Many people may well know Traverse City in Michigan for its annual Cherry Festival; particularly as this event attracts some half a million people every July. But, what else does Michigan and Traverse City have to offer to visitors?
This part of the Great Lakes area of Michigan has much natural beauty to offer. From fresh water shorelines and beaches to forested National Parks. Activities ranging from downhill snow skiing to hunting, fishing and various aquatic sports are all available close by to Traverse City. Any or all of these may be your “thing” but, maybe you are in a family group who do not all share your interests or, possibly, you like to take time off from the activity and get to see something more of the place that you have come to?
What Else To See And Do When In Traverse City?
To the north, Michigan is bordered by the Great Lakes and Traverse City sits on the edge of Grand Traverse Bay. The city is the capital of Traverse County which encompasses two peninsulas. One is the Leelanau Peninsula and the other is called the Old Mission Peninsula. Both of these peninsulas posses climatic and soil conditions that are ideal for the growing of wine grapes – especially, but not exclusively, those of the Riesling variety. Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc grapes also thrive along this 45th Parallel location – a feature shared with other famed wine making areas.
Conditions here are so good that the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the US Treasury Department have designated both peninsulas as American Viticultural Areas (AVA). With 8 wineries on Old Mission and another 21 on Leelanau, Traverse City Winery Tours definitely have plenty of scope to offer their clients.
Sample The Wines But Do Not Drive
An extremely good reason to sign up for the Traverse City Winery Tours is that no winery visit is complete without tasting its produce. Since this is not a good idea for anyone behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, traveling through great countryside as a non-driving passenger avoids all the dangers associated with alcohol and driving; leaving you free to make the most of the occasion and indulge in as many tastings as your time and capacity allow. You can even take a tour that includes an opportunity to go beyond mere tasting and takes in a great local hostelry serving both local food and the wines of the area.
Anyone interested in Traverse City Winery Tours would be well advised to contact Traverse City WINE AND BEER TOURS. They not only offer comfortable transport with great drivers and guides; they can also provide either standard itineraries or customize a tour to suit your particular tastes. Browse their website to find out more.
