Vacation!
TRAVERSE CITY NORTHERN MICHIGAN
vineyards, beaches, shopping (and cherries!)
ACME ∙ FIFE LAKE ∙ INTERLOCHEN ∙ KINGSLEY OLD MISSION PENINSULA ∙ TRAVERSE CITY ∙ WILLIAMSBURG
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F R OM FAR M TO FORK
Traverse City OAK AGED WILD BEER | PIZZAS | SALADS SANDWICHES | TRUFFLE FRIES & MORE! JOLLYPUMPKIN.COM | 231.223.4333 13512 PENINSULA DR - OLD MISSION
M ISS ION TA BL E.NET | 231 .223.4222 135 12 PE N IN S U L A DR - O LD M I SSI O N
YOUR LOCAL FAVORITE BARBECUE SPOT
LIVE MUSIC • BEER •FOOD
423 S UNION ST, TRAVERSE CITY • @THESHEDBEERGARDEN
HANDCRAFTED BREWS & FOOD 4 00 W FRO NT ST • TC NO RTH P EAK . N E T 231 .9 41 .73 2 5
423 S UNION ST, TRAVERSE CITY | BLUETRACTOR.NET | 231.922.9515
IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE 400 ½ W. FRON T ST, TRAVERSE CITY @ K ILK EN N YS_IRISHPUB
Events Dire ctor Barbara Olson 231.944.6984 • barb@nubco.net peninsularoom.com • for groups up to 150 guests 13512 penin sula drive • old mission peninsula
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RAYAN ANASTOR PHOTO
Located in the heart of Old Mission Peninsula’s rolling vineyards & cherry orchards, the Peninsula Room offers affordable casual elegance & features an indoor fireplace, outside fireplace, patio, perennial gardens & sunsets over West Bay. Award-winning Chef Paul Olson & a professional staff that anticipates your every need ensures that you will have a great experience.
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The Insider's
TRAVERSE CITY Round out your stay in this beautiful city by the bay with this list of insider-secret fun.
222 ON
Pitch a tent between Green and Duck Lakes at Interlochen State Park. Visit the Warehouse District on Hall Street and enjoy a cup of coffee at BLK\MRKT. Enjoy a drink at the Beacon Lounge, perched on the top floor of the iconic Park Place Hotel. Tour the Music House Museum— a collection all about the beauty of music and instruments from the 1800s to the 1950s.
Let Ranch Rudolf set you up on a ride: Try an inner tube float down the Boardman River or take to the trails on horseback. Cheer for the Traverse City Pit Spitters—a collegiate summer baseball team. Get a cone at Moomers, voted America’s No. 1 ice cream by USA Today. Share a classic milkshake at the counter of the famous, itty-bitty J&S Hamburg. Check out the Discovery Gallery at Dennos Museum.
MUSIC HOUSE MUSEUM
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Indulge in a spa, fine dining, gaming, golf, shopping and more at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.
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WAREHOUSE DISTRICT
DENNOS MUSEUM
J&S HAMBURG
J&S HAMBURG
BEACON LOUNGE AT PARK PLACE HOTEL
MOOMERS TRAVERSE CITY PIT SPITTERS
INTERLOCHEN STATE PARK
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GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT AND SPA
Boardma
n River
RANCH RUDOLF
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• OPEN 7CALM DAYS FOR&LUNCH & DINNER • STAY CARRY ON
• COVERED & HEATED OUTDOOR PATIO & BAR •
Thank you to everyone who has • LIVE ENTERTAINMENT • supported the Filling Station Family • FAMILY FRIENDLY • and our new Share a Slice Program! TheFillingStationMicrobrewery.com
OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH & DINNER 642 Railroad Place, Traverse City Closed Tuesday (231) 946-8168 CALL 231-946-8168 or 231-633-7274 to place a curbside order! TheFillingStationMicrobrewery.com 642 Railroad Place, Traverse City MI
LIVE THE UP NORTH LIFESTYLE • Two Championship Golf Courses • Outdoor Swimming Pool • Casual and Fine Dining
Otsego Resort
The Hidden Gem of the North
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Get on the water. MyNorth.com/Boating
ways to play on
GRAND TRAVERSE BAY Welcome to the bay that makes the “pinky” in the Mitten State: Grand Traverse Bay. The bay’s East and West arms are Traverse City’s first must-stop-and-get-a-picture moment for newcomers. PHOTOS BY DAVE WEIDNER
1. Dig your toes into the soft sand at Traverse City State Park with a .25-mile-long beach, or rough it at the 47-acre campground (with heated bathhouses!) just across the road. 2. Sail into the night: Book a four-night Windjammer Cruise through Traverse Tall Ship Co. Learn the lore of the night sky from a local historian and storyteller. 3. Feel the breeze aboard the Nauti-Cat, the largest commercial sailing catamaran on the Great Lakes. Toast your trip with a booking on the Champagne sunset cruise. 4. View the blue-green water from above with Traverse Bay Parasailing or Grand Traverse Bay Parasail.
