SUMMER ACTIVITIES AT GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT and Spa

We hear it all the time: “I had no idea you offered so many things."

Golf, gaming, hiking, biking, and tennis. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Tall Ship excursions and catamaran cruises. Wine tours, orchards, port towns, and festivals. Fall color tours and snow sports galore. There’s something for everyone.

ON PROPERTY SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Watersport Rentals at Blue Sky Rentals

Head down to our private beach (located across US 31 along East Grand Traverse Bay) and rent paddleboards, jet skis, kayaks, and more. Blue Sky Rentals is our watersport provider with tons of water fun options, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day 9am-dusk.

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OFF PROPERTY ACTIVITIES

ALL SEASON

Turtle Creek Casino

Visible from the Grand Traverse Resort Tower, Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel provides year round excitement and fun.

Owned and operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Vegas-style casino has all the latest slots in all the denominations you want most. With Turtle Creek’s signature table action, you’ve got twice the winning potential and twice the fun. You’ll find everything you want for a grand time on the 56,000-square-foot gaming floor with more than 40 game tables and 1,300 slots. The gaming floor features two blackjack tables, 42 high-limit slot machines, numerous LCD flat-panel televisions, and a private cashier.

Shuttles to Turtle Creek Casino from Grand Traverse Resort and Spa are available. Contact 231-534-6431

Leelanau Sands Casino

Turtle Creek's sister property, Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge, is located 25 miles northwest of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.

TRAVERSE CITY PIT SPITTERS

The Pit Spitters are a minor league baseball team from Traverse City, Michigan with the best mascot in the business, Monty! The Pit Spitters are part of the Northwoods League and are currently the defending league champions. A collegiate wooden bat baseball team, Pit Spitters games are a great place to go for fun all summer long.

For tickets and scheduling, click here.

RESORT AMENITIES

Our on-site amenities include:

900 acres of Northern Michigan landscape
86,500 square feet of versatile meeting space
7,000-square-foot Spa Grand Traverse
Nearly 600 guest rooms and condominiums
Five restaurants and lounges, including Aerie Restaurant & Lounge on the 16th floor
Gallery of Shops

Three championship golf courses including The Bear by Jack Nicklaus, The Wolverine by Gary Player and Spruce Run by William Newcomb
Two indoor pools and two outdoor pools
One indoor hot tub and two outdoor hot tubs
Indoor Water Playground
100,000-square-foot Health Club with five indoor tennis courts
Nearby Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel and Leelanau Sands Casino

TRAVERSE CITY WITH KIDS IN THE SUMMER

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is the perfect summertime Northern Michigan family destination. With tons of on-site activities to keep the family busy and even more adventures just outside our doors, it won’t be hard to keep the family entertained.

Read on to learn about some of the things to do at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa and in the surrounding area in the summer.

TRAVERSE CITY KIDS ACTIVITIES: ON PROPERTY

We do much more than golf and tennis! Check our events calendar to see if we have upcoming kid-friendly events—these include movie nights, scavenger hunts, and more!

The Den
Traverse City’s brand-new entertainment hub is located right inside Grand Traverse Resort and Spa’s main lobby! Get the family together for virtual reality, arcade games, and more!
Rent a Kayak or SUP (stand-up paddleboard)
The team at Blue Sky Rentals is happy to outfit your family with SUPs or kayaks for a paddle along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Indoor Water Park
Head to our indoor water park to relax with the family while the kids have a blast on water features and slides.
Golf Lessons
The Resort offers golf lessons for all ages at our Golf Academy. Our golf pros tailor each lesson for a fun few hours out on the green!

TRAVERSE CITY KIDS ACTIVITIES: OFF PROPERTY

Traverse City is so kid-friendly we don’t have enough room to write about all the things to do. Below are just a few to keep you and the little ones busy outside of the Resort:

Sleeping Bear Dunes
You can’t visit the Traverse City area without heading to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Pick up a park pass (required for entry) at the base of Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive before heading out on a scenic drive with the multiple pullouts and picnic areas along the way. Once you’re done, head to the dune climb for some fun in the sand, and end it with a dip in Lake Michigan at Glen Haven, which is just up the road.

Berry Picking
Berry picking is a fun way to get everyone outside and fill your bellies. Traverse City has many U-pick options, from cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and even exotic Canadian Saskatoons.

Movies
Grab a flick at the historic State Theatre with the kids in downtown Traverse City during their 25-cent matinees. This is a perfect activity when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Great Lakes Children’s Museum
Just off downtown Traverse City, this fun children’s museum has fun science-based exhibits and features daily nature programs, activities, events, and more.

Butterfly House
Just up the road from Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is an indoor garden filled with butterfly’s, flowers and more. Be sure to check out the Bug Zoo and frog exhibit, too!

The Music House Museum
Listen to the sounds and history of Northern Michigan at The Music House Museum. This museum has a unique collection of instruments which provide guests a walk through the history and beauty of music in this area.

Busy Bodies Bounce Town
If the weather isn’t cooperating, then head to this indoor playground filled with toys, games, bounce castles and more!

YOUR UP-NORTH GETAWAY

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is the perfect destination for your family’s next vacation up north. With kid-friendly activities inside and outside our doors, there’s something fun for everyone. Book a room online or give us a call at 800-236-1577 to make a reservation.

Barefoot Podcast

The official lifestyle podcast of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

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VIP Wine and Spa

What's better than a weekend of wine and relaxation? Nothing. Join us October 27-29 for our VIP Wine and Spa Weekend with Rove Estate.

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I Love the '80s to Death Murder Mystery Weekend

Dust off your leg warmers, tease up your hair, and put on your best neon outfit for a night filled with mystery and nostalgia. Click below for more information

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Fall Lunch at Aerie

Join us at Aerie Restaurant & Lounge October 7, 14, and 21 for lunch from 11:00am - 2:00pm for the best fall foliage view in town!

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Fall Spa Specials

Whether you’re looking for a midweek pick-me-up, a day of complete relaxation, or a spa weekend getaway, Spa Grand Traverse has the perfect treatment or package to meet your needs. Click below to check out our Fall Specials.

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