If you are looking for a charming vibrant town to visit any time of year, you must come and check out Traverse City. You will be able to experience all four seasons and see a unique culture found nowhere else. Visiting Traverse City will provide you with all kinds of activities to do, but traveling can get expensive. Fret not, as the area features plenty of free activities that you can enjoy free of charge as well! Here are the top free things to do in Traverse City all year round:
Traverse City is home to a sprawling downtown district that will provide you with plenty to see and do. This is an experience in and of itself when you get to walk around this historic area. When downtown, you have to take a stroll along Front Street, where you can see the heart of the city. You will be able to easily spend hours here, getting to people watch along with window shop at the many charming shops and boutiques. You will find plenty of historic buildings with bookstores, art galleries and more within. The summer season brings out more fun with street performers and musicians providing a lively atmosphere to enjoy. Just walking the streets is a great way to get to know Traverse City better.
While you are close to downtown, you will have the opportunity to check out Clinch Park. This is a gorgeous park complete with its very own stretch of sandy beach that connects to the West Grand Traverse Bay. Clinch Park and Beach happens to be a popular spot with the locals for swimming out in the water or sunbathing on the beach. Visiting the park and beach is always free, making it an ideal spot to hang out for the day in the summer. You will also find additional amenities nearby, including a splash pad for the little ones, picnic areas to eat at, and a beautiful bike trail with plenty of scenery. The park is open year round, so you can enjoy it even in the winter; during this time, you will find a walk alongside the frozen shoreline to be a treat. Come see one of Traverse City’s most popular parks!
There is nothing better than getting outside and seeing all that Traverse City has to offer. Exploring Traverse City is an exciting and free way to enjoy your time in the area. You will find the Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (otherwise known as the TART) Trail system close by. This entire system spans 60 miles of trails right here in the region that are perfect for walking, jogging, running, and even biking. The trail is open all year round and is free to access. You will find that the winter season changes the trail up too. It will be set up for cross country skiing and snowshoeing to help you enjoy these activities. This is the perfect scenic way to enjoy Traverse City.
It should come as no surprise that Traverse City has quite a bit of history. What was once a mental asylum is now a cherish shopping and community hub called the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Come explore this 19th century architecture in person for a unique experience. It is settled on open grounds with acres of space for you to walk around and explore. You can catch the occasional free guided tour that is held by local volunteers that will go into the history of the building. Window shop the different art galleries and shops for a fun time at the Village.
A separate beach from Clinch Park and Beach is West End Beach and is the top spot to check out the local sunset. You can bring a blanket or chair and set up right on the beach to enjoy the views of Lake Michigan. What makes West End Beach especially popular is the views of the sunset at dusk. You will not find a better spot in town that offers such stunning scenery. West End Beach tends to be more quiet than Clinch Park and Beach so you can enjoy the more serene atmosphere.
These are some of the many free activities that you can enjoy right here in Traverse City. Our properties will keep you close to all of the fun. Check out our listing for vacation homes with luxury amenities and so much more. Now all you have to do is settle on a time of year to visit Traverse City!
