Alexis's Guidebook
Food scene
The best homemade ice cream with a view of the cows and the farm.
86 locals recommend
Moomers Homemade Ice Cream
7263 N Long Lake RdThe best homemade ice cream with a view of the cows and the farm.
Perfect Lunch spot while you're wine tasting on Old Mission Peninsula. Expect a wait during busy season.
66 locals recommend
Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant & Brewery
13512 Peninsula DrPerfect Lunch spot while you're wine tasting on Old Mission Peninsula. Expect a wait during busy season.
You can't go wrong with this one! Beautiful marina & west bay views, great food. Outdoor patio seating is our favorite here!
29 locals recommend
West End Tavern
12719 S W Bay Shore DrYou can't go wrong with this one! Beautiful marina & west bay views, great food. Outdoor patio seating is our favorite here!
Sight seeing in Glen Arbor? Stop here for food/drinks - Cash only! ATM near location.
72 locals recommend
Art's Tavern
6487 W Western AveSight seeing in Glen Arbor? Stop here for food/drinks - Cash only! ATM near location.
Sports bar and dining area overlooking Grand Traverse Resort golf course. Check out the "specials" menu that runs all day, every day.
23 locals recommend
McGee’s 72
4341 M-72Sports bar and dining area overlooking Grand Traverse Resort golf course. Check out the "specials" menu that runs all day, every day.
Solid breakfast/brunch spot. A local favorite. Outdoor seating, weather permitting. Expect a wait.
65 locals recommend
The Towne Plaza
203 Cass StSolid breakfast/brunch spot. A local favorite. Outdoor seating, weather permitting. Expect a wait.
Family owned, local favorite for donuts, cookies, muffins & more. Soups and sandwiches too!
20 locals recommend
Potter's Bakery
908 E Eighth StFamily owned, local favorite for donuts, cookies, muffins & more. Soups and sandwiches too!
Perfect ice cream stop after a long day of sight seeing! Just 5 minutes from the house - they even have local Moomers ice cream! Pizza in the summertime too.
Woodland Sweets & Eats
4386 US-31Perfect ice cream stop after a long day of sight seeing! Just 5 minutes from the house - they even have local Moomers ice cream! Pizza in the summertime too.
Artisan Restaurant Traverse City
Lakefront dining in the Delamar Hotel
Beautifully designed cafe in a historic mill - a must if you're visiting Glen Arbor.
The Mill Glen Arbor
Beautifully designed cafe in a historic mill - a must if you're visiting Glen Arbor.
Fine Italian dining. They also have a great sister restaurant right next door called Slate that's a great place for a cocktail or dinner too - live music on the weekends!
30 locals recommend
Sorellina
250 E Front StFine Italian dining. They also have a great sister restaurant right next door called Slate that's a great place for a cocktail or dinner too - live music on the weekends!
Our favorite bar in TC! Grab a drink and onion rings & watch the game. Drink prices are very reasonable!
33 locals recommend
U & I Lounge
214 E Front StOur favorite bar in TC! Grab a drink and onion rings & watch the game. Drink prices are very reasonable!
Homey comfort food downtown. Stop in on a rainy day for their signature Tomato Spinach Swiss soup and a 4 cheese, grilled cheese.
72 locals recommend
Poppycocks
128 E Front StHomey comfort food downtown. Stop in on a rainy day for their signature Tomato Spinach Swiss soup and a 4 cheese, grilled cheese.
Great food and atmosphere. Sister restaurant to Sorrelina - a little less formal than Sorrelina, offers both menus. Live piano music on the weekends.
Slate
Great food and atmosphere. Sister restaurant to Sorrelina - a little less formal than Sorrelina, offers both menus. Live piano music on the weekends.
Grill & taproom on Elk River in Elk Rapids. Waterside deck offers outdoor seating, weather permitting.
11 locals recommend
Riverwalk Grill and Taproom
106 Ames StGrill & taproom on Elk River in Elk Rapids. Waterside deck offers outdoor seating, weather permitting.
Breakfast and lunch! Also a 2nd location on Front Street, close to the farmhouse.
