Whether Traverse City is your destination or you plan to travel through the area on your way to/from the Upper Peninsula, it’s a fantastic vacation destination. Many people come to this part of Michigan to enjoy Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and sip on a few glasses of wine at top Michigan wineries – but there are so many more things to do in Traverse City that are just as fun, adventurous, and beautiful.

Aside from being a mecca for wine enthusiasts, the Traverse City area is a rich haven for outdoor enthusiasts. From the sparkling waters of the Grand Traverse Bay to the miles of hiking and biking trails throughout the surrounding peninsulas, you’ll have no trouble finding adventure. It’s also the cherry capital of the world, and aside from hosting the National Cherry Festival each summer, it is a great place to eat, drink, and pick all the cherries your heart desires.

These things represent a small fraction of the many things to do in Traverse City. We’d love to share our favorite parts of this incredible city – and the surrounding peninsulas – with you this year. Summer is peak travel time to our Traverse City Bed and Breakfast, and now’s your best chance to plan your vacation. Our Inn and winery is located about 15 minutes outside Traverse City on the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula and is the ultimate oasis in this breathtaking part of the state.

We have everything you need to enjoy your time here, too – lodging, onsite trails, an equestrian barn, wine tasting, a delicious restaurant, and exceptional hospitality. Don’t miss your chance to visit us this year. Book your room at our Traverse City Bed and Breakfast today! Read more

There’s plenty to love about visiting our Traverse City Bed and Breakfast in the winter, and it goes far beyond enjoying a glass of wine at our top-rated Leelanau Peninsula winery. In fact, not only are there fantastic wineries on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, but there are tons of fun and adventurous things to do in Traverse City in the winter – both on the peninsula and beyond!

Black Star Farms is a top-rated Traverse City Bed and Breakfast destination. We’re less than 20 minutes outside of downtown Traverse City on the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula and offer guests a full slate of activities to enjoy while here. From fat tire biking and snowshoeing through the woods to relaxing afternoons – wine included or not – on our 160-acre estate, all the best things to do in Traverse City in winter are right here waiting for you! Book your room today!

Woman fat tire biking in the snow - one of our favorite things to do in Traverse City in Winter

The Best Things to Do in Traverse City in Winter

Between the Leelanau Peninsula, where you’ll find Black Star Farms, and many of the leading Traverse City wineries, Old Mission Peninsula, and Grand Traverse Bay, it’s easy to see why the Traverse City area is such a fantastic destination to visit. There are plenty of great things to do in Traverse City in winter, and we’re the perfect destination to enjoy most of it!

Whether you’ve come to relax, shop, or sip your way through gorgeous Michigan wine country or have a little adventure in the snow, you won’t run out of fun things to do in Traverse City in winter. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite things to do in Traverse City in winter, and we look forward to sharing your next adventure with you.

  1. Wine tasting is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Traverse City in winter. The wines are always delicious, but the uncrowded tasting rooms and cozy settings make for a perfect winter afternoon. The best place to enjoy wine tasting this winter is, of course, Black Star Farms – but there are also other great stops to make along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail.
  2. Biking is always a popular thing to do in the area – even in the winter! There’s one key difference, though – in the winter, you’ll want a fat tire bike to navigate the snow. Even so, get out and enjoy one of our favorite things to do in Traverse City in winter. There are some great fat tire biking nearby; explore the TART Trails, including the Leelanau Trail, which can be easily accessed from our property.
  3. Like biking, there are also some great opportunities for winter hiking on our property and beyond. With a pair of snowshoes, you can easily explore our wooded paradise on the Leelanau Peninsula, where you’ll enjoy a tranquil and invigorating afternoon on the trails.
  4. If you want to stay indoors, one of the best things to do in Traverse City in winter is to visit the Dennos Museum. It’s one of the leading small art museums in the Midwest. For even more artistic outlets, visit the many great art galleries in downtown Traverse City.
  5. While enjoying wine tasting on the Old Mission Peninsula, don’t miss your chance to see one of the best Traverse City lighthouses. A wintry visit to the Mission Point Lighthouse is one of the most scenic things to do in Traverse City in winter. The lake views from here are stunning!
  6. Shop, dine, and explore your way through the unique Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a collection of beautifully restored and repurposed historic buildings that houses several shops, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants.

woman sitting in front of the fire with red wine at our Traverse City Bed and Breakfast - the best place to stay for enjoying all the things to do in Traverse City in winter.

Wine Tasting on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail

While there are plenty of things to do in Traverse City in winter, one deserves more attention: Wine tasting on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is the perfect place to get cozy with your sweetheart and enjoy a relaxed and delicious adventure through Michigan wine country. Here, you’ll find exquisite wines and gorgeous views around every bend – and it’s all just minutes from our top-rated Traverse City Bed and Breakfast, located in the heart of the Leelanau Peninsula.

