Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes
Traverse City
A bayfront city at the head of Grand Traverse Bay, with a walkable Front Street downtown, bay beaches, cherry orchards and two wine peninsulas close by.
Scenic drive · M-37
M-37 up the Old Mission Peninsula
An out-and-back drive on Center Road along the ridge of the Old Mission Peninsula, ending at Mission Point Lighthouse near the tip.
Photo: Nara J, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
The Old Mission Peninsula reaches north from Traverse City and splits Grand Traverse Bay into its west and east arms. M-37 runs up the middle of it on Center Road, following a ridge that gives views down to both arms of the bay, and the northern part of the route was designated a scenic byway in 2008. Peninsula Township residents sought the designation to protect the corridor’s rural, agricultural character.
The drive passes cherry orchards, vineyards and wineries on its way north. At the end of the road is Mission Point Lighthouse, an 1870 light owned by Peninsula Township, with a beach and trails around it.
The drive starts right in Traverse City, so it fits easily into a half day. In fall, Traverse City Tourism lists M-37 among its suggested color drives, with the bay on both sides of the road.
The route
- Traverse City
- Mission Point Lighthouse
Map of M-37 up the Old Mission Peninsula
2 places on an OpenStreetMap map
Before you go
- M-37 ends at a turnaround in front of Mission Point Lighthouse, so the return trip uses the same road unless you choose local roads closer to the shore.
- Traverse City Tourism suggests M-37 as one of its fall color drives. Color usually peaks around mid-October.
Towns along the way
Stops worth making
Lighthouse
Mission Point Lighthouse
An 1870 lighthouse at the northern tip of the Old Mission Peninsula, with a climbable tower, a small museum, a beach and trails around it.