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Find the best car rental deals in Traverse City, Michigan
If you love the great outdoors, you’ll love the vibe in laid-back Traverse City. Sitting pretty on the shores of Lake Michigan’s beautiful Grand Traverse Bay, this city is famous for its dazzling fall color, its yearly Cherry Festival, and its compact, leafy downtown packed with friendly cafes, shops and bars.
You can expect to be spoilt for choice when it comes to scenic drives in this neck of the woods. Whether you want to see sand dunes, lakes or forests, opting for car rental in Traverse City will give you the wheels you need to make exploring a breeze. Orbitz can help you find the best deal.
With such an abundance of gorgeous scenery around Traverse City, it’s hard to pick our favorite three destinations.
This seven-mile route is a feast for the eyes. Head to Leelanau State Park to take a drive through some of this region’s most stunning natural beauty. The highlight has to be the sugar-sand Sleeping Bear Dunes, but you’ll also see rolling hills planted with grapevines, the pretty Manitou islands, and the calm waters of Glen Lake.
Journey time: Around 50 minutes to reach the start of the drive
Distance: Approximately 30 miles
Choose a designated driver and discover the world-class wineries of this picturesque peninsula just north of Traverse City. The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (or WOMP) trail takes in nine different wineries. All offer delicious tasting sessions, but even if you’re not sampling the wines, there are plenty of breathtaking lake views along the way to make up for it.
Journey time: Around 25 minutes
Distance: Approximately 18 miles
Follow the shore of the lake up to the north to the city of Charlevoix – affectionately known as Charlevoix the Beautiful. Park up and take a stroll through the charming downtown area, with its colorful parks, historic architecture, and cute boutiques. Stop for swim in Torch Lake on your way back – its white sandy shores and turquoise waters have a real Caribbean feel.
Journey time: Around one hour
Distance: Approximately 50 miles