Taylor's Guidebook
Food
Apache Trout Grill
13671 S W Bay Shore DrMundos Roasting & Co.
1238 Boon StGreat coffee shop for working or catching up with friends.
Barrio
305 West Front StreetNewer place in downtown with the best margaritas and pineapple guacamole!
Amazing fresh food. This place started out as a food truck and did so well during covid that they were one of the only thriving establishments able to buy a store front.
6 locals recommend
Bergstrom's Burgers
905 U.S. 31Amazing fresh food. This place started out as a food truck and did so well during covid that they were one of the only thriving establishments able to buy a store front.
Charles & Reid Detroit Pizza
113 East State StreetBest pizza (even compared to Jets!)
Little Reds
5862 US-31Best Ice cream!
China Lee
3985 Beitner RoadGreat Chinese food
Blue Tractor Barbeque
423 S Union StGreat BBQ
A little outside of downtown but a must see. Fun outdoor igloos and bonfires to have drinks and great food all year round. Call ahead for reservations as they are generally busy.
116 locals recommend
Hop Lot Brewing Company
658 S W Bay Shore DrA little outside of downtown but a must see. Fun outdoor igloos and bonfires to have drinks and great food all year round. Call ahead for reservations as they are generally busy.
The Little Fleet
448 E Front StFun, outdoor area downtown with food trucks.
Peace Love and Little Donuts of Traverse City
441 E Front StGreat, picture-worthy mini donuts!
The Chef's In
519 W Front StBest sandwiches!
Boone's Long Lake Inn
7208 Secor RdExcellent steak and seafood
Taproot Cider House
300 E Front StBest varieties of ciders and great health-conscious meals!
Boathouse Restaurant
14039 Peninsula DrCast Iron Kitchen of TC South
Awesome food and brunch. It is no longer a food truck but an actual building! Great food!
Archie's Social House
Awesome food and brunch. It is no longer a food truck but an actual building! Great food!
Firefly Restaurant
310 N Cass StMy favorite place in Traverse (great sushi!)
Cast Iron Kitchen of TC South
Awesome food! Great bacon
Sushi and awesome espresso martini. Dress code and reservations are usually needed.
143 locals recommend
Red Ginger
237 E Front StSushi and awesome espresso martini. Dress code and reservations are usually needed.
Bars/Adult focused
Upstairs where the restaurant is has the best views Traverse City has to offer. Overlook the bay and downtown while grabbing a drink and app!
43 locals recommend
Hotel Indigo Traverse City
263 W Grandview PkwyUpstairs where the restaurant is has the best views Traverse City has to offer. Overlook the bay and downtown while grabbing a drink and app!
Great nightlife spot. Dancing, live music, pool tables, games and fun bar.
27 locals recommend
Kilkennys Irish Public House
400 W Front StGreat nightlife spot. Dancing, live music, pool tables, games and fun bar.
Right Brain Brewery
225 E Sixteenth StFun brewery
Also known as the "double wide" pairing next to bootleggers bar. Fun, cheaper bar downtown.
10 locals recommend
Dillinger's Pub
121 S Union StAlso known as the "double wide" pairing next to bootleggers bar. Fun, cheaper bar downtown.
Union Street Station
117 S Union StFun bar with live music certain days.
Low Bar
128 S Union StFun speakeasy atmosphere.
Super fun dance bar, this is a gay bar and a local hot spot for bachelorette parties.
20 locals recommend
SideTraxx Dance Bar
520 Franklin StSuper fun dance bar, this is a gay bar and a local hot spot for bachelorette parties.
North Bar
Super fun, outdoorsy bar.
Encore 201
Night club with dancing
Hayloft Inn
5100 E Traverse HwyCountry bar, live music and dancing
Wineries/Breweries
Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant & Brewery
13512 Peninsula DrGreat local beer and wine!
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
3309 Blue Water RdMy personal favorite winery! Great views
Left Foot Charley Winery
806 Red DrWinery!
Black Star Farms Old Mission Winery
360 McKinley Rd EWinery!
Mari Vineyards
8175 Center RdAnother favorite winery!
Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn
15900 Rue DevinGreat winery!
Bonobo Winery
12011 Center RdRove Estate Tasting Room and Vineyard
7007 E Traverse HwyRove Estate Tasting Room and Vineyard
7007 E Traverse HwyGreat winery & great views!
Sightseeing
A MUST visit spot for everyone. They have free samplings (including wine) and everything from food to wine made with local cherries. Great spot to grab gifts or souvenirs
34 locals recommend
Cherry Republic | Traverse City
154 E Front StA MUST visit spot for everyone. They have free samplings (including wine) and everything from food to wine made with local cherries. Great spot to grab gifts or souvenirs
Activities
Fun casino with a sports betting bar upstairs and great food at the restaurant called Bourbons.
