Guidebook for Traverse City

Chris
Guidebook for Traverse City

Food Scene

It's a fine dining experience in the heart of downtown Traverse City. The food is mostly Asian-fusion. Going during happy hour is my personal recommendation because they have some really good small plates and cocktails available on the cheap.
143 recommandé par les habitants
Red Ginger
237 E Front St
143 recommandé par les habitants
It's a fine dining experience in the heart of downtown Traverse City. The food is mostly Asian-fusion. Going during happy hour is my personal recommendation because they have some really good small plates and cocktails available on the cheap.
A local institution, it's one of my favorite breakfast restaurants in town. Be sure to get there early on a weekend as it has the tendency to get pretty busy.
48 recommandé par les habitants
The Omelette Shoppe
124 Cass St
48 recommandé par les habitants
A local institution, it's one of my favorite breakfast restaurants in town. Be sure to get there early on a weekend as it has the tendency to get pretty busy.
It's a relatively new restaurant that specializes in breakfast food. Located in the Mercado, part of the iconic and renovated State Hospital grounds, it's a memorable and quaint place to enjoy breakfast or brunch.
31 recommandé par les habitants
Red Spire Brunch House
Main Entrance
31 recommandé par les habitants
It's a relatively new restaurant that specializes in breakfast food. Located in the Mercado, part of the iconic and renovated State Hospital grounds, it's a memorable and quaint place to enjoy breakfast or brunch.
This is one of my favorite coffee spots ANYWHERE! This place has been operating in the shadows of the State Hospital Grounds' expansion for years and only now are being recognized. Their mission is to source fair trade and sustainably farmed coffee beans from around the world, to then roast here in Northern Michigan. In addition to being a cool concept, it's a fun place to bring a laptop, book, or friend to engage with. Also, you can see their roasting facility and if you're lucky, you might even get to watch them in action.
34 recommandé par les habitants
Higher Grounds Trading Company
806 Red Dr
34 recommandé par les habitants
This is one of my favorite coffee spots ANYWHERE! This place has been operating in the shadows of the State Hospital Grounds' expansion for years and only now are being recognized. Their mission is to source fair trade and sustainably farmed coffee beans from around the world, to then roast here in Northern Michigan. In addition to being a cool concept, it's a fun place to bring a laptop, book, or friend to engage with. Also, you can see their roasting facility and if you're lucky, you might even get to watch them in action.
This is a trendy cafe that serves both coffee and some alcoholic drinks too. I personally like to use this as my remote working space when I'm visiting. I find that the ambiance is classic coffee shop vibe and I enjoy the space. Also, after around 7 PM they convert it into an adults only atmosphere and it functions more as a low key bar; definitely worth a visit.
61 recommandé par les habitants
Brew
108 E Front St
61 recommandé par les habitants
This is a trendy cafe that serves both coffee and some alcoholic drinks too. I personally like to use this as my remote working space when I'm visiting. I find that the ambiance is classic coffee shop vibe and I enjoy the space. Also, after around 7 PM they convert it into an adults only atmosphere and it functions more as a low key bar; definitely worth a visit.
An American Cuisine style restaurant with a surprisingly good bar. It's food is good, prices aren't too bad, and has a great happy hour menu if you sit at the bar (be sure to specifically ask for the bar menu though).
