Start here
The 3 places worth the trip
Places near Traverse City by type
All 279 places by distance →One day from Traverse City
5 stops, one loop, back by 4:44 pm
59 km on the road, in driving order so you don’t double back. Times assume an 8 am start and typical visit lengths.
- Leave Traverse City
- Boardman Valley Nature Preservenature spot · 2 hrs
- Long Lakelake · 45 min
- Silver Lakelake · 45 min
- Boardman/Ottaway River Trailtrek · 3 hrs
- Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Parkpark · 45 min
- Back in Traverse City
Questions people ask
What are the best places to visit near Traverse City?
Dennos Museum Center (museum, about 3 km), Boardman Valley Nature Preserve (nature spot, about 6 km), Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park (park, about 7 km), Silver Lake (lake, about 12 km), Bass Lake (lake, about 14 km), Boardman/Ottaway River Trail (trek, about 14 km).
How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Traverse City?
241 places on Spotwander: 146 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 44 parks, 17 wildlife, forests & gardens, 13 beaches & coast, 6 forts & heritage.
Which is the nearest lake to Traverse City?
Boardman Lake, about 2 km by road; Cedar Lake (6 km) is next.
Which is the nearest park to Traverse City?
American Legion Park, about 1 km by road; Lay Park (0 km) is next.
What is a good one-day trip from Traverse City?
Start in Traverse City, visit Boardman Valley Nature Preserve, then Long Lake, then Silver Lake, then Boardman/Ottaway River Trail, then Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park, and drive back — about 59 km by road in all.