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The Discovery Traverse City Tours

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The Discovery Traverse City Tours (MI): Hours, Address - Tripadvisor

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“ Had an amazing happy hour cruise , the crew was very nice and accommodating. ” in 2 reviews

“ We had a lovely slow cruise around the bay . ” in 2 reviews

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13170 SW Bay Shore Dr

Traverse City, MI 49684

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Awesome way to learn about the Traverse City area. Harley was a great story teller and knowledgeable of the area. He did his homework. Loved hearing the Indian story. Jack was a great captain. They have drinks and snacks available for purchase. Highly recommend!

Fun cruise on a wide, covered boat. The time f kept the sun off of us and the breeze off the lake kept us reasonably cool. The lower deck had refreshments including beer and wine. The cruise was fir two hours and was very relaxing. We enjoyed the stories of the water.

We came to Traverse City for fall break so I was concerned there wouldn't be anyone on the water anymore. It was certainly the end of the season but you wouldn't have known it! Captain Jack and his crew were amazing! We learned so much about the area and the views were so beautiful. My daughter got to steer the boat for a little bit as well! I would certainly recommend this boat to anyone coming to Traverse City!

Fun brunch cruise! Great service, decent food. Views were terrific. My group had an amazing time!

Had an amazing happy hour cruise, the crew was very nice and accommodating. It was a great way to experience the beauty of West Grand Traverse Bay. Highly recommended it!

We had a lovely slow cruise around the bay. Historical tour with some insights about the history of Traverse City made for a lovely afternoon.

We enjoyed our 1-3 cruise on the Discovery. 2 hours was great, good info on Traverse Bay, great crew, enjoyed our food and beverages. Suggestion: add more breaks, reduce amount of information. It was nice to be able to talk in our foursome with music overhead.

Our cruise with discover was great! Definitely a must go if you want to learn about the area. Our skipper and crew team were very knowledgeable and very clean and big vessel to see around the lake.

Great informational tour of Traverse City bay. Relaxing way to spend a day. Plenty of space to move around and see the sights!

View from deck

We loved our Happy Hour Cruise on the bay. Nice appetizers, affordable cocktails and a great crew. We would definitely go again!

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Discovery Cruises - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

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Tours and Exhibits in Traverse City, MI

Traverse City offers a wide variety of tours for visitors who want to explore the area's natural beauty and rich history. Visitors can take a scenic driving tour around the nearby Leelanau Peninsula, where they can enjoy the breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the rolling countryside. Guided walking tours of Downtown Traverse City provide visitors with an up-close look at the city's historic buildings and landmarks. 

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons , formerly the Traverse City State Hospital, is a must-visit attraction for those interested in history and architecture. Once a mental health facility designed by famed architect James Kirkbride in the late 1800s, the beautifully restored historic buildings now serve as a vibrant mixed-use development, featuring shops, and restaurants. Guided tours highlight the unique architectural features of the Kirkbride buildings, providing visitors with a glimpse into the hospital's history. 

Traverse City offers a range of boat tours for visitors to experience the beauty of the Grand Traverse Bay. One unique option is the Tall Ship Manitou , a replica of a 19th-century cargo schooner that offers day and evening sails. Another popular tour is offered by Discovery Cruises , a beautifully remodeled vessel featuring two climate-controlled decks offering stunning views of Grand Traverse Bay in comfort. Inland Seas Education Association provides another unique experience, offering educational tours to learn about the Great Lakes and their ecosystems aboard their floating classroom. Their programs cater to individuals and families of all ages, from hands-on experiences such as plankton sampling to sail handling. 

Traverse City is also a paradise for art enthusiasts, with a diverse range of galleries to explore. The Crooked Tree Arts Center is a must-visit destination for its rotating exhibits from local and national artists, covering a wide range of art forms and styles. For a more extensive collection of art, the Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College boasts a permanent collection of over 3,000 works from around the world, including Inuit and Alaska Native art, contemporary Japanese prints, and modern and contemporary paintings and sculptures. The city is also home to numerous other art galleries  showcasing the works of both established and up-and-coming artists. 

Check out our calendar below of daily tours and exhibits!

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• 101 West Grandview Parkway, Traverse City, MI 49684
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Discovery Cruises

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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DISCOVERY CRUISES (Traverse City) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Discovery Cruises

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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Discovery Cruises - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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• About Discovery
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About discovery cruises and tours.

