Get ready for another wonderful holiday season right here in Traverse City. If you have been looking for the ideal spot to spend your holidays with family, look no further. Traverse City features many festive events and activities that will bring a smile to everyone’s faces. Make sure to document your holiday stay with family holiday picture to commemorate the fun. You can get a photo taken at one of the lively holiday events in the city or track down one of the best viewing areas. Here are the best spots for family holiday photos in Traverse City:
Whenever you visit Traverse City, you will find that Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore needs to be at the top of your bucket list. This national park has everything you could want for a little winter outdoor exploration. Visit the island, where you can find the park and its famous sand dunes. However, the winter season makes Sleeping Bear Dunes even more unforgettable, as the dunes are covered in a layer of snow for a truly picturesque moment. Grab your smart phone and get a picture of the family in front of the snow-covered dunes. After getting your holiday picture, venture further into the park, where some of the trails will still be open for you to explore. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a destination that cannot be missed during the holidays.
Each year, Traverse City kicks off the festivities with lively holiday events, including the Downtown Traverse City Light Parade, Santa’s Arrival, and Tree Lighting all taking place the same night. This extended evening of holiday celebrations is one of the best chances to snap a holiday family pick during your stay. The fun kicks off with Santa’s Arrival, where he will help usher in the official tree lighting ceremony with the mayor of Traverse City. Similar to other cities, Traverse City has its own holiday tree that is huge and covered in thousands of holiday lights. Both Santa and the city mayor will light up the tree for the first time this evening. Grab a picture with your family in front of the tree, the perfect shot to use on your holiday card. After the tree lighting ceremony is complete, the Light Parade will march along Front Street until it reaches Union. The parade will include wonderful floats decked out in a variety of holiday lights and décor. The event will officially end at Santa’s house after the parade, where you can get photos with Santa and enjoy some holiday treats. The Tree Lighting ceremony and other events will take place on November 23rd starting at 5:30 PM. Make sure to get there early as it will be a popular event and many viewing areas will be taken quickly.
Traverse City is also home to many different spots around town that are Instagram worthy and will make for the perfect backdrop for a family photo. One such location is the postcard mural found in Downtown Traverse City. The mural is located on the side of Kilwins Chocolate and was painted by KnUpp North Art. It features a charming postcard that includes many local attractions found around Traverse city in the lettering. Grab the family picture in front of the mural to show that you were in Traverse City and here for the holidays!
One of the lesser known facts about Traverse City is that it is home to dozens of wineries and taprooms. The region is known for specially grown grapes that are used for incredible adult beverages. Bonobo Winery is one of the most popular wineries to check out during your holiday stay, and all ages are welcome on the property. One of the best spots to take your family picture is in front of their famous swing. This rope swing is found in front of their vineyard so you can get grape bushes in the backdrop. This is perfect for families with a single child who can sit on the swing while the parents stand at each side. The holiday season never looked or tasted so good!
Get a head start on your own holiday journey to Traverse City by booking a stay at one of our vacation rentals in the area, like our 3-bedroom homes with room for everyone. Each property will make sure you remain comfortable throughout your stay and have access to the finest amenities. Best of all, you will be close to all of these wonderful photo spots that will make for the ideal holiday family photo opportunity here in Traverse City. Contact us to book your stay today.
