Climb the Sand Dunes

An experience you and your family will never forget, truly nature's playground. There are picnic tables and restrooms at the base of the dune, climb as high as you can then let gravity carry you back down. If you make it to the top there is a beautiful view of Glen Lake, so be sure to bring your camera.

Clinch Park

This is a great spot, right downtown, where you can grab a lunch from the concession stand to enjoy in the grassy park, or on the beach. There is a great swimming area with restrooms close by. You can even take a ride on the children's train or visit the ConFoster Museum.

Great Lakes Children's Museum

Hands-on museum focused on the surrounding Great Lakes. There is something to entertain and educate every member of your family.

Hike Maple Bay

Located just north of Acme off US31-N, this Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy protected area offers a fantastic hike, leading to a large beach area on East Grand Traverse Bay. This is also a great beach to search for Petoskey stones.

Moomers Ice Cream

Voted "The Best Ice Cream in America" on Good Morning America, Moomers is a must do while in TC. Enjoy a scoop of their ice cream out on the deck, while viewing the cows responsible for it all.

Pick Cherries

A true Traverse City tradition! Kids and grownups alike will enjoy the experience. Check out Rennie Orchards where you can pick your own cherries and purchase by the pound, or you can purchase cherries already picked for you. This is a learning farm so be sure to take in the full experience.

Sailing on the Tall Ships

Spend a couple of hours on board a real tall ship (or pirate ship according to the children) on West Grand Traverse Bay. Offering sails tailored for kids, this is a great way to learn a bit about the area while taking in the majestic beauty of the bay. Kids are even offered the chance to sail the ship on their own.

Shop Downtown TC

A variety of shops and boutiques, there is something here for everyone to enjoy. Check out unique toy stores and vintage clothing boutiques, and be sure to sample some of Doug Murdick's fudge.

Arbutus Lake

Offering several small inland lakes, most have on site parking as well as boat launches. Good fishing, limited swimming. Few restrooms available.

Bayside Park

On site parking, playground, restrooms, picnic areas. Some walking required. Good for swimming.

On East Grand Traverse Bay off US 31 North, just south of the M 72 junction in Acme.

Bryant Park

Large playground, grills and picnic tables, restrooms, no hiking required, parking lot on site. Traffic close by.

Traverse city, off Front St on Peninsula Dr.

Clinch Park

Restrooms and concessions available. Short walk required. Traffic close by.

Downtown TC off Grandview Parkway. Parking available at the marina or by the Sarah Hardy Farmers Market lot.

East Bay Park

Playground, restrooms, picnic tables and grills. Parking on site. Great beach for small children as the water is very shallow for quite some time.

Elk Rapids County Day Park

Playgrounds, picnic areas, nice clean beach with great swimming. Basketball and tennis courts. Restrooms. Some walking required.

South Bayshore Drive Elk Rapids MI

Empire Village Park

Amazing view of the dunes. Great swimming. Restrooms and picnic areas.

Niagra Street Empire MI

Haserot Beach

On site parking, playground, great for swimming.

Old Mission Harbor, off Old Mission Drive, Traverse City MI

Interlochen State Park

Playgrounds, restroom and on site parking. Light traffic. The water is sometimes murky and the beach is often over loaded with goose and duck droppings.

M- 137 Interlochen MI (231) 276-9511

Leelenau State Park

15310 N. Lighthouse Point Rd. Northport MI

North Bar Lake

Walking required, some optional strenuous hiking depending on where you choose to dwell. Beautiful view of the dunes, beach front on North Bar Lake as well as Lake Michigan. Most diverse beach spot in the area. Paved parking lot. Outhouse by access to North Bar Lake.

Off M-22 and Voice Road in Empire

Old Mission Lighthouse Beach

Trails, on site parking, restrooms, playgrounds, picnic areas, historic lighthouse, beautiful beach, incredible views.

End of Center RD, Old Mission Peninsula, Traverse City MI

Otter Creek or Esch Road Beach

Amazing. The type of beach that defines Northern Michigan. Twenty miles west of Traverse City and 12 miles south of the Village of Empire, this beach is well worth the drive. Off site parking, short walk required. Outhouse on location. Bring your camera, the dunes are picturesque.

Esch Rd Empire MI

Peterson Park

Beautiful beach with layers of smooth stones on the shore of Lake Michigan in Northport. Somewhat strenuous stair climb required. Small play ground with grills and picnic tables.

E. Peterson Park Rd. Northport

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

A wide range of beaches and trails for hiking. Some strenuous hiking required, limited restroom availability, unsurpassed views. Well worth the effort.

Traverse City State Park

Playground, restrooms and concessions available. On site parking, State Park permit required. Traffic close by.

