Carol's Guide to Enjoying TC Like a Local!




Downtown Traverse City

🍽 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

🅿️ 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

Moose & Stella’s Cafe

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

J & S Hamburg

Breakfast, lunch, & dinner diner
1083 W South Airport Rd, Traverse City
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.

McGee’s No. 72

New American casual fare
4341 Michigan 72 East, Williamsburg

Coyote Joe’s Pub & Grill

9009 M-72 East, Williamsburg

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!

Twin Birch Golf Club

Golf  course & restaurant
1030 Co Rd 612, Kalkaska
(menu)

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

WHY WE RECOMMEND: Amazing views! One of the few places on Old Mission Peninsula to eat. Great food!

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

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 & dunes along Lake Michigan
6748 S Dune Hwy, Glen Arbor

Mt. Holiday

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

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Hotel, golf, dining, shopping, tennis, spa, & more
100 Grand Traverse Resort Blvd, Acme

Twin Birch Golf Club

Golf  course & restaurant
1030 Co Rd 612, Kalkaska

Shopping

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) 342-3794

Interested in Real Estate, please don't hesitate to give me a call
(231) 342-3794
Enjoy your time in Traverse City!
~ Carol