Guidebook for Traverse City

Chris
Guidebook for Traverse City

Food Scene

It's a fine dining experience in the heart of downtown Traverse City. The food is mostly Asian-fusion. Going during happy hour is my personal recommendation because they have some really good small plates and cocktails available on the cheap.
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Red Ginger
237 E Front St
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It's a fine dining experience in the heart of downtown Traverse City. The food is mostly Asian-fusion. Going during happy hour is my personal recommendation because they have some really good small plates and cocktails available on the cheap.
A local institution, it's one of my favorite breakfast restaurants in town. Be sure to get there early on a weekend as it has the tendency to get pretty busy.
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The Omelette Shoppe
124 Cass St
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A local institution, it's one of my favorite breakfast restaurants in town. Be sure to get there early on a weekend as it has the tendency to get pretty busy.
It's a relatively new restaurant that specializes in breakfast food. Located in the Mercado, part of the iconic and renovated State Hospital grounds, it's a memorable and quaint place to enjoy breakfast or brunch.
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Red Spire Brunch House
Main Entrance
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It's a relatively new restaurant that specializes in breakfast food. Located in the Mercado, part of the iconic and renovated State Hospital grounds, it's a memorable and quaint place to enjoy breakfast or brunch.
This is one of my favorite coffee spots ANYWHERE! This place has been operating in the shadows of the State Hospital Grounds' expansion for years and only now are being recognized. Their mission is to source fair trade and sustainably farmed coffee beans from around the world, to then roast here in Northern Michigan. In addition to being a cool concept, it's a fun place to bring a laptop, book, or friend to engage with. Also, you can see their roasting facility and if you're lucky, you might even get to watch them in action.
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Higher Grounds Trading Company
806 Red Dr
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This is one of my favorite coffee spots ANYWHERE! This place has been operating in the shadows of the State Hospital Grounds' expansion for years and only now are being recognized. Their mission is to source fair trade and sustainably farmed coffee beans from around the world, to then roast here in Northern Michigan. In addition to being a cool concept, it's a fun place to bring a laptop, book, or friend to engage with. Also, you can see their roasting facility and if you're lucky, you might even get to watch them in action.
This is a trendy cafe that serves both coffee and some alcoholic drinks too. I personally like to use this as my remote working space when I'm visiting. I find that the ambiance is classic coffee shop vibe and I enjoy the space. Also, after around 7 PM they convert it into an adults only atmosphere and it functions more as a low key bar; definitely worth a visit.
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Brew
108 E Front St
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This is a trendy cafe that serves both coffee and some alcoholic drinks too. I personally like to use this as my remote working space when I'm visiting. I find that the ambiance is classic coffee shop vibe and I enjoy the space. Also, after around 7 PM they convert it into an adults only atmosphere and it functions more as a low key bar; definitely worth a visit.
An American Cuisine style restaurant with a surprisingly good bar. It's food is good, prices aren't too bad, and has a great happy hour menu if you sit at the bar (be sure to specifically ask for the bar menu though).
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Harrington's By The Bay
13890 S W Bay Shore Dr
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An American Cuisine style restaurant with a surprisingly good bar. It's food is good, prices aren't too bad, and has a great happy hour menu if you sit at the bar (be sure to specifically ask for the bar menu though).
Voted #1 in America, it's been a Traverse City institution since 1998! Your hosts used to go here when they were in high school about three times a week ;) You'll love the atmosphere, friendliness, and of course the ice cream!
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Moomers Homemade Ice Cream
7263 N Long Lake Rd
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Voted #1 in America, it's been a Traverse City institution since 1998! Your hosts used to go here when they were in high school about three times a week ;) You'll love the atmosphere, friendliness, and of course the ice cream!
This is a tasty sandwich shop + convenience store that has a full assortment of alcoholic drinks, snacks, and a deli. It also is directly across the street from Moomers so it's not a bad double-whammy for when you aren't too enthusiastic to cook for yourself ;)
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Fresh Coast Market
7270 N Long Lake Rd
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This is a tasty sandwich shop + convenience store that has a full assortment of alcoholic drinks, snacks, and a deli. It also is directly across the street from Moomers so it's not a bad double-whammy for when you aren't too enthusiastic to cook for yourself ;)
This is the closest restaurant to the Cabin and it's something else... It's got a country motif and even has a place to hitch up your horse outside in case you decide to travel there on horseback. The food is tasty and the service is friendly.
