Nearby water recreation on the Glen Lakes or Lake Michigan includes swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, water-skiing, canoeing, kayaking, and wind surfing. Fish for bass, perch, pike, bluegill, whitefish, King Salmon, Coho, Lake Trout, and others. Charter boats, boat rentals and launches are available. Other recreation includes golf, tennis, hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.

Nearby scenic public beaches within the National Park and local public beaches on Big and Little Glen Lakes offer great swimming and water sports for all skills and levels.

Summertime brings many roadside stands offering fresh produce and baked goods. Farm markets in Glen Arbor, Empire and Traverse City are open through the summer.

Spa services are available in Glen Arbor, Empire, and Traverse City.

Observatories are available in Glen Arbor and Traverse City.

Nearby Glen Arbor, Empire and Leland are charming tourist destinations with art galleries, boutiques, and great bakeries. Fine dining and great casual restaurants will please any one's palate.

Concerts, symphonies, dramas, and movies are available in Traverse City, Glen Arbor, Suttons Bay and Interlochen. Traverse City offers the Traverse Film Festival, the National Cherry Festival, the Old Town Playhouse, The City Opera House, museums and a zoo. Interlochen offers a wide choice of great events. Traverse City also offers parasailing, hot balloon rides, charters and rentals, tall ships sailing, and scuba excursions.