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All the United States Michigan Traverse City

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Traverse City

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

Updated May 9, 2025

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Unusual Attractions in Traverse City

The primary tunnel.

Traverse City, Michigan

Tunnels of Traverse City State Hospital

A subterranean world of tunnels links several buildings of this rare 19th-century asylum.
Hippie 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.
Third example of a fairy house

Traverse City, Michigan

Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park Fairy Trail

This enchanting forest trail leads to ethereal abodes and a giant bird's nest.

Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City State Hospital

Former self-sufficient mental institution now a planned community.
The Old Mission General Store on a sunny day.

Traverse City, Michigan

Old Mission General Store

Easily overlooked in favor of the wineries that dot the region, this blast from the past is equally worth the visit.
Looking into the tunnel from the gift shop.

Traverse City, Michigan

Botanical Garden Visitor's Center Gift Shop Tunnel

It leads to a former hospital’s old root cellar.

Traverse City, Michigan

World's Largest Cherry Pie Tin

An enormous roadside pan tells the story of a battle for pie glory.
View of the box of fudge when lit in the evening.

Traverse City, Michigan

Doug Murdick’s Rooftop Box of Fudge

For more than 50 years, an iconic sign has greeted visiting “fudgies” to the Traverse City area.
See All 17 Things To Do in Traverse City

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Traverse City

The Old Mission General Store on a sunny day.

Traverse City, Michigan

Old Mission General Store

Easily overlooked in favor of the wineries that dot the region, this blast from the past is equally worth the visit.

Traverse City, Michigan

World's Largest Cherry Pie Tin

An enormous roadside pan tells the story of a battle for pie glory.
View of the box of fudge when lit in the evening.

Traverse City, Michigan

Doug Murdick’s Rooftop Box of Fudge

For more than 50 years, an iconic sign has greeted visiting “fudgies” to the Traverse City area.
View of the weigh station

Traverse City, Michigan

Cherry Growers Weigh Station

This vacant station is a relic of harvest processing techniques of the mid-20th century.
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Explore Traverse City, Michigan

Subterranean 2
Insane Asylums 2
Tunnels 2
Trees 2
Subterranean Sites 2
Giant Food 2
Plants 2
History 2
Trails 2
Local History 2
Cherry 2

Traverse City Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. rickbbiking
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Places Edited

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Places Visited

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Recent Traverse City Activity

  • sbuchholz17

    has been to Mission Point Lighthouse

  • EHerron

    has been to Mission Point Lighthouse

  • zingledorf

    has been to The Hippie Tree

  • Mortuarism

    wants to go to Tunnels of Traverse City State Hospital

  • Mortuarism

    wants to go to Traverse City State Hospital

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