6. Boat to dinner on the bay. Motor up to Apache Trout Grill, West End Tavern or Boathouse Restaurant. 7. Charter a captain and a crew, and sail the bay with Great Lakes Sailing Co. 8. Rent a SUP at Clinch Park and paddle along the shoreline (stop for a dip in the swim area!) and explore the mouth of the Boardman River. 9. Slip your boat at Clinch Marina in Traverse City, Suttons Bay Marina in Suttons Bay or the Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor in Elk Rapids. 10. Grab lunch to-go from downtown TC and walk under Grandview Parkway through the famouspedestrian tunnel to enjoy a picnic. Look for the latest murals in the tunnel!
5. Get in: Dive the bay with a dive guide from Scuba North.
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LOCAL NATURAL ORGANIC & GMO-FREE INGREDIENTS! ICE CREAM - GELATO - SORBET VEGAN CREAM - COFFEE DELI SANDWICHES - & MORE
HOME OF AMERICA’S BEST TURTLE SUNDAY
240 E FRONT ST TRAVERSE CITY - 231.944.1036
W W W. M I L K A N D H O N E Y T C . C O M
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a TC landmark: POWER ISLAND
Power Island is an uninhabited island perched in the middle of West Grand Traverse Bay. From day-tripping to overnighting, this is TC’s must-boat-to, must-picnic-on and must-swim-at 200-acre nature preserve. PHOTOS BY GAIL SNABLE
BOAT TO IT!
Boat or kayak out to the island for the day. Visitors usually set sail from Bower’s Harbor Marina (3 miles by water) or Clinch Park Marina (6.5 miles by water). Anchor offshore and swim in the clear blue-green waters of the bay, totally away from modern life.
HIKE ON IT!
Climb Mount Ford, a small hill named after Henry Ford, who once owned the island. There is a 5-mile hiking trail that offers a full excursion of the island’s hilly terrain.
SKI TO IT!
If West Bay freezes over by late February or early March, celebrate with a ski or snowshoe on ice out to the island.
VIEW ON IT!
Find more island-hopping adventures.
A small herd of white-tailed deer lives on the island. If it’s quiet enough, you’ll see the herd moving through the beech-maple forest. Photo op!
MyNorth.com/Boating
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RIVERSIDE C A N O E
T R I P S
Kayaks | Tubes |Canoes Rafts |Boats |SUPs
231-325-5622
5042 N. Scenic Hwy Honor, MI 49640
www.canoemichigan.com
Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch Classics 2020 Sarns Rd., Traverse City
unquely prepared with elegant simplicity
888-880-5557
Closed Tuesdays February — April Week Days 7 am - 4 pm Saturday - Sunday 9 am - 3 pm Located in the Mercato in The Village of The Grand Traverse Commons
www.whisperingwatersbb.com
P L AY T H E W O R L D ’ S B E S T C O U RSES WIT H W O R L D C L A S S TECHNOLOGY
Reservations Accepted 231.252.4648
RedSpireBrunchHouse.com
Putting Clients First
Indoor Golf Venue and Sports Bar If this was any more real ... you would be wearing sunscreen Delivering unrivaled accuracy, experience and realism while you learn new skills, sharpen your game or just play with friends.