48 locals recommend
The Omelette Shoppe
124 Cass StBreakfast and lunch! Also a 2nd location on Front Street, close to the farmhouse.
Serves breakfast, lunch & dinner. Burgers & milkshakes here are always a hit! They also have boozy milkshake options.
62 locals recommend
Bubba's
428 E Front StServes breakfast, lunch & dinner. Burgers & milkshakes here are always a hit! They also have boozy milkshake options.
Winery's
Charming winery on Old Mission Peninsula. Plenty of outdoor seating. Family friendly.
44 locals recommend
Bowers Harbor Vineyards
2896 Bowers Harbor RdCharming winery on Old Mission Peninsula. Plenty of outdoor seating. Family friendly.
Sprawling 360 degree views - a MUST if you've never been.
79 locals recommend
Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn
15900 Rue DevinSprawling 360 degree views - a MUST if you've never been.
Beautiful patio views with a tuscan feel. Reservations needed during busy season.
58 locals recommend
Mari Vineyards
8175 Center RdBeautiful patio views with a tuscan feel. Reservations needed during busy season.
Don't forget to stop by the Secret Garden to explore the acres of lavender fields, flowers, and herbs gardens before you leave.
58 locals recommend
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
3309 Blue Water RdDon't forget to stop by the Secret Garden to explore the acres of lavender fields, flowers, and herbs gardens before you leave.
A favorite! Great views. Choose a seat in their beautiful indoor tasting rooms or enjoy patio seating & lawn games outside. Family friendly.
70 locals recommend
Bonobo Winery
12011 Center RdA favorite! Great views. Choose a seat in their beautiful indoor tasting rooms or enjoy patio seating & lawn games outside. Family friendly.
Perched up on a bluff overlooking East Bay. Bring home a bottle of their Cabernet Franc Merlot - pairs great with steak or pasta! Reservations recommended.
36 locals recommend
2 Lads Winery
16985 Smokey Hollow RdPerched up on a bluff overlooking East Bay. Bring home a bottle of their Cabernet Franc Merlot - pairs great with steak or pasta! Reservations recommended.
Sightseeing
Located in Sleeping Bear Dunes - if you're looking to do a hike, this is the place!
40 locals recommend
Empire Bluff Trail
Empire Bluff TrailLocated in Sleeping Bear Dunes - if you're looking to do a hike, this is the place!
Miles and miles of paved biking/walking trail that runs straight through our street! Bike to downtown Traverse City, or continue all the way to Suttons Bay.
31 locals recommend
TART Trail
North Four Mile RoadMiles and miles of paved biking/walking trail that runs straight through our street! Bike to downtown Traverse City, or continue all the way to Suttons Bay.
Charming waterfront town in Leland with shops and restaurants - great place to day trip or spend an afternoon / morning.
84 locals recommend
Fishtown
203 W River StCharming waterfront town in Leland with shops and restaurants - great place to day trip or spend an afternoon / morning.
VASA Singletrack Trailhead
5450 Supply Rd12 mile single track loop.
Eclectic places to eat, drink and explore. Local shopping, art & hiking - Commons Natural Area includes 140-acres of unpaved trails. Beautiful streams, wooded areas & panoramic views. No matter the season, visitors frequent the area for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing.
130 locals recommend
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
1200 W Eleventh StEclectic places to eat, drink and explore. Local shopping, art & hiking - Commons Natural Area includes 140-acres of unpaved trails. Beautiful streams, wooded areas & panoramic views. No matter the season, visitors frequent the area for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing.
Pyramid Point Trail
Basch RoadUphill but totally doable, short hike, worth the view!
Old Mission Lighthouse - perfect final destination after a day wine tasting up the old mission peninsula!
9 locals recommend
Old Mission Point Park
4001-4475 Murray RdOld Mission Lighthouse - perfect final destination after a day wine tasting up the old mission peninsula!
A MUST visit!! Breathtaking panoramic views, hiking trails, and crystal blue waters. Drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive when it's in season.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
A MUST visit!! Breathtaking panoramic views, hiking trails, and crystal blue waters. Drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive when it's in season.
