This 7.5-mile Scenic Route Is One of many Midwest’s Most Stunning Drives With Lake Views, Dune Hikes, and a Charming Coastal City

Set inside the rolling dunes of Sleeping Bear Dunes Nationwide Lakeshore, the seven-and-a-half-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive takes vacationers by magnificent woodlands, sandy ridges, and sweeping overlooks alongside the shores of Lake Michigan. The drive honors the late lumberman and conservationist Pierce Stocking and begins simply south of Glen Lake earlier than winding upward by thick hardwood forests. In the course of the journey, guests can cease at 12 viewpoints that showcase the realm’s numerous surroundings.

Though the drive may be accomplished in underneath an hour, many vacationers spend further time photographing the dunes, sandboarding in designated zones, and mountain climbing varied trails. Probably the most placing vistas is the Lake Michigan Overlook, a principally paved path rising 450 ft above the shoreline. For many who favor an extended journey, close by trailheads hook up with sections of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Path, permitting guests to discover the park’s ecosystems in larger depth.

Simply outdoors this scenic route, you may discover a number of picturesque cities, together with Traverse Metropolis, often called the “Cherry Capital of the U.S.” Every summer season, town celebrates its well-known fruit with the Nationwide Cherry Competition, that includes parades, music, and cherry-inspired treats.

The encircling Previous Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas are perfect for wine tasting, with vineyards, resembling Chateau Chantal Vineyard and Inn, that pair world-class Rieslings and Pinot Noirs with lake views that really feel straight out of a postcard.

For outside adventures, hire a kayak, paddleboard, or pontoon to spend the day on Grand Traverse Bay. You may as well hike or fish alongside the Boardman River Path, take a motorcycle journey alongside the TART Path, or calm down on the sandy shores of Clinch Park, Bryant Park, and West Finish Seaside.

Arts fanatics can catch a present on the Metropolis Opera Home and go to native galleries such because the Increased Artwork Gallery and Michigan Artists Gallery, whereas golfers can hit the hyperlinks on the Jack Nicklaus-designed The Bear Golf Course.

Summer time attracts peak guests with its heat climate and full of life festivals, together with the Traverse Metropolis Meals and Wine Competition. The pageant’s 2025 inaugural yr featured celeb cooks like Meals Community’s Tyler Florence, who bought his begin on the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Fall is an equally magical time to go to, providing quieter trails, scenic foliage, and an opportunity to discover the area’s wine nation.