TRAVERSE CITY
We couldn’t be more grateful that we grew up in a state surrounded by some of the most beautiful bodies of water imaginable. Traverse City is named after Grand Traverse Bay, which is split into two bays (east and west) by the Old Mission Peninsula. While some take long flights to get to what has been named The Best Lake Beach Town in America, we drove a few hours to spend a long weekend in our “up north” treasure. There really is nothing like summertime in northern Michigan (sang in a Kid Rock voice).
M|K|N
DAY 1
9:00 am | We quickly fell in love with this coffee shop’s simple design, locally-sourced ingredients, and incredible oat-milk lattes. Located in downtown’s Warehouse Disctrict, BLK MRKT sits inside of the newly renovated Warehouse MRKT, filled with unique boutiques and local services. Pro Tip: Get there early to indulge in one of their hand-made pastries, they sell out quick!
144 Hall Street
Traverse City, MI
9:30 am | After you have a nice caffeine buzz going, head down the hall of the Warehouse MRKT to Modus45 for a barre, weights and cardio class in a bright and cheery room. The classes focus on the body's smaller stabilizer muscles while incorporating flexibility, balance and cardio punches to engage the heart.
144 Hall Street
Warehouse Market Building, Suite 103
Traverse City, MI
10:45 am | Just another few short steps down the halls of the Warehouse brings you into your new favorite greenhouse getaway, Darling Botanical Co. Immersed inside the sea of grass and floral stems is the build-your-own terrarium bar. No appointment needed for this family-friendly activity; their staff will help guide the way for you to choose from their selection of glass and greenery (and fun & quirky additions!).
Warehouse Marketplace
144 Hall Street, Suite 102
Traverse City, MI
11:30 am | Head a few minutes north of downtown to settle into your new home away from home, Bayshore & Eagle. This AirBnb is owned by a Detroit family whom we adore. You’ll want to spend a moment simply walking around the newly renovated cottage. The decor is equally as stunning as the views of the bay you’ll start and end each day with. Similar to this couple’s other AirBnb’s, each room is curated to perfection with furnishings that pay homage to various parts of Up North and even a bit of Detroit (our favorite!). This home provides everything you could need during your restful visit. Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on the private water access across the street!
1:00 pm | If you’re visiting from May-October, you’ll want to try something from each of these shipping container food posts in the Little Fleet. Don’t worry, if you’re there in the off-season you can still enjoy a fresh-squeezed juice cocktail at the bar and some delicious food from Milkweed year-round. The fleet of food trucks is constantly changing, which makes every visit unique!
448 E Front St.
Traverse City, MI, 49686
3:00 pm | Founded by two brothers from Traverse City, Bonobo Winery focuses on both the educational and playful aspects of wine tasting. Enjoy the never-ending views of this gorgeous winery as you sip on a glass of handmade wine and indulge on some paired treats (we highly recommend the in-house truffles!). As if you needed another reason to drink all the wine: They support the work and effort of the Bonobo Conservancy whose mission is to protect bonobos preserve their tropical rainforest habitat, and empower local communities in the Congo Basin.
12011 Center Road
Traverse city Michigan 49686
4:30 pm | You’ll definitely need a breather after tasting (or drinking- we won’t judge!) so many wines. Head back to Bayshore & Eagle for a moment to relax and regroup.
7:00 pm | If you thought you covered all of the Warehouse MRKT, think again. Alliance may be tucked inside of the development, but definitely not a portion you’ll want to miss out on. Chef James Bloomfield focuses hard on highlighting the local produce offered in the area and mixing unique flavor combinations that will surprise and delight your palate - we’re talking olive oil gelato, people. Pro Tip: It’s in an extremely small space with limited seating, so make a reservation or get there 10 minutes before they open- there will be a line!
144 Hall St #107
Traverse City, MI 49684
8:30 pm | After you’ve eaten through the entire menu of Alliance (don’t forget dessert!), you won’t have to walk far to enjoy your next post of relaxation and spectacular sunset views. Hotel Indigo is directly across the street with one of the best rooftops in town. Grab a cocktail and unwind while soaking up the day’s last few rays of sunshine.
