Welcome to Traverse City!

We're excited to have you visiting where we live! We've curated this guide to enhance your time in the TC area by sharing some important local knowledge and our favorite local places to eat, drink, shop & experience. Enjoy!
Downtown Traverse City

🍽 Dining
Most local options close by 9pm. Late night food options: Mode's Bum Steer, Lil Bo's

🅿️ Parking (map)
Downtown and surrounding streets have metered parking and are strictly enforced (Mon-Sat 8am-6pm)
*FREE parking on Sundays, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, & Christmas Day

đźš» Public Restrooms (map)

🚲 TART Trails (maps)
A network of multi-use trails in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties as well as a cross-town bike route

⛱️ Clinch Park
Metered parking
Splash Pad turns off at 6pm

đźš— Transportation
Traverse City has both Lyft and Uber as well as various local taxi companies

OUR NEARBY FAVORITES

Food

Sugar 2 Salt

Breakfast & brunch restaurant
1371 Gray Dr, Traverse City
(website)
Local's tip: No reservations. Totally worth the wait! Grab some English Muffins to go!

The Towne Plaza

Breakfast & lunch restaurant
203 Cass St, Traverse City
Local's tip: Try the blueberry pancakes!

Charles and Reid Detroit Pizza

Pizza, salads & sandwiches. Beer & wine to go
113 E. State Street, Traverse City
(231) 252-3497 (website)
WHAT TO TRY: Check their website for their fantastic Limited Specialty Pizzas!

Hopscotch Brick Oven & Taproom

Pizza, smoked meats, beer, wine & whiskey
2032 N US Highway 31 N, Traverse City
WHAT YOUHAVE TO TRY: The smoked wings are delicious!

Folgarelli’s

Gourmet sandwiches, Italian market & wine
424 W Front St, Traverse City
(231) 941-7651 (menu)
Local's tip: Grab their pasta, sauce, meatballs & focaccia for a quick authentic meal!

Slabtown Burgers

Local neighborhood burger restaurant
826 W Front St, Traverse City
(website)
Local's tip: Brown bag burgers & fries are an easy and delicious meals to go

Barrio

Tacos & tequilas
305 W Front St, Traverse City
WHY WE RECOMMEND: Great build your own tacos and tasty margaritas!

The Burrow

California-inspired restaurant
12930 S W Bayshore Dr, Traverse City

Nittolo’s

Brick-oven pizzas & authentic Italian
104 Main Street, Lake Leelanau
(231) 994-2400 (menu)(reservation)(website)
OUR FAMILY FAVORITES: The Onion Rings, Calamari and Pizzas are amazing!

Buchan’s West Bay

Local ice cream parlor
13000 S West Bay Shore Dr, Traverse City
OUR FAVORITE FLAVORS: Blueberry Hill, Salted Caramel Crack and Lavender

Drink

Mundos 305

Coffee bar
305 W Front St, Traverse City
(website)
WHAT YOU HAVE TO TRY: The Cheddar Lime Hash Burrito is a true local favorite!

Silver Spruce Brewing Company

Local brewery with food truck on-site
439 E Eighth Street, Traverse City
Distance: 0.3 miles
(menu)
Local's tip: Comfortable place to hang out. Great beer!

The Filling Station Microbrewery

Stove oven pizza & craft beer
642 Railroad Place, Traverse City
(231) 946-8168 (menu)(website)
If you enjoy spicy food like we do, we highly recommend adding the Firebox Sauce!

Rare Bird Brewpub

Local brewery & food
229 Lake Ave, Traverse City
Local's tip: Great beer & cocktails on draft. Try the pork belly nachos!

Mammoth Distilling

Craft cocktails lounge
221 Garland St, Traverse City
(231) 943-1073 (menu)(website)
Local's tip: Great live music most Wed-Sat. Bring in food from Archie's at The Workshop

The Parlor

Craft cocktails, wine, MI beers & food
205 Lake Ave., Traverse City
(menu)(website)
Locals Tip: TC's best Happy Hour. 1/2 OFF Cocktails 4-6pm. Live music Thurs, Fri, Sat

Left Foot Charley

Urban winery & tasting room
806 Red Dr Suite #100, Traverse City
(website)
Local's tip: Great patio. Try the Cinnamon Girl cider. Delish!

Bonobo Winery

Old Mission Peninsula Winery
12011 Center Rd, Traverse City

Brengman Brothers

Leelanau Peninsula Winery
9720 S Center Hwy, Traverse City
(menu)
Local's tip: The menu provides the Chef's suggested wine pairing with each food item!

Shady Lane Cellars

Leelanau Peninsula winery & vineyard
9580 E Shady Ln, Suttons Bay
(website)
Local's note: Great place for good wine with a great patio and outdoor bar.

Things to Do

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)

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!!!

Nauti-Cat Cruises

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

TART Trails

Network of multi-use trails
Grand Traverse & Leelanau counties

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!

Jacob’s Farm

Farm and Corn Maze, Pizza and Drinks
7100 E Traverse Hwy, 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

Shopping

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!

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.

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

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!

Services/Rentals

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

Brick Wheels

Bike service, sales & rentals
736 E 8th St, Traverse City

Crystal River Outfitters

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

Leelanau Boat Co.

Boat rentals, service & storage
8585 E Bingham Rd, Traverse City
Local's tip: 2 NEW tritoons and a new pontoon for rent. They deliver!

JJ’s Just 1 More, Northern MI Tour

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

Green Mitt

A luxury, eco-friendly auto spa
1840 N US 31, Traverse City
(website)
Local's tip: The BEST free vacuums ever!
GUIDE TO OUR AREA
CALENDARS OF EVENTS
Got more questions?
Send me an email
Please text us with any questions
(231) 866-1445
Enjoy!
Melissa, Kevin & Family