Although the Cherry Festival may be what Traverse City is most famous for and may people come to watch the jets fly through the air and the creative floats of the Cherry Royale Parade. There is a lot more to see and do when vacationing in the Traverse City area. Here are a few things that are definitely worth your time:

1. The Grand Traverse Commons

A unique architectural treasure in Traverse City is the sprawling former mental asylum known as the Grand Traverse Commons with buildings that resemble a castle; it has slowly been converted into a complex of galleries, shops, restaurants, offices, and apartments. It offers an excellent shopping experience and the campus which is 480 acres of wooded area, perfect for those who love walking, running or biking.

2. The Sleeping Bear Dunes

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is an all-time favorite for tourists and locals alike. With a sixty-four mile curve of breathtaking beaches, islands, coves and dunes some of them up as high as four hundred feet above the ocean. You can view its grandeur from overlooks found all along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. However walking the beaches, hiking its trails or even catching a ride on the ferry boat to the unspoiled Manitou Islands is the best way to experience this.

3. The Interlochen Center for the Arts

About twenty minutes from downtown, in a secluded forest setting, you can find Interlochen which is a magnet for those who love dance, music, and drama. On a yearly basis over 2000,000 people visit either to enjoy a show or a simple stroll around the campus.

4. Touring the Wine Country

The "Cherry Capital of the World," offers water cradled sloped that are ideal locations or fruit orchards which are responsible for producing some of this country's best wines. The Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas are marked with vineyards and wineries many of these sit on the hilltops making then an awe-inspiring attraction in their right.

5. Slabtown

Bohemian immigrants in the 19th-century arrived to work at the waterfront sawmills in Traverse City. They used slabs of scrap lumber gathered from the mills to build their homes; this is how their neighborhood became known as Slabtown. You can still find many of their cottages standing as well as two excellent bars: the Little Bohemian Pub and Grill and Sleder's Family Tavern. The feel of the more authentic, Earlier Traverse city is still preserved at both locations.

6. Beaches

Spending some time at a beach while visiting Traverse City is an absolute must. If you are interested in West Grand Traverse, check out West End, Clinch Park, and Bryant Park a favorite for the 4th of July. All of the Southern shore of East Bay offers fine sugar sand on one long stretch that is shallow enough for kids to play. Near Three Mile road, make sure you check out the Traverse City State Park.

7. Lighthouses

Near Northport, you can find the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum where visitors can observe that way the in the early 1920´s, the lighthouse keepers and their families lives. On the Great Lakes, one of the oldest lighthouses that, for more than one hundred and fifty years has been in service. Another beautiful treasure can be found at the tip of the Old Mission Peninsula; this one is the smaller Mission Point Lighthouse.

8. Tall Ship Sailing

There are more stately sailing vessels in Traverse City´s port than on any other port found on the Great Lakes. Enjoy a two-hour cruise and experience the exhilaration of Days of Sail aboard the Tall Ship Manitou which is a one hundred and fourteen-foot replica of a schooner from the 19th century, you can also sail on the largest commercial sailing catamaran found on the Great Lakes; the Nauti-Cat.

9. Fresh Food

If you visit at the right time of year, fresh vegetables and fruits, including cherries are available just about anywhere in the city. There are many farmers markets in the community as well as U-pick orchards where you can have fun picking your fruit or stop by a roadside stand.

These are just a few of the many fun things that you can do while vacationing in Traverse City. There is something for everyone, and one thing is sure, you will never be bored.