Guidebook to Traverse City & The Grand Traverse Region
Food, Coffee, Vineyards & Farms
The Grand Traverse Region has a rich restaurant and culinary scene, a vibrant local food culture, and is complete with world-renowned vineyards, breweries, and boutique distilleries, not to mention gorgeous coffee shops where you can find your favorite spot to work remotely.
Hexenbelle
144 Hall StBeautiful space, great coffee, light lunch/snacks
Eco-tourism at its finest. Great locally-made and farm-brewed drinks, kombuchas, and snacks. Kids can roam around the farm and you get tons of space to enjoy the views outside.
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Farm Club
10051 Lake Leelanau DriveEco-tourism at its finest. Great locally-made and farm-brewed drinks, kombuchas, and snacks. Kids can roam around the farm and you get tons of space to enjoy the views outside.
Food trucks galore so the whole family can choose whatever their heart desires, plus great outdoor space. It's centrally located downtown right on Front St
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The Little Fleet
448 E Front StFood trucks galore so the whole family can choose whatever their heart desires, plus great outdoor space. It's centrally located downtown right on Front St
Great for coffee and downtime if you're looking for a beautiful space to work remotely.
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Mundos Roasting & Co.
1238 Boon StGreat for coffee and downtime if you're looking for a beautiful space to work remotely.
If you're looking to go off the beaten path one of our favourite day trips is to Northport, about a 45-min drive north of Traverse City. Go early and get brunch at The Tribune - their breakfast and lunch menu is exceptional.
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The Tribune Ice Cream & Eatery
110 E Nagonaba StIf you're looking to go off the beaten path one of our favourite day trips is to Northport, about a 45-min drive north of Traverse City. Go early and get brunch at The Tribune - their breakfast and lunch menu is exceptional.
Awesome cidery on a little farm just outside of Sutton's Bay. If you love cider you will love this place.
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Tandem Cider
2055 N Setterbo RdAwesome cidery on a little farm just outside of Sutton's Bay. If you love cider you will love this place.
One of our favourite vineyards on Old Mission Peninsula (and there are many). Gorgeous views, lots of space, and good wine.
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Cantina Bonobo
12011 Center RdOne of our favourite vineyards on Old Mission Peninsula (and there are many). Gorgeous views, lots of space, and good wine.
We love this place for a quick escape from Traverse City (it's only 5 mins drive) with lovely views of the surrounding countryside.
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Rove Estate Tasting Room and Vineyard
7007 E Traverse HwyWe love this place for a quick escape from Traverse City (it's only 5 mins drive) with lovely views of the surrounding countryside.
This farm which offers food (simple pizzas) and drinks too is awesome for families with kids. There is a corn maze, and apple picking, as well as a playground.
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Jacob's Corn Maze
Michigan 72This farm which offers food (simple pizzas) and drinks too is awesome for families with kids. There is a corn maze, and apple picking, as well as a playground.
In town winery serving up small plates and wine tastings. It's located in the Commons - an historic hospital complex that's been extensively renovated and converted into living spaces, shops, bars and restaurants.
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Left Foot Charley Winery
806 Red DrIn town winery serving up small plates and wine tastings. It's located in the Commons - an historic hospital complex that's been extensively renovated and converted into living spaces, shops, bars and restaurants.
Mama Lu's - A Modern Day Taco Shop
149 E Front StTacos on Front St :)
The Cook's House
115 Wellington StFine dining in an old Victorian home.
Amazing sandwiches for your day out in the beautiful village of Leland.
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Village Cheese Shanty
199 W River StAmazing sandwiches for your day out in the beautiful village of Leland.
Blue Boat Coffee
106 N Main StGood coffee, small town vibes.
Another favourite vineyard and winery - now serving pizza
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Brengman Brothers Winery
9720 S Center HwyAnother favourite vineyard and winery - now serving pizza
If you find yourself in Elk Rapids for a day trip to visit the many beaches or antique shopping then head to Pearl's for proper southern food in a kitsch setting.
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Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen
617 Ames StIf you find yourself in Elk Rapids for a day trip to visit the many beaches or antique shopping then head to Pearl's for proper southern food in a kitsch setting.
Speakeasy style cocktails. Tell Jeff (the bartender and manager) that we sent you ;)
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Low Bar
128 S Union StSpeakeasy style cocktails. Tell Jeff (the bartender and manager) that we sent you ;)
Your neighbourhood local offering local brews and arcade games and a food truck - just a few blocks from the house and right beside the Boardman Lake loop trail
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Right Brain Brewery
225 E Sixteenth StYour neighbourhood local offering local brews and arcade games and a food truck - just a few blocks from the house and right beside the Boardman Lake loop trail
Another local watering hole just a stone’s throw from the house and walkable within 5 minutes or less
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Traverse City Whiskey Co.
