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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : Park, Beach (Recommended selfie spot).
Map Pin
1102 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
Welcome to Old Mission Peninsula – Between Two Bays
Welcome to Old Mission Peninsula! On your left is Bryant Park Beach, one of Traverse City's most popular beaches. With its sandy shoreline, crystal-clear waters, and beautiful views across East Grand Traverse Bay, it's a wonderful place to relax. If you have time after the tour, I highly recommend coming back to enjoy the beach and the waterfront.

But for now, our adventure begins.

We're about to enter one of Michigan's most scenic drives. Stretching nearly 20 miles into Grand Traverse Bay, Old Mission Peninsula is a narrow ribbon of land surrounded by water on both sides. In many places, it's only a couple of miles wide, creating breathtaking views throughout the journey.

Over the next few hours, we'll explore rolling vineyards, cherry orchards, historic churches, charming lakeside communities, and spectacular overlooks before reaching Mission Point Lighthouse at the peninsula's northern tip. On our return, we'll follow a different route, discovering quieter roads, hidden beaches, and a whole new perspective of this remarkable landscape.

So sit back, enjoy the drive, and let's discover why Old Mission Peninsula has become one of Michigan's most treasured destinations.

  https://www.traversecitymi.gov/departments/parks-recreation/parks/bryant-park/
Place #2
Distance: 1.79mi , Attraction : Nature Preserve, Park
Map Pin
25 Homestead Ct, Traverse City, MI 49686, USA
POI 2 Tour Image
Pelizzari Natural Area – A Hidden Bayfront Preserve
On your right is the Pelizzari Natural Area, a peaceful stretch of protected shoreline that offers a quieter side of Old Mission Peninsula.

Unlike the bustling beaches closer to Traverse City, this small natural preserve remains largely untouched. A short walking trail leads through native vegetation to the shoreline, where visitors are rewarded with beautiful views across East Grand Traverse Bay. It's a wonderful place to pause, enjoy the fresh lake air, watch for birds, or simply take in the tranquil surroundings.

The preserve is named after the Pelizzari family, longtime residents who helped conserve this scenic property so future generations could continue to enjoy its natural beauty. Today, it's managed as a public nature area, protecting both the shoreline habitat and the peaceful character that makes this peninsula so special.

As we continue our drive, notice how the landscape begins to transition once again. The vineyards and orchards gradually give way to wooded hillsides and quiet lakeshore, reminding us that Old Mission Peninsula is much more than wine country—it's a place where agriculture, history, and nature exist side by side.

  https://www.gtrlc.org/recreation/preserve/pelizzari-natural-area/
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Welcome to Old Mission Peninsula – Between Two Bays
Map Pin Place 2 Pelizzari Natural Area – A Hidden Bayfront Preserve
Map Pin Place 3 Mari Vineyards – Old World Winemaking on Old Mission
Map Pin Place 4 East Arm Grand Traverse Bay – A Freshwater Inland Sea
Map Pin Place 5 Leaving East Bay – Back Into the Peninsula
Map Pin Place 6 Center Road – The Heart of Old Mission Peninsula
Map Pin Place 7 Center Road Scenic Overlook – One of the Peninsula's Best Views
Map Pin Place 8 St. Joseph Cemetery – A Glimpse of Old Mission's Past
Map Pin Place 9 Peninsula Township Hall – Since 1876
Map Pin Place 10 Chateau Chantal – Wine with a View
Map Pin Place 11 Twin Maples Farm – More Than a Century of Farming
Map Pin Place 12 Mission Log Church – A Window into Old Mission’s Beginnings
Map Pin Place 13 Dougherty Mission House – The Story of Old Mission
Map Pin Place 14 Haserot Beach – Old Mission Harbor
Map Pin Place 15 Old Mission Peninsula’s Northern Tip – Mission Point Lighthouse
Map Pin Place 16 Peninsula Drive – The West Bay Side
Map Pin Place 17 Why Old Mission Peninsula Makes Great Wine
Map Pin Place 18 Bowers Harbor Vineyards
Map Pin Place 19 Peninsula Drive – Welcome to West Grand Traverse Bay
Map Pin Place 20 West Grand Traverse Bay – Islands, Steamships & Henry Ford
Map Pin Place 21 Across the Bay – Bingham & the Leelanau Peninsula
Map Pin Place 22 From Old Mission to the Cherry Capital
Map Pin Place 23 Back to Traverse City – Thanks for Joining Us!



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How to take a UCPlaces tour
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
That's it, you're ready to go!
When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
  • No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
  • Walk at your own pace.
  • No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
  • Take the tour in your preferred language.
  • Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
  • Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
  • Enjoy preferred prices.

What's included?
  • A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay / Android / Android Auto].
  • Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
  • Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
  • Apple CarPlay connection (iOS users) and Android Auto connection (Android users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
  • Earphones (highly recommended).
  • Smartphone.
  • Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
  • Tickets to the attractions on your tour.
  • Food and drinks
  • Physical tour guide.

Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural

+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 23 stops, covering top attractions such as Welcome to Old Mission Peninsula – Between Two Bays, Pelizzari Natural Area – A Hidden Bayfront Preserve, Mari Vineyards – Old World Winemaking on Old Mission, East Arm Grand Traverse Bay – A Freshwater Inland Sea, Leaving East Bay – Back Into the Peninsula.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Welcome to Old Mission Peninsula – Between Two Bays (Address: 1102 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - <b>1.</b> A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). <b>2.</b> A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!