Welcome to Traverse City!

I'm excited that you are here enjoying our area! Please use my personally curated guide for tips for a more enjoyable visit and to discover my 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, U&! Lounge, And Brady'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

🚻 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. (Beware Availability AFTER 9PM is Scarce!!)

Why I care

My Story began in a tiny town in the UP and brought me to Traverse City over a decade ago. With this decade on exploring my partner Jules and I are excited to share all the local secrets with you!

OUR NEARBY FAVORITES

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 Towne Plaza

Breakfast & lunch restaurant

203 Cass St, Traverse City

Local's tip: No reservations. Amazing blueberry pancakes!

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!

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.

The Burrow

California-inspired restaurant

12930 S W Bayshore Dr, Traverse City

Barrio

Tacos & tequilas

305 W 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

Nittolo’s

Brick-oven pizzas & authentic Italian

104 Main Street, Lake Leelanau

(231) 994-2400 (menu)(reservation)(website)

Local's tip: For a next-level dining experience, ask to meet Chef Eric!

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!

Dairy Lodge

Local ice cream shop

405 N Division St, Traverse City

Local's tip: Cash only. Open late during Summer

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!

The Filling Station Microbrewery

Stove oven pizza & craft beer

642 Railroad Place, Traverse City

(231) 946-8168 (menu)(website)

Local's tip: If you like spicy, try the Firebox!

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 Pub

Downtown Gastropub

160 E Front St, Traverse City

Local's tip: Hot new Downtown Bar. Country Music Night every Wednesday.

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.

Nolan’s Tobacco & Cocktail Bar

Cigars & Cocktail Bar

336 E Front St, Traverse City

(website)

Local's tip: They have a shaded patio for enjoying cigars & drinks outdoors.

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!

Brengman Brothers

Leelanau Peninsula Winery

9720 S Center Hwy, Traverse City

(menu)

Local's tip: Excellent wine. Chef John is now creating delicious farm-to-table food daily!

Farm Club

Farm, brewery, restaurant & market place

10051 Lake Leelanau Dr, Traverse City

Bonobo Winery

Old Mission Peninsula Winery

12011 Center Rd, Traverse City

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

Bay Bread Co

Local artisan bakery

601 Randolph St, Traverse City

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

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)

Potter’s Bakery

Fresh made baked goods

908 E 8th St, Traverse City

Local's tip: The place for donuts in TC!

Tom’s Food Markets – East Bay

Local grocery store

738 Munson Ave, Traverse City

Downtown Leland & Fishtown

A fun downtown and active fishing village full of great shops

Leland, MI

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.

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!

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

Services/Rentals

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!