Michigan, United States
Wine tours from $52, sailing cruises, and private day trips—see what each really gives for your money.
Traverse City’s tour scene is shaped by wine: 86% of all 65 experiences are labeled private or luxury, but that includes affordable group wine tours starting at $52 per person. Over half the catalogue (51%) sits between $40 and $60, with 62% under $60 and only 3% over $500. Wine tours, sailing cruises, and day trips account for most bookings, reflected in the high review counts for these categories.
The best-reviewed tours—especially the wine and sailing options—combine local guides with extras like included tastings or food, and most have instant confirmation. Poorly rated products are rare (just 3% below 4 stars), and none of the major wine or sailing tours fall in that group. Free cancellation is the norm, not a selling point, with 91% of tours offering it.
Traverse City lists 65 tours, with a median price of $63—though this is pulled up by private tours priced per vehicle, so most travelers will pay less. 62% of options cost under $60, and only 3% exceed $500. The catalogue is dominated by wine tours, sailing cruises, and private day trips. Most products are labeled 'private and luxury', but this includes both affordable group tours and pricier private vehicles. Category medians reflect this mix: for example, 'Bus Tours' includes both sightseeing buses and private black-cab tours, so price alone doesn’t indicate exclusivity or group size.
Quality is generally high: only 2 tours (3%) are rated below 4 stars, and the most-booked options—wine tours and sailing cruises—consistently earn strong reviews. Free cancellation is standard, with 91% of tours offering it. Most tours confirm instantly, so last-minute planners are rarely left waiting. The catalogue includes a handful of higher-priced private charters and photo shoots, but these are the exception, not the rule.
| Private and Luxury | 56 | $63 |
Wine tours are the main draw, with most priced from $52–$59 per person for four or five hours. The best-rated wine tours (4.9+ stars) offer local guides, air-conditioned vehicles, and sometimes a complimentary bottle or included tasting. However, not all include wine tastings in the price—some require you to pay for flights or glasses at each stop, which can add $9–$15 per winery. For value, check if tastings or snacks are included: the $59 five-hour tour covers four wineries but tastings are extra, while the $52 tour includes a bottle of wine and some samples.
Sailing cruises range from $37 for a two-hour sightseeing cruise (no food or drinks included) to $172 for a sunset sail with wine, cocktails, and snacks. The $142 day sail includes local food and drinks, but is non-refundable, so only book if your plans are firm. Sunset sails at the higher end sometimes disappoint on food quantity—several reviews mention only receiving snacks when expecting a meal, so check the inclusions closely.
Private day trips, such as the Sleeping Bear Dunes tour at $127 per person, include transportation, lunch, and all fees. This is one of the few tours where everything is bundled, making it better value than some pricier wine or sailing options that charge extra for essentials.
Disappointments are rare but worth noting: some wine tours have been criticized for not following the advertised itinerary (wine tours), or for buses not matching the description. On the sightseeing cruise, last-minute cancellations and poor narration have frustrated guests. The rickshaw tour, priced per bike, has several complaints about no-shows. In general, tours with the highest review counts and ratings deliver what they promise, but always check what’s included and recent reviews for surprises.
Almost all Traverse City tours confirm instantly, so last-minute bookings are possible for most. Only one product in the entire catalogue requires manual confirmation. Sell-out risk is flagged for certain private sailing charters and the rickshaw tour, so book these early if they’re essential to your trip. High-demand wine tours rarely sell out far in advance, but the most popular options can fill up on weekends.
The only listed walking tour, and the cheapest way to get a live guide downtown.
4.8 ★ · 142 reviews · 1 h 30 min
Includes Haunted Traverse Tour Co.'s Tours are hosted by experienced local guides · 100% Outdoor Walking Tour · History of Traverse City
Cheaper than any sailing or wine tour, but no drinks or snacks are included.
4.8 ★ · 243 reviews · 2 h
Includes Restroom on board
Priced per bike for up to 3—costs less per person than any wine tour if you fill it.
