Northern Michigan blends freshwater horizons with small-town warmth and centuries of history. Indigenous Odawa and Ojibwe peoples first called this coastline home; French voyageurs later mapped its coves, and 19th‑century resorts turned the region into the Midwest’s summer playground. Today, sand dunes tower above turquoise water, vineyards stripe peninsulas, and a car‑free island keeps time with hoofbeats and bicycle bells.

This 5‑day itinerary focuses on Traverse City and Mackinac Island—two classic bases that minimize backtracking while maximizing scenery. You’ll taste award‑winning wines on the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas, hike or drive iconic Sleeping Bear Dunes, and ferry to Mackinac Island for fort views, sunset rides, and fudge made the old‑fashioned way.

Plan for seasonal rhythms: peak season runs May–October, when ferries, bike shops, and most island restaurants operate full hours. Book lodging early in July–August and during fall‑color weekends. A rental car is helpful on the mainland, while Mackinac Island is delightfully car‑free—pack comfortable shoes, and layer up for breezy lake evenings.

Traverse City

Framed by Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City is the region’s lively hub—think tree‑lined Front Street, beaches at Clinch Park, and easy day trips to dunes and wineries. It’s also the Cherry Capital of the World, so don’t leave without a slice of pie or a scoop from a local dairy.

• Top sights & activities: Old Mission Peninsula wineries (Chateau Chantal, Brys Estate, Mari Vineyards), Leelanau Peninsula’s coastal M‑22, Sleeping Bear Dunes (Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Dune Climb), the historic Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
• Eat & drink: Breakfast at Common Good Bakery (laminated pastries, excellent coffee) or Red Spire Brunch House (in the Commons). Lunch at The Little Fleet (food trucks), Slabtown Burgers (old‑school patties), or The Filling Station Microbrewery (wood‑fired flatbreads in a former depot). Dinner at Amical (Euro bistro), Trattoria Stella (house‑made pasta, local sourcing), or Red Ginger (sushi + Asian plates). Dessert at Moomers, a local legend with farm‑fresh ice cream.
• Stay: Compare downtown hotels and bayfront resorts on Hotels.com (Traverse City) or browse cottages/condos via VRBO (Traverse City).
• Getting there: Fly into TVC (Cherry Capital Airport) and compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical midwest roundtrips run ~$150–$350 outside peak holidays.

Featured Viator wine experiences (pick your vibe):

• 5-Hour Traverse City Wine Tour: 4 Wineries on Old Mission Peninsula — guided tastings with bay views (from around $110–$140 pp).

  

• 4-Hour Traverse City Sunset Wine Tour: 3 Wineries — golden‑hour pours and photo ops.

  

• NON BUS 4 Winery Traverse City Wine Tour on Old Mission — small‑group, unhurried tastings.

  

• Andie's NON BUS 4‑Winery Tour on the Leelanau Peninsula — add coastal views and charming villages.

  

Mackinac Island

An 1800s resort town preserved in amber, Mackinac Island trades cars for bicycles and carriages, lace‑trimmed porches for streetlights, and lilac‑scented lanes for traffic noise. Fort Mackinac’s blufftop cannons guard straits where Lakes Michigan and Huron meet.

• Top sights & activities: Bike the 8.2‑mile M‑185 shoreline loop, Fort Mackinac (living history and views), Arch Rock, Grand Hotel’s porch, Butterfly House & Insect World, sunsets from Windermere Point.
• Eat & drink: Breakfast at Chuckwagon (tiny diner, big portions) or Lucky Bean Coffeehouse. Lunch at Pink Pony (dockside), Mary’s Bistro Draught House (craft beer, lake views), or Cannonball Drive Inn by British Landing. Dinner at Carriage House at Hotel Iroquois (whitefish, waterfront), Woods (Bavarian lodge ambiance), or Kingston Kitchen at the Village Inn. Fudge crawl at Original Murdick’s, Ryba’s, and JoAnn’s.
• Stay: Search island classics and cottages on Hotels.com (Mackinac Island) or browse historic homes via VRBO (Mackinac Island).
• Getting there: Drive about 2 hr 15 min from Traverse City to Mackinaw City (or 2 hr 45 min to St. Ignace) and ferry 15–20 minutes to the island. Round‑trip adult ferry tickets run roughly $36–$40; overnight parking near the docks typically $20–$30 per night. The island is seasonal (most services May–Oct).

Day 1: Arrive in Traverse City, Bayside Strolls & Front Street Flavors

Morning: Travel day. Compare flights to TVC on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Pick up a rental car at TVC (driving is the easiest way to explore).

Afternoon: Check into your hotel or vacation rental via Hotels.com or VRBO, then stretch your legs along the Boardman River and Clinch Park beach. Grab a latte and kouign‑amann at Common Good Bakery before browsing indie shops on Front Street (brilliant bookstores and outdoor outfitters).