263 W Grandview Parkway
Traverse City Michigan, 49684
DAY 2
8:30 am | We know you had a long day yesterday, but don’t want to sleep in too late today - the Sleeping Bear Dunes are worth waking up for! If you thought the views couldn’t get better, think again. Walk the path up to the sandy rolling hills for a one-of-a-kind experience only Pure Michigan can offer. If you’re not into a dune climb, you can check out: Pierce Stocking scenic drive, Haven Maritime Museum, canoe trips on the Crystal and Platte Rivers, and the biking and hiking trails - we recommend those that overlook Pyramid Point!
6748 Dune Hwy (M-109)
Glen Arbor, MI 49636
10:00 am | Head into Leland for some mojo to get your day started. Wander into Blue Boat Coffee and feel like you’ve entered into another country. Serving MADCAP Coffee and treats from local bakers, you’ll also want a gluten free cinnamon donut, or five. Take a peek inside of some of the neighboring shops as you sip on your oat milk java or have a moment to yourself on the benches underneath the lofty trees.
106 N Main Street
Leland, MI 49654
10:30 am | A few blocks from Blue Boat you’ll step into a collection of weathered fishing shanties, smokehouses, small shops and charter boats along the Leland River. The Fishtown site has been here over the last 150 years as a working waterfront that still operates as one of the only unmodernized commercial fishing villages in Michigan.
205 West River Street
Leland, MI 49654
11:30 am | Known as a “never-trendy, tourist-friendly, palate teasing” village cheese shop in the heart of Fishtown, the Village Cheese Shanty is your one stop shop for made to order sandwiches on the freshest baguette and pretzel bread, local cherries and 60+ imported cheeses. Open through the end of October.
199 W River St
Leland, MI 49654
1:00 pm | After a morning of exploration, you’ve earned yourself a drink! Traverse City Whiskey is known as ‘The Whiskey of the North’ for a reason. Founded by three friends from the area who crafted recipes passed down through family heirlooms, you can taste their devotion with each sip. Sit inside of Stillhouse Cocktail Bar, the speakeasy-style outpost in downtown Traverse City to get the full experience (and the best old fashioned, EVER).
201 E 14th St
Traverse City, MI 49684
2:15 pm | Back to Bayshore & Eagle for another chance to catch your breath and relax before the next adventure! Perhaps a board game or a good read on the patio?
4:00 pm | If you’re feeling a bit bubbly, a winery that specializes in sparkling wines is in your future. Mawby always offers a wine for tasting free of charge; and feature tasting flights of 2 sparkling wines with small bites of food- we couldn’t get enough of the cheese spread! With over 20 acres planted, the estate vineyard grows pinot noir, vignoles, pinot gris, regent, riesling, chardonnay and pinot meunier, guess you’ll just have to try one of each!
4519 S Elm Valley Road
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
5:30 pm | Don’t fill up on too much cheese spread, you’ll want to save room for your next meal inside a beautiful and spooky old asylum basement. Trattoria Stella offers an Italian-focused menu and hand-crafted cocktails, like the "Perfect Negroni," with a barrel-reserved Old Cockney from Two James Spirits. You can’t go wrong with a pasta dish and the Spanish octopus.
1200 W Eleventh St
Traverse City, MI 49684
7:30 pm | None of us had ever been on a sailboat before, and we figured this would be the perfect time to check that off our bucket lists! We did a bit of research before our trip and decided to go with Two Brothers Sailing, but there are tons of local options that offer sunset cruises, depending on your specific wants. We were really happy with our cruise, it was collectively all of our favorite parts of the trip - Captain Dave even taught us how to sail!
Center Pointe Marina
12935 S W Bay Shore Dr,
Traverse City, MI 49684
If you have some members of your group that don’t do well on boats, head to the Cherry Bowl drive-in, that’s been around since 1953. The screen is continually filled for your nostalgic drive-in theatre experience from vintage film, introduction, intermission, cartoons and two current releases. Pro Tip: Head over before the show for a game of mini-golf and and popcorn topped with real creamery butter and made in the Original 1953 Popper.
9812 Honor Highway
Honor, MI 49640
Thank you to the teams of: Bayshore & Eagle, Traverse City Whiskey, Mawby Winery, Bonobo Winery, Darling Botanical, Little Fleet and Motus45 for hosting us these past 48 hours, and to Maven for getting us to each stop safe and sound!
on to the next city!
xx