201 E 14th StAnother local watering hole just a stone’s throw from the house and walkable within 5 minutes or less
If you want proper European style freshly baked breads, croissants and patisserie this is the best bakery in all of Traverse City and it's only a 5 minute stroll from the house. Go early and get the bread that's still warm from the oven. Plus, they do sandwiches and pizzas :)
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Common Good Bakery
537 W Fourteenth StIf you want proper European style freshly baked breads, croissants and patisserie this is the best bakery in all of Traverse City and it's only a 5 minute stroll from the house. Go early and get the bread that's still warm from the oven. Plus, they do sandwiches and pizzas :)
Great place to take kids during the summer for U-Pick flowers and ice-cream :)
Secret Garden at Brys Estate
3309 Blue Water RdGreat place to take kids during the summer for U-Pick flowers and ice-cream :)
Modern Bird
541 West Front StreetModern, delicious local cuisine :)
The Burrow TC
12930 South West Bay Shore DriveCalifornia-inspired American in a vibrant, airy space
If you're a fan of natural wines you can't beat their selection - you can buy wine by the bottle here, to go.
Forrest, A Food Studio & Private Chef
408 South Union StreetIf you're a fan of natural wines you can't beat their selection - you can buy wine by the bottle here, to go.
Outdoors & Sightseeing
Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes.
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Belvedere di Sleeping Bear Dunes
Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes.
The TART Trails network currently consists of several multi-use trails in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties as well as a cross-town bike route. Check out their website for a full map.
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Tart Trails Inc
148 E Front StThe TART Trails network currently consists of several multi-use trails in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties as well as a cross-town bike route. Check out their website for a full map.
Favourite hiking spot - it's part of the Sleeping Bear National Park but it's less busy and crowded. It's a stunning 1-hour long hike.
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Sleeping Bear Point Trailhead
West Sleeping Bear DriveFavourite hiking spot - it's part of the Sleeping Bear National Park but it's less busy and crowded. It's a stunning 1-hour long hike.
This is another favourite hike. It takes about 30 minutes to walk through the wooded path before you reach Cathead Bay, which is truly like the Caribbean.
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Leelanau State Park — Hiking Trailhead
Densmore RoadThis is another favourite hike. It takes about 30 minutes to walk through the wooded path before you reach Cathead Bay, which is truly like the Caribbean.
Van's Beach
205 Cedar StBeautiful beach destination.
Iconic Northern Michigan beach spot. Great for evening bonfires.
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Esch Beach
Esch RoadIconic Northern Michigan beach spot. Great for evening bonfires.
Haserot Beach
Good for kids with calm waters and a playground
Great beach for kids with shallow, calm waters. Lots of eateries along Sutton's Bay main street.
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Suttons Bay Bikes
318 N St Joseph StGreat beach for kids with shallow, calm waters. Lots of eateries along Sutton's Bay main street.
Arts & Culture
Traverse City is the hub for the Grand Traverse Region’s creative community. Traverse City has notably been named twice in the past three years to the Top 10 Most Arts-Vibrant Medium Communities in the 2020 and 2018 Arts Vibrancy Index report by the National Center for Arts Research.
Whether it’s live performances, gallery exhibitions, or published works, access to arts and culture is plentiful across the entire region.
City Opera House features two world-class Performing Arts series featuring professional national-touring artists, multiple arts education programs for learners ages 8-18, and hosts an active schedule of public and private community events year-round.
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City Opera House
106 E Front StCity Opera House features two world-class Performing Arts series featuring professional national-touring artists, multiple arts education programs for learners ages 8-18, and hosts an active schedule of public and private community events year-round.
Parallel 45 Theatre produces cutting-edge interpretations of plays & musicals, giving familiar stories new life – and fresh relevance – for our northwest Michigan audience.
Parallel 45 Theatre
1125 W Civic Center DrParallel 45 Theatre produces cutting-edge interpretations of plays & musicals, giving familiar stories new life – and fresh relevance – for our northwest Michigan audience.
Interlochen Center for the Arts offers summer arts camp programs for students in grades 3-12, arts boarding school for students in grades 9-12, and arts programs for adults of all ages. Interlochen also hosts hundreds of concerts and events and is home to two award-winning public radio stations.
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Interlochen Center for the Arts
4000 J. Maddy PkwyInterlochen Center for the Arts offers summer arts camp programs for students in grades 3-12, arts boarding school for students in grades 9-12, and arts programs for adults of all ages. Interlochen also hosts hundreds of concerts and events and is home to two award-winning public radio stations.