4.5 ★ · 77 reviews · 1 h
Includes All Fees and Taxes · Driver · Pedicab
35 min at the stops, of 1 h in total
Includes a complimentary bottle of wine, unlike the other wine tours at this price.
5.0 ★ · 545 reviews · 4 h
Includes Every Reservation gets a complimentary bottle of wine! · Wine Samples/Splashes ARE available on our tour- flights, bottles, food are extra · Luxury SUV - GMC Yukon/Chevrolet Suburban - Cadillac Escalade
The only listed wine tour that visits a distillery as well as wineries.
5.0 ★ · 126 reviews · 4 h
Includes Wine Samples/Splashes ARE available on our tour- flights, bottles, food are extra · Luxury SUV - GMC Yukon/Chevrolet Suburban - coming soon Cadillac Escalade · NON PARTY BUS - semi private, we combine couples, groups of 6-7 most likely have their own
55 min at the stops, of 4 h in total
Wine tastings not included—expect to pay $9–$15 extra per stop.
4.9 ★ · 263 reviews · 4 h
Includes Yeti Style Cooler for Customer Use · Premium Limo Style Bus · Local Tour Guide
3 h at the stops, of 4 h in total
The most-reviewed tour, but tastings are extra at each of the four wineries.
4.9 ★ · 2,669 reviews · 5 h
Includes Yeti Style Cooler for Customer Use · Premium Limo Style Bus · Local Tour Guide
4 h at the stops, of 5 h in total
All three winery stops include admission, but tastings cost extra.
4.9 ★ · 435 reviews · 5 h
Includes Drinking and Snacking is allowed on the bus · Appointments (Not reservations) are made by Magic Shuttle Bus for all customers on the tou · Air-conditioned vehicle
4 h at the stops, of 5 h in total
Only day trip that includes lunch and all fees—no extra costs at the stops.
4.9 ★ · 94 reviews · 6 h
Includes Private transportation · All Fees and Taxes · Snacks, drinks and lunch included.
5 h at the stops, of 6 h in total
Includes local food, wine, and cocktails, but is non-refundable if plans change.
4.9 ★ · 185 reviews · 2 h 30 min
Includes Hands-on sailing. · Sample local fare from fan favorite local restaurants · Enjoy local beer, spirits and wine
The priciest sailing tour, but reviews say the food is only a snack, not a meal.
4.8 ★ · 245 reviews · 2 h 30 min
Includes Includes wine tasting, local beer, cider, and Wind Dancer signature cocktails by TC Whiske · Local cheese and crackers, elevated charcuterie board, award winning Great Lakes Potato Ch · Snacks made from some of Traverse City's favorite makers.
Private charter: the only listed tour guaranteed not to be shared with other guests.
4.8 ★ · 188 reviews · 5 h
Includes Custom Itinerary with Reservations where needed · Designated Driver for 5 Hours
10 min at the stops, of 5 h in total
Sold by Viator. Prices and review counts checked on 07/09/2026.
Not always. Some wine tours include a complimentary bottle or samples, but most require you to pay for tastings at each winery, usually $9–$15 per stop.
Most wine tours are priced from $52 to $59 per person for four to five hours. Higher-priced private tours are available but are less common.
It depends. The $142 day sail includes local food and drinks, while the $37 sightseeing cruise does not. Sunset sails at $172 may only include snacks.
Wine tours and sailing cruises are popular with groups. Rickshaw tours are priced per bike (up to 3 people), making them good for small groups.
Most tours confirm instantly and rarely sell out, but private sailing charters and the rickshaw tour can fill up, so book those early.
The Sleeping Bear Dunes day trip at $127 includes transportation, lunch, and all fees. Most wine and sailing tours charge extra for tastings or food.
Some guests mention wine tours not following the advertised itinerary, sightseeing cruises being canceled last-minute, and rickshaw tours not showing up.
Free cancellation is offered on 91% of Traverse City tours, but some sailing tours do not allow refunds.
Walking tours, day trips and experiences around this area, on GetYourGuide.
Search flights and places to stay. Prices come from Expedia and update live.
Booking is handled by Viator, part of TripAdvisor. Live prices, free cancellation on most.