Programs. Partners. Pier Access For All.

We’ve developed key partnerships in the pursuit of our goal to connect people of all ages, needs and abilities to the Great Lakes.
Thanks to our educational and recreational partners, our docks allow more people to experience the beauty and complexities of our treasured waters.

Pier Partners

  • The Compass Rose Sailing Company and the classic yacht Althea creates a unique experience on the Great Lakes from aboard a storied offshore sailing yacht.

  • Fish-X-TC provides charter fishing experiences for all ages in West Grand Traverse Bay.

  • Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) provides hands-on, educational programming to students from the Discovery Pier. Some programs focus on the ecology of the Great Lakes where students collect and analyze samples, including fish, plankton, and organisms that live along the bottom of the Bay from aboard a tall ship; others learn how to build and operate their own underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV).

  • The Maritime Heritage Alliance preserves, shares, and promote the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes by offering opportunities to sail a historical wooden boat in West Grand Traverse Bay.

  • From our docks, The Discovery, a two-deck touring vessel, offers cruises, tours, and private charters on Lake Michigan for people of all ages.

  • From to deck of a majestic sailing vessel, the Traverse Tall Ship Company offers sailing adventures for all ages and backgrounds to experience the beauty of Lake Michigan.

Campus Partners

  • The Great Lakes Children’s Museum offer interactive exhibits and facilitated fun-shops to cultivate curiosity and develop creativity as children explore their world, including water, in their own way and at their own pace. Through many hands-on exhibits, youth can experience the recreational, educational, and historical facets of the Great Lakes.

  • Through advocacy and on-the-ground restoration projects, The Watershed Center acts to protect and preserve the water in Grand Traverse Bay.

“Our partnership with Discovery Pier has been a key factor in advancing our mission to provide an affordable way to experience the beauty of Lake Michigan from the deck of a majestic sailing vessel. ”

— Traverse Tall Ship Company