The Dennos Museum Center seeks to engage, enlighten, and entertain its audiences through the collection of art, and the presentation of exhibitions and programs in the visual arts, sciences, and performing arts.
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The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College
1410 College DrThe Dennos Museum Center seeks to engage, enlighten, and entertain its audiences through the collection of art, and the presentation of exhibitions and programs in the visual arts, sciences, and performing arts.
The State Theatre and Bijou by the Bay present the very best new movies, with world-class picture, screen, and sound — right downtown in Traverse City. The State and the Bijou are owned and operated by the Traverse City Film Festival.
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Bijou by the Bay Movie
181 E Grandview PkwyThe State Theatre and Bijou by the Bay present the very best new movies, with world-class picture, screen, and sound — right downtown in Traverse City. The State and the Bijou are owned and operated by the Traverse City Film Festival.
Michigan Legacy Art Park is a nonprofit organization located on a 30-acre preserve of wooded hills in Benzie County.
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Michigan Legacy Art Park
12500 Crystal Mountain DrMichigan Legacy Art Park is a nonprofit organization located on a 30-acre preserve of wooded hills in Benzie County.
Good for a rainy day. Traverse Area District Library (TADL) consists of a network of libraries serving Grand Traverse County through the following locations: Main Library – Traverse City, East Bay and Kingsley branch libraries; the Fife Lake Public Library, Interlochen Public Library, and Peninsula Community Library.
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Traverse Area District Library
610 Woodmere AveGood for a rainy day. Traverse Area District Library (TADL) consists of a network of libraries serving Grand Traverse County through the following locations: Main Library – Traverse City, East Bay and Kingsley branch libraries; the Fife Lake Public Library, Interlochen Public Library, and Peninsula Community Library.
Great Lakes Children's Museum
13240 S W Bay Shore DrAnother rainy day activity for kids.
Neighborhoods
Northport is a great day trip destination. Go early and get breakfast at The Tribune, then grab coffees to go at New Bohemian Cafe. Walk along the marina and gawk at the yachts and boats then drive to the Leelanau State Park Trailhead and hike 30 minutes through wooded pathways until you reach the dunes and the Caribbean looking waters of Cathead Bay. Then, head back to Northport to peruse the many boutique stores - Yard & Lake, Porcupine, and Enjoy Michigan. Then grab an early evening dinner of authentic BBQ at The Garage, or grab drinks and a wood-fired oven pizza at The Mitten Brewing Co. If you go on a Friday during the summer make sure to bring a picnic blanket and go to Music in the Park which is free and open to the public every Friday evening during the summer months.
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Northport
Northport is a great day trip destination. Go early and get breakfast at The Tribune, then grab coffees to go at New Bohemian Cafe. Walk along the marina and gawk at the yachts and boats then drive to the Leelanau State Park Trailhead and hike 30 minutes through wooded pathways until you reach the dunes and the Caribbean looking waters of Cathead Bay. Then, head back to Northport to peruse the many boutique stores - Yard & Lake, Porcupine, and Enjoy Michigan. Then grab an early evening dinner of authentic BBQ at The Garage, or grab drinks and a wood-fired oven pizza at The Mitten Brewing Co. If you go on a Friday during the summer make sure to bring a picnic blanket and go to Music in the Park which is free and open to the public every Friday evening during the summer months.
Shopping
Poppy Things
326 N St Joseph StWest Bay Handmade
326 E Front StGroceries
Community owned co-op grocer w/ organic food options and lovely things. You do not have to be a member to go there.
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Oryana Community Co-op
260 E Tenth StCommunity owned co-op grocer w/ organic food options and lovely things. You do not have to be a member to go there.
Consigli per viaggiatori
Da non perdere
Visit Michigan's Creative Coast
I run a program called Michigan's Creative Coast which is the ultimate newcomers guide to living and working in Traverse City. Please check it out for all things arts & culture, food & drink, health & wellness, real estate & neighbourhoods, outdoors & sightseeing, and for all-round curated lists of things to do. Not to mention it gives you a glimpse of what life could be like if you lived here with job listings, remote work and co-working options, and testimonials from other newcomers. Just search for "Michigan's Creative Coast" in your preferred browser:
michiganscreativecoast.com
In viaggio con bambini
Traverse City is family-friendly!
Almost everywhere you go - be it a restaurant or farm or coffee shop - your child will be welcomed. There are also so many great playgrounds in the area - many of the public access beaches have playgrounds right on the beach itself!