Evening: Reserve dinner at Amical—order the French onion soup and seasonal fish—or try Trattoria Stella for handmade pappardelle and local vegetables in a historic asylum‑turned‑market. Cap the night with a craft cocktail at Low Bar or a cone at Moomers (try Cherries Moobilee).

Day 2: Sleeping Bear Dunes + Sunset Wine Country

Morning: Fuel up at Red Spire Brunch House (lemon ricotta pancakes), then drive ~35–45 minutes to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Do the 7.4‑mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive for overlooks like the Lake Michigan Overlook; if you’re up for it, tackle the Dune Climb (bring water). A national park pass is ~$25 per vehicle (valid 7 days).

Afternoon: Head to Glen Arbor for lunch—Cherry Republic’s Public House (cherry chicken salad, cherry burgers) or Art’s Tavern (cash‑only institution). On the return, stop in Leland’s “Fishtown” for photos of shanties and smokehouses, then back to Traverse City for a quick rest.

Evening: Join a golden‑hour tasting on the Old Mission Peninsula with the 4‑Hour Traverse City Sunset Wine Tour: 3 Wineries (expect vineyard views, aromatic whites, and crisp rosés).

Afterward, enjoy late dinner at Red Ginger (sashimi, Thai curry) or The Filling Station (flatbread + local beer) if you want something casual.

Day 3: Traverse City to Mackinac Island — Ferry Across the Straits

Morning: Depart around 8:00 a.m. for Mackinaw City (about 2 hr 15 min). Park at the ferry dock (overnight lots ~$20–$30/night) and take a 15–20 minute ferry to Mackinac Island. Round‑trip adult tickets typically run ~$36–$40; bikes can be checked for an extra fee if you bring your own.

Afternoon: Check into your island stay via Hotels.com or VRBO, then wander downtown: the lilac‑lined lanes, the post office that still hand‑sorts mail, and Doud’s Market—America’s oldest family‑owned grocer (est. 1884). Snack on a warm slice of island whitefish dip at Mary’s Bistro Draught House.

Evening: Rent bikes (about $12–$15/hour or $40–$60/day) and circle the 8.2‑mile M‑185, America’s only state highway that bans cars. Pause at Arch Rock and British Landing for golden‑hour photos. Dinner at Carriage House—fresh Great Lakes whitefish with a view—then grab a box of fudge from Original Murdick’s for the porch.

Day 4: Forts, Carriages, Porches & Fudge

Morning: Breakfast at Chuckwagon (get there early; it’s tiny), then up the bluff to Fort Mackinac. Watch the cannon fire, chat with costumed interpreters, and take in the commanding view of the Straits and Mackinac Bridge.

Afternoon: Take a classic carriage tour (typically ~90 minutes; expect ~$36–$45 per adult) for island lore and secluded trails. Alternatively, stroll the Grand Hotel’s grounds and peep its 660‑foot porch (admission policy varies seasonally). Coffee stop at Lucky Bean; or visit the Butterfly House for a quiet interlude.

Evening: Dress up a bit for dinner. Try Woods (a Bavarian‑style lodge tucked in the forest; seasonal) or Kingston Kitchen at the Village Inn (Jamaican‑inspired specials alongside Michigan staples). Finish with sunset at Windermere Point, where lake and sky blur violet and rose.

Day 5: Sunrise Arch Rock, Last Bites & Departure

Morning: Early risers can walk or bike to Arch Rock at sunrise for ethereal light through the limestone span. Brunch back in town at Pancake House (seasonal) or pastries from Lucky Bean. Pick up final gifts—lilac‑scented soaps, maple syrup, and yes, just one more slab of fudge.

Afternoon: Ferry back to the mainland and drive to your departure airport. If you’re flying home from TVC, plan ~3 hr from island to airport including ferry and parking retrieval; compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If flying from Pellston (PLN), it’s roughly 25 minutes from Mackinaw City after the ferry.

Evening: If time allows en route, stop in Petoskey’s Gaslight District for a quick walk and a bite—look for Petoskey stones along the shore before you head out.

Want more wine in Traverse City? Swap Day 2’s sunset tour for a daytime deep‑dive:

• 5-Hour Traverse City Wine Tour: 4 Wineries on Old Mission Peninsula

  

• NON BUS 4 Winery Traverse City Wine Tour on Old Mission

  

• Andie's NON BUS 4‑Winery Tour on the Leelanau Peninsula

  

In five days you’ll taste lakeside wines, crest dunes with big‑sky views, and savor Mackinac Island’s porch‑swing pace. Northern Michigan shines brightest when you slow down—let the ferries, bikes, and breezes set your rhythm, and you’ll be planning a return before the fudge box is empty.