Traverse City Fun: One Very Biased WomanÕs Perspective
Yup, clearly I am biased & attempting to lure you to my home town for a fun filled time.
I love Traverse City, it is a great place to work & play. Below are some of my favorite places, and if some of them happen to be Alfie clientsÉwell, go read the title of the document again. Come often, bring the family & enjoy! Better yet, move your business here, these peeps will want to talk to you: http://www.tcchamber.org/
Cheers! Bonnie Alfonso
Couple of places to stay in TC:
Downtown:
the historic park place hotel, great view from the top of the park, walkable to all kinds of fun.
http://www.park-place-hotel.com/
Not quite walkable, but close to downtown Cambria Suites http://www.cambriasuites.com/hotel-traverse_city-michigan-MI325
On west bay:
http://www.bayshore-resort.com/
On east bay:
http://www.tamaracklodgetc.com/
The two hotels above are near this fun water/adventure park
http://www.piratescove.net/location/11
Of course, the kids would love the Great Wolf Lodge
Good sites to visit for ideas of what to do:
http://www.visittraversecity.com/
http://www.mynorth.com/
list of some events for each weekend:
http://www.theticker.tc/calendar/index/start/2010-09-04
No visit to Northern Michigan is complete without a trek up the Sleeping Bear Dunes! http://www.visittraversecity.com/sleeping-bear-dunes--29/
A few kid friendly ideas here:
http://www.visittraversecity.com/traverse-city-for-kids-203/
Also at Clinch Park downtown you can rent Kayaks, bikes and canoes at The River. http://therivertraversecity.com/
Dining downtown? Here are the best options in no particular order:
Amical (next door to the State Theatre) Always excellent food and service.
http://www.amical.com My personal favorite is the Chili crusted thai salmon.
Hanna.
Jim Harrison used to write in Harper's about cooking with Jim Milliman the former owner and chef. If you like scallops, this is the place to order them. Even if they aren't on that nights menu, they will whip them up for you. http://www.hannabistrobar.com
Red Ginger
One of my personal favorites. Asian fusion. Good sushi. A little spendy, but worth it. Cool atmosphere. Great happy hour, Matt makes the best martini, Walter is my favorite waiter and the calamari is amazing. http://www.eatatginger.com/sit.php
FireFly
Great place to go share some apps and cocktails. 310 Cass Street right on the river
http://www.tcfirefly.com/
A bit more casual is Poppycocks, great desserts, unique menu, good vegetarian options.
The CookÕs House
Prepare for a delicious experience. But you gotta prepare, reservations recommended. Mario Bitali, the "Iron Chef" thinks it's the best! Mario's a local and eats there often.
http://thecookshouse.net/
East Side, coming in from Torch Lake you'll find Pearl's in Elk Rapids. This is one of my favorites. The Big Easy is the best Bloody Mary you can find outside of Bonnie's house. Excellent Sunday brunch as well. http://www.magnumhospitality.com/pearls.asp
On the east side of TC is the Red Mesa Grill http://www.magnumhospitality.com/redmesa.asp
Great margaritas. 300 or so brands of tequila. More central American than Mexican food.
The west side offers Apache Trout Grill. This is the place to be for happy hour by the bay.
The only Tikki bar you will find on west bay, good food and service. http://www.apachetroutgrill.com
A little farther up the road is Scott's Harbor Grill, overlooking the Harbor West Yacht Club.
Scott is an excellent chef (and very nice guy, not easy to find in a chef) and the view is spectacular. http://www.scottsharborgrill.com
There is a restaurant in the lower level of the former state mental institution in Traverse City that is not to be missed. Tratoria Stella publishes a new menu every day based upon the freshest ingredients available. The atmosphere is completely unique. A bit spendy, but worth it. Best wine list in town. At least stop by for a glass Great gallery of shops too. http://galiantdemos.com/stellatc.php
http://www.thevillagetc.com/gallery.html
Out on the beautiful Old Mission Peninsula are some great options as well, I highly recommend the Boathouse. Ask for Doug or Chef Eric, tell him you are friends of Bonnie's and they will take really, really good care of you. http://boathouseonwestbay.com/
If you head out here you can also stop at many great wineries. Highly recommend Bowers Harbor Vineyards. http://bowersharbor.com/ Ask for Spencer or Linda ...tell them we sent you. Say "hi" to Brix.
