Anyone vaguely familiar with Traverse City knows of its beautiful beaches and hotels. The Traverse City website has a listing of more than 30 beaches on its website. All of the beaches boast family-friendly amenities and beautiful views of the lake. There are more than 3,200 miles of shoreline and around 11,000 inland lakes for people to enjoy in Michigan. The Traverse City region itself has around 6% of that mileage for itself and the city’s local businesses take full advantage of the scenery.

Can you imagine relaxing on a beautiful summer day with your feet up in a beach chair and the sun beaming down on you? I bet you almost want to run to the office now and put in for that vacation just thinking about you. So many people in the world are overworked, and rarely take advantage of all that the world has to offer. Traverse City is the perfect escape for anyone, no matter their socioeconomic status. Every year, thousands of tourists flock to the city to engage themselves in its rich culture, wonderful events and lovely beaches. While the city is not particularly well-known as a commercial staple of Michigan, its beaches are truly a rare gem.

Be sure to check out the city for yourself. Many of the best hotels are situated on the water. We have a great site that not only lists, but provides valuable information on the best Traverse City hotels. We also have a useful Traverse City hotel directory that makes things much easier to navigate. 

Reason # 1 The Motor City

Maybe I'm a little bit biased since I come from Detroit, but I think that Detroit is a great reason to visit Michigan. Ignore, for a moment, the decrepit old houses and deteriorating neighborhoods, and think of the city's rich, vibrant culture and historical landmarks. Detroit is home to "The Big 3" and "Motown" after all. I don't care how much negative press you've heard about the city, don't tell me that you haven't driven a Big 3 car or been in love with a Motown song. The city's current decline is certainly no reason not to visit. Just be sure to keep your doors locked.(That was a joke, by the way).

Reason # 2 The Weather

Depending on who you ask, this may be a pro or a con. Michigan's weather, and perhaps the Midwest's as a whole, is probably unlike anything you've ever felt. Only in this region will you be wearing shorts and short-sleeve shirts one day, and shivering with a jacket on the next. It can be truly confusing, but I think that's what makes our little section of America unique. After all, you can't really enjoy a place until you've seen its best and its worst.

Reason # 3 The Universities

Michigan is certainly home to some of the nation's best schools. Maybe the U.S. News and World Report will tell you different, but don't be deceived. John Kennedy once referred to Harvard as the "Michigan of the East"; a true testament to the school's academic caliber.

But the University of Michgan isn't alone. There's also Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Central Michigan University, Lawrence Technological University, and a whole host of other "'region name here'-Michigan-University"s.

Reason # 4 The Great Lakes

The Midwestern region is home to some of the most beautiful lakes you will ever encounter. One's breath will instantly melt away while standing on a warm Michigan beach and staring out onto the lovely water of your favorite lake. This reason may trump the rest.

Reason # 5 The Sports Teams

So, the Detroit Lions haven't done so well in the past few years. The Tigers almost made it to the World Series this year. The NBA is in the middle of a lockout, so we won't mention the Detroit Pistons. The Red Wings are probably the most consistent team we have, and although I don't follow hockey, it seems like they're winning the Stanley Cup every other year.

Plus, there are all of the college teams - the Big House (University of Michigan) is one of the most popular sporting venues in the country.