Scott's Guide to Enjoying TC Like a Local!




Greetings and it's great to be connected! I'm truly excited to share with you some awesome experiences that Northwest Michigan has to offer!
I am semi-retired in beautiful Traverse City and have had the ultimate pleasure of living here the last eight years!



If you wish to go on a tour or need special black-tie transportation, PLEASE call Grand Traverse Tours where you can even request me as your driver!



It would be truly appreciated and very flattering if you would share my guide with your family and friends that may be visiting the area.


Enjoy your time in TC!

~ Scott

WINE TOUR INFO:

Old Mission Peninsula Wineries (map)

Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail (map)

 
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

🚻 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 LOCAL FAVORITES

Food

Nittolo’s Little Italy

Classic New York-style Italian eatery
155 Garland St, Traverse City
WHAT YOU HAVE TO TRY: The New York Style Happy Hour is one of the area's best food deals! Great take-out pizzas!

Sugar 2 Salt

Locally sourced & seasonally driven breakfast
1371 Gray Dr, Traverse City
WHY I RECOMMEND: Great brunch and desserts! 

Charles and Reid

Detroit-style pizza
113 E State St, Traverse City
WHY I RECOMMEND: Delicious Detroit-style pizza! Gluten-free options available.

Artisan

Waterfront restaurant(located at Delamar)
615 E Front St, Traverse City

Poppycocks

New American cuisine
128 E Front St, Traverse City
WHY I RECOMMEND: Reasonably priced “New-American” food. Can accommodate larger groups.

Taproot Cider House

Restaurant & cider bar
300 E Front St, Traverse City
WHY WE RECOMMEND: Delicious ethically sourced, locally focused menu with something for everyone! Call for reservations.

Buchan’s West Bay
Buchan’s West Bay

Local handcrafted ice cream
13000 S West Bay Shore Dr, Traverse City
WHY WE RECOMMEND: The ice cream is a local favorite! Great pizza too!

Drink

OLD MISSION PENINSULA WINE TRAIL

Local wineries & tasting rooms
Old Mission Peninsula
FOR HELP SELECTING YOUR PERFECT WINERIES: Click my mobile number at the bottom of this guide to text me

LEELANAU PENINSULA WINE TRAIL

Local wineries & tasting rooms
Leelanau Peninsula
FOR HELP SELECTING YOUR PERFECT WINERIES: Click my mobile number at the bottom of this guide to text me

BARS

Local bars
Traverse City
SOME OF MY FAVORITES: North Bar(rooftop), The Parlor(music & happy hour), & Low Bar(craft cocktails). LATE NIGHT: Brady's Bar, U&I Lounge, Union St. Station/Dillinger's Pub/Bootleggers & Kilkenny's

CRAFT BEERS

Breweries, taprooms, & brew pubs
Traverse City
SOME OF MY FAVORITES: The Filling Station, Right Brain Brewery, Brewery Terra Firma, Rare Bird, & The Workshop

CRAFT COCKTAILS

Distilleries & tasting rooms
Traverse City
MY FAVORITES: TC Whiskey, Northern Latitiudes Distillery, & Old Mission Distilling

Things to Do

Grand Traverse Tours
Grand Traverse Tours

Wine, beer, distillery tours, & transportation
Traverse City, Leelanau Peninsula & Old Mission Peninsula
WHAT I RECOMMEND: Let me take you on a wine tour! ;)

Nauti-Cat Cruises
Nauti-Cat Cruises

4 unique West Grand Traverse Bay cruises
615 E Front St, Traverse City
LOCAL'S TIP: Pack some snacks to enjoy onboard. Don't miss the Cat-Nip!!!

Discovery Cruises
Discovery Cruises

West Grand Traverse Bay tours & cruises
13170 S West Bayshore Dr, Traverse City
WHAT WE RECOMMEND: Happy Hour on the Water!!!

MI Sauna

Finnish Sauna experience
Traverse City State Park Beach
LOCAL'S TIP: Check out the Wednesday sessions. For an extra exhilirating experience, try it in the winter!

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Miles of sandy beaches, hiking, lakes & dunes along Lake…
6748 S Dune Hwy, Glen Arbor

TART Trails

Multi-use recreation & transportation trails
Traverse City & Leelanau Peninsula

Shopping

Burritt’s Fresh Markets
Burritt’s Fresh Markets

Specialty grocery, wine, fresh meat & fish
509 W Front St, Traverse City
WHY WE RECOMMEND: TC's place for fresh seafood and hand cut fresh Black Angus steaks! Great wine selection and delicious house prepared foods for easy meals.

Oryana

Health food & specialty grocery store
260 E 10th St, Traverse City

Cherry Republic

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

Kilwins Traverse City

Fudge, candy, & ice cream shop
129 E Front St, Traverse City

Sara Hardy Farmers Market

Local produce, baked goods, flowers, & more
Cass St & E Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City
LOCAL'S TIP: Open Saturdays 730am-12pm(May-Oct) & Wednesdays 8am-12pm(June-Oct)

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Historic place to eat, drink, shop, tour, & more
830 Cottageview Dr, Traverse City
WHY I RECOMMEND: This former Traverse City State Hopsital has great restaurants, a winery, brewery, shops & so much more!

Great Lakes Bath & Body, Inc.

Locally-made, handcrafted bodycare products
110 E Front St, Traverse City

Services/Rentals

*Stocked
*Stocked

Local grocery delivery company
Northern MI
WHY WE RECOMMEND: Stocked will deliver your groceries into your home or rental and directly into the refrigerator!

Grand Traverse Tours

Transportation services and guided tours
Traverse City, Leelanau, & Old Mission
I will greatly appreciate your review!

Submit your review (here)

Thank you!

Don't hesitate to text me with any questions

Interested in a wine tour? Call Grand Traverse Tours and ask to book a tour with Rebecca!
Enjoy your time in Traverse City!
~ Scott