Three Michigan Airports Could Be Named Best in the Country
Another round of USA Today 10best.com polls are out and they are looking for the best the country has to offer when it comes to airports. Current contests will crown champions for the Best Large Airport, Best Small Airport, Best Airport for Art, Best Resort Airport, Best Airport Bar, Best Airport for Dining, Best Airport for Shopping, Best Airport Lounge, Best Airport Grab-and-Go Food, and Best Airport Sit-Down Restaurant. Michigan has a few finalists this time around, as airports in Traverse City, Detroit, and Grand Rapids all have a chance to be named best in the U.S. for their respective sizes. Here’s a look at our nominees as well as ways you can vote for them:
Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is a finalist for Best Resort Airport. In this search for great airports that lead to popular vacations areas, 10best says “Getting up to Northern Michigan’s vacationland is simple when the Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is your airport of choice. It serves many of the famed golf courses, beaches, lakes, and islands nearby, along Lake Michigan and inland as well. With 20 nonstop flights from bigger cities across the U.S. on carriers including Allegiant, American, Delta, and JetBlue, the ways to get to this vacation paradise are numerous. On arrival, travelers find a modern terminal with architecture inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Arts and Crafts design, comfortable seating areas, and the Cherry Country Café located inside the security area.” Cherry Capital Airport is currently 2nd in this contest as it battles against airports in Myrtle Beach (SC), Hawaii, Hilton Head (SC), and the Florida Keys. You can vote once per day for Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport until October 6th.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is a finalist for Best Large Airport. Its Leo’s Coney Island is also a finalist for Best Airport Grab-and-Go Food. 10best notes: “Officially established in 1930, the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) currently serves as the busiest airport in all of Michigan, with more than 30 million annual passengers. Since opening, the airport has expanded to cover over 7.6 square miles filled with plenty of shopping, dining, and lounge options.” Detroit’s airport has an uphill climb in this category (currently 9th) and you can vote for it once per day now through October 6th.
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids is once again a finalist for Best Small Airport, after finishing in second place last year and first place in 2023. We love our local airport and all of the options it presents, and we also love watching the planes land and takeoff at the Airport Viewing Park. There has been quite a bit of construction at the Ford airport in recent years as upgrades have been made (or continue to be made) to parking, passenger terminals, rental car area, and more. 10best notes that those arriving in Beer City USA can immediately try out some of our offerings when they land: “Named in honor of the 38th president of the United States, Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) serves as the gateway to the sprawling eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Amenities include a dedicated Military Welcome Center, plane-themed playrooms for younger guests, a self-serve wine wall featuring local wineries, and more. Craft beer fans can swing by Prospect Hill or Aletitude for a locally brewed IPA before boarding begins.”