Erika's Best of Traverse City

Traverse City is Northern Michigan's premier destination... enjoy my personally curated guide to my favorite local restaurants, shops, services, small businesses and the best places to have fun and explore. All tried and tested by yours truly!!

Downtown Traverse City

🍽 Dining

I'd always recommend calling to check hours of operation and reservations. Most restaurants close by 10pm.

🅿️ 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 and BATA is our local transit service.

A note from Erika

Greetings!

Coming from a small business background, I’ve always appreciated the quality and extra love and attention that local businesses put into their products & services. Many of our local businesses support other local businesses through their processes and it means so much to support the people & places that make Traverse City and surrounding areas the special place that it is.

I hope you appreciate some of my favorite selections from around the area and that they too become places you will enjoy - whether it be your annual vacation spot or your go-to staple place as a local.

Enjoy!

Erika

ERIKA'S GO-TO'S

Seasonally driven breakfast menu - Sugar 2 Salt

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 Chef’s In

Deli sandwiches, salad bar & soups

519 W Front St, Traverse City

(website)

Local's tip: They're almost always busy, so call ahead. Click image icon for menu slips

The Burrow | Mama Lu’s | The Flying Noodle

American, Mexican & Italian restaurants

Traverse City, MI

Mary’s Kitchen Port

Fresh lunch items & kitchen goods

539 W Front St, Traverse City

Local's note: The Gobbler is a Traverse City favorite!

Charles and Reid Detroit Pizza

Pizza, salads & sandwiches. Beer & wine to go

113 E. State Street, Traverse City

(231) 252-3497 (website)

Local's tip: Located Downtown TC. They make a limited number of pizzas daily and often sell out. Order ahead.

Folgarelli’s

Gourmet sandwiches, Italian market & wine

424 W Front St, Traverse City

(231) 941-7651 (menu)

Local's tip: Grab their homemade pasta, sauce, meatballs & focaccia and a bottle of wine for a quick and easy authentic Italian meal!

Barrio

Tacos & tequilas

305 W Front St, Traverse City

The Little Fleet

Open air bar & food trucks

448 E Front St, Traverse City

(website)

Local's tip: Don't miss Happy's Tacos located inside. Delicious! Try a burrito!

Fuji Sushi Steakhouse

The best sushi and hibachi in town!

2576 Crossing Circle, Traverse City, MI 49684

2314866933

Poppycocks

New American restaurant

128 E Front St, Traverse City

Craft Cocktails - Mammoth Distilling

Drink

Mundos 305

Coffee bar

305 W Front St, Traverse City

(website)

Local's tip: Try the Cheddar Lime Hash Burrito!

Higher Grounds Trading Co.

806 Red Dr, Traverse City

(website)

Local's tip: Comfortable outdoor patio to enjoy coffee all year long

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

North Bar TC

TC’s only year round rooftop lounge

160 E Front St, Traverse City

(menu)

Local's tip: Rooftop bar in Downtown. Great place to watch sports.

Farm Club

Farm, brewery, restaurant & market place

10051 Lake Leelanau Dr, Traverse City

Rare Bird Brewpub

Local brewery & food

229 Lake Ave, Traverse City

Local's tip: Great beer & cocktails on draft. Try the pork belly nachos!

TC Whiskey Co

A speakeasy-style cocktail bar is located in

201 E Fourteenth St, Traverse City, MI 49684

The Little Fleet

Open air bar & food trucks

448 E Front St, Traverse City

(website)

Local's tip: Don't miss Happy's Tacos located inside. Delicious. Try a burrito!

The Workshop Brewing Co.

Local craft brewery & live music

221 Garland St, Traverse City

(website)

Local's tip: Family friendly. Pinball, darts & board games.

Scenic Drive - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Things to Do

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!

Clinch Park

Beach, splash pad, restrooms, cafe & more

161 E Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City

Local's Tip: Great place to enjoy a beautiful sunrise

Jacob’s Farm

Farm and Corn Maze, Pizza and Drinks

7100 E Traverse Hwy, Traverse City

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)

State Theatre and Bijou by the Bay

Local downtown movie theaters

Downtown Traverse City

(website)

Local's tip: Saturdays at 10am are Kids’ Matinees(State Theatre) and 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.

Turtle Creek Casino

Casino & hotel

7741 M-72 East, Williamsburg

Elmbrook Golf Course

Mature Par 72 Golf Course with great views

1750 Townline Rd. Traverse City

(231) 946-9180 (reservation)(website)

Mt. Holiday

Ski & snowboarding, tubing, ziplines & bar

3100 Holiday Road Traverse City

Kayak, Bike & Brew

Pedal & paddle brewery tour

708 Boon St, Traverse City

(website)

Fresh produce & meats - Oryana

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

Cherry Republic

Cherry products & gifts

154 E Front St, Traverse City

(website)

Local's tip: Make sure to sample the cherry salsas and BBQ sauces!

Oryana West

Community owned grocery store & coffee bar

3587 Marketplace Circle, Traverse City

(website)

Tom’s Food Markets – East Bay

Local grocery store

738 Munson Ave, Traverse City

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.

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!

Costco

Membership priced groceries, gas, & more

125 E South Airport Rd, Traverse City

Downtown Suttons Bay

Great place to shop & eat

St Joseph St, Suttons Bay

Bay Bread Co

Local artisan bakery

601 Randolph St, Traverse City

Local's tip: If you like cheese, try the Cheddar Cheese & Onion Loaf!

Bike & XC ski rentals, sales & service - Brick Wheels

Services/Rentals

Knightwing Media

Photo and video services.

5966 Beaver Creek Trl, Kewadin, MI 49648

9896007934

Brick Wheels

Bike service, sales & rentals

736 E 8th St, Traverse City

Stocked

Local grocery delivery service

Delivering Northern MI

(231) 844-0772 (delivery)(website)

Local's tip: Deliveres before arrival or while you're out! Ideal for rentals, homes & boats. Items neatly placed in the kitchen and directly into the frigde!