Hayloft Inn
5100 E Traverse Hwy
This is the closest restaurant to the Cabin and it's something else... It's got a country motif and even has a place to hitch up your horse outside in case you decide to travel there on horseback. The food is tasty and the service is friendly.
A cute little coffee shop + bakery on Front Street, in downtown Traverse City. We love the scones!
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Good Harbor Coffee & Bakery
111 W Front St
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A cute little coffee shop + bakery on Front Street, in downtown Traverse City. We love the scones!
A Traverse City institution. Located on Front Street, it's a great place to check out when you're already in town doing some shopping, sightseeing, etc. The food here is excellent!
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Poppycocks
128 E Front St
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A Traverse City institution. Located on Front Street, it's a great place to check out when you're already in town doing some shopping, sightseeing, etc. The food here is excellent!
Folksy local breakfast chain serving omelets, quiches, pancakes & sandwiches, plus baked goods.
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The Omelette Shoppe
124 Cass St
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Folksy local breakfast chain serving omelets, quiches, pancakes & sandwiches, plus baked goods.
Hearty pub fare & house-brewed beers served in an 1899 building that once housed a candy factory.
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North Peak Brewing Company
400 W Front St
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Hearty pub fare & house-brewed beers served in an 1899 building that once housed a candy factory.
Known for seafood & ribs, this cozy spot offers a chic hunting lodge feel & bayside patio dining.
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Apache Trout Grill
13671 S W Bay Shore Dr
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Known for seafood & ribs, this cozy spot offers a chic hunting lodge feel & bayside patio dining.
Acclaimed space for European fare offers seasonal & themed menus amid bright, bistro-style decor.
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amical
229 E Front St
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Acclaimed space for European fare offers seasonal & themed menus amid bright, bistro-style decor.
Local chain for upscale pub fare & house-brewed craft beer with a rustic & comfy vibe.
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Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant & Brewery
13512 Peninsula Dr
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Local chain for upscale pub fare & house-brewed craft beer with a rustic & comfy vibe.
Upscale eatery in an 1880s home, open seasonally for elevated locavore fare & craft spirits.
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Mission Table
13512 Peninsula Drive
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Upscale eatery in an 1880s home, open seasonally for elevated locavore fare & craft spirits.
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Slabtown Burgers
826 W Front St
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Modern Bird
541 West Front Street
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The Good Bowl
328 E Front St
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Peninsula Grill
14091 Center Rd
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PepeNero
700 Cottageview Dr
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Spanglish
1333 Yellow Dr
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Trattoria Stella
830 W Eleventh St
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Frenchies Famous
619 Randolph St
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Round's Restaurant
1033 E Eighth St
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The Cook's House
115 Wellington St
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Millie and Pepper Creperie & General Store
120 S Union St
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Grand Traverse Pie Company
525 W Front St
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Sleder's Family Tavern
717 Randolph St
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J & S Hamburg
302 W Front St
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The Little Fleet
448 E Front St
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Don's Drive-In
2030 US-31
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Barrio
305 West Front Street
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Good Harbor Coffee & Bakery
111 W Front St
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Morsels
321 E Front St
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Folgarelli's Market & Wine Shop
424 W Front St
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Third Coast Bakery
523 Munson Ave
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Mary's Kitchen Port
539 W Front St
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Rough Pony
144 Hall Street
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Bubbie's Bagels
1215 E Front St
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Slabtown Cookie Co.
228 Monroe St
White on Rice
510 W Fourteenth St
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Moomers Homemade Ice Cream
7263 N Long Lake Rd
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Dairy Lodge
405 N Division St
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The Filling Station Microbrewery
642 Railroad Pl
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Boathouse Restaurant
14039 Peninsula Dr
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Drinks & Nightlife

