Traverse City & Glen Arbor
Traverse City and Glen Arbor, Michigan remain some of the Midwest’s best-kept secrets. The vacation destination thrives during the summer with classic Americana activities like boating, water sports, hiking, barbecues, golf, tennis, and more. Here is our guide to Traverse City and Glen Arbor.
STAY
THE MILL A contemporary take on a Northern Michigan landmark. The Mill serves as a riverside cafe, restaurant, and hotel. 5440 W Harbor Hwy, Glen Arbor; themillglenarbor.com
DINE | DRINK
TRATTORIA FUNISTRADA Elevated Italian cuisine & notable wines served in snug, warm surrounds in a time-tested building. Order the famous veal! Burdickville, 4566 W MacFarlane Rd, Maple City; trattoria-funistrada.com
CHERRY PUBLIC HOUSE Laid-back local brewery serving hearty pub grub classics alongside seasonal drafts & wines. Order the cherry chicken salad! 6026-B, 5109 S Lake St, Glen Arbor; cherryrepublic.com
THE COOK’S HOUSE A petite, chef-owned restaurant. 15 Wellington St, Traverse City; cookshousetc.com
FARM CLUB Equal parts working farm, market, restaurant, and brewery. 10051 Lake Leelanau Dr, Traverse City; farmclubtc.com
BOATHOUSE Window-lined locale with cottage decor & bay views serves eclectic fare & produce from the owner's farm. 14039 Peninsula Dr; boathouseonwestbay.com
MODERN BIRD Seasonal vegetable-forward sides pair perfectly with hearty dishes like venison topped with cherry gastrique. 541 W Front St, Traverse City; modernbirdtc.com
HEXENBELLE A Palestinian bakery, also serves up delectable brunch fare, such as shakshuka and coconut curry fried rice. 144 Hall St Suite 107, Traverse City; hexenbelle.square.site
CROCODILE PALACE Zesty Sichuan dishes are served, such as smashed cucumber salad, dan dan noodles, mapo tofu, and their addictive house chili oil. 124 Cochlin St, Traverse City; crocodilepalace.com
FORREST A natural, organic wine shop, transforms into an upscale ticketed communal dining experience on Friday and Saturday nights—if you’re lucky enough to score a ticket. 408 S Union St, Traverse City; forrestafoodstudio.com
MISSION PROPER A seasonally-focused cafe from husband-and-wife team Jennifer and Brent Kuhar, will serve elevated brunch fare. Think: smoked bourbon glazed cinnamon buns and savory French toast with bacon jam. 13795 Seven Hills Rd Suite B, Traverse City; missionproper.co
TRATTORIA STELLA This classic Italian trattoria has been serving for 20 years. 830 Cottageview Dr. Suite G01; stellatc.com
FOOTHILLS CAFE A classic staple for pancakes and breakfast comfort foods. 7097 S Dunns Farm Rd, Maple City
LA BECASSE Intimate institution presents locally sourced, French country cuisine & a celebrated wine list. 9001 S Dunns Farm Rd, Maple City; restaurantlabecasse.com
ACTIVITIES
ARCADIA BLUFFS The Golf Club is one of the premier golf destinations in The United States, offering two championship golf courses, exceptional lodging, dining, and scenic views. 14710 Northwood Hwy; arcadiabluffs.com
SLEEPING BEAR HERITAGE TRAIL One of many in the vast network of well-maintained TART trails), weaves through scenic forests and farmland, and is perfect for a day of biking and hiking. nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit
CRYSTAL RIVER OUTFITTERS Rent a kayak or canoe and ride the gentle current of Crystal River, which winds through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. crystalriveroutfitters.com
NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL The National Cherry Festival is an annual food festival in Traverse City, Michigan. Traverse City has been nicknamed the "Cherry Capital of the World."cherryfestival.org
INTERLOCHEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS Set amid the natural beauty, on a 1,200-acre campus sandwiched between Green Lake and Duck Lake, is the heart of Northern Michigan’s arts and cultural scene. The annual summertime Interlochen Arts Festival draws big names to its stage.
SHOP
M22 GLEN ARBOR “M22 is not just a road, it’s a way of life.” — Keegan & Matt Myers, founders of M-22. Shop here for the full line of M22 & Love Michigan clothing and accessories, plus sample and enjoy 16 local wines all blended exclusively for M22 by Black Star Farms. 6298 W Western Ave, Glen Arbor; crystalriveroutfitters.com/m22-glen-arbor
LELAND GAL Leland gal is located in Historic Fishtown, Leland, Michigan. Leland Gal presents bright and beautiful fabrics for the home as well as travel/luxury products. lelandgal.com
AU SABLE Further up Leelanau Peninsula sits the quaint fishing village of Leland, one of the last working and thriving fishing districts on the Great Lakes. This jewel box of a shop is curated with a refined collection of new and vintage items, including notable brands such as La Soufflerie, Flamingo Estate, and Business & Pleasure.
WILSON ANTIQUES Michigan is well known for its illustrious furniture-making history, including Grand Rapids-based Herman Miller, Knoll, and Steelcase, whose modern designs came to define the 20th century. It should come as no surprise then, that the state is loaded with antique gems, ranging from mid-century modern furniture to primitives. You can easily get lost for a day exploring the area’s largest antique mall. Peruse a more curated collection at Elk Rapids Antiques (go around back to the tiny stone cottage that houses the utterly charming vintage and lifestyle shop, Margot).
FARMER’S MARKETS | WINERIES | PURVEYORS