Are you ready to sell? I have pre-approved clients ready to buy! See why I am one of the top RE/MAX agents in the state.
Great for Work Events, Birthday Parties, Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties
> TRAVERSE CITY
Summer Hours: Closed Monday • T-Th 10am - 8pm F-S 10am - 10pm • Su 11am - 6pm
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3480 South Airport Rd. Traverse City, MI 49864 231.252.2606
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
the Vasa
Traverse City’s beloved trail system hosts both solitude and celebrations. The trail is groomed and maintained by TART Trails. PHOTO BY KATY JOE
TRAILHEADS
Bunker Hill: 4450 Bartlett Rd., Williamsburg Supply Road: From Traverse City, the trailhead is about two miles up Supply Road. There is no exact street address, but you’ll see a wooden trail sign and a dirt parking lot.
HIKE AND BIKE
The Vasa provides a number of dirt trails to hike and mountain bike. Pick from 3K, 5K, 10K or 25K loops. The 3K loop is famously known as the “poop loop” and is a great place to walk (and scoop!) with your pet on-leash. This loop is flat, while the longer loops include hills and are more challenging. Try the new single track Vasa Skillz Loops near the trailhead for mountain biking fun! Access at Bunker Hill. The Vasa Single Track is a one-way trail system offering several routes, fewer hills and curves through stands of maples and pines. There are more than 17 miles of single track for mountain bike enthusiasts. Access at Supply Road.
WINTER FUN
Winter turns the Vasa into a skier’s haven. Enjoy a freestyle skate lane and two classic cross-country ski track sets. There is a 2.5-mile snowshoe trail as well. Access at Bunker Hill. The Winter Sports Single Track provides 15K of groomed trails for fat tire bikes. Access at Supply Road or Timber Ridge Resort.
THE RACES
The trail is the home of the North American Vasa cross-country ski race, Feb. 13–14, 2021, and several fat tire bike races including the annual Iceman Cometh Challenge Mountain Bike Race, Nov. 7, 2020. Both races include a host of vendors and a celebration for finishers and spectators alike. traversetrails.org; vasa.org
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Christmastide in the Village Grand Traverse Commons
OVER 15 YEARS OF GOODNESS THROUGH FERMENTATION Left Foot Charley 806 Red Drive #100 Traverse City 231.995.0500 leftfootcharley.com
800 COTTAGEVIEW DR. SUITE 35 THE VILLAGE AT GT COMMONS MENTION THIS AD OR USE COUPON CODE SUMMER2020 ONLINE FOR 10% OFF!
BECAUSE YOU DESERVE A BURRITO
Treat Yourself You Deserve It
Now offering curbside service! Order online at spanglishtc.com or call 231-943-1453 to place an order!
GRAND TRAVERSE COMMONS 800 COTTAGEVIEW DR. STE.15 TRAVERSE CITY - MICHIGAN 231.935.1701
SILVERFOXJEWELRYTC.COM 80
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THE VILLAGE AT GRAND TRAVERSE COMMONS Once home to the Traverse City State Hospital, love and labor have turned the once-abandoned, stunning Victorian Italianate buildings on this campus into a booming, beautiful village. Residents now reside onsite in renovated condos, restaurants flourish in all corners of the village and boutique businesses continue to open on the grounds. PHOTOS BY DAVE WEIDNER
SHOP & DINE
Spend your morning in the Mercato (Italian for market)—a series of brick hallways and historic nooks where you’ll find an array of boutiques and eateries. Fuel your browsing with banana pecan caramel French toast at Red Spire Brunch House.
HISTORY
For an up-close look at the past, sign up for a tour that takes you through the underground tunnels dating back to 1883.
HIPPIE TREE
Go on a hike with a mission. Behind the village lies 140 acres of forest, dirt trails, little creeks … and the Hippie Tree. You’ll know it when you see it—the tree is painted in every color and filled with affirmations.