A local's favorite. This brewery is only a few years old but it's definitely the most popular and trendy. They brew a really wide selection of beers and regularly carry other Michigan favorites. Also, it's a great place to catch regular live music.
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Rare Bird Brewpub
229 Lake Ave
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A local's favorite. This brewery is only a few years old but it's definitely the most popular and trendy. They brew a really wide selection of beers and regularly carry other Michigan favorites. Also, it's a great place to catch regular live music.
This is a tap house with a very substantial beer list. If you're looking for a fun place to have fun being a beer snob while mingle with young professionals, this is the place for you.
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7 Monks Taproom
128 S Union St
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This is a tap house with a very substantial beer list. If you're looking for a fun place to have fun being a beer snob while mingle with young professionals, this is the place for you.
This speakeasy is hard to find but worth the effort! Located in the basement of an unassuming building, you'll enter a swanky atmosphere that's down-tempo and chill. Highly recommended for whisky, scotch, and bourbon drinkers as they have a great selection available.
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Low Bar
128 S Union St
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This speakeasy is hard to find but worth the effort! Located in the basement of an unassuming building, you'll enter a swanky atmosphere that's down-tempo and chill. Highly recommended for whisky, scotch, and bourbon drinkers as they have a great selection available.
This bar is part of North Peak Brewery and serves their beer. It's a typical Irish style pub vibe and depending on the day, there can be a number of different activities going on : live music (weekends), trivia night (multiple days per week), karaoke, etc.
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Kilkennys Irish Public House
400 W Front St
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This bar is part of North Peak Brewery and serves their beer. It's a typical Irish style pub vibe and depending on the day, there can be a number of different activities going on : live music (weekends), trivia night (multiple days per week), karaoke, etc.
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Earthen Ales
1371 Gray Dr
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Left Foot Charley Winery
806 Red Dr
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Mammoth Distilling
221 Garland St
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Mode's Bum Steer
125 E State St
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Brady's Bar
401 S Union St
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The Parlor TC
205 Lake Ave
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The Workshop Brewing Company
221 Garland St
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SideTraxx Dance Bar
520 Franklin St
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Traverse City Whiskey Co.
201 E 14th St
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Jacob's Corn Maze
Michigan 72
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Sightseeing

There's no better place to get a bird's eye view of Traverse City than to drive up Wayne Hill and take a look at West Bay, downtown TC and the Old Mission Peninsula. We like the view to much that we're getting married up here!
Incochee Road
Incochee Road
There's no better place to get a bird's eye view of Traverse City than to drive up Wayne Hill and take a look at West Bay, downtown TC and the Old Mission Peninsula. We like the view to much that we're getting married up here!

