Susan's Guidebook
Food scene
Quality food, amazing service and the views can't be beat. Check out a sunset on West Bay! Pricey.
54 locals recommend
Boathouse Restaurant
14039 Peninsula DrQuality food, amazing service and the views can't be beat. Check out a sunset on West Bay! Pricey.
Affordable, great pub vibe and beers made in house.
66 locals recommend
Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant & Brewery
13512 Peninsula DrAffordable, great pub vibe and beers made in house.
Bad Dog Deli
14091 Center RdSuper casual with delicious sandwiches and soups made to order.
Delicious Italian food and a great happy hour offered all day in front of restaurant. In a great people watching location on Front Street.
30 locals recommend
Sorellina
250 E Front StDelicious Italian food and a great happy hour offered all day in front of restaurant. In a great people watching location on Front Street.
Absolutely delicious food and if it is important, they can easily accommodate vegan and vegetarian diets. A fantastic people watching spot. Always busy with a great vibe!
143 locals recommend
Red Ginger
237 E Front StAbsolutely delicious food and if it is important, they can easily accommodate vegan and vegetarian diets. A fantastic people watching spot. Always busy with a great vibe!
Little Fleet is a must! Only open during the warmer months. Food trucks assemble with delicious food. A dedicated building offers a bar and is open year round. Dog friendly. Great vibe!
172 locals recommend
The Little Fleet
448 E Front StLittle Fleet is a must! Only open during the warmer months. Food trucks assemble with delicious food. A dedicated building offers a bar and is open year round. Dog friendly. Great vibe!
Very small with great food. Super busy and a fantastic margarita.
62 locals recommend
Mama Lu's - A Modern Day Taco Shop
149 E Front StVery small with great food. Super busy and a fantastic margarita.
Delicious Italian food in the Commons. Historic site and a buzzy vibe. Pricey but good.
60 locals recommend
PepeNero
700 Cottageview DrDelicious Italian food in the Commons. Historic site and a buzzy vibe. Pricey but good.
Historic location with excellent Italian food. Moody interior and perfect for days when you want to be indoors. Pricey but good.
132 locals recommend
Trattoria Stella
830 W Eleventh StHistoric location with excellent Italian food. Moody interior and perfect for days when you want to be indoors. Pricey but good.
Amazing pizza and craft beers in a super casual setting. A local favorite.
106 locals recommend
The Filling Station Microbrewery
642 Railroad PlAmazing pizza and craft beers in a super casual setting. A local favorite.
This place is amazing. Super affordable. Order at the counter. In warmer weather you can wait next door at Left Foot Charlie. Sit on their patio with a glass of wine, cider or beer...OR get a great cup of joe at Uncommon Grounds. When your order is ready, grab your tray and bring it over.
They do have some indoor/outdoor seating and there is always takeout. Super affordable and AMAZING!
51 locals recommend
Spanglish
1333 Yellow DrThis place is amazing. Super affordable. Order at the counter. In warmer weather you can wait next door at Left Foot Charlie. Sit on their patio with a glass of wine, cider or beer...OR get a great cup of joe at Uncommon Grounds. When your order is ready, grab your tray and bring it over.
They do have some indoor/outdoor seating and there is always takeout. Super affordable and AMAZING!
Always delicious with great service. French inspired plus they do a cookbook series featuring different menus. Never disappoints. Definitely a favorite for locals. Make a reservation as they fill up quickly.
86 locals recommend
amical
229 E Front StAlways delicious with great service. French inspired plus they do a cookbook series featuring different menus. Never disappoints. Definitely a favorite for locals. Make a reservation as they fill up quickly.
The Towne Plaza
203 Cass StAmazing breakfast/brunch.
Great Happy Hour with half off all drinks and apps. The food is good..including the mac & cheese and sushi.
53 locals recommend
Firefly Restaurant
310 N Cass StGreat Happy Hour with half off all drinks and apps. The food is good..including the mac & cheese and sushi.
Bubbie's Bagels
1215 E Front StThe Filling Station Microbrewery
642 Railroad Pl
Brasserie Amie
160 East Front StreetRomantic restaurant right on the bay. Great food and atmosphere.
6 locals recommend
Artisan Restaurant Traverse City
615 East Front StreetRomantic restaurant right on the bay. Great food and atmosphere.
Barrio
305 West Front StreetWren
303 N St Joseph StFabulous menu for a special dining experience. Call ahead for reservations!
Wine and Beer Tasting
One of the many wineries on Old Mission.
Mari Vineyards
8175 Center Rd2 Lads Winery
16985 Smokey Hollow RdChateau Chantal Winery and Inn
15900 Rue DevinBowers Harbor Vineyards
2896 Bowers Harbor RdBonobo Winery
12011 Center RdBrys Estate Vineyard & Winery
3309 Blue Water RdShort's Brewing Company Bellaire Pub
121 N Bridge StSuttons Bay Ciders
10530 E Hilltop RdTandem Cider
2055 N Setterbo Rd
Farm Club
10051 Lake Leelanau DriveHopscotch Brick Oven and Taproom
2032 US-31Hop Lot Brewing Company
658 S W Bay Shore DrMAWBY Vineyards and Winery
4519 Elm Valley RdLeft Foot Charley Winery
806 Red DrAurora Cellars
7788 E Horn RdBlustone Vineyards
780 N Sylt RdTraverse City Whiskey Co.
201 E 14th StTaproot Cider House
300 E Front StGreat views of the bay from atop a hill. Sit outdoors under umbrellas.
21 locals recommend
Two K Farms Cidery & Winery
3872 S W Bay Shore DrGreat views of the bay from atop a hill. Sit outdoors under umbrellas.
Theaters
There are two historic theater downtown Traverse city. Both on front Street.
East Front Street
East Front StreetState Theatre
233 E Front StBijou by the Bay Movie
181 E Grandview PkwyHappy Hour
A popular location with craft cocktails. 1/2 off all drinks nightly for a few hours starting at 4pm.
60 locals recommend
The Parlor TC
205 Lake AveA popular location with craft cocktails. 1/2 off all drinks nightly for a few hours starting at 4pm.
1/2 off all drink and apps during happy hour. Good mac and cheese AND sushi.
53 locals recommend
Firefly Restaurant
310 N Cass St1/2 off all drink and apps during happy hour. Good mac and cheese AND sushi.
Mammoth Distilling
221 Garland StRed Ginger
237 E Front StBAKED GOODS
A farm stand in the city! Visit the charming cookie cottage in the heart of Slabtown for the best cookies around!
Best cookies for miles! Set up like a farm stand in the darling Slabtown neighborhood.
Slabtown Cookie Co.
228 Monroe StBest cookies for miles! Set up like a farm stand in the darling Slabtown neighborhood.
Location on 14th and soon to be next to the loft on 8th! Fabulous bread…worth the extra $$
Common Good Bakery
1115 East Eighth StreetLocation on 14th and soon to be next to the loft on 8th! Fabulous bread…worth the extra $$
Sightseeing
Nauti Cat Cruises
615 E Front StHappytown Rickshaws
320 N Division StPierce Stocking Scenic Drive Entrance
South Dune HighwayInspiration Point
Michigan 22Lighthouses
Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum
15500 Lighthouse Point RoadPoint Betsie Lighthouse
3701 Point Betsie Rd