SIPS & SEATS
Time for a break? Ask for Cinnamon Girl hard cider at Left Foot Charley. Expect a real coffee mug pulled off the wall for your fair-trade, organic pour at Higher Grounds Trading Company. Snag a stool at the old-time counter at Cuppa Joe with the regulars. And finish the day with a pint from Earthen Ales craft brewery. Dinner? Choose from either the farm-to-table Trattoria Stella or the authentically Italian PepeNero. 2020 MYNORTH
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JENNIFER EDSON 231-883-2648
ng In:
i Specializ
-Waterfront Homes -Relocating -Buyer’s Agent -Listing Agent -Second Homes -Vacation Homes -Investment Homes
Awarded "Best of Traverse City"
310 W FRONT STREET, SUITE 310F TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49684
PARASAIL | JET SKI | BOAT RENTALS
Experience flight from 800 ft above East Bay's crystal blue waters! • Most experienced in the area • • Perfect safety record • Celebrating 25 years! Fun for the whole family!
Visit ParasailTC.com/summer Para r sailTC ra T .com/ TC m/s m/ /summer to book your summer adventure! 231.929.7272 Located at Sugar Beach 1773 US 31 N, Traverse City 82
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PHOTO BY LYDIA MEJIA
PHOTO BY LYDIA MEJIA
PHOTO BY ANJANETTE MERRIWEATHER
5
ways to
LOVE-UP CHERRIES
The Traverse City area is one of the world’s top producers of cherries. Here’s how to celebrate cherries galore.
EAT A CHERRY CRUMB PIE
DRINK THEM (ADULTS ONLY)
ENTER A CHERRY PIT SPITTING CONTEST
STOP AT A FRUIT STAND ON OLD MISSION PENINSULA
Made by Grand Traverse Pie Company, there are plenty of slices to go around: A single cherry tree bears enough fruit for 28 pies. Bonus: It’s available year-round at the pie company’s shops.
Yes, it’s a thing. The world record for the farthest cherry pit spit is a jaw-dropping 93 feet 6.5 inches. Try your hand at home and practice for the 2021 National Cherry Festival contest next July. Hint: The pros say it's all in how you curl your tongue.
Traverse City Whiskey Co. uses cherries grown on the owner’s family farm in its 80-proof Cherry Whiskey, while Grand Traverse Distillery adds local cherry juice and a touch of chocolate to its True North Cherry Vodka.
Enjoy fresh sweet cherries on the spot. Save the tart cherries to use in pies, preserves, jams and juices.
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Downtown Traverse City
WHITEFISH scalawagswhitefish.com
PERCH
Nine elegant guest rooms with period furnishings & private baths Two-bedroom carriage house suites Located mid-way between the wineries of Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas Walk to beaches, restaurants and shopping
WALLEYE CHOWDER
FRESH FISH EVER EVERYDAY! Located across from
230 Wellington Street
the Park Place in www.scalawagsTC.com Traverse City www.scalawagsTC.com (Located across from the Park Place in Traverse City)
231-922-9900
WellingtonInn.com BREWERY
SILVER SPRUCE BREWING
439 E Eighth St, Traverse City, MI 49684 • 231-252-3552
Opened in 2018, the rustic taproom and brewery share the same space. The draft list consists of clean lagers and traditional styles. silversprucebrewing.com
Local, Legendary, Cherry Goods
THE FLAVOR OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN IN EVERY SPOONFUL
DAILY STORIES FROM LIFE UP NORTH, DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX ON WEEKDAY MORNINGS! GET ON THE LIST AT MYNORTH.COM/NEWSLETTER
At Benjamin Twiggs, we select only the very best and freshest of the local bounty to make our jams, jellies, and preserves. The love and care we put into every jar is easy to see… and taste. https://www.benjamintwiggs.com | 231.947.0208 84
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SARA HARDY
downtown farmers market
Empty your car trunk, grab a basket and head out for a shopping trip that promises to fill your senses! PHOTO BY DAVE WEIDNER
Every summer, the parking lot between Cass and Union streets turns into a bounty of fresh fruit, veggies, flowers and local products. It is, without a doubt, the happiest parking lot in Traverse City. More than 110 vendors (making it the largest farmers market in Northwest Michigan) bring fresh, ripe fruit; soft, sweet cinnamon rolls and lush, leafy plants. Vendors live within a seven-county radius of TC, and the food travels, on average, about 21 miles to get to market (most food in the U.S. travels 1,200 miles). Can’t get much fresher than that!
