Every July, we find ourselves making the drive north to Traverse City for one of our favorite Midwest traditions:
the National Cherry Festival.
This year marks our fifth trip to the festival, and somewhere along the way it stopped feeling like a vacation and started feeling a little like visiting a favorite relative.
We’ve learned where to stay, when to beat the crowds, which peninsula roads are worth slowing down for, and how to balance the big festival energy with the slower, quieter moments that make Northern Michigan so special.
This year’s trip includes rooftop fireworks, waterfront dining, cherry picking, wineries, carnival nights with our daughter, and long scenic drives along both the Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula.
If you’re planning a trip to Cherry Festival this summer, here’s exactly how we’re spending our week in Traverse City.
Where We’re Staying
This year we’re staying at
Hotel Indigo Traverse City, which might honestly be one of the best locations during Cherry Festival week.
The hotel sits directly across from the festival grounds and overlooks the bay, making it the perfect home base for the weekend festivities. Between the rooftop bar, waterfront views, and walkability to downtown, it checks every box for us.
One of the biggest perks? Being able to watch portions of the airshow and fireworks right from the rooftop with a cocktail in hand.
That alone makes it worth the stay.
They also offer room service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our daughter loves to enjoy breakfast in bed here.
Friday: Arriving in Traverse City & Dinner on the Leelanau Peninsula
After checking into the hotel and settling in, we’re planning to ease into the weekend with drinks at
Hop Lot Brewing Company on the Leelanau Peninsula. There is a reason this spot has earned a top spot according to USA Today as one of the Nation's Best Beer Gardens.
If you’ve never been, Hop Lot feels like Northern Michigan summer in restaurant form—string lights, outdoor seating tucked into the trees, craft beer, cocktails, and the kind of relaxed atmosphere that instantly puts you into vacation mode. The scenery sets the vibe for the perfect Midwestern summer weekend getaway.
Dinner is planned at
Farm Club, one of our favorite Traverse City spots for seasonal food, cider, and relaxed outdoor dining.
After dinner, we’ll likely head back downtown before the festival crowds fully roll in to wander some of our favorite shops, including:
- Cherry Republic
- local boutiques
- the spice and tea shop downtown
- waterfront storefronts along Front Street
Downtown Traverse City has so much charm at night in the summer, especially before the festival hits full speed.
Saturday: Festival Day, Airshow & Fireworks
Saturday is our full-on festival day.
We’ll spend the morning exploring the National Cherry Festival grounds, including:
- the Open Space festivities
- the cherry farm market
- food vendors
- downtown events
- carnival rides with our daughter
One thing I love most about Cherry Festival is that it still feels nostalgic in the most magical way.
Between the carnival lights, cherry pie, waterfront views, and families everywhere, it captures that classic Midwest summer feeling perfectly.
We’ll likely head back to the rooftop at Hotel Indigo Traverse City later in the afternoon to catch part of the airshow over the bay before ending the night with fireworks.
And honestly? Fireworks over the water in Traverse City never get old.
Sunday: Old Mission Peninsula Day
Sunday is all about the Old Mission Peninsula.
This stretch of Northern Michigan is one of the most scenic drives in the Midwest, with water views on both sides of the road, wineries around nearly every corner, and endless rows of cherry trees.
We have reservations at
Boathouse Restaurant, a longtime favorite known for its incredible bay views and beautiful atmosphere.
Along the peninsula, we’re also planning stops at:
- Mari Vineyards
- Old Mission Distilling
- Third Coast fruit Company, a local cherry farm for U-pick cherries
If timing works out, we’ll also spend part of the afternoon exploring the National Cherry Festival Arts & Crafts Fair, one of the largest juried art shows in the country featuring over 250 artists and makers.
This is one of my favorite festival events because every booth feels different—from handmade jewelry and ceramics to artwork and home goods you genuinely want to bring home.
Monday: Exploring the Leelanau Peninsula
Monday will probably be one of our slower-paced days—and those always end up being my favorite.
We’re planning to spend the day exploring the Leelanau Peninsula, making our way toward Fishtown and stopping at wineries, roadside stands, and scenic overlooks along the way.
Northern Michigan in July just feels magical:
- cherry orchards everywhere
- lavender fields beginning to bloom
- little farm markets
- lake views around every turn
We’ll probably stop at Hop Lot Brewing Company again too—because once per trip never feels like enough.
Tuesday: More Old Mission Peninsula & Beach Day
Tuesday will be a mix of wineries, beaches, and slower exploring on the Old Mission side.
We’re hoping to visit:
- Old Mission Point Lighthouse
- additional wineries
- beach pull-offs along the peninsula
- possibly Jolly Pumpkin for food and drinks
One of the best parts about Traverse City is that even without a packed itinerary, the days somehow fill themselves naturally.
Coffee downtown turns into shopping.
One winery stop turns into three.
A quick beach visit becomes an entire afternoon.
That’s part of the magic here.
The Festival Traditions We Never Skip
No matter how many times we attend the National Cherry Festival, there are a few things we always make time for:
- cherry desserts
- cherry pie eating contests
- carnival rides
- airshow performances
- fireworks over the bay
- Ferris wheel at sunset
- downtown shopping
- fresh cherries from roadside stands
There’s something wonderfully charming about all of it.
It feels like summer the way you remember it as a kid—slower, sweeter, and just a little simpler.
Why We Keep Coming Back to Cherry Festival
After five years, I think what keeps pulling us back to Traverse City is the balance.
You get:
- lively festival energy
- incredible food and wine
- locally owned boutiques and specialty retailers
- scenic drives
- beach days
- farm markets
- small-town Midwest warmth
It’s equal parts relaxing and exciting, which is surprisingly hard to find in a summer destination.
And every year, we somehow leave already talking about next year’s trip.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never experienced the National Cherry Festival, this is your sign to add it to your summer travel list.
Between the waterfront views, cherry orchards, wineries, carnival nostalgia, and small-town charm, it’s one of the most uniquely Midwest summer experiences you can have.
And after five years of attending, I can confidently say—it never loses its magic.