1132 US-31 N. Traverse City MI

West End Beach

On site, but limited, parking. Small beach, great downtown location. Restrooms

Division and Grandview PKWY Traverse City MI

Lake Leelanau RV Park

Offers boat rental, swimming, fishing, children's programs (depends on season call for details) water bikes, kayaks & more

3101 S Lake Shore Dr Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 (231) 256-7236

Ranch Rudolf

Offers general store, horseback riding tours, children's horse camps, fishing, fly fishing, canoe trips, innertubing, archery, volleyball, basketball, horse shoes, ping pong, outdoor pool, mountain biking & more

6841 Brown Bridge Rd Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 947-9529

Timber Ridge Resort

This campground offers dodge ball, basketball, volleyball, playground, mini golf, wet n wild wagon ride, bike parades, heated swimming pool, horse shoes, hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoes, arcade games & much more.

4050 Hammond Rd Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 947-2770

Traverse City KOA

Offers kids story hour dessert socials, scavenger hunts, movies nights,family trivia, candy bar bingo, arts & crafts, fun train rides, fancy balloon hats, Ice cream social bike parades & more

9700 South M-37 Buckley, MI 49620 (800) 249-3203

Traverse City State Park

Offers biking, boat rental, beach house, concession/ store, fishing, hiking, picnic area, playground, metal detecting, WIFI and swimming,

1132 US 31 N Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 922-5270

Ranch Rudolph

Offering a variety of river activities, Ranch Rudolph provides drop off and pick up for canoe and tubing trips on the Boardman River.

Riverside Canoe Trips

Located on the Platte River, Riverside Canoe Trips offers several different canoe trips.

Sail and Power Boat Rental

Rentals available for a wide range of boats and water sports equipment.

Grand Traverse Conservation District Nature Day Camp

Each program will include indoor and outdoor activities, and will provide a unique combination of content-rich programming and complementary games and crafts. All programs are designed to encourage the curiosity of the natural world, allow exploration of natural areas, and promote a sense of stewardship in the next generation. Ages: Programs are available for children ages 4-12. Cost: $75 per week When: Beginning July 13 through August 21. Where: Boardman River Nature Center /1450 Cass Rd / Just 1.5 miles south of S. Airport Rd in Traverse City

icon Learning

August 10-13 from 9 am - noon "icon Learning explodes over science as we investigate the chemistry and physics behind things that go BOOM! We'll conduct experiments with explosions, launch mini rockets, and more!"

Interlochen Arts Academy

Summer Arts Camp offers creative writing, dance, general art, motion picture arts, music, theatre and visual arts programs for children grade 3 - 12.

Little Artshram

Summer art/farm camps located at the Community Gardens and the Historic Cathedral Barns in Traverse City.

Pathfinder School

"Our Summer Day Camp takes place on a 22-acre private, wooded school campus brimming with learning opportunities and nestled between the shores of Cedar Lake and West Grand Traverse Bay, just to the north of Traverse City, Michigan. Lakeside Summer Day Camp in Traverse City."

Traverse City Area Public Schools

TCAPS’ Summer Adventure Day Camps are available to children ages 5 – 12 at all four camp locations. Two of the camps also accommodate 3- and 4-year old campers.

YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Day Camp

Weekly camps June 29-Aug. 8. Group games, hiking, nature exploration, singing, crafts.

Yoga for Health

Yoga for Youth Summer Camp

City Market

Saturdays: April 5 - November 29 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wednesdays: May 14 - October 29 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Located at the Traverse City Railway Station, corner of 8th and Woodmere.

Sarah Hardy Downtown Farmer's Market

Saturdays, beginning May 9th. 8:00AM - noon.

Lot B: Downtown Traverse City, across from Clinch Park

Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Fridays: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the summer. Located at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons (former State Hospital grounds).

National Cherry Festival

July 3 - July 20, 2010

National Trout Festival

Kalkaska April 21 - 25, 2010

Traverse City Film Festival

July 27 - August 1, 2010

Boardman Lake Trail

2-mile-long wooded trail along the east side of Boardman Lake. The heavily wooded, serene trail is paved for the northern mile. The southern mile has a crushed limestone surface.

Access and parking at the north end is off Hannah Road just south of the Traverse Area District Library and at the south end from Medalie Park in the Logan's Landing area off South Airport Road.

Brown Bridge Quiet Area

The backwaters of the Dam form the 191-acre Brown Bridge Pond that offers great opportunities for fishing, no wake boating, and wildlife observation.

11 Miles SE of Traverse City. Click link for map & directions.

Pierce Stocking Scenic

The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is certainly a must-do activity when visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This is a 7.4 mile self-guided auto tour with spectacular overlooks of the Glen Lakes, the Sleeping Bear Dunes and Lake Michigan.