23 recommandé par les habitants
Harrington's By The Bay
13890 S W Bay Shore Dr
23 recommandé par les habitants
An American Cuisine style restaurant with a surprisingly good bar. It's food is good, prices aren't too bad, and has a great happy hour menu if you sit at the bar (be sure to specifically ask for the bar menu though).
Voted #1 in America, it's been a Traverse City institution since 1998! Your hosts used to go here when they were in high school about three times a week ;) You'll love the atmosphere, friendliness, and of course the ice cream!
86 recommandé par les habitants
Moomers Homemade Ice Cream
7263 N Long Lake Rd
86 recommandé par les habitants
Voted #1 in America, it's been a Traverse City institution since 1998! Your hosts used to go here when they were in high school about three times a week ;) You'll love the atmosphere, friendliness, and of course the ice cream!
This is a tasty sandwich shop + convenience store that has a full assortment of alcoholic drinks, snacks, and a deli. It also is directly across the street from Moomers so it's not a bad double-whammy for when you aren't too enthusiastic to cook for yourself ;)
21 recommandé par les habitants
Fresh Coast Market
7270 N Long Lake Rd
21 recommandé par les habitants
This is a tasty sandwich shop + convenience store that has a full assortment of alcoholic drinks, snacks, and a deli. It also is directly across the street from Moomers so it's not a bad double-whammy for when you aren't too enthusiastic to cook for yourself ;)
This is the closest restaurant to the Cabin and it's something else... It's got a country motif and even has a place to hitch up your horse outside in case you decide to travel there on horseback. The food is tasty and the service is friendly.
Hayloft Inn
5100 E Traverse Hwy
This is the closest restaurant to the Cabin and it's something else... It's got a country motif and even has a place to hitch up your horse outside in case you decide to travel there on horseback. The food is tasty and the service is friendly.
A cute little coffee shop + bakery on Front Street, in downtown Traverse City. We love the scones!
17 recommandé par les habitants
Good Harbor Coffee & Bakery
111 W Front St
17 recommandé par les habitants
A cute little coffee shop + bakery on Front Street, in downtown Traverse City. We love the scones!
A Traverse City institution. Located on Front Street, it's a great place to check out when you're already in town doing some shopping, sightseeing, etc. The food here is excellent!
72 recommandé par les habitants
Poppycocks
128 E Front St
72 recommandé par les habitants
A Traverse City institution. Located on Front Street, it's a great place to check out when you're already in town doing some shopping, sightseeing, etc. The food here is excellent!
Folksy local breakfast chain serving omelets, quiches, pancakes & sandwiches, plus baked goods.
48 recommandé par les habitants
The Omelette Shoppe
124 Cass St
48 recommandé par les habitants
Folksy local breakfast chain serving omelets, quiches, pancakes & sandwiches, plus baked goods.
Hearty pub fare & house-brewed beers served in an 1899 building that once housed a candy factory.
85 recommandé par les habitants
North Peak Brewing Company
400 W Front St
85 recommandé par les habitants
Hearty pub fare & house-brewed beers served in an 1899 building that once housed a candy factory.
Known for seafood & ribs, this cozy spot offers a chic hunting lodge feel & bayside patio dining.
59 recommandé par les habitants
Apache Trout Grill
13671 S W Bay Shore Dr
59 recommandé par les habitants