CHECK OUT THE MARKET dda.downtowntc.com
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PHOTO BY DAVE WEIDNER PHOTO BY DAVE WEIDNER
PHOTO BY LYDIA MEJIA
PHOTO BY DAVE WEIDNER
Taste something new. MyNorth.com/FoodAndDrink
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SIP LIKE A LOCAL Old Mission Peninsula is a patchwork of vineyards and hops farms— a fact that has contributed largely to Traverse City’s buzzing winery, brewery and distillery scene.
PHOTO BY DAVE WEIDNER
WINERIES
There are more than 40 wineries in the area that comprise the Traverse Wine Coast (which includes the Leelanau Peninsula). On Old Mission Peninsula alone there are more than a dozen. You’ll find the gamut of wines here from sparkling to whites, rosés, reds and even ice wine (a type of dessert wine made from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine!). In the tasting rooms, sip away while watching sunsets or crackling fires and enjoy breathtaking views of Grand Traverse Bay. And be assured of the fact that the wine you are sipping is fine. Just this year, Chateau Grand Traverse took home a Best of Class at the 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. At the American Fine Wine Competition, Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery, Bel Lago Vineyards & Winery and Brengman Brothers all left with Double Golds.
THAT BEING SAID, IT’S TIME FOR A WINE TOUR!
Did you know that a couple of Traverse City’s wineries are tied to celebrities? Mari Vineyards is owned by Marty Lagina, best known for the reality TV show, Curse of Oak Island. The winery has an air of mystery as well—it features a stone wine cave built into the hillside. Bonobo Winery (named for the Bonobo monkey) was founded by brothers and longtime Traverse City natives, Todd and Carter Oosterhouse (who is best known as the carpenter on the TV show Trading Spaces). Here’s a celebrity you’ve likely never heard of—Winston the vineyard dog at Bowers Harbor Vineyards. He’s a lovable English cream retriever, and the crew says his pick is a Cab-Merlot wine blend.
INSIDER’S TIP
PHOTO BY DAVE WEIDNER
Many local beaches don’t allow glass bottles. Chateau Chantal has the answer: Try their canned bubbly cherry wine. Each can equals a half bottle of wine, so sip accordingly.
BREWERIES & DISTILLERIES
With almost a dozen breweries, and many more pubs and bars to pick from, TC has the perfect spot to sit and have a drink with friends. 7 Monks Taproom was recently nominated for USA Today’s “10 Best Beer Bars” in the country. With a downtown location and 46 beers on tap, you’ll likely find your own top 10 right there. Just below 7 Monks, try the Low Bar, a funky, moody stop on any night out, stocked with the area’s most extensive list of rare bourbon, Scotch, tequila, gin, rum and vodka. One of Traverse City's newest hot spots is Hopscotch Brick Oven & Taproom. They have an outdoor patio (plus cozy igloo in the winter) with live music. If Scotch is your thing, they offer a range of flavors and ages. Looking for just the right craft beer to top a day on the water? Try Motorboater IPA from Right Brain Brewery, one of TC’s favorite breweries. Other top-stop brew-spots in town include Rare Bird Brewpub (where a celebrity or two has also been spotted—hello, Matthew McConaughey), The Filling Station Microbrewery built in the old TC Depot and Silver Spruce Brewing Company that sits adjacent to the new Eighth Street bike path. You might also try this: Mammoth Distilling Cocktail Lounge in the Warehouse District offers a “Create Your Own Whiskey Blend” experience. Now that would be a vacation keepsake! Find high-quality spirits and cool vibes at both of TC’s craft distilleries, Traverse City Whiskey Co. and Grand Traverse Distillery.
