Traverse City Guidebook
Shopping
Shop, eat, drink, repeat
The old State Hospital has transformed into a hub for shopping, dining and exploring! Head to Red Spire for brunch, Spanglish for lunch, Stella for dinner and Left Foot Charley for wine in between! There are also miles of trails to explore.
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The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
1200 W Eleventh StThe old State Hospital has transformed into a hub for shopping, dining and exploring! Head to Red Spire for brunch, Spanglish for lunch, Stella for dinner and Left Foot Charley for wine in between! There are also miles of trails to explore.
Great local shops and national retailers. Also, some of the best places to stop for a bite to eat. Some of our faves are Horizon Books, Cherry Republic, Ella’s and Toy Harbor.
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Traverse City Downtown Development Authority
303 E State StGreat local shops and national retailers. Also, some of the best places to stop for a bite to eat. Some of our faves are Horizon Books, Cherry Republic, Ella’s and Toy Harbor.
Food scene
Nom nom
Aaaaaamazing tacos and margaritas! Meg’s fave is the coconut, Sky goes with the traditional. All the tacos are delish and you will want to bathe in the red salsa!
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Mama Lu's - A Modern Day Taco Shop
149 E Front StAaaaaamazing tacos and margaritas! Meg’s fave is the coconut, Sky goes with the traditional. All the tacos are delish and you will want to bathe in the red salsa!
One of the best brunches in town, omg, get the mocha! Super friendly staff and a staple in downtown. Great wine list and an approachable French menu.
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amical
229 E Front StOne of the best brunches in town, omg, get the mocha! Super friendly staff and a staple in downtown. Great wine list and an approachable French menu.
Another TC staple with excellent martinis and a classic menu sure to have something for everyone. Make sure to check out the daily specials!
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Poppycocks
128 E Front StAnother TC staple with excellent martinis and a classic menu sure to have something for everyone. Make sure to check out the daily specials!
High end cuisine in a casual atmosphere. Make a reservation... like a month ahead!! You will want to try something from each course but it’s perfect for couples who can split one of everything! Also, in the warehouse district walkable from downtown- or maybe hit the Bijou theater before dinner!
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Alliance Restaurant
144 Hall StHigh end cuisine in a casual atmosphere. Make a reservation... like a month ahead!! You will want to try something from each course but it’s perfect for couples who can split one of everything! Also, in the warehouse district walkable from downtown- or maybe hit the Bijou theater before dinner!
By far our favorite sandwich shop, anywhere. We recommend the hot sandwiches but you can’t go wrong! It gets busy, so grab a sammy and head to the beach! Tell Sarah, Meg and Skyler sent you!
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The Chef's In
519 W Front StBy far our favorite sandwich shop, anywhere. We recommend the hot sandwiches but you can’t go wrong! It gets busy, so grab a sammy and head to the beach! Tell Sarah, Meg and Skyler sent you!
Wide array of Italian specialties in a sophisticated setting. We’ve always been impressed with the meal, wine selection and service. You can’t go wrong.
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Sorellina
250 E Front StWide array of Italian specialties in a sophisticated setting. We’ve always been impressed with the meal, wine selection and service. You can’t go wrong.
Wineries/ Breweries
Get your drink on!
Spend an afternoon wine tasting, great for both summer and winter! Our favorites are Brys Estate, Mari and Bowers Harbor. Best, and safest, way to experience is by renting a shuttle service for the day.
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Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail
15900 Rue DevinSpend an afternoon wine tasting, great for both summer and winter! Our favorites are Brys Estate, Mari and Bowers Harbor. Best, and safest, way to experience is by renting a shuttle service for the day.
No shortage of refreshments here! Leelanau Peninsula also provides a wide array of wineries, cider houses and breweries to explore! Our faves are Mauby, Tandem Ciders, Rove and Hop Lot Brewery. Hop Lot is especially fun in the winter with their igloos and huge fire pit!
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Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail
10781 E Cherry Bend RdNo shortage of refreshments here! Leelanau Peninsula also provides a wide array of wineries, cider houses and breweries to explore! Our faves are Mauby, Tandem Ciders, Rove and Hop Lot Brewery. Hop Lot is especially fun in the winter with their igloos and huge fire pit!