And, if you have been to Traverse City and never Smooched the Moose, you must stop here for lunch: http://www.sleders.com/
Just want a giant, juice running down your forearms, burger? http://www.tcbubbas.com/
Yeah, they have tasty salads too.
The Bar Scene:
Right Brain Brewery
Great Funky Time in Traverse City's Warehouse District (actually, it's an alley with a bunch of old cool beat up buildings, but marketing is everything). Russell whips up some incredible mircobrews. My favorite is Will Power, because, well, I could always use a little more. http://www.rightbrainbrewery.com/
For a grungy good time:
The Loading Dock http://www.myspace.com/177642909
Union Street Station
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=230323510
For local flair there's Bootlegger and DillingerÕs right next door, affectionately called the double wide. Earns it's name after midnight. A block and a half to the east you will find the U& I lounge. If you want to meet a native of TC this is where you will find them in a "casual" mood.
Shopping:
We have just about the best Downtown District in the entire State. http://www.downtowntc.com/
Need great comfy shoes? Head to GoldenÕs Shoes http://www.goldenshoestc.com/
A couple of doors down, Plamondon Shoes.
Are you foodie? Then head over to FustiniÕs Oil & Vinegar http://www.fustinis.com/content/locations/traverse_city.asp
Clothing? You must go to What to Wear! on front street, great unique items, good bargain room in back.
And for pampering or a spa treat head here: http://impressalon.com/
And for a quick lunch, tasty quiche for breakfast or yummy pie: head to Grand Traverse Pie Co.
And of course a breakfast tradition: The Omelette Shoppe on Cass or across from the Civic Center. http://www.omeletteshoppe.com/
Crema at the corner of Front and Park is great as well. http://crematc.com/
And my favorite authentic diner for a giant, cheap, delicious breakfast: RoundÕs 1033 E 8th St.
Wineries:
WeÕve have a slew of world class wineries: Pick a Peninsula and make a day of it! I grew up on Old Mission Peninsula so I am a little biasedÉOK, IÕm a lot biased. Love BowerÕs Harbor Vineyards Pinot Grigio!
http://www.wineriesofoldmission.com/
Events & Festivals:
WeÕve got Ôem all!
National Cherry Festival in July http://visit.cherryfestival.org/ week long fun filled party
Traverse City Film Festival http://www.traversecityfilmfest.org/ Michael MooreÕs contribution to TC
Horse Shows by the Bay http://www.horseshowsbythebay.com/about-us.php Awesome!
Traverse City Comedy Festival http://www.comedyfesttc.org/ another Michael Moore contribution
National WriterÕs Series http://nationalwritersseries.org/ Great creative talent, catch one if you can
Other Cool Venues to check out:
Historic City Opera House http://www.cityoperahouse.org/
Don't forget to check out the fabulous State Theater. Re-opened & featuring great films all the time. Usually there is a Saturday morning .25 kids movie http://statetheatretc.org/
And of course, the world renown Interlochen Arts Academy http://www.interlochen.org/
Our great community college, Northwestern Michigan College has a cool museum: http://www.dennosmuseum.org/
Miscellaneous Vices & suchÉ
Smokes: http://www.nolanstobacco.com/ Cigar lounge and everything.
Spirits: http://www.jacksmarket.com/
Fitness: http://yenyogafitness.com/classes.html
Bike Rental to work off all the great food: http://mclaincycle.com/
Need more ideas? Seriously?!?
OK, fineÉfind me here: http://GoAlfie.com/ and we will discuss.