TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Despite the summer-like warmth just around the corner, recent weeks of cold, blustery spring weather mean Northern Michigan’s famous cherry blossom season may still be a few weeks out. Agricultural experts say the millions of bridal-veil blooms that will cover orchards on the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula areas likely won’t put on their big show until mid-May – or even later.
“This has been a very slow, gradual warmup,” said Nikki Rothwell, a Michigan State University Extension fruit specialist and horticulture educator. “Frankly, the weather’s really kind of stunk. We have a long way to go.”
How much next week’s higher temperatures will speed up the blossom countdown remains to be seen, but the good news is you still have some time to plan your trip and map out some favorite routes. That fact that some of this area’s most beautiful spring drives seem to overlap neatly with stops along the Traverse Wine Coast is just a bit of vacation kismet.
Once the cherry blossom season starts, how long will it last? Each blossom lasts about five days at peak form, but because the region has different microclimates, this mean the trees are blooming at different times and blossom-peeping can last a couple of weeks.
For the big look at travel ideas, you can download Traverse City Tourism Bureau’s Cherry Blossom Guide.
We’re sharing some of the self-drive routes here – paired with some vineyard-stop suggestions – courtesy of the tourism bureau. These routes run through the most beautiful parts of the Traverse Wine Coast. See a list and map of all the wineries here.
Photo provided by North Star Organics, which grows about 40 acres of cherries near Frankfort.
Below you’ll find suggested drives, day trips and links to maps and lists of nearby tasting rooms. If you plan to stop at a winery, make sure to check their websites and Facebook pages first, for the most up-to-date information on hours and offerings.
#1 M-37 up Old Mission Peninsula: “Driving north out of Traverse City is a gorgeous drive any time of year, but especially in May when you can see rolling vineyards interspersed with orchards full of cherry blossoms, and the deep blue waters of Grand Traverse Bay as a backdrop. Plus, there are nearly a dozen wineries to visit while making your way up to Mission Point Lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula and back.” See a list and map of Old Mission Peninsula wineries here.
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A bird’s-eye view of Bonobo Winery along Center Road on the Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City. Photo provided by Bonobo Winery.
#2 M-22 north out of Traverse City: “This route takes you right along the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay and past the orchards and farms of the Leelanau Peninsula. Like the drive up Old Mission, this part of the Traverse Wine Coast has 10 wineries to visit on the way to Suttons Bay, a charming waterfront village with boutique shops, art galleries and B&Bs.” See the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula.
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#3 County Road 633: “This is an alternative (and perhaps even more scenic) north-south route between Traverse City and Suttons Bay. North of Suttons Bay, the road continues into the heart of the county’s fruit-growing country and five more Traverse Wine Coast stops as you head toward Northport and, at the tip of the peninsula, Grand Traverse Lighthouse.” See the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula.
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#4 M-204 west of Suttons Bay: “This drive takes you across Leelanau County to Lake Leelanau, a cute little town at the narrows of a lake by the same name that runs north and south through the middle of the peninsula for 21 miles . You can visit several more wineries on the way to Lake Leelanau, then still more wineries farther west on M-204. When the road meets up with M-22, you can head north to Leland’s historic Fishtown or south to Glen Arbor and the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.” See the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula.
1.5-mile round trip Empire Bluff Trail zigzags through forests at Sleeping Bear Dunes and leads to a high bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.MLive File Photo
#5 County Road 645: “Wind your way south off M-204 on the west side of Lake Leelanau past Bel Lago Vineyards & Winery, Chateau Fontaine and French Valley Vineyard.”
#6 US 31 east of Traverse City: “Travel along the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay to Elk Rapids and beyond into the heart of Antrim County, where you can find Cellar 1914, Royal Farms Farm Market & Winery, Torch Lake Cellars, Vista Ridge Vineyards and WaterFire Vineyards.”
#7 Joyfield Road between M-22 and M-31: “Take this route south of Elberta and Benzonia in Benzie County, which is also home to St. Ambrose Cellars.”
Cherry blossom season is a gorgeous time to drive through Northern Michigan. Photo provided by North Star Organics.
Special deals right now for wine lovers:
Travelers this month can also get special Up North deals related to Michigan Wine Month. Traverse City Uncorked lets you sign up for a digital passport that you can use for savings at participating wineries. You can win prizes and be entered into a sweep stakes to win a Traverse Wine Coast vacation.
Want to hire a designated driver? Reserve a spot with one of the Traverse City area shuttle bus and tour operators and let someone squire you around blossom-and-wine country.
Headed to the Traverse City area? Here are more wine country stories you might enjoy:
This delightful Northern Michigan winery is perched atop Leelanau Peninsula’s highest point
Northern Michigan winery offers unique barrel room tastings
Why this freediver stashes bottles in underwater wine cellar in Grand Traverse Bay
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