Grand Traverse Bay was practically made for a Michigan road trip, with sparkling blue water, sandy beaches, vineyards, and small waterfront towns packed into one incredible corner of the state.
This route takes you around both arms of the bay, mixing scenic shoreline drives with swimming spots, forest trails, historic landmarks, and plenty of chances to pull over and explore.
You’ll travel along famous stretches of M-22 and US-31, wind through the long peninsulas that reach into Lake Michigan, and find some seriously beautiful views along the way.
Whether you have a packed weekend or several days to explore, keep reading for the ultimate Grand Traverse Bay road trip and all the stops worth adding to your Michigan itinerary.
1. Torch Bay Nature Preserve
Torch Bay Nature Preserve protects roughly 40 acres near Eastport in Antrim County, along East Grand Traverse Bay and the Lake Michigan shoreline.
You can explore about 1.4 miles of trails through beach ponds, hardwood forest, wetlands, and shoreline, with boardwalk sections helping you cross the wetter ground.
The big draw is Torch Bay itself, where clear Lake Michigan water meets a quiet stretch of undeveloped shoreline that’s great for birdwatching and spotting wildflowers along the trails.
Add this preserve to your Grand Traverse Bay road trip for an easy outdoor stop near US-31, especially if you want to stretch your legs before continuing.
2. Elk Rapids
Head about 20 minutes on US-31 to Elk Rapids, a small waterfront town squeezed between the east arm of Grand Traverse Bay and Elk Lake.
Start downtown along River Street, then walk to Veterans Memorial Park, where a wide sandy beach gives you front-row views across Grand Traverse Bay and plenty of room for a swim.
Next, check out the Elk Rapids Day Park, a 13-acre waterfront park known for its wooded trails, Lake Michigan beach, and outdoor sculptures scattered among the trees.
Before getting back on the road, wander past the harbor, watch boats travel through the Elk River, and grab a snack downtown before continuing south toward Traverse City.
3. Bowers Harbor Vineyards
After exploring Elk Rapids, swing around Grand Traverse Bay to Bowers Harbor Vineyards on Old Mission Peninsula.
This 20-acre vineyard sits on a former horse farm and grows cool-climate grapes such as Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir, all helped along by the temperature-moderating waters surrounding the peninsula.
Stop at the tasting room to sample Michigan wines and hard ciders, then take your glass outside for views across the vines and rolling farmland.
The winery is also a handy stop while exploring Old Mission Peninsula, putting you close to spots like Mission Point Lighthouse, located near the 45th Parallel at the peninsula’s northern tip.
4. Haserot Beach
A natural next stop after sipping your way around Bowers Harbor Vineyards is Haserot Beach, about a 10-minute drive away in the tiny Old Mission Peninsula community of Old Mission.
This public beach sits on protected Old Mission Harbor, where the calm water makes swimming and paddling especially easy on warm summer days.
Spread out on the sandy shoreline, use the picnic tables for lunch, or simply watch sailboats and fishing boats move across the harbor while you enjoy views toward the peninsula’s eastern shore.
Haserot Beach also puts you within a short drive from Mission Point Lighthouse, so it’s an easy place to squeeze in some beach time before continuing north toward the tip of the peninsula.
5. Mission Point Lighthouse
Next, drive about 6 minutes to Mission Point Lighthouse, the classic final stop at the tip of Old Mission Peninsula.
Built in 1870, the white wooden lighthouse stands near the 45th Parallel, the latitude line halfway between the Equator and North Pole, and you can climb its tower for wide views over Grand Traverse Bay.
Save time to explore the surrounding Mission Point Lighthouse Park, where miles of trails wind through forests, old orchards, wetlands, and protected shoreline.
Walk down to the rocky beach and check the lighthouse’s seasonal museum exhibits before turning south for the next leg of your road trip.
6. Traverse City
After reaching the tip of Old Mission Peninsula, cruise about 30 minutes into Traverse City, the biggest city on Grand Traverse Bay and a perfect place to explore beaches, shops, and seriously good food.
Start along Front Street, where downtown packs local restaurants, breweries, boutiques, and the historic State Theatre into a few walkable blocks just minutes from the waterfront.
Traverse City is famous as the Cherry Capital of the World, and its National Cherry Festival fills town each summer with parades, concerts, air shows, and plenty of cherry treats.
Before moving on, walk the paved TART Trail, relax at Clinch Park Beach on West Grand Traverse Bay, or explore the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
7. Suttons Bay
Leaving Traverse City behind, follow M-22 about 25 minutes to Suttons Bay, a compact waterfront village on the Leelanau Peninsula where colorful shops and restaurants line walkable St. Joseph Street.
Head straight for Suttons Bay Beach, where you can swim in the clear water, launch a kayak, picnic beside the bay, or follow the shoreline for wide views across Grand Traverse Bay.
For more exploring, hop onto the 17-mile Leelanau Trail, a paved route connecting Suttons Bay with Traverse City through forests, farms, and cherry orchards.
Save time for the village itself too, because you can browse local galleries, catch a movie at the historic Bay Theatre, and grab lunch within a few blocks of the water.
8. Northport
Keep following M-22 for about 20 minutes from Suttons Bay and you’ll reach Northport, a small harbor village near the northern end of the Leelanau Peninsula with Grand Traverse Bay right outside downtown.
Walk through Haserot Park to see the marina, pier, sandy beach, and grassy waterfront, then wander a few blocks to Northport’s shops, galleries, cafes, and Mitten Brewing Company.
Northport also makes a great jumping-off point for Leelanau State Park, located about 10 minutes farther north and home to the 1858 Grand Traverse Lighthouse.
9. Leelanau State Park
Finish your Grand Traverse Bay road trip at Leelanau State Park, where more than 1,500 acres cover the very tip of the Leelanau Peninsula.
The star attraction is Grand Traverse Lighthouse, first established in 1858, where you can tour the restored keeper’s quarters and climb the tower for sweeping views across Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay.
For one last adventure, tackle part of the park’s 8.5-mile trail system, including routes through hardwood forest, wetlands, dunes, and the quieter southern section near Cathead Bay.
End your trip along the rocky shoreline, where you can search for Petoskey stones, watch waves roll in from Lake Michigan, and catch a colorful sunset at one of northern Michigan’s most scenic points.
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