Parks & Nature

This is one of my favorite scenic overlooks anywhere... After an easy 15 minute hike, you'll come out of the forest to discover a stunning view overlooking both Manitou Islands (North and South) as well as the gorgeous Lake Michigan coastline. If you're really adventurous (and in great shape), you can run down the dune and into Lake Michigan below... but beware! It's 30 minute climb up some very steep dunes (for the fittest of people).
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Pyramid Point
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This is one of my favorite scenic overlooks anywhere... After an easy 15 minute hike, you'll come out of the forest to discover a stunning view overlooking both Manitou Islands (North and South) as well as the gorgeous Lake Michigan coastline. If you're really adventurous (and in great shape), you can run down the dune and into Lake Michigan below... but beware! It's 30 minute climb up some very steep dunes (for the fittest of people).
The Sleeping Bear Dunes are a National Park and rightfully so. The park features a dune climb that everyone can enjoy, as well as the option to hike all the way to Lake Michigan (if you're brave enough). To do the hike, be prepared for a 45 minute hike across protected dunes; well worth it when you reach Lake Michigan and can take a dip in the water!
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Sleeping Bear Dunes
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The Sleeping Bear Dunes are a National Park and rightfully so. The park features a dune climb that everyone can enjoy, as well as the option to hike all the way to Lake Michigan (if you're brave enough). To do the hike, be prepared for a 45 minute hike across protected dunes; well worth it when you reach Lake Michigan and can take a dip in the water!
This is where your hosts used to go when we wanted to visit Lake Michigan... It features a small lake, sand dunes, and all the beachfront you can handle! It's truly a gem and something everyone should experience when they come to Northern Michigan for a beach day.
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North Bar Lake Access
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This is where your hosts used to go when we wanted to visit Lake Michigan... It features a small lake, sand dunes, and all the beachfront you can handle! It's truly a gem and something everyone should experience when they come to Northern Michigan for a beach day.
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The Botanic Garden
1490 Red Drive
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Clinch Park
111 E Grandview Pkwy
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Sayler Park
5923 Yuba Park Rd
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Maple Bay Natural Area
U.S. 31
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Essentials

This is the closest grocery store to the cabin and it's a straight drive down M 72 so it's really easy to find. A little on the small side, you should be able to find most things here but it might be a little pricier than a larger food market.
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Tom's Food Market
13940 S W Bay Shore Dr
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This is the closest grocery store to the cabin and it's a straight drive down M 72 so it's really easy to find. A little on the small side, you should be able to find most things here but it might be a little pricier than a larger food market.
This is the closest large grocery store to the cabin and will have almost anything you need for cooking, snacking, etc.
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Meijer
3955 N U.S. 31 S
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This is the closest large grocery store to the cabin and will have almost anything you need for cooking, snacking, etc.
It's the closest grocery to the Cabin, prices aren't too bad, and it's directly across from the Long Lake Public Beach.
Long Lake Grocery
9374 N Long Lake Rd
It's the closest grocery to the Cabin, prices aren't too bad, and it's directly across from the Long Lake Public Beach.
This is the closest thing Traverse City can offer to a Whole Foods. They are a little pricier than the other grocery options but will have more niche products and trendy boutique brands.
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Oryana West
3587 Marketplace Cir
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This is the closest thing Traverse City can offer to a Whole Foods. They are a little pricier than the other grocery options but will have more niche products and trendy boutique brands.
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Fresh Coast Market
7270 N Long Lake Rd
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Meijer
3955 N U.S. 31 S
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Oryana Community Co-op
260 E Tenth St
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If you're looking for bulk, you can find large quantities here are Sam's Club, so long as you're a member...
Sam's Club
2401 US-31
If you're looking for bulk, you can find large quantities here are Sam's Club, so long as you're a member...
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Costco Wholesale
125 E South Airport Rd
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Old Mission General Store
18250 Mission Rd
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Maxbauer's Meat Market
407 S Union St
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Burritt's Fresh Markets
509 W Front St
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Tilley's Party Store and Disc Golf
617 Randolph Street

Shopping

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The Cheese Lady
600 W Front St
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The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
1200 W Eleventh St
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The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
1200 W Eleventh St
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Myrtle & Maude's
10981 Elk Lake Road

Entertainment & Activities

In the summer: A huge disc golf course operated by the City of Traverse City. In the winter: a low budget but quality ski hill owned and operated by the City (your host learned to ski here and came just about every day in the winter).
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Hickory Hills Disc Golf
2000 Randolph St
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In the summer: A huge disc golf course operated by the City of Traverse City. In the winter: a low budget but quality ski hill owned and operated by the City (your host learned to ski here and came just about every day in the winter).
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ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness
777 Boyd Avenue
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