Known for seafood & ribs, this cozy spot offers a chic hunting lodge feel & bayside patio dining.
Acclaimed space for European fare offers seasonal & themed menus amid bright, bistro-style decor.
86 recommandé par les habitants
amical
229 E Front St
86 recommandé par les habitants
Acclaimed space for European fare offers seasonal & themed menus amid bright, bistro-style decor.
Local chain for upscale pub fare & house-brewed craft beer with a rustic & comfy vibe.
66 recommandé par les habitants
Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant & Brewery
13512 Peninsula Dr
66 recommandé par les habitants
Local chain for upscale pub fare & house-brewed craft beer with a rustic & comfy vibe.
Upscale eatery in an 1880s home, open seasonally for elevated locavore fare & craft spirits.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Mission Table
13512 Peninsula Drive
7 recommandé par les habitants
Upscale eatery in an 1880s home, open seasonally for elevated locavore fare & craft spirits.
45 recommandé par les habitants
Slabtown Burgers
826 W Front St
45 recommandé par les habitants
Modern Bird
541 West Front Street
31 recommandé par les habitants
The Good Bowl
328 E Front St
31 recommandé par les habitants
9 recommandé par les habitants
Peninsula Grill
14091 Center Rd
9 recommandé par les habitants
60 recommandé par les habitants
PepeNero
700 Cottageview Dr
60 recommandé par les habitants
51 recommandé par les habitants
Spanglish
1333 Yellow Dr
51 recommandé par les habitants
132 recommandé par les habitants
Trattoria Stella
830 W Eleventh St
132 recommandé par les habitants
26 recommandé par les habitants
Frenchies Famous
619 Randolph St
26 recommandé par les habitants
12 recommandé par les habitants
Round's Restaurant
1033 E Eighth St
12 recommandé par les habitants
67 recommandé par les habitants
The Cook's House
115 Wellington St
67 recommandé par les habitants
6 recommandé par les habitants
Millie and Pepper Creperie & General Store
120 S Union St
6 recommandé par les habitants
34 recommandé par les habitants
Grand Traverse Pie Company
525 W Front St
34 recommandé par les habitants
28 recommandé par les habitants
Sleder's Family Tavern
717 Randolph St
28 recommandé par les habitants
10 recommandé par les habitants
J & S Hamburg
302 W Front St
10 recommandé par les habitants
172 recommandé par les habitants
The Little Fleet
448 E Front St
172 recommandé par les habitants
21 recommandé par les habitants
Don's Drive-In
2030 US-31
21 recommandé par les habitants
13 recommandé par les habitants
Barrio
305 West Front Street
13 recommandé par les habitants
17 recommandé par les habitants
Good Harbor Coffee & Bakery
111 W Front St
17 recommandé par les habitants
29 recommandé par les habitants
Morsels
321 E Front St
29 recommandé par les habitants
32 recommandé par les habitants
Folgarelli's Market & Wine Shop
424 W Front St
32 recommandé par les habitants
11 recommandé par les habitants
Third Coast Bakery
523 Munson Ave
11 recommandé par les habitants
21 recommandé par les habitants
Mary's Kitchen Port
539 W Front St
21 recommandé par les habitants
Rough Pony
144 Hall Street
7 recommandé par les habitants
Bubbie's Bagels
1215 E Front St
7 recommandé par les habitants
Slabtown Cookie Co.
228 Monroe St
White on Rice
510 W Fourteenth St
86 recommandé par les habitants
Moomers Homemade Ice Cream
7263 N Long Lake Rd
86 recommandé par les habitants
9 recommandé par les habitants
Dairy Lodge
405 N Division St
9 recommandé par les habitants
106 recommandé par les habitants
The Filling Station Microbrewery
642 Railroad Pl
106 recommandé par les habitants
54 recommandé par les habitants
Boathouse Restaurant
14039 Peninsula Dr
54 recommandé par les habitants