INSIDER’S TIP
Interlochen is brimming with brews. Try the new Bradley’s Pub & Grille at the Interlochen Golf Course. This year-round restaurant has a wall of windows, with everything from Bell’s Two Hearted to Miller Lite and PBR on tap. Just up the road is Hofbrau Steak House & American Grille, an Interlochen landmark for more than 100 years. The “Hoffy,” as the locals affectionately call it, boasts the most beers on tap in the entire area.
sip, paddle and roll BOAT
Kayak Brewery Tours, kayakbrewerytours.com Bask in the perfect synergy of pints, PFDs and paddles on the Boardman River ‘KaBrew’ trail.
BIKE
Paddle TC, paddletc.com To burn a few calories between three taprooms, hop on a cruiser or electric-assist bike for Paddle TC’s ‘Brewbi’ tour.
BUS
Grand Traverse Tours, grandtraversetours.com Gather your friends and hit up the wineries, distilleries or breweries with a designated driver in charge. 2020 MYNORTH
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FREAKY
FAST H
MAKES IT H
FREAKY
FRESH H H H H H
ORDER AT JIMMYJOHNS. COM
Because sandwich. 1217 E FRONT ST ~ 231.929.2999 1294 W SOUTH AIRPORT RD ~ 231.935.9355
SPEND SOME TIME UP NORTH... WITHOUT USING VACATION DAYS.
Subscribe yourself or someone you love now for a full year of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine for $24.95 and receive 6 issues of Northern Home & Cottage, the Vacation Guides and 10 other special sections. MyNorth.com/Subscribe
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LODGING FOR EVERYONE There’s a place for every taste in Traverse City. Find yours at MyNorth.com/Hotels. PHOTO BY GAIL SNABLE
The stars are out, the waves are rolling onto shore and there’s a breeze. You might be sitting on the beach, strolling downtown or walking the pier, yet you’ll still be just a few minutes’ walk from a place to curl up for the night after a day of exploring. Welcome to the Traverse City area. Here, it’s small enough to get away from it all, yet big enough to pick from any type of lodging you can imagine. Book a boutique hotel (with a rooftop deck), a landmark hotel (with a view of the bay) a mom-n-pop cabin (for a true country getaway) or a room in an amenity-filled resort. Rent a house, cottage or condo, or share a campsite featuring one of TC’s stunning starry nights.
Stay a while. MyNorth.com/TCHotels MyNorth.com/TCCottages
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BUILD COMMMUNITY. SPARK CONVERSATION. INSPIRE CHANGE.
On campus at Northwestern Michigan College. www.dennosmuseum.org | 231-995-1055
OCTOBEREVENTS
SUTTONS BAY WINERY & INN 10844 E Revold Rd Suttons Bay
OLD MISSION WINERY 360 McKinley Rd E Traverse City
BlackStarFarms.com
10/17
ORCHARDS AT SUNSET 5K // Gregory/Miezio Farm, Suttons Bay
10/17
SHORT’S BREWING ANNI PARTY 16 // Short’s Brewing Pub, Ballaire
10/22
LEELANAU PENINSULA CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER & MEETING // Black Star Farms, Suttons Bay
Get Your Tickets Now
Total Commitment to Quality
TOY HARBOR CREATIVE & QUALITY TOYS SINCE 1984 SPECIAL SUMMER & HOLIDAY HOURS DOWNTOWN TRAVERSE CITY 231-946-1131 •
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More than 25 years of experience in building distinctive homes while exceeding the expectations of discriminating clients. jim@cooleycontracting. com
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HAVE A PET? HAVE FUN!
BOARDMAN RIVER
Alice
COUNTERCLOCKWISE: PHOTOS COURTESY OF GAIL SNABLE // EMILY TEWERS // MIKE & CHRISSY ABBOTT // LIBBY STALLMAN
Walk downtown Traverse City on a beautiful day, and you’ll see a lot of good-looking locals—of the fourlegged variety, that is.
