Dennis' Curated Guide to Traverse City

Thanks for connecting! I'm excited to provide you with my carefully crafted guide to unveil the best local spots for dining, sipping, shopping, and immersing yourself in unique experiences. Enjoy!
Downtown Traverse City

🍽 Dining
Most local options close by 9pm. Late night food options: Mode's Bum Steer, Lil Bo's
Tip: Make reservations for weekends and summer months as early as possible

🅿️ 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

🚻 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

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

MY NEARBY FAVORITES

Eat

Food

Red Spire Brunch House

Classic Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant
800 Cottageview Drive, Suite 30, Traverse City

The Omelette Shoppe

Breakfast & brunch restaurant
124 Cass St, Traverse City

Firefly

My personal favorite food place downtown!
310 cass st, traverse city, mi

Poppycocks

New American restaurant
128 E Front St, Traverse City

Red Ginger

Asian cuisine & sushi
237 E Front St, Traverse City
Local's tip: Elegant/casual dining room dress code. Casual attire accepted in the bar

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

Taproot Cider House

Mostly organic restaurant & tapped ciders
300 E. Front Street, Traverse City
(231) 943-2500 (website)
Local's tip: Great food and excellent selection of tapped ciders

The Towne Plaza

Breakfast & lunch restaurant
203 Cass St, Traverse City
Local's tip: No reservations. Amazing blueberry pancakes!

Artisan

Fine dining restaurant
615 E Front St, Traverse City

Milk & Honey

Ice Cream Shop
240 E. Front St, Traverse City
Local's tip: Open until 10pm Fri & Sat all year long
Drink

Drink

Mundos 305

Coffee bar
305 W Front St, Traverse City
(website)
Local's tip: Try the Cheddar Lime Hash Burrito!

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!

Rove Estate

Leelanau Peninsula winery
7007 E Traverse Hwy, Traverse City

Jacob’s Farm

Family fun
7100 E Traverse Highway, Traverse City

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!

Mammoth Distilling

Craft cocktails lounge
221 Garland St, Traverse City
(231) 943-1073 (menu)(website)
Local's tip: If you like a little spice, try La Picante!

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

The Tasting Room

Shareables, pizzas, entrees, cocktails & wine
155 Garland Street, Traverse City
(231) 525-0555 (website)
Local's tip: Great collection of hard to find bourbons

The Workshop Brewing Co.

Local craft brewery & live music
221 Garland St, Traverse City
(website)
Local's tip: Family friendly. Pinball, darts & board games.
Things to Do

Things to Do

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.

Bryant Park

Beachfront park near downtown Traverse City
1101 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City

Clinch Park

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

Discovery Cruises

Boat tours
13170 S W Bayshore Dr, Traverse City
(231) 943-1183 (menu)(reservation)
WHY WE RECOMMEND: Happy Hour on the Water!!!

Ranch Rudolf

Four season outdoor recreational area
6841 Brown Bridge Rd, Traverse City
Local's note: Great snow mobile trails!

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)

Skydive TC

Skydiving
1160 Airport Access Rd, Traverse City
(231) 649-4929 (reservation)
Local's tip: Amazing views of the bay!

TART Trails

Network of multi-use trails
Grand Traverse & Leelanau counties

Traverse Tall Ship Co.

Grand Traverse Bay & Lake Michigan Boat Tours
13258 S West Bay Shore Dr, Traverse City

Wind Dancer Traverse City Tours

Sailing tours and pontoon charters.
615 E Front St Traverse City
(231)492-0059
Shopping

Shopping

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

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!

Fustini’s

Specialty oils and vinegars
141 E Front St, Traverse City

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!

Francisco’s Market & Deli

Pizza, Sandwiches, Beer, Wine & Groceries
2770 Silver Lake Rd, Traverse City
(website)
Local's tip: Great pizza. The Breakfast Pizza is a local favorite!

Potter’s Bakery

Fresh made baked goods
908 E 8th St, Traverse City
Local's tip: The place for donuts in TC

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)

Bayside Market

Specialty market featuring meat, seafood, deli, beer, wine & liquor
1532 US-31 N, Traverse City
(231) 938-2530

Fresh Coast Market

Specialty food store, gourmet deli & coffee
7270 N Long Lake Rd, Traverse City
Services & Rentals

Services/Rentals

McLain Cycle And Fitness

750 E Eighth St, Traverse City

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

Green Mitt

A luxury, eco-friendly auto spa
1840 N US 31, Traverse City
(website)
Local's tip: The BEST free vacuums ever!

ELEV8 Climbing & Fitness

Climbing & fitness gym
777 Boyd Ave, Traverse City
WHY LOCAL'S LOVE IT: Great workouts. Fun for families!

Aussie Watersports

Boat, Jet Ski, Kayak & More - Rental &
6214 E Traverse Hwy. (M-72 West) Traverse City
(231)932-1800 (website)
Multiple locations on Lake Michigan. Rentals can be delivered to you!

Leelanau Boat Co.

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

TC Golf Carts

Golf cart rentals, repairs, and sales.
707 W Blue Star Dr., Traverse City, MI 49685
231-944-8776

Third Coast Shuttles

Tours & custom shuttle services
Traverse City Area
(reservation)

Crystal River Outfitters

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

The Cyclery

Full service bike shop
6260 W River Road, Glen Arbor

Northern Michigan Real Estate

Downtown TC

New to Market

Lakefront Living

Vacant Land

Click image for property details

Send me an email

Don't hesitate to text me with any questions
(231) 944-5042

Want to talk real estate? Give me a call!
(231) 944-5042

Enjoy your time in Traverse City!
Dennis Pearsall