Visit Traverse City: A Local's Guide

Explore Downtown

Downtown Traverse City has plentiful boutiques and stores that cater to every style, including Sincerely Betty (retro-chic), M22 (a local brand celebrating all things "UP North") __ (Modern and Trendy Styles), Boyne Country Sports (wide selection of sporting and outdoors apparel) and even Glitz and Spurs (chic western wear). If you start to get hungry or want to relax and have a drink, you cannot throw a stone without hitting a bar or restaurant. A local spot that cannot be missed is Wilson's Antiques, a massive 4-story antique store that always has something interesting. It's worth wandering around, even just as a museum-style experience. Be sure to also stop by Cherry Republic to try free samples of the famous cherry products from "The Cherry Capital of the Word"

Explore Nature

Northwest Michigan is consistently reviewed by national and international outlets as one of the most beautiful places in the world. You would be doing yourself a disservice not to go see some of it. Leelanau Peninsula has an abundance of hiking trails within a 30–45-minute drive of downtown Traverse City. Some of the best are the famous dune climb. The climb isn't for the faint of heart, but if you are up for the physical challenge, it is a lot of fun. More traditional trails include Empire Bluff, which has the best scenic overlook in Northern Michigan, and Sleeping Bear Point Trail.

Explore Grand Traverse Commons

If you're looking to stay close to town, the hiking trails behind Grand Traverse Commons are very nice (check out the hippie tree, which according to some is a portal to Hell, and to others is a place local teens went to hang out), and nearby to the renovated Traverse City State Hospital, which is now filled with shops and restaurants but has nearly 150 years of history since it first opened as the Northern Michigan Asylum. If you want to learn more about the grounds and facilities, they offer guided tours, including a twilight tour during which they dive into the very real and very eerie history of the area. (Myself and many other from the area refuse to go to the state hospital at night due to the volume of paranormal experiences reported, but if that's your thing, it is fun)

Check out the Wine Scene

When people talk about Michigan wine, you may imagine an experience of low-medium-quality wine and strip mall operations. But the climate of the region lends itself to producing some of the world's best wines, and the market has thoroughly filled the opportunity with beautiful vineyards and estates that rival those of Napa or Tuscany. There are essentially two paths you can take to see the vineyards, either visiting those on Leelanau Peninsula or Old Mission Peninsula. Both offer enough stops that you can take up a full afternoon, and are unique enough that you can spend two days doing both tours and have a complete experience without much overlap. Many offer tasting by the glass, by a flight, or offer a tour of the vineyard and a tasting, depending on your interest level and time. Some of my favorite stops are: Black Star Farms Suttons Bay, MAWBY Vineyards and Winery, Bonobo Winery, and Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery but you may find a different vineyard with the best wine you have ever had, and don't worry, most ship!

Get the Nation's Best Ice Cream

This isn't an exaggeration or my opinion, according to USA Today and Good Morning America, Moomers are #1. The line out the door will be your first sign this place really is a hit. Be prepared to wait 30 minutes, and be forewarned, it will smell like pasture, but that's because Moomers takes farm-to-cone to the next level. The barn you see next door is home to the dairy cows that made your ice cream, and they are proud of it! All seating outside faces the barn and the pasture, take the stairs down to get an even closer look at your new bovine friends and be sure to thank them for their work!

Hit the Breweries

If wineries aren't your scene don't fret, Traverse City has some of the best breweries around too. You can either take a self-guided tour, or take a Kayak and Bike tour, and if you have a bigger group, not to worry, TC has its own Pedal Pub which can accommodate groups of 4–14. If manual labor isn't your scene, you can take a brew bus too. Some of my favorite breweries include Right Brain Brewery, Middle Coast Brewing and Hop Lot.

Lay on a Beach

It's a vacation, and it should feel like it. Downtown Traverse City has fantastic beaches to relax on, like Clinch Park Beach, which has a modern concession area, splash pad, restrooms and changing rooms. Nearby is the Bijou by the Bay, a vintage single-screen movie theater with beautiful decor and fairly priced concessions. If you're looking to get away from the crowds a bit, West End Beach is a bit less crowded and features public volleyball courts

Go for a Bike Ride

Traverse City and the surrounding communities have a fantastic bike trail network courtesy of the TART Trails. There a plenty of options to rent a bike if you didn't bring your own. I have had good experiences with Brick Wheels and Einstein Cycles, but your hotel front desk likely also has recommendations and may have a discounted rate with their preferred vendor.

