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Find the best rate at the: Grand Traverse Resort, Grand Traverse here.

The modern glass towers of the Grand Traverse look oddly out of place in the rolling hills of the Michigan countryside, but on the inside, this resort's Midwestern heart is all about families. While the resort’s overall design is contemporary, some public spaces still feature the North Country look of wide wood beams and stone fireplaces. Ten minutes from the Traverse City airport, the 900-acre property stretches down to the shores of Lake Michigan’s East Grand Traverse Bay. Of the 600 accommodations, families wanting the added space and kitchen facilities of a condo rather than a hotel room should ask for lodging lakeside.

Many guests come for the stellar golf. Two of the three courses were designed by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, but parents will also appreciate the 7,000-square-foot spa and all the family-focused recreation that Lake Michigan offers.

Why Families Love It:
With licensed daycare accommodating infants to age eight, Grand Traverse is ideal for parents who want to have fun with their kids but also get relaxing time apart from the brood. The 2,000-square-foot Cub House features infant and toddler areas, a nap room, and a fenced outdoor play area (rates run $6.50 to $7.50 per hour).

Cub Camp for ages six to12 offers activity weeks with themes like Pirates, Extreme Sports, or Wild Animals. Campers might be out and about in the resort grounds or, in poor weather, inside the 100,000-square-foot Spa Complex with its two indoor pools. The half-day, full-day, and weeklong programs range from $25 to $145.

At the lake, families rent boats, jet skis, swim, and try their luck fishing. The resort’s trails accommodate cyclists and in-line skaters, plus there are quiet waterways for canoeing and kayaking. In this cherry-growing region, the resort will happily direct families to nearby “pick-your-own” farms for a quintessentially delicious Michigan experience.

Special Events & Activities:
Traverse City’s National Cherry Festival, held over the first week in July, includes orchard tours, parades, and fun children’s events like the Bicycle Rodeo.