The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is just one part of the Traverse Wine Coast. There are also great wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula on the other side of Grand Traverse Bay. The Leelanau Peninsula, though, is where you’ll find Black Star Farm’s original flagship winery and distinctive Inn & estate. We are the perfect place to start your Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail adventure.

The wineries on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail offer a huge variety of wines but are best known for their bright, aromatic wines. There are over 25 wineries on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, including our award-winning Traverse City winery. We’ve been producing internationally acclaimed wines since 1998, made from locally-grown grapes.

Our Traverse City winery produces over 50 different Michigan wines and spirits from farm-grown fruit. With so many things to choose from, it’s easy to see why our inviting tasting room is a great place to start on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. There’s truly something here for everyone!

In addition to regular tastings in our tasting room, we offer elevated wine-tasting experiences like our private Progressive Wine and Food Tastings. These tasting experiences will serve as a great jumping-off point to other Leelanau Peninsula wineries.

If you’re ready for an unforgettable adventure on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail and beyond, it’s time you experience all the best things to do in Traverse City in winter. Book your room at our top-rated Traverse City Bed and Breakfast today!

Though we – and others – spend a lot of time talking about the best wineries in Traverse City, there’s a lot more to this fantastic town (and area) than great wine! There are more than enough things to do in Traverse City this fall, including visiting Traverse City Breweries. Like many other cities in Michigan, it’s pretty easy to find a fantastic pint of craft beer in Traverse City.

As the weather turns a bit more crisp and cool outside, there’s never been a better time to turn inside. Summer and early fall in the Traverse City area are all about outdoor adventures – and maybe a few wine tastings or two. Winter brings its own range of pursuits to the area, with plenty more to enjoy in the grand outdoor spaces of our lakeside communities. Why not pair those adventures with a warming pint of beer from the best Traverse City breweries?

Whether you’re curious about the craft beer scene in Traverse City and ready to explore or just enjoy a great place to relax at the end of the day, there are plenty of Traverse City breweries to visit this fall and winter. We invite you to take a break from the city while you’re in the area and enjoy our unprecedented getaway on the Leelanau Peninsula.

Our Bed and Breakfast in Traverse City is found just 13 miles north of the city near Suttons Bay. With wine and spirit tastings onsite, an onsite restaurant, comfortable accommodations, and an exquisite array of seasonal activities on our farm, is there any better place to stay in Traverse City? We don’t think so!

Don’t miss your chance to enjoy one of the best fall getaways at our Bed and Breakfast in Traverse City. Book your room today! Read more

There are plenty of fun summer traditions to enjoy in the Traverse City area, including sailing on Grand Traverse Bay and wine tasting on the Leelanau Peninsula. Another time-honored summer tradition is cherry picking in Michigan – and the Leelanau Peninsula just so happens to be a great place to enjoy that, too! In fact, the Traverse City area is considered the Cherry Capital of the World and thus is the perfect place to spend a few cherry-focused days this summer.

Beyond visiting orchards and enjoying a delightful afternoon cherry picking in Michigan, summer is also when the National Cherry Festival comes to Traverse City. This year marks the 97th anniversary of this spectacular event, which offers 7-days of cherry-infused fun in one of the most beautiful parts of Michigan. Get in on all the fun and spend a few days with us at our Bed and Breakfast in Traverse City!

Our flagship property is a 160-acre equestrian-inspired estate. With ten gorgeous guest rooms, a wine-tasting room and outdoor patios, and ample opportunities for onsite recreation, there’s truly no better destination than our Bed and Breakfast in Traverse City. We’d be more than happy to direct you to our favorite local orchards and help you arrange all the fun and adventure you crave, too! A summer of fun awaits – book your room at our top-rated Bed and Breakfast in Traverse City today! Read more

As the largest city in northern Michigan, it’s probably no surprise that there are a lot of great things to do in Traverse City and the surrounding areas. From enjoying time spent on the stunning Grand Traverse Bay to wine tasting on the Leelanau Peninsula, which is located just north of the city, it’s truly a unique destination worth experiencing in 2023. Though summer is our peak travel season, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Traverse City and surrounding areas in all four seasons.

Whenever you visit, you can expect plenty of stunning natural beauty and warm hospitality, especially when you make our Bed and Breakfast in Traverse City your home away from home. Though we’re located just 13 miles north of the city, we offer a completely different an experience from traditional urban lodging. With an on-site winery, restaurant, and various activities at Black Star Farms, it’s easy to see why we’re often rated as one of the best places to stay in Traverse City and the surrounding area.

One of the key benefits of being 13 miles away from Traverse City is that we’re far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city to relax, unwind, and enjoy the kind of getaway you deserve – yet we’re close enough for you to enjoy the best things to do in Traverse City, too. If you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime, book your room at Black Star Farms, and discover why we’re considered one of the best places to stay in Traverse City! Read more