What could be more enjoyable than a day at the beach? If your idea of a perfect summer day is swimming, sunning, or people-watching, then you've discovered paradise. Pretty parks are scattered throughout the Traverse City region and most parks have picnic tables, grills, and playgrounds.

The Traverse City area boasts sandy shorelines, spectacular dunes and pristine lakes. The area features over 180 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and sugar-sand beaches edging over 100 deep, blue lakes.

While many of the beaches in the Traverse City area offer a family-friendly atmosphere, there are also more remote beaches offering solitude.

Beaches closest to downtown Traverse City include:
Bryant Park located off M-37 near downtown Traverse City, features a sandy beach, picnic area and playground and offers an excellent location for viewing sunsets.
Clinch Park located along West Grand Traverse Bay in downtown Traverse City, features over 1,500 feet of sandy beach, making it one of the most popular and much-used area beaches. It is adjacent to the zoo and Clinch Park Marina.
East Bay Park located at the foot of Front Street, this beach features shallow water and a shady picnic area.
West End Beach located at the foot of Division Street on Grandview Parkway, this beach is just west of downtown Traverse City. Overlooking West Grand Traverse Bay, it features a large park and beach and offers ample parking.

Other beaches can be found just outside of Traverse City as well as near many of the outlying towns, including Acme, Bellaire, Central Lake, Old Mission Peninsula, Elk Rapids, Glen Arbor and Empire.

The spectacular 400 foot high Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located near Empire.

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