Get on a Boat

There are numerous boat and jet-ski rental companies in the area, like TC Watersports (once again, your hotel front desk likely also has recommendations and may have a discounted rate with their preferred vendor). If you want to go for a boat ride but not drive yourself, you can go for one of the variety of cruises on the Nauticat. Or if you want a more authentic experience, you can go sailing on a historic tall ship with the Traverse Tall Ship Company, where you will help raise the sails and steer the boat, while still having fun options like brunch cruises.

Day Trips

A day trip out to Fishtown and Leland is a must-do if you have the time. Fishtown is a historic classic fishing village with quaint shops like "The Village Cheese Shanty" If you are in time for brunch, The Cove has a famous Bloody Mary with a fish in it.

Suttons Bay is a short drive up M22 and is a very cute smaller-town version of Traverse City. There is plenty of shopping and restaurants, while offering a bit less crowd and a slower pace.

Scenic Drive

Drive M22. You've seen the store, now see the road. It might be the prettiest road in the world. In the summer it will be busy and you'll encounter traffic from others doing the same, but if you go in with the mindset of stopping in the towns and villages you see along the way, it will be well worth your time.

Stretch Trip

Day trip to Mackinac Island. The first ferry to the island is at 7:30 and the last off is at 9:30, so if you're willing to brave a 2-hr drive up US-31 (another pretty drive) you can spend a full day on Mackinac Island. The island is car-free, only allowing horses, bikes and walking. There is so much more to do there than can be fit into this section, so check out some other Fora guides or itineraries.

Breakfast

• The Towne Plaza

Great breakfast/Lunch menu with an additional brunch menu. All of the eggs benedict options are fantastic and they are known for their pork. They offer tons of outdoor seating on their patio as well, to enjoy the weather.

• The Omelette Shoppe

Classic breakfast spot with well-done basics. Smaller restaurant, so seating both indoors and out is limited. While you wait, there are some fun stores within walking distance to kill time

• Archie’s Social House

Cute little breakfast spot a little off the beaten path but still walkable from downtown. Limited seating options, but there is a lovely boardwalk along the river just behind that you can go to relax while you wait. I recommend the short-rib Benny and the "Socially Acceptable" cocktail.

Lunch

• Poppycocks

A fantastic little "New American Cuisine" restaurant that is conveniently located right downtown. The Poppycocks Pita Chips plate may be the best thing you eat in your life. Stopping in around noon during a shopping day to get a light lunch and a couple drinks is a can't miss experience.

• The Little Fleet

A Local food truck collection with a variety of rotating food trucks all providing fantastic food. Mostly outdoor seating, with some inside tables next to the bar. The outdoor seating is pet-friendly and there is a small stage where they have live music at night. A great option if traveling with a group so everyone can get exactly what they want.

• Slabtown Burgers

A great local burger place mostly frequented by locals. Counter-service burgers, fries and shakes done as well as it can be. The Chili Cheese burger is messy but exceptional.

Dinner

• Apache Trout Grill

An upscale but not stuffy dining option right on the water. It features locally caught seafood and other local farm-to-table options. An Ideal spot for a date night or romantic dinner.

• The Filling Station

Housed inside the old train station, the filling station has a fantastic variety of pizzas and house-made beers to satisfy anyone. The desert pizzas are delicious and a fun departure from the norm.

• Mama Lu's

A little taco shop right downtown that does simple foods exceptionally well. Everything tastes fresh and like it is supposed to. They also make an excellent margarita.

Drinks (Bars that are not breweries or vineyards)

• Low Bar

A lightly prohibition-themed bar in the basement of 7 Monks. It is the best cocktail bar in the city, but be prepared the mood lighting is a bit on the dark side.

• H&L Social

A rooftop bar atop Hotel Indigo TC. The drinks are what you would expect from a nice hotel bar, but the views of the bay are unbeatable and worth the trip up alone.

• The Parlor

A unique cocktail bar a bit off the beaten path. They have extremely fun and experimental options on the menu that create a night to remember. "The Smokestack" comes with a bit of a twist.

• 7 Monks

A classic pub-style taphouse with a variety of local, regional and national options. A nice bar to sit, relax, have a few beers and catch up in.