Traverse City

Traverse City is the cherry capital of the world and you’ll find this fruit celebrated throughout town, year-round, in local spirits, visual arts, and more. While the annual National Cherry Festival is a must-see attraction, there are plenty more reasons to visit this beloved Michigan city. Cycle through wine country, explore the shores of the Grand Traverse Bay or marvel at beautiful botanic gardens. Take a tour of TC with our top must-dos to sample the best bayside bites, brews, arts and parks.   Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

The large amount of natural resources at hand in Northern Michigan has fostered a deep appreciation for locally-sourced fare. “Foraged” isn’t just an industry buzzword in Traverse City: the local food scene is season-driven and revolves around getting creative with basics. Nearly every menu boasts something root-based and basically all desserts make outstanding use of cherries. The area is renowned for its cherries, after all: Traverse City is home to the National Cherry Festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Planning a visit? Check out our list of the best things to do in town and browse through the following collection of best restaurants in Traverse City. Make sure to dine at them all. You're welcome.