Around town

From the courtyard

Hamilton Place sits in the hotel district at Munson and Hamilton — downtown, the bay, and Old Mission Peninsula are the usual first walks.

• Bryant Park

  Picnic area, playground, restrooms, charcoal grills, tall pines, a long stretch of sandy beach, and lifeguards (mid-June to August). Excellent sunsets over West Grand Traverse Bay, at Garfield Road and Peninsula Drive.

• City Opera House

  106–112 Front Street. Michigan State Historic Site (1971) and listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1972).

• The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

  The former Traverse City State Hospital, now a working village of shops, food, and trails on the old asylum grounds.

• Hippie Tree

  A fallen willow near the old hospital grounds, painted in layer on layer of color — a local landmark down a short steep path.

• The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park

  Twenty-five acres of native northwest Michigan plantings on the Historic Barns Park grounds: a year-round garden for walking and wildlife.

• World’s Largest Cherry Pie Pan

  On July 25, 1987, a 28,350-pound cherry pie was baked in Traverse City. The tin still stands beside Cass Road.

• Wheels on Rails

  Rail-biking excursions on remaining Michigan track, founded by Macie Hefron — a slow ride through the landscape rather than a paved path.

• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

  Sandy bluffs 450 feet above Lake Michigan. A day trip west of town for the overlook.

• Dennos Museum Center

  Fine art and cultural center on the Northwestern Michigan College campus, known for its Inuit art collection.