Traverse City, in Michigan's northwestern Lower Peninsula, is known for boutique shopping, wineries, and a vibrant arts scene as well as its beaches. Traverse City State Park, 1132 U.S. 31 North (tel. 231/922-5270), and Bayside Park, U.S. 31 North, 8 miles east in Acme, both offer great beaches, swimming, and picnicking. Twenty-five miles west, near Empire on M-22, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (tel. 231/326-5134; www.nps.gov/slbe) boasts some of the best beaches and dunes in the state. Contact the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau at tel. 800/TRAVERS or www.mytraversecity.com.
