Savoring Summer’s Bounty – Free Download
Northern Michigan’s Unforgettable U-Pick Cherry Tradition
Experience Michigan’s sweetest summer adventure.
This free downloadable guide from Traverse Bay Farms invites you into the orchards of Northern Michigan — where sunshine, fresh air, and ripe cherries create memories that last a lifetime.
From Traverse City to Old Mission Peninsula to Antrim County, discover the people, places, and traditions that make Michigan’s cherry season truly special.
Quick Wins Inside:
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Discover Northern Michigan’s most scenic U-pick cherry orchards
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Learn when and where to find peak harvests for tart and sweet cherries
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Get expert tips for picking and storing your cherries
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Explore small-town charm, local festivals, and farm markets
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Written with love by Michigan’s own Traverse Bay Farms
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Free to download — plan your perfect summer getaway
Trusted By: Health-Conscious Travelers • 38 + National Food Awards • Family-Owned in Northern Michigan
A Fresh Start
There’s something magical about picking cherries straight from the tree.
The laughter of family, the scent of the orchard, and the taste of summer in every handful — it’s an experience that connects you to the land and to each other.
Savoring Summer’s Bounty captures that feeling and helps you plan the perfect day trip or weekend retreat in cherry country.
What You’ll Discover
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A Celebration of Tradition: How Michigan became America’s cherry capital
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Best U-Pick Orchards: Scenic spots across Leelanau, Old Mission, and Antrim County
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When to Visit: Find the best harvest windows (late June through July)
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Picking Tips: Learn how to choose and handle cherries like a pro
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Family Fun: Picnic areas, farm stands, and local events
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Cherry Lovers’ Corner: Quick recipes, storage tips, and Traverse Bay Farms pairings
Travel inspiration, storytelling, and insider insight from the team that knows Northern Michigan best.
See It at a Glance
| Topic | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Best Orchards | Family-friendly U-pick locations |
| Travel Tips | Scenic routes & nearby attractions |
| Harvest Calendar | Sweet vs. Tart cherry timing |
| Recipes | Quick snacks & picnic favorites |
| Local Flavor | Farm markets, wineries, and festivals |
Make this summer unforgettable — one cherry at a time.
Why This Works
Real experiences come from real places.
Traverse Bay Farms has spent over two decades celebrating the orchards, farmers, and families who define Michigan’s cherry story.
This guide brings their local expertise directly to your travel plans — blending heritage, hospitality, and natural beauty into one cherry-filled journey.
What Readers Are Saying
“We used this guide during our first visit to Northern Michigan and had the best day! The orchard recommendations were spot-on, and the kids loved learning how to pick the perfect cherries. We even stopped by Traverse Bay Farms afterward for cherry juice and dried cherries to take home. Such a memorable experience!”
— The Anderson Family, Chicago, IL
“I’ve lived in Michigan all my life and still learned new spots to explore. It’s a perfect mix of local insight and family fun.”
— Laura M., Midland, MI
The Traverse Bay Farms Promise
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38 + National Food Awards for Flavor & Quality
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“As much Michigan-grown fruit as possible” sourcing
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Family-Owned in Northern Michigan
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USA-Grown Ingredients • Trusted Nationwide
Inside Your Free Guide
| Section | What You’ll Learn |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Story of Michigan’s Cherry Heritage |
| 2 | Top U-Pick Orchards & Travel Routes |
| 3 | Peak Harvest Timing & Picking Tips |
| 4 | Family Fun & Local Events |
| 5 | Cherry Recipes & Product Pairings |
Continue the Cherry Experience
Keep the flavor of Michigan summer alive with Traverse Bay Farms Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate and Dried Cherries — perfect for smoothies, snacks, or homemade cherry treats after your orchard visit.
Bring the taste of the cherry capital home with every sip and bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is cherry-picking season in Michigan?
Peak season runs from late June through July, depending on weather and orchard location.
Where are the best orchards?
You’ll find favorites across Leelanau County, Old Mission Peninsula, and Antrim County — all included in the guide.
Is this guide good for families?
Yes! It includes kid-friendly orchards, picnic spots, and educational experiences.
Does it include recipes?
Yes — the Cherry Lovers’ Corner section offers quick ideas and storage tips.
Is this a printed or digital guide?
It’s a free downloadable eBook (PDF) that you can access instantly.
Final Word
Celebrate Michigan’s sweetest season with family, friends, and fresh air.
Download Savoring Summer’s Bounty today — your essential guide to Northern Michigan’s unforgettable U-pick cherry tradition.
