Known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City is a stunningly beautiful lakeside city in northern Michigan. While it may be well known for its delicious cherries, it is also known as a diverse, eclectic, and friendly city with so much to see and do. Even better, it has a smaller, yet thriving LGBTQ population where all can feel at home. Those who choose to move to Traverse City will find plenty about it to love!
A Look at Traverse City's History
Traverse City has a rich and fascinating history. Its modern-day history began in 1839 when its first permanent settlement was established at the tip of the Old Mission Peninsula. Today, many of those original structures still stand, almost as if they were frozen in time. After its initial founding, the community grew quickly and was officially named Traverse City in 1852. Its location on the water helped its growth, and before long, it was a prosperous city with many businesses, a rich cultural scene, and much to see and do. It remains so to this day. Even better, it is a warm and welcoming city with plenty of diversity, where all can feel at home.
A Few Fun Facts About Traverse City
Read more fun facts about Traverse City here.
Traverse City’s LGBTQ Community
Traverse City is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Tri-Cities is the Traverse City area’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
What's the Weather Like in Traverse City?
Those who live in Traverse City can expect to experience all four distinct seasons each year. Spring, fall, and summer are all wonderful times to enjoy the outdoors, and temperatures are usually mild and pleasant. Winters can be cold, and often very snowy. The high temperatures in the summer typically reach around 80ºF in July, while low temperatures in January usually drop to around 16ºF each year. Traverse City receives an average of 33 inches of rain each year, and plenty of snow in the winter - around 118 inches each year.
Can’t-Miss Events in Traverse City
Up North Pride is the largest annual LGBTQ pride celebration in the Traverse City area, and it’s one celebration you’ll definitely want to put on your calendar. This annual celebration lasts for an entire week, and includes family-friendly entertainment, plenty of vendors, speakers, excellent performances, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to meet friends and have fun!
It only makes sense that the Cherry Capital of the World would have a Cherry Festival – and this is one event not to be missed! With hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors, it’s a festival full of fun and so much to enjoy. Definitely be sure to put this event on your calendar.
The Best Neighborhoods in Traverse City
Unlike some larger cities, Traverse City doesn’t have one specific “gayborhood,” or area where most of the LGBTQ population lives. Instead, the LGBTQ community in Traverse City is spread throughout the city, which just means that there are many wonderful places to choose from. Even better, there are a wide variety of home styles in varying price ranges available. And of course, finding a realtor you can work well with who knows and loves the community and can help point you in the direction of neighborhoods that might be a good fit for you is always essential to helping you find your next perfect home. The current median home value in Traverse City is around $425,000.
Arts and Entertainment
Interlochen Center for the Arts
The Interlochen Center for the Arts is a first-class arts center in Traverse City, known nationally for its excellence, and for the many wonderful performances it hosts throughout the year – hundreds of performances each year, in fact. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a show (or several!) for yourself.
The Traverse City Film Festival is one of the most well-known film festivals in the country. Each year, the festival screens indie films, documentaries, and studio premieres during its weeklong run. It is held in several excellent venues throughout the city during the summer each year.
Parks and Recreation
All of the shoreline in Traverse City is beautiful, but Sleeping Bear Dunes is a particularly magical place. Part of the national park system since 1970, this stunning 64-mile curve of beaches, islands, sand dunes that resemble sleeping bears, and the paved Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is the perfect spot to visit to enjoy all of the natural beauty that the area has to offer.
Traverse Commons is a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex with a unique history. Located on the site of the former Traverse City State Hospital, the current site is one of the largest historic adaptations in the country, and now includes restaurants, galleries, shops, condominiums, and more. There are walking trails, open green spaces, and plenty of spots for relaxing as well. It's a great place to spend a beautiful day having fun in Traverse City.
Traverse City Nightlife
Union Street Station is one of Traverse City’s most popular nightspots – and it has been for more than 100 years! Here you’ll find friendly crowds, great drinks, delicious food, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Don’t miss the chance to stop by and have some fun yourself.
If you are looking for a lively, fun, LGBTQ-friendly dance bar, Side Traxx is it. This bar offers plenty of dancing, music, and fun for all – and it’s a very popular nightspot in Traverse City.
Contact a Traverse City Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Traverse City, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Traverse City, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Traverse City gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
