For our first wedding anniversary, we headed up to Traverse City, Michigan for a romantic bed and breakfast experience along with unbelievable wine tasting. It was the perfect way to celebrate our anniversary over a long weekend and on a budget!
Where We Stayed in Traverse City
We stayed at the Inn at Black Star Farms and I can’t recommend this bed and breakfast enough. I had only stayed at one other bed and breakfast, and this was above and beyond.
We arrived late Thursday night and there were two wineglasses, a bottle of house red and chocolate truffles waiting for us! In the early morning, they bring fresh coffee with all the fixin’s right to your door. Then, you head to the kitchen for a homemade breakfast prepared to your liking.
The inn also has a social hour each night with complimentary wine and hours d’oeuvres. We also received a complimentary wine tasting in the exclusive barrel room which was an incredible experience! Not to mention, Black Star’s wine was some of the best we tried.
Wine Tasting & Tour
Traverse City is situated on the 45th parallel making it a prime location for growing grapes. There are over 40 wineries with tasting rooms in the area, so I recommend hiring someone who knows the ins and outs!
We hired Michelle with Designated Driver TC for the day, and she was worth her weight in gold. She asked us our wine preferences and customized our itinerary with the very best spots for us. At the end of the day, she sent us a bunch of photos, too! I can’t recommend her enough.
On Friday, we visited Soul Squeeze, Aurora Cellars, 45 North, Mawby Sparkling, Big Little Wines and Suttons Bay Ciders. We loved the wine at Aurora and might have to join their wine club, and the view at Suttons Bay Ciders was really incredible (there was also a very cute dog Andrew became friends with).
Where We Ate
Friday night, we headed into downtown Traverse City for an amazing meal at Sorellina. We devoured butternut bisque, wagu beef, and lobster tail. I’m just drooling typing this! Dinner finished with an apple filled bread pudding.
We checked out of the Inn Saturday morning after coffee and breakfast and headed to our complimentary wine tasting in the barrel room where we were treated to very generous pours. It was the perfect way to conclude wine tasting in Traverse City!
On our way out of town we grabbed coffee at Millie & Pepper (they also make fresh crepes), did a little shopping and ate lunch at 7 Monks Taproom (delicious burger + highly recommend the sprouts with bacon).
When to Visit Traverse City
Growing up, we visited Traverse City every summer for the famous Cherry Festival. Summer is busy season for downtown. The best part of visiting in the summer is getting out on the crystal, blue water!
If you are going wine tasting, the fall has the most unforgettable views. If you time your trip just right, the changing leaves make the peninsula look like a painting, but the mild weather and gorgeous scenery brings in the crowds.
I was hesitant to visit Traverse City in the winter, but the beauty blew me away! Everything was so much less crowded which made for the best tasting experience. We felt like VIPs everywhere we went! Hands down, I would go to Traverse City again in the winter.
Until Next Time Traverse City
A long weekend in Traverse City made for the most romantic anniversary trip on a budget! We had the best time and felt so taken care of everywhere we went. We will be headed back without a doubt, but next time, we might just have to bring along some friends!
