If you haven’t visited Traverse City lately, you’re in for a few surprises. This unspoiled jewel on Michigan’s legendary North Coast has been busy rediscovering its roots and restoring the ambience of its small-town past -- without surrendering the sophisticated amenities that today’s visitors expect.

Just ask Family Fun magazine, which called it “a town overflowing with freshwater recreational opportunities, more than 180 miles of sandy beaches, and proximity to the best sand dunes in the Midwest.”

What’s the draw? How about sparkling lakes that change in an instant from transparent aquamarine to deepest cobalt. Water so clear that you can stand up to your chin and watch your toes wiggle in the sandy bottom. Beaches where you can wander as far as you like. Glacier-sculpted hillsides covered with splendid forests and dotted with lush orchards and vineyards.

The Traverse City area boasts dozens of top-flight golf courses designed by renowned architects like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and our own Tom Doak. It’s a paradise for sailing, boating, swimming and paddling, and one of the Midwest’s most popular skiing and snowmobiling centers. There are miles of unspoiled forest trails, and some of the nation’s finest trout streams.

“This resort town has plenty of rugged beauty without the isolation of the Upper Peninsula, its neighbor to the north,” writes Amy Gunderson of Good Housekeeping. “The town is full of shopping, dining, boating and other recreation. Even the local wineries are a draw.”

Nearby there are picturesque lakeport villages like Suttons Bay and Elk Rapids, each with its own special flavor. And, of course, there’s Traverse City herself: a relaxed resort community with a charming downtown, a beautiful waterfront and a wide range of quality hotel and resort options.

“If there’s a wrong side of the tracks in Traverse City, I didn’t find it,” writes Pat Kelly of National Geographic Traveler.

Thanks to a thriving population of artists and musicians, Traverse City has a vibrant cultural life, with plenty of galleries, concerts and museums. It’s the perfect setting for a romantic getaway, a shopping adventure, or an unforgettable family vacation.

“Blended with warm summer days, the scenic mixture is irresistible,” writes Cara McDonald of Midwest Living. “Sandy beaches… romantic lighthouses… cherry trees... a sprawling bay… quiet vineyards… quaint shops… Are you smitten yet?”

To learn more, contact the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau toll-free at 1-800-TRAVERSE or visit them at www.VisitTraverseCity.com