52 locals recommend
Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel
7741 M-72Fun casino with a sports betting bar upstairs and great food at the restaurant called Bourbons.
TART Trail
North Four Mile RoadGreat hiking or biking trail around the Bay
Mini golf, ice cream and a jungle gym! Fun for families
29 locals recommend
Pirate's Cove Adventure Park
1710 US-31Mini golf, ice cream and a jungle gym! Fun for families
Awesome golf course (super close) and the best food at the restaurant called Mulligans
10 locals recommend
The Crown Golf Club
2430 W Crown DrAwesome golf course (super close) and the best food at the restaurant called Mulligans
Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre
9812 Honor HwyDrive in movie theatre
Betsie River
Great fishing spot!
Ranked 46th Golf course in Northern Michigan with amazing views of Lake Michigan.
44 locals recommend
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club
14710 Northwood HwyRanked 46th Golf course in Northern Michigan with amazing views of Lake Michigan.
Interlochen Golf Course
10586 US-31Great golf course nearby.
Skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing offered.
31 locals recommend
Mt. Holiday Ski and Recreational Area
3100 Holiday RdSkiing, snowboarding and snow tubing offered.
Crystal Mountain
Ski and snowboarding!
Torch lake has Caribbean- like water and a sandbar to hangout on that is ankle deep. Book a boat rental through Luhres landing for the day or bring kayaks to drop in and paddle out to.
21 locals recommend
Torch Lake
Torch lake has Caribbean- like water and a sandbar to hangout on that is ankle deep. Book a boat rental through Luhres landing for the day or bring kayaks to drop in and paddle out to.
Sleeping Bear Dunes
super fun and great views!
Pyramid Point Trail
Basch RoadFun walking/ hiking spot with great views.
Huge historic building that now has local eateries and shops in it. It used to be an old asylum and they offer underground tours and such now as well.
31 locals recommend
Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area
Red DriveHuge historic building that now has local eateries and shops in it. It used to be an old asylum and they offer underground tours and such now as well.
Front street is your "downtown strip" that has shops, food and is just on the other side of the Bay.
6 locals recommend
East Front Street
East Front StreetFront street is your "downtown strip" that has shops, food and is just on the other side of the Bay.
In July they host the annual Cherry Festival with food, concerts and local artists on the Bay. It is only two weeks of the year so be sure to check on dates.
29 locals recommend
National Cherry Festival
521 S Union StIn July they host the annual Cherry Festival with food, concerts and local artists on the Bay. It is only two weeks of the year so be sure to check on dates.
Clinch Park
111 E Grandview PkwyMust visit Park/ beach downtown on the water
Traverse City Pit Spitters
333 Stadium DrMinor League Baseball stadium just down the road!
State Theatre
233 E Front StHistoric theatre
Opera, Comedy shows, Broadway musicals, plays and concerts are held in this 1892 beautifully restored building.
32 locals recommend
City Opera House
106 E Front StOpera, Comedy shows, Broadway musicals, plays and concerts are held in this 1892 beautifully restored building.
Hands-on, interactive educational museum for children.
34 locals recommend
Great Lakes Children's Museum
13240 S W Bay Shore DrHands-on, interactive educational museum for children.
They offer sailing on Grand Traverse Bay on their tall ship or yacht.
21 locals recommend
Traverse Tall Ship Co
13258 S W Bay Shore DrThey offer sailing on Grand Traverse Bay on their tall ship or yacht.
TC Cycle Pub
642 Railroad PlFun, Pedal-powered pub crawler!
Rainbow Valley Family Farms
6040 Culver RoadGrand Traverse Resort and Spa
100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd