For those of us who live here, we already know how special Traverse City is. Michiganders have been coming north for hundreds of years to enjoy the beaches, the woods, and the fresh air. Even travelers from Chicago made their way north decades ago. For a long time though, visitors from farther away were fairly rare, unless they had family ties here.
Patrick and Lauren understand that pull well. Even after moving to Virginia, it is not just family that brings them back to Traverse City. This area has a way of calling you home. There is so much to enjoy here, and it is never just one thing. It is not only the beaches, or the trails, or the wine, or the restaurants. It is the full experience and that unmistakable feeling of being up north. I swear my blood pressure drops as soon as I get north of Cadillac. Something in the air quietly says it is time to relax.
Over the last decade, the rest of the country has started to notice what we have known all along. Traverse City and the surrounding area have landed on countless best of and top of lists, both nationally and internationally. We have been highlighted for everything from world class scenery to food, wine, and even ice cream. Sleeping Bear Dunes has been named one of the most beautiful places on earth, and honestly, we agree.
Since Patrick and Lauren began sharing their Traverse City vacation home with guests, one thing has continued to surprise us. How far people are willing to travel to be here. We have welcomed guests from Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Iowa, Texas, Hawaii, and of course Michigan. We have hosted international travelers from Scotland, Germany, England, and Italy. Traverse City truly is a destination people plan entire trips around.
And the recognition keeps coming.
National Spotlights and Big Name Praise
Traverse City was featured on Season 8 of the PBS travel show Samantha Brown’s “Places to Love. The episode highlights what makes this area feel both welcoming and special. Samantha Brown also named Traverse City one of the 25 Best Summer Vacation Spots in the United States. She said it “has everything you could ever want in a summery destination.”
The Wall Street Journal named Traverse City one of the 10 Best Places to Go in 2025. It was part of a global list that included only a handful of destinations in the United States.
USA TODAY turned its attention to the wine scene in July 2025, naming the Inn at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay the number one Best Wine Country Hotel in the country. Chateau Chantal on Old Mission Peninsula earned the number two spot, giving the region a rare one two showing.
Good Housekeeping has also taken notice. Traverse City was previously recognized as a Family Travel Award winner, and in 2025 it was named a Top Must See City for 2026 beach escapes. That same summer, it was included in their list of the 15 Best Places to Travel in July to Soak Up Summer Vibes.
Best Towns
Wildsam included Traverse City in their The Coolest Small Towns of 2025, calling it the gateway town to the magic of Northern Michigan’s rolling dunes.
Cool Material included Traverse City in its August 2025 article highlighting the best lake towns in the United States. The feature focused on the area’s wineries, sand dunes, and clear blue water. The article noted that if you are looking for shades of blue that bring to mind glacial lakes in New Zealand and Switzerland, you can leave the passport at home and head to Traverse City. It described the city as small but full of postcard worthy scenery, a lively food scene, and welcoming locals.
Wine Country Recognition
The wine world has embraced the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas with enthusiasm. The Saturday Evening Post highlighted the region in its article on America’s Most Unexpected Wine Trails, pointing readers toward several standout wineries on both peninsulas.
In November 2025, Forbes published an article focused on the Leelanau Peninsula and its dynamic wines. The piece noted that while Michigan wines may still surprise some people, there are impressive examples being produced here, especially in Leelanau County.
That same month, Travel and Leisure referred to the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas as the Napa of the Midwest. Earlier in the year, the publication also named Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore one of the 51 Most Beautiful Places in the U.S. In September, they included the dunes, the Traverse City Wine Coast, and Boyne Mountain among the Top 18 Places Michigan Locals Recommend for Your Next Adventure.
Food, Flavor, and Farm Country
Traverse City has quietly built a national reputation as a food destination. Newsweek named it one of the Best Small City for Foodies. in August 2025, pointing out that you are just as likely to have a memorable meal at a refined restaurant as you are at a local microbrewery.
Eater included Traverse City among its Among 15 Top Food Destinations. The article praised the area’s farmland, orchards, and respected wine regions, while also highlighting chefs and restaurateurs who have helped shape the local food scene.
Food and Wine added Traverse City to its list of the The Top Small US Cities for Food and Drink in June 2025, noting that the area’s abundance has attracted talented chefs and earned it a growing reputation as a foodie hub.
The New York Times focused on the Traverse City area in a May 2025 article titled A Sweet and Savory Road Trip in Northern Michigan. The piece explored the region’s farms, views, and restaurants, capturing what makes traveling through this part of the state so enjoyable.
Midwest Living included the Traverse City area on multiple lists in July 2025, from cool water experiences to the best small town getaways in Michigan. The magazine described Traverse City as Michigan’s unofficial foodie capital, set between the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas and surrounded by more than 40 wineries.
Water, Scenery, and Cherry Trees
Of course, food and wine are only part of the story. Traverse City is surrounded by Caribbean blue inland lakes, peaceful bays, and the wide open beauty of Lake Michigan. Boat Booker named Traverse City one of the The 10 Best Boating Destinations for Memorial Day 2025, recognizing just how much the water shapes the experience here.
And then there are the cherries. Traverse City is the Cherry Capital of the World, home to thousands of working cherry orchards. Islands magazine named Traverse City one of the The Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms in America in early 2025, celebrating the springtime beauty that comes from trees that actually produce fruit.
Time Out Chicago also included Traverse City in its list of the The Most Romantic Getaways From Chicago for Couples, pointing to the views, charming towns, and excellent dining that make the area an easy choice for couples looking to reconnect.
A Comfortable Place to Come Back To
All of these accolades are exciting, but what really matters is how it feels to be here. Traverse City is a place where you can spend the day exploring beaches, trails, wineries, and small towns, then come home to a quiet, comfortable space to unwind.
Dyer Lake Vacation Home offers a central, peaceful place to stay while you enjoy everything the area has to offer. Whether you are here for food, wine, water, scenery, or simply a change of pace, it is an easy home base for your Traverse City experience. After a full day out, it feels good to come back, slow down, and enjoy the simple comfort of being up north.
Looking to stay in Traverse City?
Looking for the perfect place to stay in Traverse City? Our vacation home is centrally located, just minutes from Downtown Traverse City and an easy drive to surrounding activities. Whether you’re here to get lost in the fall color, explore local wineries, or explore the art fairs, you’ll be right in the heart of it all.
Skip the extra fees—book direct and save! Or, if you prefer, you can reserve your stay through Airbnb.
📅 Ready to plan your getaway? Book now and experience everything the Traverse City area has to offer!
