After a few busy days of sightseeing St. Louis and Chicago, Traverse City ended up being our breather stop—the place where we could slow down, relax, and just let the kids play. We stayed at Great Wolf Lodge, and honestly? We barely left because the kids were having the BEST time.

Day One: Living Our Best Waterpark Life

From the second we checked in; the kids were ready to swim. The giant indoor waterpark at Great Wolf Lodge did not disappoint—slides, a lazy river, splash pads, plenty of places for the little ones to climb and play and more. Everything we needed was right there: food, fun, and space to relax. The kids ran from the waterpark to the arcade to MagiQuest, and by bedtime, they were wiped (which is always a parenting win).

Mama tip: Pack swimsuits in a separate bag. Even if your room isn’t ready yet, you can usually start enjoying the waterpark early!

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Day Two: A Postcard-Perfect Day in Leland & Good Harbor Bay

As much fun as the kids were having at Great Wolf, we wanted to see a little more of Michigan. So we packed up for a short drive to Leland—also called Fishtown—and wow… it truly felt like stepping into a postcard.

This historic fishing village is full of weathered shanties, boardwalks, and boats rocking in the harbor. It’s small, charming, and absolutely beautiful.

We had lunch at Rick’s Café, and let me tell you—the food was so good. After lunch, we treated ourselves to ice cream and a little shopping at Leland Harbor House, which had the cutest local finds. It was the perfect mix of exploring and just enjoying a slow-paced afternoon.

From there, we headed to Good Harbor Bay for some more beach time. There’s just something about watching your kids play by the water—barefoot, sandy, and happy—that makes you want to freeze time. After exploring Leland, ending the day at the beach was the perfect way to end the day.

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Final Thoughts

Our 48 hours in Traverse City were the best mix of fun and downtime. Between the waterslides at Great Wolf Lodge, strolling through postcard-perfect Leland, and a little lake time at Good Harbor Bay, we left feeling refreshed and ready for the next stretch of our road trip.

On our way out of town, we made one last stop in downtown Traverse City. We wandered Front Street, let the kids stretch their legs, and wrapped up our visit with a sweet stop at Cherry Republic. We stocked up on all the cherry goodies and treated ourselves to scoops of their famous cherry ice cream—because how could we not?

If you’re road-tripping with kids, Traverse City is a stop that checks all the boxes: fun, easy, and full of memories you’ll carry home with you.

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Quick Guide to 48 Hours in Traverse City with Kids

Where We Stayed

• Great Wolf Lodge – indoor waterpark, arcade, MagiQuest, and family suites that make traveling with kids stress-free.

Where We Ate

• Rick’s Café in Leland – casual, delicious lunch spot right in the heart of Fishtown.
• Cherry Republic in downtown Traverse City – cherry everything + don’t miss their ice cream!
• Great Wolf Lodge’s, Camp Critter Bar & Grill

What We Did

• Splash, slide, and play at Great Wolf Lodge’s waterpark.
• Day trip to Leland (Fishtown) – explore the harbor, shop, and grab ice cream.
• Relax on the sand and swim at Good Harbor Bay.
• Stroll Front Street in downtown Traverse City for shopping and treats.

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Follow along on our 16 day road trip. Next stop: Mackinac Island