Traverse City Bachelorette Guide
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Planning activities for a bachelorette party is not easy. Everyone has a different opinion on what sounds fun, everything seems to cost an arm and a leg, and logistically getting to each location can be a nightmare for out of towners. We’re here to help ease the pain a bit by offering up our top choice Things To Do During Your Traverse City Bachelorette Party!
Beaches:
Visiting one of the many beaches in the Grand Traverse region is something you don’t want to miss! The water is the most beautiful blue and it’s a great way to relax before a busy night out on the town. Even for the ladies that can’t sit still, beaches offer up other activities like volleyball, swimming, or looking for Petoskey stones - so it’s usually a safe bet that everyone will be happy!
Vans Beach in Leland: This is our favorite beach to visit if you don’t mind the drive. The water is protected a bit, so it’s normally calm and there is a lot of room on this beach to spread out. Once you’re done on the beach, walk over the bridge into downtown Leland to check out some of the cute local shops and pickup lunch from the Cheese Shanty! (we recommend ordering early in the day as the wait times get really long around lunch)
Clinch Park: If you’re staying close to downtown and looking for a nice local beach, Clinch Park is a great option. From most downtown locations you can easily walk there and you’re close to food when it’s time to get some lunch. This beach tends to be more crowded than the Lake Michigan beaches though, so keep that in mind when choosing where you’re going to spend your day.
Good Harbor Beach: If you’re looking for a little more seclusion, go to Good Harbor Beach! The beach is HUGE, so your group can spread out, turn on the music and enjoy the beautiful views. You won’t have easy access to food though, so make sure you pack a picnic.
Paid Activities:
Excursions are a great way to keep everyone feeling like they’re making the most our of their time in TC. There are quite a few different options depending on what you’re interested in, so finding something that your bride will love shouldn’t be an issue! Keep in mind that all of these activities cost money, and there are tons of free options as well which we’ve outlined in the next section.
Nauti Cat: The Nauti Cat is a large catamaran sailboat on West Bay. Each cruise is around 2 hours and they have tons of different themes to choose from like a champagne sunset cruise, live music, or a happy hour cruise! Get there a little early and grab a drink at the Delamar hotel’s outdoor bar, and make sure once you’re on the boat you try out their signature CatNip drink.
Crystal River Kayak: If you’re looking to get into nature, the Crystal River Kayak is for you! Located near Glen Arbor, you’ll enjoy a 2-3 hour kayak/float down the river while taking in the beautiful scenery all around - not to mention the water is the clearest around! The crew at Crystal River Outfitters handles all of the logistics with the gear & travel so the only thing you need to worry about is which beverage to sip during your journey!
Cycle Pub Traverse City: You know those giant 10-person bike bars you’ve seen roaming around various towns? Well TC has their own version of this called Cycle Pub! Accommodating up to 14 passengers with their largest bike, this moving bar takes you all around town. Their pricing is pretty reasonable, and it’s a super fun way to explore with the girls!
Free Activities:
For those looking for a good time without the high price tag, this section is for you! Northern Michigan is BEAUTIFUL, and there are so many fun activities that don’t require your girls to shell out the big bucks. Bring your own snacks & drinks and enjoy doing things at your own pace & for FREE!
Float Down the Platte River: Pack up your tubes and drinks and get ready for a good time! Drop one car off at the Platte River beach parking lot, then head up to the El Dorado boat launch to drop into the river. We recommend bringing a car-powered pump to avoid spending an hour blowing up tubes, then jump in the water and enjoy the peaceful float down the river! When you’re done, the beach is a great place to hang out before heading back into town!
Hike the Dunes: Most people would recommend Sleeping Bear Dunes, a strenuous climb up & down sand dunes to a panoramic view of Lake Michigan. While this is an option, we’d suggest avoiding this and opting for an easier, less time consuming hike up Pyramid Point instead. The views are just as good, and you won’t waste half of your day on the hike.
Yoga in the Open Space: On certain weekends throughout the summer, free yoga is offered in the morning out in the Open Space (a large grassy area near downtown). Grab a coffee and your mat and head down! The sunrise is beautiful down there and there’s something so calming about being one of the first ones on the lawn in the morning.
Drinks:
Did you really have a bachelorette party if you didn’t do at least a little bit of day drinking?! Northern Michigan is full of unique venues and wineries - the options are endless! Below are a few of our favorites, but if none of these sound up your alley, there are tons of other choices available.
Wine Tasting: Located on the 45th parallel, Traverse City’s wine region is comparable to that of Bordeaux, France or Italy’s Piedmont region - meaning there’s a lot of really great wine! Check out our post on “Best Wineries in Traverse City” for a deep dive into our favorites!
HopLot: Right outside of Sutton’s Bay is HopLot, a beautiful beer garden with great food & drinks. The space is massive so you won’t have any trouble finding room for your whole group, and the vibe is really fun!
Jacob’s Farm: Closer to downtown is an up and coming spot called Jacob’s Farm. They’re only open in the summer months, but the outdoor space offers live music and great cocktails! We’d also recommend heading here for pizza if you don’t feel like waiting an hour for a table downtown.
Shopping:
If you’re in the mood to shop we’ve got you covered! There are a lot of your typical touristy shops around, but TC also offers cute artistry/handmade stores and higher end boutiques. If anything, it’s fun just to walk around and window shop!
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons: If It’s raining outside, go here! Also known as the state hospital grounds by locals, The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is a beautifully unique place to check out. Littered with tons of one of kind shops and restaurants, you could spend hours walking through the hallways and exploring.
Suttons Bay: Downtown Suttons Bay is full of handmade shops & trendy boutiques. If you’re headed in that direction it’s definitely worth a stop - there aren’t enough shops to spend the day here, but it’s fun to walk around… make sure you grab a coffee from Mundos!
Downtown TC: With the largest assortment of shops, walking down the streets of downtown is a must if you’re from out of town. There’s a little bit of something for everyone, and tons of places to eat at if you’re looking to take a break.
Night Life:
Last but certainly not least, the night life! Traverse isn’t known for a being a club town, but there are still a ton of fun options that, in our opinion, are better than some of the crowded bars in other cities.
Little Fleet: Full of food trucks and a lively vibe, Little Fleet is a great outdoor/indoor space. The place is almost always popping with activity, and being able to easily grab food while you’re drinking is something that shouldn’t be overlooked! If you do go here and don’t want to look like a tourist, don’t line up at the bar - treat it like any other bar and walk up to an opening.
North Bar: Newer to Downtown TC, North Bar has a really cute upper deck. The drinks are expensive but the ambiance makes up for it.
7 Monks: If you’re looking for more of a bar scene, head down the road to 7 Monks. With a great assortment of drinks and a decent amount of seating inside, this is a fun bar to check out with your girls!