Magical History Tour Departs From the History Center of Traverse City

Traverse City has a unique historical story that gives us character and a sustainable competitive advantage over other "up-north" towns. The History Center partners with Celtic Tours, an established motor coach tour operator. The Tour is designed to educate citizens, students and visitors about our interesting heritage through a fun 90-minute custom bus tour.

Take the trolley tour and experience Traverse City history first-hand! The tour begins at the History Center where you learn the actors and drama of our past: the raw lumbering days, the coming of the fruit industry, the expansion of railroads and factories, early resorts and growth of the Traverse City State Hospital. Board the comfortable trolley for a 90-minute, nine-mile tour of Traverse City.

Points of interest include the stylish homes of Sixth Street, the Old Town commercial district, the historic Courthouse, the City's beautiful downtown, the Bay front and Warehouse district, Traverse City's oldest neighborhood, Slabtown, and the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, formerly the site of the Traverse City State Hospital.

Tour guides are eager to share stories about Perry Hannah, the town's founder, "Wild" Bill Germaine, a colorful con artist of the turn of the century, cannons that mysteriously discharged during a ceremonial occasion, the Native American presence at the mouth of the Boardman River, patient care at the Traverse City State Hospital and little known facts about the relationship of Traverse City to celebrities like Henry Ford and golfing great Walter Hagen.

Stops are short (3-5 minutes) with the exception of the Commons (15 minutes, where people can browse the Mercado/Stella for a few moments).

$14.95 Adults; $9.95 Students and Seniors (65+). Book your tickets at www.mynorthtickets.com, reservations required.