Nowhere Tour Traverse City

Great to have made your acquaintance. When enjoying the Traverse City area, remain aware that we enjoy an abundance of visitors, while experiencing limitations in staffing/housing. Be a great guest, and be hosted to a great experience. Enjoy!
Awareness/Consciousness is Playing with Imagination, and You Are That Awareness.

How Imaginative are you playing?!?

GRAND TRAVERSE SUMMER 2023

Food

Crepes and Co

French restaurant
329 E State St, Traverse City
WHY I RECOMMEND: Great Crepes, Coffee, Brunch Cocktails, and arguably the best breakfast burrito in TC!

Archie’s

Breakfast & lunch restaurant
237 Lake Avenue, Traverse City
WHAT TO KNOW: Can be busy. Arrive prepared that you may be put on The List. Worth it.

The Towne Plaza

Breakfast & lunch restaurant
203 Cass St, Traverse City
WHY I RECOMMEND: Simply Good. Nice atmosphere. Great downtown outdoor seasonal seating.

Two Sons Pizza

Artisan pizza slices
346 E Front St, Traverse City
WHY I RECOMMEND: Semi-hidden gem in the fun Coin Slot corner. Might appear pricey til you taste it! Legit New York Style w/great ingredients.

Loco Boys Brewing Company

Brewery and Mexican restaurant
901 West Front Street, Traverse City
WHAT TO KNOW: THIS new West Side Rockstar is a home run in the ballgame of TC brewpubs. GREAT BEER & fantastic bites. Not to be overlooked.

The Filling Station Microbrewery

Stove oven pizza & craft beer
642 Railroad Place, Traverse City
(231) 946-8168 (menu)(website)
WHY I RECOMMEND: Farm to Table stone oven flatbread pizzas w/Great flavor combinations. Great beer. Often busy. This experience is worth the wait!

The Burrow | Mama Lu’s | The Flying Noodle

American, Mexican & Italian restaurants
Traverse City, MI
WHY I RECOMMEND: These 3 establishments offer differentiated styles. Each are done really well.

Fiddleheads

A local favorite serving healthy, delicious breakfast and lunch
202 W Main St, Lake Leelanau
WHY I RECOMMEND: So many good comments from so many foodies. Respected new breakfast & lunch menu. Fun stop in Lake Leelanau.

Broomstack

Kitchen & taphouse
172 W Burdickville Rd, Maple City
WHAT I RECOMMEND: Check their schedule, then go! Menu is diverse & very tasty. Great taps lineup. Don't miss the Curling “Arena” bonus space!

Market 22

Deli & market
497 East Harbor Highway, Maple City
WHY I RECOMMEND: Melanie & crew put on an “Out in the County” experience that attracts locals year round. Check the schedule as hours vary by season.
Craft Cocktails - Mammoth Distilling

Drink

Silver Spruce Brewing Company

Local brewery with food truck on-site
439 E Eighth Street, Traverse City
(menu)
WHY I RECOMMEND: Great lineup of diverse beers. When the food truck is open; eat/drink and be merry!

The Filling Station Microbrewery

Stove oven pizza & craft beer
642 Railroad Place, Traverse City
(231) 946-8168 (menu)(website)
WHAT I RECOMMEND: Great pizza, equally remarkable beer. Noteable hardseltzer selections. Enjoy both!

Loco Boys Brewing Company

Brewery and Mexican restaurant
901 West Front Street, Traverse City
WHAT I RECOMMEND: Mentioned in Dining, and highlighted here again for good reason. Just go there.

The Workshop Brewing Co.

Local craft brewery & live music
221 Garland St, Traverse City
(website)
WHY I RECOMMEND: Great Warehouse District location. Really good beer. Darts, Cornhole, Hook-the-Bull, Pinball & more. Pizza by Parliament Pizza!

Aurora Cellars

Boutique Leelanau Peninsula winery
7788 E Horn Rd, Lake Leelanau
WHY I RECOMMEND: Leelanau County standout. If you are into GOOD WINE, find this ‘off the beaten path’ winery. Membership worthy!

Bonobo Winery

Old Mission Peninsula Winery
12011 Center Rd, Traverse City
WHAT TO KNOW: New winemaker proves to be a game changer. If you haven't been there recently, you haven't been there.

Mammoth Distilling

Craft cocktails lounge
221 Garland St, Traverse City
(231) 943-1073 (menu)(website)
WHY I RECOMMEND: Simply MAMMOTH! Nothing more needs to be said. Located in TC's Warehouse District. The other N. MI locations are all worthy stops. Great crews with a great product!

