4 days in Traverse City, Petoskey & Upper Peninsula Itinerary

Traverse City might be well known for its huge cherry industry, but its position along Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan endows it with fine scenery and a wealth of outdoor attractions.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Mon): explore the world behind art at Dennos Museum Center, then brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Grand Traverse Distillery, and then stop by Cherry Republic of Traverse City.

To see reviews, photos, ratings, and tourist information, use the Traverse City vacation planning app.

Detroit to Traverse City is an approximately 5-hour car ride. You can also fly; or take a bus. Traveling from Detroit in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be slightly colder in Traverse City, with lows of 59°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Mon) early enough to drive to Petoskey.

Petoskey is a city and coastal resort community in the U.S. Start off your visit on the 23rd (Tue): get engrossed in the history at Mackinaw Bridge Museum, examine the collection at Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum Inc., then take an in-depth tour of Museum of Ojibwa Culture, then take an in-depth tour of Heritage Village at Mackinaw, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cross In The Woods National Shrine. Here are some ideas for day two: look for all kinds of wild species at Thorne Swift Nature Preserve, tour the pleasant surroundings at Little Traverse Wheelway, admire the landmark architecture of Mushroom House Tours of Charlevoix, then do a tasting at Walloon Lake Winery, and finally take a stroll through Historic Gaslight District.

To find photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Petoskey trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Traverse City to Petoskey in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Traveling from Traverse City in July, expect nights in Petoskey to be about the same, around 57°F, while days are slightly colder, around 75°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Wed) early enough to travel to Mackinac Island.

Mackinac Island is a city in Mackinac County in the U.S. On the 25th (Thu), examine the collection at The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, steep yourself in history at Biddle House, steep yourself in history at Fort Holmes, take in the architecture and atmosphere at St Anne's Catholic Church, then look for gifts at Island House Bike Shop, and finally don't miss a visit to Is It You Spot From Somewhere in Time Movie!.

To find ratings, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Mackinac Island trip builder.

Traveling by combination of bus and ferry from Petoskey to Mackinac Island takes 3 hours. Expect a daytime high around 73°F in July, and nighttime lows around 58°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Thu) so you can travel back home.