A Traverse City–to-Charlevoix drive meant for dilly-dallying along one of Michigan’s most beautiful coastlines.
US-31 traces the western shore of Michigan, taking road trippers from southern gems like Holland and Grand Haven north to Ludington, Traverse City and Charlevoix before hooking over to Mackinaw City and The Bridge. It swoops past apple and cherry orchards, saunters past farm stands ripe with pie and jam, snakes into dense woods and opens up to big-water views. Along the way, there are art galleries to get lost in, scenic parks ready for a picnic and quiet dirt roads just off the beaten path waiting for you to say, “Let’s pull over.”
For a relaxed day trip, explore the 50-mile stretch from Traverse City to Charlevoix. The hour-drive leaves plenty of time for a few planned, and unplanned, pit stops.
Let’s start with coffee. In August, the window-side bar seats at Water Bearer Coffee are dreamy; a breeze coming in off nearby Grand Traverse Bay and a buzzy patio right outside. My go-to order is the Metro: A shot of espresso poured over sparkling water and ice and finished with a splash of cream. Say yes to cardamom syrup then hit the road.
Cruising north, the 450-acre Maple Bay Natural Area hugs both sides of US-31 and is known for the thousands of sunflowers planted along the highway. Blooms peak in early to mid-August, turning this crook in the road into a swaying sea of yellow. Note, this varies from year to year as the farmers occasionally rotate crops. But it’s always worth stopping for a hike on the 1.75-mile trail system with multiple access points to a sandy arc of shoreline on Lake Michigan.
Post-hike, you’ll soon pass a slew of brake-worthy farm stands along both sides of US-31: Altonen Orchards, Farmer White’s, Guntzviller’s Berry and Vegetable Farm, Interwater Farms. Get a quart of fresh peaches at Altonen and see what Mary’s been baking down the way at Farmer White’s—you should bring a cooler for her lattice-topped pies.
Ten minutes farther and you’ll see a sign for Natalie’s Petals at Quarterline Road. Turn right and wander through her U-Cut garden or browse pre-made bouquets in the vintage truck-turned-flower stand. Find fancy tulips, fluffy peonies and dinner plate dahlias throughout the season, tucked into cute mason jars tied off with twine so you can take ’em on the road with you.
Back in the car, it’s time to head to Bier Art Gallery—a must-stop every time you’re in this neck of the woods. Set in a former one-room schoolhouse, the gallery is owned by artists Ray and Tami Bier. Their son, Tyler Bier, owns Bier’s Inwood Brewery next door—the white Victorian house, with views of the lake, was Tyler’s childhood home. Within the bright red schoolhouse, the works of more than 100 artists fill the walls, shelves, nooks. Let your eyes wander to a cast bronze and aluminum cowboy riding a trout by Elk Rapids’ Scott Nelles; textured stacks of original landscape paintings by Heiner Hertling, each reasonably priced at $90; a watercolor woodpecker perched on cattails by Interlochen’s Marie Lamothe. There are glasswork, pottery, sculptures, wood carvings, jewelry—a truly incredible collection made possible by the Bier’s four decades of relationships in the arts world. Ask Ray to show you some his favorite pieces in the shop, including gallery assistant Asia Rothenberger’s whimsical copper plate etching “Pals Running,” and watch his eyes light up.
The gallery and brewery are tucked on Ferry Road, a dirt lane you should meander farther down until you reach Folklor Wine & Cider. The tasting room sits on a 52-acre farm owned by Derrick Vogel and Izabela Babinska. The duo produces all their wines and ciders on site—for your cooler, nab a bottle of the 2024 Day Trip, a Zweigelt rosé that tastes like June strawberries and sunshine.
Every good road trip ends with a bite. Take your farmstand goodies to Fisherman’s Island State Park and picnic in the day-use area. (Or you can set up camp by the lake; site No. 9 is particularly alluring, smack dab on the water.) If outdoorsy isn’t your vibe, drive to downtown Charlevoix, 10 minutes from the gallery, and look for the sign to Van Pelt Alley where you’ll find Cantina Tacos, The Salad Fork and Blondies Coffee.
Refueled, make your way back to TC, or carry on your merry way to everywhere … or nowhere in particular.