Drinks & Nightlife

A local's favorite. This brewery is only a few years old but it's definitely the most popular and trendy. They brew a really wide selection of beers and regularly carry other Michigan favorites. Also, it's a great place to catch regular live music.
103 recommandé par les habitants
Rare Bird Brewpub
229 Lake Ave
103 recommandé par les habitants
A local's favorite. This brewery is only a few years old but it's definitely the most popular and trendy. They brew a really wide selection of beers and regularly carry other Michigan favorites. Also, it's a great place to catch regular live music.
This is a tap house with a very substantial beer list. If you're looking for a fun place to have fun being a beer snob while mingle with young professionals, this is the place for you.
74 recommandé par les habitants
7 Monks Taproom
128 S Union St
74 recommandé par les habitants
This is a tap house with a very substantial beer list. If you're looking for a fun place to have fun being a beer snob while mingle with young professionals, this is the place for you.
This speakeasy is hard to find but worth the effort! Located in the basement of an unassuming building, you'll enter a swanky atmosphere that's down-tempo and chill. Highly recommended for whisky, scotch, and bourbon drinkers as they have a great selection available.
52 recommandé par les habitants
Low Bar
128 S Union St
52 recommandé par les habitants
This speakeasy is hard to find but worth the effort! Located in the basement of an unassuming building, you'll enter a swanky atmosphere that's down-tempo and chill. Highly recommended for whisky, scotch, and bourbon drinkers as they have a great selection available.
This bar is part of North Peak Brewery and serves their beer. It's a typical Irish style pub vibe and depending on the day, there can be a number of different activities going on : live music (weekends), trivia night (multiple days per week), karaoke, etc.
27 recommandé par les habitants
Kilkennys Irish Public House
400 W Front St
27 recommandé par les habitants
This bar is part of North Peak Brewery and serves their beer. It's a typical Irish style pub vibe and depending on the day, there can be a number of different activities going on : live music (weekends), trivia night (multiple days per week), karaoke, etc.
18 recommandé par les habitants
Earthen Ales
1371 Gray Dr
18 recommandé par les habitants
54 recommandé par les habitants
Left Foot Charley Winery
806 Red Dr
54 recommandé par les habitants
18 recommandé par les habitants
Mammoth Distilling
221 Garland St
18 recommandé par les habitants
14 recommandé par les habitants
Mode's Bum Steer
125 E State St
14 recommandé par les habitants
14 recommandé par les habitants
Brady's Bar
401 S Union St
14 recommandé par les habitants
60 recommandé par les habitants
The Parlor TC
205 Lake Ave
60 recommandé par les habitants
55 recommandé par les habitants
The Workshop Brewing Company
221 Garland St
55 recommandé par les habitants
20 recommandé par les habitants
SideTraxx Dance Bar
520 Franklin St
20 recommandé par les habitants
42 recommandé par les habitants
Traverse City Whiskey Co.
201 E 14th St
42 recommandé par les habitants
28 recommandé par les habitants
Jacob's Corn Maze
Michigan 72
28 recommandé par les habitants

Sightseeing

There's no better place to get a bird's eye view of Traverse City than to drive up Wayne Hill and take a look at West Bay, downtown TC and the Old Mission Peninsula. We like the view to much that we're getting married up here!
Incochee Road
Incochee Road
There's no better place to get a bird's eye view of Traverse City than to drive up Wayne Hill and take a look at West Bay, downtown TC and the Old Mission Peninsula. We like the view to much that we're getting married up here!

Parks & Nature

This is one of my favorite scenic overlooks anywhere... After an easy 15 minute hike, you'll come out of the forest to discover a stunning view overlooking both Manitou Islands (North and South) as well as the gorgeous Lake Michigan coastline. If you're really adventurous (and in great shape), you can run down the dune and into Lake Michigan below... but beware! It's 30 minute climb up some very steep dunes (for the fittest of people).
11 recommandé par les habitants
Pyramid Point
11 recommandé par les habitants
This is one of my favorite scenic overlooks anywhere... After an easy 15 minute hike, you'll come out of the forest to discover a stunning view overlooking both Manitou Islands (North and South) as well as the gorgeous Lake Michigan coastline. If you're really adventurous (and in great shape), you can run down the dune and into Lake Michigan below... but beware! It's 30 minute climb up some very steep dunes (for the fittest of people).
The Sleeping Bear Dunes are a National Park and rightfully so. The park features a dune climb that everyone can enjoy, as well as the option to hike all the way to Lake Michigan (if you're brave enough). To do the hike, be prepared for a 45 minute hike across protected dunes; well worth it when you reach Lake Michigan and can take a dip in the water!
232 recommandé par les habitants
Sleeping Bear Dunes
232 recommandé par les habitants
The Sleeping Bear Dunes are a National Park and rightfully so. The park features a dune climb that everyone can enjoy, as well as the option to hike all the way to Lake Michigan (if you're brave enough). To do the hike, be prepared for a 45 minute hike across protected dunes; well worth it when you reach Lake Michigan and can take a dip in the water!
This is where your hosts used to go when we wanted to visit Lake Michigan... It features a small lake, sand dunes, and all the beachfront you can handle! It's truly a gem and something everyone should experience when they come to Northern Michigan for a beach day.
34 recommandé par les habitants
North Bar Lake Access
34 recommandé par les habitants
This is where your hosts used to go when we wanted to visit Lake Michigan... It features a small lake, sand dunes, and all the beachfront you can handle! It's truly a gem and something everyone should experience when they come to Northern Michigan for a beach day.
10 recommandé par les habitants
The Botanic Garden
1490 Red Drive
10 recommandé par les habitants
89 recommandé par les habitants
Clinch Park
111 E Grandview Pkwy
89 recommandé par les habitants
6 recommandé par les habitants
Sayler Park
5923 Yuba Park Rd
6 recommandé par les habitants
20 recommandé par les habitants
Maple Bay Natural Area
U.S. 31
20 recommandé par les habitants