Traditional German beers and some of the nicest folks serving it up! This is a true neighborhood hangout and an easy walk from the condo. Also has a great fire pit for chillier evenings.
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Silver Spruce Brewing Company
439 E Eighth StTraditional German beers and some of the nicest folks serving it up! This is a true neighborhood hangout and an easy walk from the condo. Also has a great fire pit for chillier evenings.
Lots of beer choices for every pallet, we typically go with one of the sours. Also, some great bar food and live music on most nights. Right in the heart of the warehouse district and a great spot to end a day of chillin on the beach.
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The Workshop Brewing Company
221 Garland StLots of beer choices for every pallet, we typically go with one of the sours. Also, some great bar food and live music on most nights. Right in the heart of the warehouse district and a great spot to end a day of chillin on the beach.
BEST winery in TC! Ok, we are a little biased since we grow Pinot Blanc grapes for them. But for real, great wine, cider and super special location in the former laundry facility at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
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Left Foot Charley Winery
806 Red DrBEST winery in TC! Ok, we are a little biased since we grow Pinot Blanc grapes for them. But for real, great wine, cider and super special location in the former laundry facility at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
Speakeasy style bar with a classy ambiance and cocktail menu, you’ll think you’re in Chicago! They also have an outstanding charcuterie board.
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Low Bar
128 S Union StSpeakeasy style bar with a classy ambiance and cocktail menu, you’ll think you’re in Chicago! They also have an outstanding charcuterie board.
Activites
Go, see, do
Stop by Chef’s In for sandwiches before heading to the dunes for a day! Lots of hiking and sightseeing. Pyramid Point is one of our favorite spots along the coast.
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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
9922 W Front StStop by Chef’s In for sandwiches before heading to the dunes for a day! Lots of hiking and sightseeing. Pyramid Point is one of our favorite spots along the coast.
The hub of the Traverse City Film Festival and in the heart of downtown. Between the state, and its sister theater, the Bijou, there is always a great lineup of blockbusters and independent films, as well as family faves. Great for a rainy day or in the winter.
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State Theatre
233 E Front StThe hub of the Traverse City Film Festival and in the heart of downtown. Between the state, and its sister theater, the Bijou, there is always a great lineup of blockbusters and independent films, as well as family faves. Great for a rainy day or in the winter.
Catch a sunset cruise aboard the Nauti Cat catamaran. A great afternoon or evening for groups or bachelorette parties.
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Nauti Cat Cruises
615 E Front StCatch a sunset cruise aboard the Nauti Cat catamaran. A great afternoon or evening for groups or bachelorette parties.
Winter fun destination for tubing! They also have a cozy lounge with snack food and cocoa for warming up.
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Timberlee hills
10484 S Timberlee DrWinter fun destination for tubing! They also have a cozy lounge with snack food and cocoa for warming up.
A great way to get out, be active and enjoy a mix of scenic northern Michigan and neighborhoods. Biking, jogging, rollerblading and walking are perfect in the summer and cross country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter. Our fav for a day of biking is the trail out to Suttons Bay; head out there for lunch at Martha’s Leelanau Table or Hop Lot!
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TART Trail
North Four Mile RoadA great way to get out, be active and enjoy a mix of scenic northern Michigan and neighborhoods. Biking, jogging, rollerblading and walking are perfect in the summer and cross country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter. Our fav for a day of biking is the trail out to Suttons Bay; head out there for lunch at Martha’s Leelanau Table or Hop Lot!
Beautiful beach and a splash pad for the kiddos. They also have a great facility for changing, or grabbing a refreshment. There is also a spot to rent paddle boards and kayaks.
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Clinch Park
111 E Grandview PkwyBeautiful beach and a splash pad for the kiddos. They also have a great facility for changing, or grabbing a refreshment. There is also a spot to rent paddle boards and kayaks.
Want a great mix of activity, sightseeing and drinking?? Well here you go!! This is what Northern Michigan is all about!
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Kayak, Bike & Brew
436 W Front StWant a great mix of activity, sightseeing and drinking?? Well here you go!! This is what Northern Michigan is all about!