30 Things to Do in Traverse City with Kids

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa offers lodging suited for families of all sizes — from standard hotel rooms and hospitality suites to condos and private homes with full kitchens. The resort features loads of family‑friendly amenities, including an indoor water‑playground with slides and splash areas, multiple pools, and The Den (the on‑site entertainment hub) with arcade games, virtual reality, and more. Throughout the year, there are programs designed for kids (arts & crafts, story times, Kids’ Night Out), recreational options like golf lessons for younger guests, plus easy access to outdoor adventures like kayaking, paddle boarding, and private beach time in summer.

Music lovers in your family? Plan a trip to the Music House Museum to take an hour and a half guided tour of music through the ages. The museum's collection starts in the 18th century and goes to 1950. See and hear rare instruments that actually play, as well as learn about the engineering and craftsmanship of these instruments. From music boxes to recorded sound to radio to complex instruments like player pianos and organs, you'll witness a little bit of everything to do with automated music.

Spend a day of fun with the kids at Pirate's Cove Adventure Park - one of the best Traverse City family activities! Visitors of all ages can enjoy playing adventure golf on two 18-hole mini-courses, bumper boats, race track go-carts, kiddie go-carts, an arcade, and more.

Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park, a popular urban park, is just 2 miles from downtown Traverse City. The 75-acre park is home to a modern campground, mini cabins, and a day-use area on the east arm of the Grand Traverse Bay. The day-use area is located directly across U.S. 31 and features a quarter-mile of sandy beach, a small beach house, and a picnic area.

The Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City features art exhibitions, live performances, and educational programs for all ages. It’s known for its large collection of Inuit art and hands-on Discovery Gallery. Located on the NMC campus, it also includes outdoor sculptures and the Milliken Auditorium.

The Traverse City Pit Spitters are a collegiate summer baseball team in the Northwoods League. Their home field is Turtle Creek Stadium, a 4,600‑seat ballpark offering a fun, family‑friendly atmosphere with games, theme nights, fireworks, local food, and plenty of community spirit. 

With hands-on learning and exploring experiences geared toward young children, The Great Lakes Children's Museum is one of the best things to do in Traverse City with kids. Have indoor fun exploring exhibits focused on the Great Lakes, sailing, ships, and the world around us.

Traverse City's biggest annual event typically draws crowds of over 500,000. The week-long festival is jam packed with all things cherry and loads of things to do with kids, many of which are free! Festival highlights include: 4th of July fireworks show, parades, midway rides and games, live concerts featuring national acts, cherry pit spitting contests, pie eating contests, kids activities, car show, pancake breakfasts, air show, and much more.

The TART (Traverse Area Recreational Trail) is a 10.5-mile paved trail that runs from the west side of Traverse City to Acme Township. It links to the Leelanau Trail, Boardman Lake Trail, and Three Mile Trail for additional passage. People of all ages enjoy biking, walking, scooting a stroller, or running along the trail. Stop along the trail to find fun things to do in Traverse City with kids: explore the beautiful scenery, parks, restaurants, and shops.

Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park and hotel features waterslides, a lazy river, pools, water activities, hot tubs, cabanas and much more for the whole family. An outdoor pool is available during summer months. After a day of fun in the water, be sure to check out the other family-friendly activities Great Wolf offers: mini-golf, shopping, bowling, an arcade, quest games, p.j. storytime and more. Each hotel room is fashioned to look like you're staying in a log cabin...bunk beds are available for added fun!

Plan a sailing adventure for the whole family on the Tall Ship Manitou! Set sail on Grand Traverse Bay on this 1800s cargo schooner replica. Day trip sails are offered on the 114' long, 58 passenger schooner with plenty of space for sitting and moving around the decks. Choose to help sail the ship with the crew or sit back and relax. The Manitou Moomers Ice Cream Sail is always a big hit with the kiddos!

Enjoy a Moomers ice cream overlooking the Plummer family farm. They make over 150 flavors of premium ice cream, and scoop 20+ flavors in-store daily.

Beth Wood said:  A visit to Moomers is one of the best things to do in Traverse City with kids! Moomers makes over 150 different ice cream flavors on-site at the store and dairy farm. There is plenty of seating inside and outside. The whole family will have fun seeing the dairy farm and creamery while you enjoy your special treats!

Gallagher’s Farm Market is a family-run farm market and bakery established in 1972, offering seasonal fresh produce such as strawberries, asparagus, cherries, and sweet corn, plus baked goods and specialty items. They also feature a barnyard with animals like pigs, chickens, and lambs (though it’s not a petting zoo), making it a popular stop for families.

Since 1989, Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) has provided learners of all ages with hands-on experiences aboard traditionally-rigged tall ship schooners, along the shores of the Great Lakes, and in local rivers, streams, and wetlands. Their goal is to provide people with the information they need to become stewards of the Great Lakes.

Beth Wood said:  Plan a day trip to the charming town of Suttons Bay. Located on the Leelanau Peninsula, it's an easy drive from Traverse City along the famed and scenic M-22 highway. You'll find shopping, art galleries, restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, ice cream parlors, a marina, a public beach and a park with a children's playground on the beach and much more during your visit. Art shows, craft fairs and wine festivals are often held in the park during summer months.