn't require parents to compromise. You don't have to choose between stunning natural beauty and a great cup of coffee, or between thrilling outdoor adventures and a comfortable place to sleep. By pacing your days, respecting the power of the Great Lakes, and knowing the best things to do in traverse city with kids, you are setting your family up for the kind of summer vacation memories that they will talk about for decades. Pack your sunscreen, prepare to find sand in your car for the next six months, and enjoy the magic of Northern Michigan!