It can be difficult to find a lake area that’s pleasant throughout all seasons. Summer heat can keep you close to the air conditioner, afraid to go outdoors and face the humidity. On the other hand, the winter blues can make you feel lonely as everything closes shop, and you have no choice but to bundle up inside the house. One location that’s close to perfect, regardless of the weather, is Traverse City, Michigan. Every season provides plenty of opportunities for the whole family to get outside and enjoy the pleasant lake atmosphere. Take a look below to see what’s available in Traverse City– winter, spring, summer, or fall!
In some vacation spots, winter shuts down all the activities, everyone goes home, and everything goes quiet. In Traverse City, winter is one of the more exciting seasons. A major attraction is the ski lodges that surround the area. At night, they even offer cross country skiing. Further, one of the best winter attractions specific to Traverse City is snowshoeing across the sand dunes. This activity allows you to see the beauty of the lakeshore in the quiet winter snow.
With the flowers in bloom, spring is an excellent time to enjoy the beautiful, quaint life of Traverse City. You can go on a tour of the cherry orchards that peak around mid-May. It’s a full excursion of beautiful cherry blossoms and flowers around the area. Another great idea for spring is a wine tour to explore various vineyards throughout the region. May is Michigan Wine Month, which Traverse City celebrates through specialized wine tours. Many visitors make the trip to Traverse City to enjoy a fun weekend discovering the vineyards in northwest Michigan.
Summer
Of course, you cannot beat the weather and lake life in Traverse City during the summer. Because the city sits right on the lake, there are countless opportunities to enjoy a sun-kissed day full of swimming and outdoor activities. If you’re a history buff, a popular option is to set sail on one of the tall ships. Summer is also considered a festival season. This city hosts the National Cherry Festival every July, which is a great time to enjoy this classic fruit from the Cherry Capital of the World. Additionally, there is a fun art and film festival scene throughout the summer where you can discover the latest, cutting edge creations from various artists.
Fall
As the leaves begin to change, you will not want to miss the beauty of Traverse City. The best way to get out and enjoy the crisp fall weather is a hike along available trails. The famous sand dunes make for an excellent view of the lake, but there are also various forest trails in the area to enjoy watching the changing leaves. Another unique way to enjoy this season is by attending Traverse City’s annual Beer Week in November, an event that highlights local breweries. During this festive week, you can sign up for a race or check out other seasonal events.
Whatever time of year you choose to visit Traverse City, there will be no shortage of activities to enjoy in this versatile, northern Michigan paradise.
If you’re actively looking to buy a lake home, you’ve likely come across all the big-name lakes in your searches. If you’re in the southeast, you’ve probably heard of Lake Martin. Or, if you’re a northerner, Lake Michigan tends to stand out.
Regardless of your region, refining your search to exclusively large or most popular lakes is a misstep. In doing so, you’re likely missing out on several hidden gem lakes across the country. Check out these five lake areas that are less known but deserve a big spotlight.
Officially known as the Harris Reservoir, this hidden gem lake in East Alabama is affordable, secluded, and an easy driving distance from major cities like Birmingham and Atlanta.
Because this lake doesn’t incorporate any urban areas, it has retained a pristine quality. Lake Wedowee is ranked as one of the cleanest lakes in the region by the State and Federal Conservation Services. According to Lake Homes Realty’s Lake Real Estate Market Report, Lake Wedowee is number four in Alabama’s Largest Markets category.
If you’re an angler, you’ll love the bass fishing opportunities along Lake Wedowee’s 270 miles of shoreline. Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the Talladega National Forest and discovering Mount Cheaha, Alabama’s highest point — 2,407 feet above sea level. And for everyone, the small-town charm of Wedowee is lively and close-knit. Concerts at the Marina and hunting with the Tallapoosa River Hunting Club are just a few of the activity options.
When it comes to lakes in North Carolina, Lake Norman sometimes eclipses the others because of its size. However, nearby Lake Hickory has attractive qualities. First off, it’s fully recreational, meaning that fishing, boating, water skiing, and other fun lake activities are all on the table. At Sandbar Cove, you can often find boats tied together for conversation or water sports. For anglers, the prospects of bass, channel catfish, and crappie are exciting.
Besides the highly active lifestyle, Lake Hickory is a serene environment with plenty of wildlife and mountain views in every direction. Once you’re here, you can enjoy the peaceful scene from a Lake Hickory Adventures Dinner Cruise — or from your boat dock. If you are looking to build on Lake Hickory, you are in luck! Lake Hickory is ranked number three in North Carolina for having the most land available, as stated in the Lake Real Estate Market Report.