Off M-109 in Empire, MI

Power Island

Power Island is a 205-acre island nature preserve in West Grand Traverse Bay just off Bower's Harbor. It is filled with northern hardwoods, including beech, sugar maple, basswood and red oak, as well as more than 250 plant species. Approximately 11 miles of hiking trails weave through the island's interior. Due to Power Island's proximity to Traverse City, it is a popular boating and picnicking destination.

(231) 922-4818 accessible by boat only

Pyramid Point

On this 2.7 mile (4.3 km) trail, you will find three extremely different environments: meadow, beech-maple forest and high bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. Please do not descend the bluff for your own safety and to protect the natural setting. The trail includes several steep hills.

9922 Front St Empire, MI 49630 (231) 326-5134

Sand Lakes Quiet Area

"This serene site is part of the Pere Marquette State Forest. Motorized vehicles are prohibited, making this area a great place to watch wildlife, hike, bike, or cross country ski. It has five marl lakes surrounded by rolling hills of oak-pine forest."

Sleeping Bear Dunes

The infamous Dune Climb! Strenuous hike, but fun to run/tumble down; a hit with children and grown ups alike. On site parking, restrooms, picnic areas and even a gift shop.

Follow signs from M-22 in Empire

TART Trails

Paved foot and bike path extending from Acme to Suttons Bay. Several access/parking areas to choose from.

Buchan's Blueberry Hill

Blueberries, Mac and Cortland apples, and Red Haven peaches.

Off Peninsula Dr, 1472 Nelson Rd Traverse City MI

Edmonson Orchards

Cherries, peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, apples, pumpkins, assorted summer vegetables

Off Center Rd on Old MIssion Peninsula, 2514 Nelson Road, Traverse City, MI

Elzer Farms

Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, apricots, peaches, and nectarines.

12654 Center Road, Traverse City, MI

Hoxsie's Orchard Hill Farm Market

Apples, pumpkins, winter squash.

6620 M-72 East Williamsburg MI

Jacob's Corn Maze

Three separate corn mazes to chose from, as well as a U-Pick in-season fruit throughout the summer, a farm market featuring pumpkins, fruit and vegetables. Located 3.5 Miles from West Grand Traverse Bay. Across from Gallagher's Farm Market.

Rennie Orchards

"Rennie Orchards offers every member of the family an opportunity to learn more about where our food comes from, but also engages children and adults in the festivities of the harvest with miniature cottages and hay bale mazes for the kids, a cozy log cabin and a large cornfield/sunflower maze for adults, hayrides, tours, the apple wagon, u-pick/we-pick cherries and more. You buy direct from us and see first-hand where your produce is grown while at the same time enjoying some good, old-fashioned fun down on the farm."

11221 Munro Rd., Williamsburg (231) 264-8387

Inland Seas Education Association

Learn about the Great Lakes on a Science and Sailing Adventure aboard a 77 foot schooner.

100 Dame Street, Suttons Bay, MI 49682

Nauti-Cat

Catamaran sail from downtown Traverse City.

Holiday Inn Dock 615 East Front Street Traverse City MI

Sail and Power Boat Rental

Rentals available for a wide range of boats and water sports equipment.

Tall Ships

13390 S West Bay Shore Dr Traverse City MI

Traverse Area Community Sailing

Sailing camps and lessons on Boardman Lake.

Traverse City Beach Bums

Baseball at Wuerfel Park. Sundays are family days- kid's tickets are 1/2 price with purchase of an adult ticket. Kids can run the bases and get autographs.

GT Bay YMCA

Spring Break Camp! Arts & Humanities, Science & Technology, Character Development, Health & Fitness, Conflict Resolution, Sports, Service Learning, Archery, Low Ropes Course, Nature Hikes, and Outdoor Education on our very own 40-acre woods! Participants must bring a lunch & drink. An afternoon snack will be provided

GT Civic Center

AQUA CAMP! After lunch come and have fun with us! Our week long camp will offer a daily art project, 30 minute swim lesson, and open swim. Bring your towel and swim suit each day! For children ages 6-12. 03/29/10 - 04/02/10 12:00 to 3:00 PM. Fee: $56 for county residents, $68.50 for non residents.

Kidz Art

Families staying in town for Spring Break can still treat their kids to a special "getaway". Registration is now open for the "Around the World" Camp at the KidzArt studio in the Cherryland Center. Send your artist to KidzArt for four half-days of creating drawings and projects representing a variety of countries and continents. This camp is for creative boys and girls who love to draw and do projects. Chinese lanterns, nesting dolls, mandalas, and limoge boxes are just a few of the fantastic things your artist will create on their spring break trip around the world. Ages 6 and up. As always all high quality art materials are included. 231-421-1222