Stephen's Guide to Enjoying TC Like a Local!




Downtown Traverse City

šŸ½ Dining
Most local options close by 9pm or are closed on Sundays.
Late night food options: Mode's Bum Steer, Lil Bo's
Sunday dinner options: Nittolo's Little Italy

šŸ…æļø ParkingĀ (map)
Downtown and surrounding streets have metered parking and are strictly enforced (Mon-Sat 8am-6pm)
*FREE parking on Sundays, New Yearā€™s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, & Christmas Day

šŸš»Ā Public RestroomsĀ (map)

šŸš² TART Trails (maps)
A network of multi-use trails in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties as well as a cross-town bike route

ā›±ļøĀ Clinch Park
Metered parking
Splash Pad turns off at 6pm

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

 



 

MY LOCAL FAVORITES

Food

The Cooks’ House
The Cooks’ House

Sustainable fine dining restaurant
115 Wellington St, Traverse City
(231) 946-8700 (menu)(reservation) (info)
WHY WE RECOMMEND: The ever-changing menu creates an amazing farm-to-table dining experience!

J & S Hamburg

Breakfast, lunch, & dinner diner
1083 W South Airport Rd, Traverse City
(menu)
WHY I RECOMMEND: A TC classic. Delicious, mom approved comfort food in a welcoming atmosphere. Their Project Feed the Kids, is a true act of love for hungry area kids.

Coyote Joe’s Pub & Grill

9009 M-72 East, Williamsburg

Moose & Stella’s Cafe

Dog-themed breakfast & lunch restaurant
203 South Cedar Street, Kalkaska

Twin Birch Golf Club

GolfĀ  course & restaurant
1030 Co Rd 612, Kalkaska

Steve’s Smokin’ BBQ + Firebird Pizza

Pit Smoked BBQ + Brickoven Pizza
831 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City

Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen

Cajun restaurant
617 Ames St, Elk Rapids

Drink

Aroma’s Coffee & Tea

Local Coffee Shop
10850 E. Traverse Hwy, Traverse City

Mundos

Local coffee shops
3 Traverse City locations

Happy Camper Coffee Co.

Local coffee shop
212 River Street, Elk Rapids
LOCAL'S NOTE: Open 7 days a week. Great breakfast burritos!

Short’s Brewing Pull Barn

Beer garden & taproom
211 Industrial Park Dr, Elk Rapids
WHY WE RECOMMEND: Short's is a can't miss. The Osorio food truck on site is a huge win!

Dockside

Waterfront bar & grill
6340 Old Torch Lake Dr, Bellaire

Things to Do

Grand Traverse Tours
Grand Traverse Tours

Wine, beer, distillery tours, & transportation
Traverse City, Leelanau Peninsula & Old Mission Peninsula
(231) 947-7433 (reservation) (info)
WHAT I RECOMMEND: Let me take you on a wine tour! ;)

MI Sauna

Finnish Sauna experience
Traverse City State Park Beach
(231) 620-1326 (website)
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

Mt. Holiday

Ski & snowboarding, tubing, ziplines & bar
3100 Holiday Road, Traverse City

Elk Rapids Golf Club

Historic golf course on Elk Lake
724 Ames St, Elk Rapids

Shopping

Burritt’s Fresh Markets
Burritt’s Fresh Markets

Specialty grocery, wine, fresh meat & fish
509 W Front St, Traverse City
(231) 946-3300 (info)
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.

Folgarelli’s Gourmet Market & Wines

Gourmet sandwiches, Italian market, & wine
424 W Front St, Traverse City
(menu)(info)

Edson Farms Natural Foods

Health Food Store
835 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City
(menu)

The Butcher’s Block

Meat market & butcher shop
425 W South Airport Rd, Traverse City

Oryana

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

Oryana West

Local grocery store & coffee bar
3587 Marketplace Circle, Traverse City

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!

Services/Rentals

Grand Traverse Tours

Transportation services and guided tours
Traverse City, Leelanau, & Old Mission
(231) 947-7433 (website)
Looking for a place to stay?
TRAVERSE CITY AREA REAL ESTATE

Don't hesitate to text me with any questions
(231) 342-4686

Interested in Real Estate, please don't hesitate to give me a call
(231) 342-4686
Enjoy your time in Traverse City!
~ Stephen