I’ll be in Traverse City this weekend for a lacrosse tournament for my youngest (14). My daughter and other son (17 and 15) are coming along as well. The youngest and I will be at the fields almost the full day, but my daughter can drive so she and my other son will probably want to get out and explore a bit. We’re staying at the Great Wolf Lodge so there is a water park there included with the room, but Traverse City is supposed to be a fun town. Any suggestions on what the two of them can do to kill a couple of afternoons? Obviously the beach is an option, but are some better than others? Food ideas?
Paging the lone cashew, Tragic City resident.
I haven’t been there in a decade, and when I was we had to see relatives (if we wanted to or not) so I’m not much help, sorry.
Rent bikes and ride around on the TART trail.
Take in a minor league baseball game.
Sleeping Bear Dunes is good, but probably a bit far.
Bum around the downtown area.
Probably need to be 18 or 21 to rent a boat or jet skis.
Mini golf.
ETA: Dress 'em up to look older, and send them wine tasting. 
I think the film festival is going on there now and through this weekend. So they should be able to catch a flick if they enjoy movies, although I’m not sure if they might find many that are age appropriate depending on what they watch. There may be free family movies outdoors at night though.
Here’s a list that might list something of interest to them.
http://www.traversecity.com/index.php?catid=33
I’ve never been, but the Pirate’s Cove Mini Golf place always looked kind of cool. The State Park beach is probably the best bet of the beaches. You need the state park “passport” to get in, but if you don’t already have it, it’s $10 and unlimited state park access.
Don’s Drive In has burgers, fries, and shakes (get the real fruit shakes). The Jolly Pumpkin up on Mission Point does have a brewery, but it’s really a great casual restaurant and would be fine for unaccompanied 15/17 year olds.
Downtown is probably good for a wander.
Drive up the Leelanau Peninsula to the west and visit the wineries out there. I have done this twice and had a fantastic time. I would definitely recommend L. Mawby, who makes some really tasty sparkling wines. You can drive up, hit 3-4 wineries, and be back in Traverse city within 3 and half hours, IIRC, depending on how you spend your time.
My brother lives in Glen Arbor
While Sleeping Bear Dunes is a bit of a drive, I think it is worth it.
Mission Point is another possibility
Brian
My Aunt lives in Glen Arbor, so weird! It’s so beautiful. My most favorite spot in the world, the Glen Lakes are the prettiest lakes ever. Their water looks tropical, almost to the point where they look like they don’t belong in the middle of the woods.
Traverse City is wonderful, too. There are lots of shops, I enjoy just walking up and down the streets. You must go to the Cherry Republic there, or the original one in Glen Arbor! They sell everything cherry- salsa, candy, mustard, ketchup, bbq sauce, trail mix, cookies…mmmm!
Leelanau is very beautiful, too. I love driving there to go rock hunting for Leeland blues. There are many jewelry shops that use stones found on the beach and make beautiful, one of a kind jewelry. Leelanau is also a fish town where you can get some really tasty smoked fish. I love that upper area of the mitten. 
Sleeping Bear isn’t that far, especially from the SW side where the GW Lodge is. I highly recomend it.
Hey, Gleena! How’s it going?
My activities are more geared to bicycling the converted rail-trail to Suttons Bay, or kayaking in Grand Traverse bay.
I can though recommend an excellent pizza joint and that would be Pangea’s, it’s in the downtown shopping district near the waterfront. http://www.pangeaspizza.com/location.php
Go toHorizon Books downtown. Be prepared for awesomeness. It is my 1st stop in TVC. Pretty much it is my only stop.
Up the road in charlevoix you can see The worlds largest Cherry Pie (tin).
DownTown Traverse city stuff links.
I love TVC.
Drive about 20 minutes north on 31 to Elk Rapids.
It’s an awesome little town; beautiful public park on a beautiful public beach (on Grand Traverse Bay), a marina, a very nice, walkable downtown full of little shops, and the best pizza I’ve ever had (Chef Charles pizza). Great people, too.
Aerial photo
mmm
I came in to mention the wineries…perhaps your teens can be designated drivers? We hopped from winery to winery and by the time you get to Mission Point, you can be pretty snockered. 
What makes Pangea’s Pizza so good? What style is it?
What makes Chef Charles’s Pizza so good? What style is it?
(I’m, in Traverse City right now, just got here this afternoon. A good pizza place is always worth knowing about.)
http://www.traversecity.com/traverse-city-2011-golf-packages-84/
There is lots of incredible golf up north.
Hi ZenBeam,
Chef Charles makes thin or regular crust pizza. He has specialty pies such as chicken fajita, Bayou baby, seven cheese, burrito, BBQ chicken, and my favorite: The Arizona (pesto, chicken, four cheeses, mushrooms, garlic, red onions, Roma tomatoes).
Aside from the specialties, he uses ingredients like sliced Roma tomatoes, eggplant, artichoke hearts, calamata olives, gyro meat, pine nuts, feta, etc.
Each pie is made to order and is handed to you minutes after it leaves the oven.
North on 31, turn left onto River St. (which is Elk Rapids Main drag), it will be on your left toward the end of downtown, maybe 4 or 5 blocks.
Anyway, it’s worth the trip. When we’re anywhere within 50 miles, we never don’t go there (if that makes sense :D).
Have fun!
mmm
ETA: I forgot to mention the homemade pizza dough. You can buy it to bring home and roll your own.
Is this a pizza shootout? 
To Zenbeam: I think it’s best to show you the menu, there’s much variety. Pangea’s many kinds of pizza
Mr. Mustard, will have to go to that pizza place you recommend, try it out, am always on the lookout to try new pizza.
I am always in the mood for homemade pizza dough when I roll my own. But wait. Do they roll it at home? And then take it to the pizza place? I am confused.
Okay, I understand, they make it at home, and then take it to the pizza place and sell it as homemade. And then you can take it home and roll your own.
Carry on.