Surprisingly, few people know of Lake Eufaula, but it is Oklahoma’s largest lake. Along its 800 miles of shoreline, there are 100 million dollars in available properties, but it’s still a very affordable lake. According to Lake Home Realty’s Lake Real Estate Market Report, Lake Eufaula has the most listings and land available of all the lakes in Oklahoma. With over 600 listings and a variety of properties and price points, you’re sure to find your dream home here.
Once you’ve arrived, there’s no shortage of activities at this hidden gem lake. For starters, Lake Eufaula was dubbed the “bass fishing capital of the world” in 1962, and this reputation still holds firm. This lake is a fishing paradise for those looking to catch largemouth bass, Kentucky bass, sand bass, and crappie. Angling is a year-long sport here, with multiple annual tournaments. For other outdoor recreation, check out Lake Eufaula State Park nearby.
Because Chain O’Lakes is close to the Chicago market, Midwesterners often overlook it. However, these beautiful, surprisingly affordable lakes deserve a pin on the map. Chain O’Lakes is a 7,000-acre waterway system that encompasses fifteen different lakes, including Pistakee Lake, Fox Lake, and Lake Marie.
Pistakee Lake is ranked number three on the Lake Real Estate Market Report for having the most listings in Illinois. This chain was formed when the Wisconsin glacier melted, creating multiple lakes tied together.
Several of the lakes are interconnected, making this region a boater’s dream. Its proximity to Chain O’Lakes State Park, boasting 23 miles of forested trails, makes it a hiker’s paradise. Each of the lakes has a different feel, so visit our Illinois listings for a full description of each lake in the Chain O’Lakes region.
Paw Paw Lake has been a popular resort town since the 1890s. Part of the lake’s appeal is its concealed location in the countryside of Northern Michigan, actually making it a hidden gem lake. Located just outside the farming village of Kalamazoo, Paw Paw Lake has a population of only 3,534. This remarkable lake is surrounded by nature.
Besides the calming landscape, Paw Paw Lake is known for its nearby wineries such as St. Julian and Lawton Ridge. The wineries host an annual wine and harvest festival to celebrate their varietals. If your ideal lake experience is drinking a glass of wine while surrounded by nature, Paw Paw Lake is for you.
Which hidden gem lake do you want to explore first?
There are 70 million millennials in the United States, and of those, 618,000 are millionaires. With that number growing, many of them are looking to invest their money in property. When imagining all the places that these young wealthy people could enjoy their millions, what exotic or wealth laden areas come to mind? Traverse City, Michigan, is the answer for more millennial millionaires than any other locale by zip code. Millennials are those who were born between 1982 and 1996, and ages range from 23 to 37 in 2019. The millionaires among them have a reported net worth between $1 million and $2.49 million, and their value is only projected to grow.
Roughly 44% of these millennial millionaires are located in California. Still, those who are looking for a different pace are flocking to Traverse City. The draw for this active group is a community that boasts microbreweries, wineries, and a robust food scene. They are leaving the hustle and bustle of the big cities and heading north and situating themselves on the shores of Lake Michigan.
The city is located in the northwestern part of Michigan and accommodates many needs with a central location that makes travel to much of the United States convenient. It’s close to major cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee and it’s only a short plane ride from the Cherry Capital Airport to New York and Washington, D.C. The geography makes Traverse City an ideal spot for those busy young people looking to find a place to settle down or vacation.
Traverse City offers homes overlooking freshwater and beaches for a better price than homes in larger metropolitan areas. According to the Lake Homes Realty Lake Real Estate Market Report, Lake Michigan is the number one lake located in the state when it comes to having the most listings and most homes available. The Traverse City Area comes in number four on the list of listings with the most expensive land of fewer than 10 acres. However, Lake Michigan also has plenty of that land that millennial millionaires can purchase and build the lake home of their dreams, and with 92% of them purchasing property as opposed to existing homes, that’s what most are opting to do.
Get Out and Explore
Good Harbor Beach – Sleeping Bear Bunes National Lakeshore Photo courtesy of Grand Traverse Living.
Traverse City gives those calling it home plenty of opportunities to get out and experience life. You can always explore a new area of Traverse City because every new season brings a new adventure. With Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore trails, ski slopes, beaches, and the downtown area, there is something for everyone to do. Head over to a park and explore a new area on one of the many local bike trails. You can hit the slopes, shop downtown at any of the latest trendy clothing stores or head to the beach and enjoy the freshwater and the white sandy beaches. With 40 wineries, 13 craft breweries, and over 150 restaurants, there is always a new place to explore or spend time with friends.
