The Wall Street Journal has placed Traverse City, Michigan in its rundown of “The 10 Places to Go in 2025,” one of just 3 destinations in the United States to make the list.
The other U.S. locations on the roster are:
Maui, Hawaii and Macon, Ga. Other featured locations include Niseko, Japan; Malta; Amsterdam; Morocco; South Caicos, Turks and Caicos; Magdalena River, Colombia; and Madhya Pradesh, India.
Traverse City is one of the best vacation destinations in the great state of Michigan.
Great downtown situated on the deep blue waters of Grand Traverse Bay (32 miles long, 10miles wide, 620ft deep at deepest point), the East and West arms of which bisect two peninsulas that are dotted with wineries (it’s the hilly grape growing region of Michigan) and cherry orchards (it’s the cherry capital of the USA).
Nearby are sand dunes and Lake Michigan and beautiful Torch Lake. The lovely Boardman River snakes through the city.
And Traverse City has the USA’s highest percentage of millionaire millennials.
JobbieCrew’s Top Recommendations of Traverse City:
Mari Vineyard (8175 Center Rd) Possibly the best winery in the Traverse City area, an area which has over 40 wineries. Spectacular view of the bay, winery designed like an Italian villa, water fountain centerpiece surrounded by multi-colored flowers. Try the delicious Stuckfass Riesling (citrus resin-y),
7 Monks Taproom (128 S. Union St) Get the bacon jam burger. It comes with a cup of aioli, dip your burger in it. 7 Monks is primarily a beer bar. However, hidden deep underneath 7 Monks Taproom, is a speakeasy called the Low Bar. They have great cocktails and it’s a neat use of the space.
JS Hamburg (302 W. Front St) this circa 1938 diner has the best breakfast downtown. Try the Pine Street.
Filling Station Microbrewery (642 Railroad Place) cool old train depot turned into microbrewery. The platform is now a covered patio.
Mammoth Distillery (221 Garland Street) Live music, awesome servers, try the Bee’s Knees cocktail.
Brady’s Bar (401 S. Union) neighborhood bar that has been around since 1875! Try the awesome Mexican style hot wings (12 for $20). Oh hell yeah.
Rove Estate Winery (7007 E. Traverse Hwy) Sip wine from the beautiful vantage of the highest point on the Leelanau Peninsula at this 5th generation family-owned operation.
H&L Social (263 W. Grandview Pkwy) cool rooftop bar @ Hotel Indigo with great views of the bay.
Charles & Reid Pizza (113 E. State St) whimsical interior with good pizza pies.
Peegeo’s (525 High Lake St) about 15 mins SE of downtown is this little slice of outta the way Heaven. Try the Charbroiled Wings with a side of Mexican sauce, fuhgetaboutit, amazing. Nice and crispy and delicious. And the Jill’s Sicilian pizza, omfg, what a surprise.
