If you are looking for a weekend getaway that is not only beautiful but has it ALL, Michigan is such a hidden gem. Traverse City is a short 5 hour drive from Chicago, IL. We spent Labor Day weekend up there but are already want to plan a trip back in the Fall. Here is our 4 day itinerary with almost everything being dog friendly including our amazing Airbnb.

DAY 1

Explore town downtown Traverse City

Dinner- The Little Fleet food trucks (dog friendly)

Ice cream- Moomers (lots of ice cream shops sell Moomers)

DAY 2 

Golf- Bahle Farms

Lunch- Hop Lot Brewing Co.

Head home to change

Beach – There are beaches everywhere but drive to Good Harbor beach believe me it’s worth the drive. It’s dog friendly but dogs must be on a leash. Plenty of room to spread out as it’s not a crowded beach!

Shower/change

Dinner- Artisan (grab an outdoor patio seat) or Trattoria Stella

Cocktails- Lowbar (dive bar feel) or North Bar (rooftop bar that sometimes has live music) 

Go out- Kilkenny’s Irish Pub

DAY 3

Breakfast- grab a breakfast burrito to go at Shipwreck Cafe

Hike/sightsee

  • Empire Buff Trail- easy hike with a beautiful view
  • Pierce Stocking Scenic Route ($25 to get into the National park, only do this if you have a few hours)
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes overlook, trail, climb (this is 3 separate hikes with different difficulties)
  • Pyramid Point Trailhead- if you do just one hike, let it be this one!

Coffee at The Mill

Walk around Fishtown

Lunch- Village Cheese Shanty (cash only)

Leland Wineries

Head home to freshen up 

Dinner- Apache Trout Grille (go early and sit on the back deck for a drink) or Farm Club (farm to table)

DAY 4

Breakfast- Towne Plaza

Coffee- Seven Hills (Mission Proper) 

Visit Mission Point Lighthouse and Old Mission General Store

Winerie’s in Mission point

  • Brys Estate (dog friendly + the Pinot Blanc and Froze are delicious)
  • Bowers Harbor (dog friendly)
  • Mari Vineyards (dog friendly, enjoy a flight in the adirondack chairs overlooking the winery and water)
  • Black Star Winery
  • Bonobo Winery
  • 2Lads

Lunch- Jolly Pumpkin (opens at 12, ask about ghost Genevieve) or Peninsula Grill (both are dog friendly)

Head home to change and get ready for dinner

Go to the rooftop at Hotel Indigo for drinks

Dinner- Boathouse (make a reservation in advance)