Old Mission Distilling

Cocktail lounge
13795 Seven Hills Rd, Traverse City
WHAT TO KNOW: New to the game. Coffee bar, and tasty food menu. Lovely take on spacial design and shared offerings. I expect great things to continue for this take on hospitality.

Traverse City Whiskey Co.

Craft Cocktails and Stillhouse
201 E 14th St, Traverse City
(website)
WHAT TO KNOW: Tasting room @ 14th & Cass will provide you a glimpse into what they do so well.
Scenic Drive - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Things to Do

Clinch Park

Beach, splash pad, restrooms, cafe & more
161 E Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City
Local's Tip: Great place to enjoy a beautiful sunrise

State Theatre and Bijou by the Bay

Local downtown movie theaters
Downtown Traverse City
(website)
Local's tip: Saturday 10am Kids’ Matinees(State Theatre). All tickets only $1!!!

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Shopping, dining, tours & more
1200 W Eleventh St, Traverse City
(website)
Local's tip: Don't miss the tunnel tours.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Beaches, hiking & dunes along Lake Michigan
6748 S Dune Hwy, Glen Arbor
Local's tip: Dunes get hot. Morning climbs in Summer are best. Take the scenic drive!

TART Trails

Network of multi-use trails
Grand Traverse & Leelanau counties

Nauti-Cat Cruises

Largest commercial catamaran sailing the Great Lakes
615 E Front, Traverse City

Crystal River

birding, canoe/kayak, fishing & floating
6249 River Rd, Glen Arbor
I RECOMMEND: To best enjoy the Crystal River, kayak or float with Crystal River Outfitters

Pyramid Point Trail

Hiking trail along Lake Michigan
Basch Rd, Maple City
Local's note: 2.7 miles of hilly hiking with a beautiful lookout. Don't descend the
Fresh produce & meats - Oryana

Shopping

Sara Hardy Farmers Market

Local produce, baked goods, flowers & more
Parking Lot B, Corner of E Grandview Pkwy @ Cass St, Traverse City
Local's tip: Open Saturdays 730am-12pm(May-Oct) & Wednesdays 8am-12pm(June-Oct)

Oryana

Organic Grocery Store and Café
260 E. 10th Street, Traverse City
(website)
Local's tip: The $5 Roasted Chickens on Wednesdays are the best in TC! Get them early!

Oryana West

Community owned grocery store & coffee bar
3587 Marketplace Circle, Traverse City
(website)

Burritt’s Fresh Markets

Specialty Grocery & Meat Market
509 W Front St, Traverse City
Local's tip: Fresh seafood and great brats for the grill

Adventure Shops

Adventure gear & clothing
Front Street, Traverse City
SHOPS I LOVE: Orvis, Back Country North, Boyne Country Sports, Robert Frost & M-22

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Shopping, dining, tours & more
1200 W Eleventh St, Traverse City
(website)
Local's tip: Don't miss the tunnel tours.

Bay Bread Co

Local artisan bakery
601 Randolph St, Traverse City
Local's tip: If you like cheese, try the Cheddar Cheese & Onion Loaf!

Cherry Republic

Cherry products & gifts
154 E Front St, Traverse City
(website)
Local's tip: Make sure to sample the cherry salsa and BBQ sauces!

Tom’s Food Markets – East Bay

Local grocery store
738 Munson Ave, Traverse City
Bike & XC ski rentals, sales & service - Brick Wheels

Services/Rentals

JJ’s Just 1 More, Northern MI Tour

Transportation & tours
Norhtern MI
(231) 676-2470 (reservation)(website)

Stocked

Local grocery delivery service
Delivering Northern MI
(231) 844-0772 (delivery)(website)
Local's tip: Deliveres made into the rental & directly into the frigde before arrival

Crystal River Outfitters

Kayak and bike rentals & sales
6249 W. River Road (M22), Glen Arbor

Ride Leelanau

E-bike rentals
204 N Saint Jospeh St, Suttons Bay

The Cyclery

Full service bike shop
6260 W River Road, Glen Arbor

Third Coast Shuttles

Tours & custom shuttle services
Traverse City Area
(reservation)

Brick Wheels

Bike service, sales & rentals
736 E 8th St, Traverse City
AREA RESOURCES
Traverse City Parking: (map)
Downtown and surrounding streets have metered parking and are strictly enforced (Mon-Sat 8am-6pm)
*Parking is FREE on Sundays, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day

Dining
Most local options close by 9pm.

Elk Rapids Parking:
No metered parking Downtown
GUIDE TO OUR AREA
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Text me with any questions, you have my number ;-)
Enjoy!
~ Joe, The Nowhere Tour