While there are many people who believe Valentine’s Day was just a day the greeting card companies made up to sell cards (and to make us feel bad for feeling this way!) we at Elevated think of it as one of our favorite holidays. Held in the middle of winter, we have the opportunity to cuddle even closer with our own special Valentine’s, the cold weather bringing us together in celebration and in search of warmth as we practice all the ways there is to show how much we love each other. If you are of like mind and you are seeking a chilly spot to cuddle with your sweetest, your February journey to Traverse City will be a vacation you never forget and this guide to the top reasons you should spend Valentine’s Day in Traverse City, will help the day shine even brighter.
You could stay home and do all the things you can do here in Traverse City, but experience shows that it is easy to be distracted when you do. Kids needing to be fed, bosses asking you to work late on February 14th, even all the chores that seem to jump out at you when you are trying to take some time alone to relax. When you choose a Michigan getaway for your vacation destination and a stay in our Elevated romantic love nests as your shelter, the only distractions will be the ones that urge you to hug her a little tighter, kiss her a little deeper, and listen to her a little harder. (That last one may be the most romantic distraction of all, just ask her!)
We can’t explain it, but we have traveled the world, and we can’t find chocolate that tastes any better than the ones available at Great Lakes Chocolate & Dessert Company. Offering a massive selection of sweet desserts and chocolates created right there in the bakery of their shop, every bite you take of every treat they create is practically guaranteed to be your favorite and because every Valentine deserves a chocolate gift, you are destined to be designated Gift Giver Supreme. They also sell rich and creamy hot chocolate, so buy a box to enjoy in your Elevated escape, knowing that you can order more any time you want simply by visiting their website.
The world is rapidly beginning to realize that Michigan wines are starting to give Napa Valley a run for its money and some of the best wineries are located in or near our Traverse City hometown. Tabone Vineyards offering small batch wines and an online shop so guests can keep sipping their favorites even after returning to real life, Chateau Grand Traverse, offering charcuterie boards with their tastings and also offering its own online shop, and Rove Winery at the Gallagher Estate, perched high above the Leelanau Peninsula and offering special events as well as, you guessed it, providing an online store that will ensure you never have to go without your favorite grape drink. All of these wineries, and so many more will add a sparkle to your Valentine’s Day getaway in the heart of Michigan.
Perhaps the most important part of any Valentine’s Day celebration is the holiday dinner, and you may be surprised to know that Traverse City is well known for its beautiful selection of romantic restaurants. Plan a holiday meal at Harrington’s By The Bay, 13890 S W Bay Shore Drive and enjoy sunset views as you share a delicious meal with your sweetheart or sink your teeth into the delicious Italian dishes prepared by the talented chefs at Trattoria Stella, 830 Cottageview Drive. These are just two of our favorite romantic restaurants and we encourage you to try them or any other that catches your eye during your stay.
There’s no reason for a drum roll at this point as you have probably already figured out the number one reason you should choose a Traverse City vacation for your Valentine’s Day celebration. Our cozy love nests will shelter you from the cold winter nights, providing comfort, style, and beautiful luxuries that welcome love birds from all over the world. Plan a picnic in front of a roaring fire, sipping the wine you brought back from your daylight tasting at any of the wineries we mentioned earlier, and watching the snow fall gently to the ground. These beautiful moments, shared with the one that makes your heart skip a beat will become memories you will treasure forever. Contact us to reserve your favorite Elevated escape today and discover all the romance Traverse City has to offer!
For many of us, the resolutions we made for 2024 offer a slightly different slant than the ones made in previous years. This year, we resolve to be good to ourselves, to embrace the quiet moments, and to spend more time traveling, perhaps starting with a trip to Traverse City. If your journey brings you in our direction, we at Elevated have created a guide to the beauty of our Michigan town, showing you everything that makes our hometown special and all the ways you can enjoy the most comfortable adventures with a stay in our seasonal sanctuaries.
In the long dark days of winter, it is important to keep your sense of humor which is why we have devoted January 31st to February 4th to hosting the Traverse City Comedy Fest. Offering over 20 different shows and 80 different comedians during its hilarious 5 days, some of our nation’s and many of Michigan’s funniest men and women will be performing on multiple stages in 7 different venues, all determined to make you laugh until your jaw aches. It’s hard to be sad over gray skies and a little extra snow when you are surrounded by laughter and any night on the town during the comedy fest is destined to bring you your happiest memories.
For most people the Saturday morning Farmer’s Market is strictly a spring and summer event, but in Traverse City, we are known for coloring outside the lines and as such, we would like to present to you the Traverse City Indoor Farmers Market. Located at the Mercado, 800 Cottageview Drive, and opening at 10 AM on Saturday mornings, a visit to the indoor market will give visitors a chance to stock their vegetable crispers, pick up some gifts for their pet sitters, house watchers, and mail gatherers back home, and enjoy a summery activity in the warm confines of the Mercado.
The beauty of Traverse City shines even brighter at sunset whether you have bundled up and stepped out onto the balcony of your Elevated escape with a cup of hot cocoa in hand or are dressed in your warmest clothes, perched on a log in Sunset Park (635 E Front Street) with a cup of coffee in hand. These last few minutes of sunshine will bring you the most tranquil memories. Watch the sky come alive in a kaleidoscope of fiery color and for those final seconds, you will forget about the cold and feel peace and serenity invade your heart.
Your foodie tour to Traverse City will set the stage for a year filled with happy stomachs and cheering taste buds. The culinary landscape of our hometown is an exciting one, filled with international delights intermingled with classic home cooking that travelers will swear could have come from their own grandma’s country kitchen. Explore the casual delights found in the food trucks that are an important part of the downtown arena, coming together in one big convergence in a space called The Little Fleet. Elegance and tradition combine with a visit to the Cook’s House, a chef-driven restaurant serving farm-to-table foods that are both healthy and delicious and when nothing but a thick and juicy burger will sate your traveler’s appetite, stopping by the casual confines of Blue Tractor Cook Shop will give you the meal you crave. And because breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we can’t end this paragraph without mentioning the breakfasts and brunches offered by the Red Spire Brunch House. Go. You won’t regret it!
As the snow falls on the winter landscape of Traverse City you may find yourself wanting to explore the warmer side of our Michigan hometown, so why not spend the day exploring our history? The museums of Traverse City will take you on a trip back in time or, if you prefer, can offer an exploration of our creative side. Music is a language the entire world can understand and the Music House Museum, 7377 US-31 in nearby Williamsburg, offers an up close and personal glimpse into music boxes that have been created throughout the decades. The Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum, Sleeping Bear Dunes Road in nearby Glen Arbor explores the history of the Coast Guard, and the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, 15500 Lighthouse Point Road in Northpoint are all museums worthy of exploring while also offering a place to stay warm on the coldest of winter days.
Warm and Cozy
At the end of every day, our Elevated escapes will bring guests the comfort, coziness, and warmth they seek. Contact us today to reserve your favorite sanctuary for a long or short-term stay today!