Continue the Cherry Experience
After your U-pick adventure, bring the flavor home with Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate — made from Michigan-grown Montmorency cherries and backed by Traverse Bay Farms’ sediment-free guarantee.
Also, grab your copy of the Traverse City Cherry Blossom Guide Cherry Orchard Tour: Your Official Cherry Blossom Travel Companion
How Is It Made?
If you are wondering what it takes to make all-natural and nationally award winning products, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve specifically created this section to provide you with an At-A-Glance overview - so you can get the information you’re looking for fast!
You can also check out the various informative videos throughout our website for more information.
If you want to learn more about our wide selections of products simply scroll through the information below!
So let’s go ahead and get started with learning about “How It is Made”…
Why is Traverse Bay Farms an Expert for Fruit-Based Products?
Located in Northern Michigan, the epicenter of tart cherry farming and numerous other fruit and vegetables.
Traverse Bay Farms began with one goal in mind: delivering great-tasting, fruit-based gourmet products that can be enjoyed with every meal of the day. And to share them with the world!
Our hometown of Bellaire is located directly on the 45th Parallel North.
The 45th Parallel is commonly referred to as the “Goldilocks” scenario for farming since it is “not too hot and not too cold”.
That makes it "just right" for abundant healthy produce!
Much of the best fruits and
vegetables on the planet are grown along the 45th Parallel North.
So, we are very grateful to be able to use local cherries and as much local ingredients as possible. It means a lot!
Due to our belief in, and love for, what we do, Traverse Bay Farms has won 35+national food awards at America’s largest and most competitive food competitions! We are America’s #1 award winning super-fruit brand.
With winning 35+ national food awards, you know it has to be good!
How are the Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate and other Fruit Juices Made?
The secret to our tart cherry juice concentrate (and other fruit juice concentrates) is that all of our juices are bottled in small batches.
In a time where everything is about producing mass quantities of a product as fast as possible, we take a different approach.
We are putting the health benefits, antioxidant richness and flavor first.
We are putting our talent and skill in providing "truly great tasting" and "full of healthy goodness" fruit and veggie products!
But what does "Small Batch" really mean...
This means our products are produced more often to offer you a fresher product. This way we can closely monitor every step along the way, including selecting only premium sources to go into each of our juice concentrates.
You are able to taste the vivid flavor and enjoy the
condition-specific health benefits of the juice in every glass.
It's about using Montmorency cherries in our cherry juice concentrate
and USA grown fruit in our other juice concentrates. We never import our cherry juice from China, Turkey or Poland.
It's about slowing down and taking time to deliver a rich gourmet taste!
How are the Tart Cherry Capsules and Other Super Fruit Supplements Made?
Offering the special health benefits found within each fruit and vegetable is our most important accomplishment.
Getting those vitamins and nutrients into our bodies is the core to true health.
We use a proprietary process we call FruiTraction to capture the natural health benefits in our Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry Joint Formula, Tart Cherry Powder and other Fruit Advantage super fruit capsules and
powders.
The freeze-drying process starts with the whole-fruit including the
skin, the pulp and the juice of the fruit.
The FruiTraction process is
able to capture and condense the powerful condition-specific health
benefits found in the underlying fruit. You’ll know you’re getting the all-natural benefits of the fruit in a convenient, easy-to-swallow
capsule.
How are the Dried Cherries and Other Dried Fruits Made?
After just one taste of our Dried Cherries and other dried fruit, you’ll love their moisture and full flavor.
They are packed in re-sealable bags so you can enjoy the wholesomeness and convenience of our dried cherries and other dried fruits in their many uses.
The proprietary processing technology used to create our dried cherries and other fruits is so unique, you can taste the difference in every
bite.
How are the Salsa, Jams, Barbeque Sauces and Other Gourmet Food Products Made?
The secret to our nationally award winning salsa, barbeque sauce, jams and mustards is just like our fruit juice concentrates. They are also produced in small batches.
This means, we closely monitor every step along the way. You will be able to taste the vivid flavors in every bite.
It's about knowing about the ingredient and talking with the farmers.
It means creating flavor combinations (both traditional and new) that flow together. It is not just adding extra ingredients because it is the "in" thing to do.
It's about slowing down and taking time to truly deliver a satisfying gourmet taste.
When you receive your order, you'll have the confidence of knowing you are about to enjoy great-tasting, healthy and nationally award winning
gourmet food products and dietary supplements.
You might want to share them with family, friends and co-workers. It's what we love to do!