7.4 Mile scenic loop within Sleeping Bear Dunes with 12 stops. Spectacular overlooks of Glen Lakes, Sleeping Bear and Lake Michigan! Purchase vehicle pass at the entrance.
66 locals recommend
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Entrance
South Dune Highway7.4 Mile scenic loop within Sleeping Bear Dunes with 12 stops. Spectacular overlooks of Glen Lakes, Sleeping Bear and Lake Michigan! Purchase vehicle pass at the entrance.
Groceries
Great spot to pick up meat for grilling! Close to the farmhouse. A wide variety of drinks, snacks & sides to complete your meal.
Bayside Market
1532 US-31Great spot to pick up meat for grilling! Close to the farmhouse. A wide variety of drinks, snacks & sides to complete your meal.
Firewood, homemade goods, icecream and more. Right down the street from the farmhouse!
Groleau Farm Market
2100 E Hammond RdFirewood, homemade goods, icecream and more. Right down the street from the farmhouse!
Beach
Beach access, Splash-pad, walking distance to downtown TC shops/restaurants through the underground tunnel.
89 locals recommend
Clinch Park
111 E Grandview PkwyBeach access, Splash-pad, walking distance to downtown TC shops/restaurants through the underground tunnel.
Swimming beach access 5 minutes from our farmhouse - playground for the kids.
18 locals recommend
Traverse City State Park
1132 US-31Swimming beach access 5 minutes from our farmhouse - playground for the kids.
A fun beach spot on West Bay complete with playground, grills and picnic tables. Makes for a perfect picnic location!
30 locals recommend
Bryant Park
1101 Peninsula DrA fun beach spot on West Bay complete with playground, grills and picnic tables. Makes for a perfect picnic location!
Nice sandy beach on West Bay - usually less crowded. Picnic tables, charcoal grills and playground area.
8 locals recommend
Greilickville Harbor Park
13133 S W Bay Shore DrNice sandy beach on West Bay - usually less crowded. Picnic tables, charcoal grills and playground area.
Love this beach spot on the bay! Restrooms, play area & walkable to downtown Elk Rapids.
12 locals recommend
Veterans' Memorial Park
410 River StLove this beach spot on the bay! Restrooms, play area & walkable to downtown Elk Rapids.
Shopping
Antiquities Warehouse of Grand Traverse
The ultimate antique spot in downtown TC.
Activities
Stop in to this sweet spot while you're downtown - try the many samples offered and pick something to take back home!
34 locals recommend
Cherry Republic | Traverse City
154 E Front StStop in to this sweet spot while you're downtown - try the many samples offered and pick something to take back home!
Book a tee time to golf! 3 renowned courses: the Bear, the Wolverine, and Spruce run. Stop at McGee's sports bar overlooking the course for a bite to eat afterwards.
33 locals recommend
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
100 Grand Traverse Village BlvdBook a tee time to golf! 3 renowned courses: the Bear, the Wolverine, and Spruce run. Stop at McGee's sports bar overlooking the course for a bite to eat afterwards.
Great Lakes Children's Museum
13240 S W Bay Shore DrRainy day activity for the kids!
Perfect spot for a morning walk or bike ride along Boardman Lake's paved trail - public parking area at Hull Park.
Hull Park
660 Hannah AvePerfect spot for a morning walk or bike ride along Boardman Lake's paved trail - public parking area at Hull Park.
Pirate's Cove Adventure Park
1710 US-31Play a round of mini golf - fun for all ages!
Rainy day with the kids? Get a day pass here! Lazy river, water slides, kiddie pools, adult only hot tub area and more.
7 locals recommend
Great Wolf Lodge
3575 N U.S. 31 SRainy day with the kids? Get a day pass here! Lazy river, water slides, kiddie pools, adult only hot tub area and more.
Bar on the 10th floor of Park Place Hotel. For drinks only, great place for drinks before or after dinner! Not a lot of seating available but the views are the best in downtown TC.
6 locals recommend
Beacon Lounge
300 E State StBar on the 10th floor of Park Place Hotel. For drinks only, great place for drinks before or after dinner! Not a lot of seating available but the views are the best in downtown TC.