MaryEllen’s TC favorites guidebook
Food scene
This is our favorite Mexican place anywhere. Everything is delicious...the pinto beans are smoked, the guac is great, everything is made onsite. They also vary their special depending on the season...asparagus specials in the spring, cherry items in the summer...Try their sour cherry margarita!!!
18 locals recommend
Red Mesa Grill
1544 US-31This is our favorite Mexican place anywhere. Everything is delicious...the pinto beans are smoked, the guac is great, everything is made onsite. They also vary their special depending on the season...asparagus specials in the spring, cherry items in the summer...Try their sour cherry margarita!!!
This is an iconic bar...oldest running bar in state.
Great ribs, burgers, etc.
Smooch the moose and buy the T-shirt!
28 locals recommend
Sleder's Family Tavern
717 Randolph StThis is an iconic bar...oldest running bar in state.
Great ribs, burgers, etc.
Smooch the moose and buy the T-shirt!
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
100 Grand Traverse Village BlvdAmazing fine dining, great golf course!
This place is our favorite old mission winery-Late Harvest Riesling is amazing!
79 locals recommend
Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn
15900 Rue DevinThis place is our favorite old mission winery-Late Harvest Riesling is amazing!
Blue Tractor Barbeque
423 S Union StGreat BBQ and fun atmosphere.
Pearl’s New Orlean’s Kitchen...great food, drinks, atmosphere! Same owner as Red Mesa Grill! Love this place...has Gluten free corn bread!
617 Ames St
617 Ames StreetPearl’s New Orlean’s Kitchen...great food, drinks, atmosphere! Same owner as Red Mesa Grill! Love this place...has Gluten free corn bread!
Is on our list to visit this summer! Heard from a friend best beer garden he has been to outside of Germany.
They have *igloos*!!!! In the winter time. We are totally going to try it this winter!!!
21 locals recommend
Hop Lot Brewing Company station
Is on our list to visit this summer! Heard from a friend best beer garden he has been to outside of Germany.
They have *igloos*!!!! In the winter time. We are totally going to try it this winter!!!
Cherry Republic | Traverse City
154 E Front StGreat cherry foodie items!
That'sa Pizza
5430 US-31Great pizza! Have GF crust too!
Old fashioned car hop dining! Great burgers, fries (order a “car load”) and terrific milk shakes!!! All are good, but try cherry!
21 locals recommend
Don's Drive-In
2030 US-31Old fashioned car hop dining! Great burgers, fries (order a “car load”) and terrific milk shakes!!! All are good, but try cherry!
Drinks on the large deck at sunset overlooking the bay is the reason to go here!
22 locals recommend
Bayview Inn Bar & Grill
5074 US-31 NDrinks on the large deck at sunset overlooking the bay is the reason to go here!
Dockside Torch Lake
6340 Old Torch Lake DrIconic bar on Torch lake that you can boat to!
Activities
Great place to rent a boat for the day...right on Elk Lake which is a hidden treasure. Everyone knows about Torch Lake, but Elks is beautiful and not nearly as heavily used. Great water skiing lake!
12 locals recommend
Elk River Marina
118 Bridge StGreat place to rent a boat for the day...right on Elk Lake which is a hidden treasure. Everyone knows about Torch Lake, but Elks is beautiful and not nearly as heavily used. Great water skiing lake!
super close location that hosts concerts in summer
Bourbon’s 72 is good restaurant there too!
Turtle Creek Casino (Main Ent) station
super close location that hosts concerts in summer
Bourbon’s 72 is good restaurant there too!
The film festival is a terrific event! highly recommend going to open viewing on the big screen on the bay!
13 locals recommend
Traverse City Film Festival
232 E Front StThe film festival is a terrific event! highly recommend going to open viewing on the big screen on the bay!
Super cute local ski place with great tubing!
31 locals recommend
Mt. Holiday Ski and Recreational Area
3100 Holiday RdSuper cute local ski place with great tubing!
Great Lakes Equestrian Festival
6535 Bates RdOne of the best in the nation!
Traversecity.com has listing of local live music locations, seasonal events etc.
260 locals recommend
Traverse City
Traversecity.com has listing of local live music locations, seasonal events etc.
Activities
Shanty creek/Schuss mountain is our favorite ski place in northern Michigan. It has runs for everyone. Insider tip...eat over in the condo area at restaurant...much better food and is still onsite.
It is about 40 minutes door to door from our place!
39 locals recommend
Shanty Creek Resort
5780 Shanty Creek RdShanty creek/Schuss mountain is our favorite ski place in northern Michigan. It has runs for everyone. Insider tip...eat over in the condo area at restaurant...much better food and is still onsite.
It is about 40 minutes door to door from our place!
Take a beautiful 18 mile drive from base to tip of peninsula to the lighthouse. Do wine tasting tour along the way.
37 locals recommend
Peninsula Township
Take a beautiful 18 mile drive from base to tip of peninsula to the lighthouse. Do wine tasting tour along the way.
https://www.traverseticker.com/calendar
The traverse ticker has area events listed in calendar format which is really useful!
260 locals recommend
Traverse City
https://www.traverseticker.com/calendar
The traverse ticker has area events listed in calendar format which is really useful!
Sightseeing
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Must do-dunes climb and sightseeing drive loop!
Leelanau Peninsula
Great parks, wineries, etc. up this way!
Take a boat ride out to South Manitou island for the day and see the virgin white pine Forrest...amazing!
29 locals recommend
Manitou Island Transit station
207 W River StTake a boat ride out to South Manitou island for the day and see the virgin white pine Forrest...amazing!
Groceries and incidentals
Open 24 hours, can get groceries and incidentals right up the street.
Must try their dark chocolate covered cherries in the produce dept. they are big boxes but trust me...they won’t go to waste!
10 locals recommend
Meijer station
Open 24 hours, can get groceries and incidentals right up the street.
Must try their dark chocolate covered cherries in the produce dept. they are big boxes but trust me...they won’t go to waste!
Great meat and deli items this side of town. Check it out...right next door to Red Mesa Grill!
Bayside Market
1532 US-31Great meat and deli items this side of town. Check it out...right next door to Red Mesa Grill!