Todd's Guide to Enjoying TC Like a Local!




Hi! It's great to be connected! I've spent much of my adult life in Traverse City and know the area well. I worked at a winery for several years and know wines and the local wine industry. I truly enjoy sharing my experience and knowledge with others.



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


Enjoy your time in TC!

~ Todd

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! 

Boathouse Restaurant

Eurocentric "farm to table" restaurant
14039 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City
WHY WE RECOMMEND: The amazing waterfront views and delicious food make this a premier Northern Michigan dining experience.

Trattoria Stella

Ever-changing menus of fine Italian cuisine
1200 W 11th St, Traverse City

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.

The Flying Noodle

Upbeat and fun Italian restaurant
136 E Front St, Traverse City

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

CRAFT COCKTAILS

Distilleries & tasting rooms
Traverse City
MY FAVORITES: Northern Latitiudes Distillery & Mammoth Distilling

CRAFT BEERS

Breweries, taprooms, & brew pubs
Traverse City
SOME OF MY FAVORITES: Right Brain, Terra Firma, & Silver Spruce

BARS

Local bars
Traverse City
SOME OF MY FAVORITES: Hotel Indigo(rooftop) Low Bar(craft cocktails) LATE NIGHT: Union St. Station & Kilkenny's Irish Pub

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! ;)

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.

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 Todd!
Enjoy your time in Traverse City!
~ Todd