The Grand Traverse Commons is another hidden jewel of Traverse City. The building looks like a castle, and in winter, covered in snow, it seems perfect for a starring role in a Hallmark movie. The former mental asylum is located in a 480-acre park that is a favorite for cyclists and hikers. Though it has a somewhat disturbing past, the new Commons boasts restaurants, galleries, shops, and even apartments. There is also a 25-acre Botanical Garden at the Historic Barns Park that was built on what was once the former asylum’s farm complex. In the same area, just a little north is a place called Slabtown, which was once a neighborhood inhabited by those who worked as millworkers and stevedores. Sleder’s Family Tavern located there is Michigan’s oldest continuously operated bar.
Since more millennials have decided to call Traverse City home, the city has experienced a growth of trendy restaurants, businesses, and festivals. Many love the lifestyle of living in a smaller city. Diverse residents and a healthy stream of tourists create a vibrant local culture.
Events are always taking place in Traverse City. Throughout the year, the city hosts various activities, including Beer Week, guided walking ghost tours, restaurant week, the Downtown Chili Cook-off, and a full calendar of other events. During the winter, you’ll find ski races at Shanty Creek, and it also hosts the Northern American VASA Festival of Races.
One of the more notable festivals that has become a hit is the Traverse City Film Festival. It was established in 2005 by the Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore. It is a charitable and educational nonprofit organization founded on the idea that “One Great Movie Can Change You: Just Great Movies” is helping to save the cinema. The festival helped to revive the State Theater, and the event occurs every year in late July to early August.
Traverse City also hosts an Ironman 70.3 competition, which has been an enormous success. The Ironman 70.3, also known as a Half Ironman, is a part of a series that takes place all over the world. It consists of a 1.2-mile swim in West Grand Traverse Bay, a 56-mile bike ride through the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and a 13.1-mile run that concludes in downtown Traverse City.
No matter what you enjoy, there is an activity or event for you in Traverse City.
Living on the lake in Michigan is your access to unlimited watersports. Along with every form of boating, the winds make it ideal for surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing on the lake. Have you never done it before? No problem, there are plenty of shops that offer both equipment and lessons. Want something with a little more power? You can either bring your own or rent a jet ski and enjoy Lake Michigan differently. For the less serious athlete, there is a kayak brewery tour. The tour takes you to local brewers in Traverse City while you also get to explore more of Lake Michigan.
Lake Michigan offers breathtaking beaches, and if you are a dog lover, you are in luck. There are many beaches where your fur baby is welcome to enjoy Lake Michigan with you.
Clear blue water and inland lakes make Traverse City an excellent place to do some freshwater fishing. Smallmouth Bass, King and Coho Salmon, Walleye, Lake Trout, Great Lakes Muskie, Brown Trout, and Steelhead are all found in the waters of Lake Michigan. The peak times to fish in this area are between May and October because it offers a consistent supply of fish. During the winter, when the ice begins to thicken, you can head out on the “hard water” and participate in the “Up North” tradition of Ice Fishing.
Traverse City offers so many amenities and activities; it’s no wonder young and wealthy millennials are flocking to the area.
Click HERE to learn more about Traverse City, Michigan.
Alabama-based Lake Homes Realty has expanded to the Great Lakes region, with brokerage operations now in the state of Michigan.
As a licensed brokerage in Michigan, Lake Homes Realty now operates on four of the five Great Lakes, including Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior.
This area boasts prosperous lake real estate markets, with Lake Michigan offering more than $1 billion in property for sale.
“As a brokerage, we are able better to serve our lake real estate buyers, sellers, and our own agents with each state we add to our service area,” said Lake Homes Realty CEO Glenn S. Phillips.
“As we look forward into 2018, I’m proud of our team’s efforts to grow this company and the success we’ve seen this year. The new year is sure to be just as exciting as we work toward opening operations in several more states.”
Lake Homes Realty already has licensed agents in Michigan and is currently in discussions with prospective agents across the state.
“We are looking for agents who understand the power of the LakeHomes.com platform and who are dedicated to providing top-level customer service to our clients,” Phillips said.
“The power of people combined with the power of the web is critical for success as a real estate brokerage.”
The company also shared that growth in existing markets is continuing across the southeast and the southwest U.S.
About Lake Homes Realty
Lake Homes Realty is one of the nation’s fastest-growing real estate companies and is a full-service, lake-focused real estate brokerage currently operating in 17 states. The company’s unique operations model is built around the concept of a one-stop website for lake homes and land while coupling this with the brokerage’s licensed local market expert real estate agents.
The company has foregone a focus on brick-and-mortar locations, choosing to instead invest in a select group of top-producing local agents and in providing consolidated lake real estate listings for consumers via the company website www.LakeHomes.com.
Lake Homes Realty was named #927 on the 2017 Inc 5,000 and has been recently featured by Realtor® Magazine.
