The Atlas Obscura Guide To

Traverse City

2 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Traverse City, Michigan

Unusual
Attractions
in Traverse City

A pile of tangled limbs near the center of the tree.

Traverse City, Michigan

The Hippie Tree

Though its branches are painted bright colors by generations of locals, the tree is said to be a haunted portal to hell.

44.7526, -85.6504

Added by TheQuasar

Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City State Hospital

Former self-sufficient mental institution now a planned community.

44.7564, -85.6426

Added by takomabibelot

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The Music House Museum.

Williamsburg, Michigan

Music House Museum

Full-sized barn houses many restored instruments.

44.7792, -85.4952

Added by Facebook_765245310

6 MILEs FROM Traverse City

The steeple from the cemetery.

Cedar, Michigan

Holy Rosary Catholic Church

The secret skeleton of a murdered nun was discovered in this church basement, but the scandal doesn't end there.

44.8777, -85.7759

Added by AaronNetsky

10 MILEs FROM Traverse City

Spirit of the Woods Museum

Williamsburg, Michigan

Spirit of the Woods Museum

Part taxidermy workshop, part natural history museum this Michigan destination shows off its dead animals and helps you mount your own.

44.8729, -85.4245

Added by kellyandeath

12 MILEs FROM Traverse City

You'll find these sort of artifacts sprinkled all over the site.

Cedar, Michigan

Sugar Loaf Ski Lodge

A crumbling mountain resort that looks like it was abandoned in an instant.

44.9131, -85.8368

Added by Emma Kumer

14 MILEs FROM Traverse City

Sweep of the lakefront with perched dunes in distance

Glen Arbor Township, Michigan

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

This national park on the shore of Lake Michigan features remarkable dunes that inspired a Chippewa legend.

44.8825, -86.0411

Added by AaronNetsky

22 MILEs FROM Traverse City

Unique
Food & Drink
in Traverse City

Blue Moon Ice Cream

Gastro Obscura

Blue Moon Ice Cream

This cosmic-colored flavor is a Midwestern mystery.

Gastro Obscura

Added by rachelrummel

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