Rick's Guide to Enjoying TC Like a Local!

Hi! It’s Rick. I’m looking forward to showing you around Northern MI. I’m proud to be from Traverse City and love sharing all the things the area has to offer. My guide offers many of my local favorites. I hope you have a great visit, ~Cheers



Hi! It's great to be connected! I'm truly excited to share some awesome experiences that Northwest Michigan has to offer!


If you wish to go on a tour of some sort, PLEASE call Grand Traverse Tours. You can even request me as your tour guide!



Don't hesitate sharing my guide with your family and friends that may be visiting the area.


Enjoy your time in TC!

~ Rick

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

The Omelette Shoppe

Breakfast & brunch restaurant
1209 E Front St, Traverse City
WHAT YOU HAVE TO TRY: They make great in house baked goods! 2 locations.

Chef’s In

Sandwich shop
519 W Front St, Traverse City
WHY I RECOMMEND: My Lunch Favorite. Say

Charles and Reid

Detroit-style pizza
113 E State St, Traverse City
WHY I RECOMMEND: Delicious Detroit-style pizza at it's best!

Poppycocks

New American cuisine
128 E Front St, Traverse City
WHAT YOU HVE TO TRY: Great specials, unique drinks, and the desserts!!!

Taproot Cider House

Restaurant & cider bar
300 E Front St, Traverse City
WHY I RECOMMEND: Great vegan dishes when a salad just won't do!

Apache Trout Grill

Waterfront restaurant/bar
13671 S West Bayshore Dr, Traverse City
WHY I RECOMMEND: Cocktails on the bay! Great steak and seafood.

Boone’s Long Lake Inn

Legendary steaks, seafood, & prime rib
7208 Secor Rd, Traverse City
WHY I RECOMMEND: Great steak. You'll be asking for a to go box!

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: What can I say, ask for Rick!?! We'll talk.

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!!!

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!!!

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!

TART Trails

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

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

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

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.

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)

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

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

Brick Wheels

Bicycles, XC Skis, sales, service & rentals
736 E 8th Street, Traverse City

Riverside Canoe Trips

Platte River canoe & kayak rentals
5042 N Scenic Hwy, Honor
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 Rick!
Enjoy your time in Traverse City!
~ Rick