Essentials

This is the closest grocery store to the cabin and it's a straight drive down M 72 so it's really easy to find. A little on the small side, you should be able to find most things here but it might be a little pricier than a larger food market.
37 recommandé par les habitants
Tom's Food Market
13940 S W Bay Shore Dr
37 recommandé par les habitants
This is the closest grocery store to the cabin and it's a straight drive down M 72 so it's really easy to find. A little on the small side, you should be able to find most things here but it might be a little pricier than a larger food market.
This is the closest large grocery store to the cabin and will have almost anything you need for cooking, snacking, etc.
53 recommandé par les habitants
Meijer
3955 N U.S. 31 S
53 recommandé par les habitants
This is the closest large grocery store to the cabin and will have almost anything you need for cooking, snacking, etc.
It's the closest grocery to the Cabin, prices aren't too bad, and it's directly across from the Long Lake Public Beach.
Long Lake Grocery
9374 N Long Lake Rd
It's the closest grocery to the Cabin, prices aren't too bad, and it's directly across from the Long Lake Public Beach.
This is the closest thing Traverse City can offer to a Whole Foods. They are a little pricier than the other grocery options but will have more niche products and trendy boutique brands.
13 recommandé par les habitants
Oryana West
3587 Marketplace Cir
13 recommandé par les habitants
This is the closest thing Traverse City can offer to a Whole Foods. They are a little pricier than the other grocery options but will have more niche products and trendy boutique brands.
21 recommandé par les habitants
Fresh Coast Market
7270 N Long Lake Rd
21 recommandé par les habitants
53 recommandé par les habitants
Meijer
3955 N U.S. 31 S
53 recommandé par les habitants
79 recommandé par les habitants
Oryana Community Co-op
260 E Tenth St
79 recommandé par les habitants
If you're looking for bulk, you can find large quantities here are Sam's Club, so long as you're a member...
Sam's Club
2401 US-31
If you're looking for bulk, you can find large quantities here are Sam's Club, so long as you're a member...
8 recommandé par les habitants
Costco Wholesale
125 E South Airport Rd
8 recommandé par les habitants
12 recommandé par les habitants
Old Mission General Store
18250 Mission Rd
12 recommandé par les habitants
18 recommandé par les habitants
Maxbauer's Meat Market
407 S Union St
18 recommandé par les habitants
34 recommandé par les habitants
Burritt's Fresh Markets
509 W Front St
34 recommandé par les habitants
Tilley's Party Store and Disc Golf
617 Randolph Street

Shopping

10 recommandé par les habitants
The Cheese Lady
600 W Front St
10 recommandé par les habitants
130 recommandé par les habitants
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
1200 W Eleventh St
130 recommandé par les habitants
130 recommandé par les habitants
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
1200 W Eleventh St
130 recommandé par les habitants
Myrtle & Maude's
10981 Elk Lake Road

Entertainment & Activities

In the summer: A huge disc golf course operated by the City of Traverse City. In the winter: a low budget but quality ski hill owned and operated by the City (your host learned to ski here and came just about every day in the winter).
7 recommandé par les habitants
Hickory Hills Disc Golf
2000 Randolph St
7 recommandé par les habitants
In the summer: A huge disc golf course operated by the City of Traverse City. In the winter: a low budget but quality ski hill owned and operated by the City (your host learned to ski here and came just about every day in the winter).
6 recommandé par les habitants
ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness
777 Boyd Avenue
6 recommandé par les habitants