WILLIAMSBURG
Nala TRAVERSE CITY
Baxter
Join the fun and take your four-legged looker for a walk (a local fave: the TART trail), then a swim at a pet-friendly beach (try Sunset Park Beach near Northwestern Michigan College) or to lunch downtown (pick from any number of restaurants with sidewalk dining options). To please the furry kids, visit the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, which has a huge playground and a paved one-mile loop. Dogs also have their own park at Wags West Dog Park. The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy offers several outdoor ops for your pets, as long as you keep them leashed. Try Hickory Meadows just a few blocks from downtown Traverse City. East of Traverse City, Sand Lakes Quiet Area is a 7.4-mile dog-friendly non-motorized trail, with five nearby lakes. Remember, state law requires dogs to be kept on-leash in public.
OLD MISSION PENINSULA
Max
#MyNorthPets We love to see your adventures. Follow and tag @MyNorthMedia on Instagram for a chance to be featured.
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Family-Friendly Fun. MyNorth.com/KidsActivities
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discover
THE DISCOVERY PIER What was once Traverse City’s coal dock, located two miles from downtown Traverse City on M-22, is now the Discovery Pier, a center of exciting maritime activities that people of all ages can participate in. The pier is being renovated for a variety of uses, including fishing, sightseeing and docking tour boats and tall ships. It’s open to exploration by people of all ages and abilities from dawn to dusk, May to November. discoverygreatlakes.org PHOTO BY DAVE WEIDNER
PLAYING
Greilickville Harbor Park is a favorite for families because it has it all: a playground, beach, pavilion and modern restrooms with baby-changing stations. All on West Grand Traverse Bay, 2.5 miles from downtown TC. Come play!
SAILING
The Traverse Tall Ship Company docks its beautiful tall ship Manitou at Discovery Pier. Ooh and ahh over it, take pictures of it or book a two-hour trip for the entire family to sail the bay. tallshipsailing.com
LEARNING
The Great Lakes Children's Museum is right down the road from Discovery Pier. This hands-on maritime museum teaches kiddos about the very lake they can see out the front window. greatlakeskids.org
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In The Village at Grand Traverse Commons 231.932.0775 | sanctuarytc.com
SPEND SOME TIME UP NORTH ... WITHOUT USING VACATION DAYS. Subscribe yourself or someone you love now for a full year of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine for $24.95 and receive 6 issues of Northern Home & Cottage, the Vacation Guides and 10 other special sections. MyNorth.com/Subscribe
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Explore this stunning peninsula. MyNorth.com/GoOldMissionPeninsula
5
must-dos
ON OLD MISSION
Imagine the view on a quiet two-lane road that weaves through a countryside filled with vineyards, then peaks overlooking gorgeous Grand Traverse Bay and area farms. Welcome to Old Mission Peninsula. PHOTOS BY DAVE WEIDNER
Explore Mission Point Lighthouse at the end of the peninsula. Go for a swim at the shallow, sandy Haserot Beach or take a hike (or bike!) on the trails in the 5-acre park. You can’t miss the Old Mission Scenic Overlook, right on M-37. Enjoy views of both the West and East arms of Grand Traverse Bay. Bite into fresh fruit at old-fashioned farm stands, offering apples, peaches, plums, apricots, blueberries and, of course, tart and sweet cherries. Sip and soak in the views at more than a dozen wineries along the peninsula. Try Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn for an overlook of the bay, or Bonobo Winery for an Instagram-able sunset. Eat local foods at restaurants like Boathouse and Mission Table, both farm-to-table eateries source ingredients from nearby farms. Don’t forget to stop at Old Mission General Store, circa 1839, for a bite of cherry pie. Special thanks to Greg Tasker.
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2020 MYNORTH
Vacation!
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GOLF SPA SHOP DINE STAY
GET UP AND GO Summer feels good on the skin…like freshwater waves gracing the sand. The paradise of Northern Michigan is more than a pristine beach, a day at the spa, or wine tasting with friends. More than an early morning tee time, or an emerging food scene. It’s having all of those things at your fingertips. You won’t believe it if you haven’t seen it. Get up and go at grandtraverseresort.com.
Owned and Operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
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Enjoy al fresco dining, wide-open spaces and Mackinac Island's unparalleled beauty at Mission Point. Book now for 2020.
One Lakeshore Drive, Mackinac Island, MI 49757 | www.missionpoint.com | 906.847.3000
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6/29/20 11:57 AM