Discovery Cruises and Tours was birthed over 40 years ago because o ur founder and Sr. Consultant, Dr. Gary Frazier, had a God – given vision to share the Holy Land experience with believers and non – believers ali ke. His passionate belief was (and is) that when individuals walk where Jesus walked their lives are forever changed. That vision has come to pass as thousands of people have mad e the journey to the lands of the Bible with Discover y !

It’s important to everyone at Discovery that we be known as a n equipping ministry, not a travel business. Our focus is on Jesus and His life, atoning death on the cross, and the power that’s ours thr ough His resurrection. Dr. Frazier is a former pastor and a n accomplished speaker with a heart for evangelism and end – time prophecy , and that shapes who we are and influence s everything we do. Victor Frazier, our President, and Dillon Frazier, our Vice Pre sident, carry that mission forward. They are ardent followers of Jesus Christ and that relationship guides the ir life and vision . Their heart is like their dad’s and grandfather’s , solely focused on sharing Jesus and His land with all who travel with us.

When you travel with Discovery, you can expect the highest quality customer care in the industry. Our staff is de dicated to providing personalized service that results not only in a seamless travel experience , but truly a trip of a lifetime. We partner wit h evangelical pastors across the United States to teach , encourage, and enlighten you as you tour the various locations on our itineraries. We pray that as a resul t , you will be able to share with others the Good News of life in Christ in a new and more me aningful way.

We are here to serve you. Our desire is that when you visit Israel or participate in the Journeys of Paul you not only experience a place, but a person. That person is Jesus Christ and is at the center of all we do. Please join us as we jour ney to the lands of the Bible !

Current Tours

Dr. Mark & Cheryl Hitchcock 05.18.2024

Oklahoma Christian School 05.27.24

Protected: Dr. Clif & Pamela Cummings, 05.28.2024

Dr. Phillip & Jamie Dunn 08.27.2024

Dr. Jack Millwood, 09.07.2024

Pastor Garry Winstead 09.23.2024

Dr. Chad Grayson 09.30.2024

Scott Marlow & Erik Reed, 10.05.24

Dr. Johnny & Janet Hunt, 10.08.2024

Dr. Steve & Vickie Flockhart, 10.08.2024

Pastor Eddie & Missy Rhodes, 10.08.2024

Pastor Cesar & Lacey Arocha, 10.15.24

Dr. Kevin & Patrice Williams, 10.15.2024

Philip & June DeCourcy, 10.22.2024

Pastor John Mark & Jeana Caton, 10.29.2024

Pastor Nathan & Rachel Freeman, 10.29.2024

Gary Lebeck & Wife, Christian Author TJ Martini, 11.01.24

Dr. Gil and Sharon McKee 11.04.2024

Protected: Pastor Drew & Michelle Sherman 11.05.2024

Dr. mark & cheryl hitchcock 11.08.2024.

Evangelist Tim Moore & Lamb and Lion Ministries, 11.09.2024

Dr. Russ & Sue Barksdale, 12.26.2024

Pastor drew & michelle sherman 02.03.2025, gary lebeck & wife, christian author tj martini, 03.22.25.

Dr. Eric & Kristi Chaffin, 04.01.25

Dr. Grant & Tammy Ethridge, 05.26.2025

Dr. grant & tammy ethridge, 06.04.2025, a glimpse of israel.

Discovery Center Information

The Discovery Center is a nonprofit organization with a mission to connect people of all ages, needs, and abilities to the Great Lakes. They provide space to water-related nonprofits and select water-related businesses to run their operations & programming. In December 2022, Discovery Center & Pier broke ground on Phase 1A of construction to transform Traverse City’s old coal dock, now renamed Discovery Pier, into a barrier-free park and hub for Great Lakes education. Plans for this phase include new fishing area railing—40% of which is at a lower level to create better pier-based fishing access for children and people in wheelchairs, picnicking shelters, open space lawn, barrier-free pathways and a pavilion. Future improvements include a dockside learning center building on the Pier and a complete redevelopment of the campus across M22 in partnership with NMC.

For more information on Discovery Center Great Lakes visit their web site at  www.discoverygreatlakes.org