What to Do In Traverse City…Without Kids
Once in a blue moon we manage to get away without kids.
Just last weekend, we snuck away to Traverse City to celebrate our anniversary and had one of the most stress-free, fun weekends away that I can remember.
Traverse City is a small town with big character…which to me, means easy access to amenities, close proximity to attractions and small-town friendliness.
Where to Stay in Traverse City
We cut out of GR on a Friday afternoon – giving us enough time to reach TC by dinnertime – and checked into our hotel. For this weekend, we wanted something nice – a place we could lounge in the hotel room and enjoy ourselves.
I’m happy to say that Sugar Beach Resort Hotel lived up to our expectations. The room was spacious, the bed comfortable and the staff helpful. And, hallelujah, the pool only admits adults during the last hour it’s open, ensuring our kid-free weekend stayed that way.
The complimentary breakfast buffet with a bay-view balcony was icing on the cake.
Hint: Fall is color tour season and weekends are still prime time, so be sure to get your reservation in early. The hotel was sold out on the Saturday we were there.
Of course, there are lots of other places to stay in and around Traverse City. On past visits, we’ve stayed at the Cherry Tree Inn and even some Airbnbs.
If you’re looking for a vacation rental, here’s a good place to start:
<Traverse City Restaurant Recommendations
You could spend your whole time in Traverse City eating and drinking. The town is a foodie’s delight.
The problem with visiting for a weekend is that you don’t have enough time to fit in all of the meals at all of the restaurants you’d like to try!
No matter where you decide to dine, I suggest making reservations as soon as you book your hotel. Having the food figured out gives great peace of mind and helps your whole weekend run smoothly.
Amical
What can I say? I am in love.
Magic happens in the kitchen at Amical. Locally-sourced ingredients (when possible) are transformed into eclectic European fare. The atmosphere in the dining room is cozy and makes you want to linger over your wine and your bread and and your meal and your dessert… the dessert!
Amical is where I want to go when I’m in Traverse City. If you want to go, I highly suggest making reservations.
Red Ginger
If it’s sushi you’re after, then Red Ginger is a great choice. This upscale Asian-infused restaurant offers upscale dining with their spin on Asian favorites. Reservations recommended.
Trattoria Stella
Trattoria Stella is another longtime favorite for dining in Traverse City. Located on the Grand Traverse Commons Campus, Trattoria Stella is known for delectable Italian dishes made with locally sourced food. Reservations recommended.
If you don’t want to make reservations, are looking for a good lunch spot, or just want a fantastic slice of pie, then Grand Traverse Pie Company is your stop. Be sure to save room for a slice of pie with ice cream!
Breweries & Wine Tasting
I like wine and my husband loves craft beer, so we mixed and matched tastings in this category. There are plenty of breweries and wineries to choose from in the Traverse City area.
For wine, we tried out Left Foot Charley, an urban winery, and really liked it.
Their concept is unique for a winery. Rather than operating their own vineyard, they have a hand in the production of their grapes on many different soils around the region.
For just a few dollars, you can sample 6 of their wines and hard ciders in their indoor tasting room or enjoy a glass and some munchies on their lovely patio.
Left Foot Charley is located on the grounds of the Grand Traverse Commons, just minutes from downtown Traverse City (806 Red Dr, Traverse City, Michigan 49684).
For craft beer, we drove out to Suttons Bay to check out Hop Lot (658 S West Bay Shore Dr, Suttons Bay, Michigan 49682), a new brewery with an outdoor “Up North” beer garden replete with on-site hop garden, fire pit, bag toss games, grass, and lots of patio seating.
Hop Lot is great-with or without kids.
My husband is an IPA guy. He loved the Rocket Power IPA. I loved the pork tacos.
More breweries, taprooms and wineries on our list:
- The Workshop Brewing Company – On a mission to provide craft beer and craft food within the community of Traverse City.
- Rare Bird BrewPub – They brew their our own beers and also offer a wide range of beers & beverages from other great breweries, wineries & distilleries from Michigan and around the world.
- Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery – An old favorite at 3309 Blue Water Road
- Mari Vineyards at 8175 Center Rd. has piqued my curiosity. On my list to investigate with it’s exotic – yet still local – wines.
Of course, if you time your tastings right, you’ll be in position for one of the renowned Old Mission Peninsula sunsets.
Traverse City Tunnel Tour
We found exploring the Grand Traverse Commons to be a nice compliment to all of the eating and drinking we were doing on our adult weekend away.
The Grand Traverse Commons was formerly the location of the Traverse City State Hospital and is filled with renovated and unrenovated historic buildings from the late 1800s.
There are a lot of shops and restaurants in the buildings now, and more are planned as they do a decades-long renovation project on these facilities. You are welcome to walk the campus and take pictures while you explore.
I found it fascinating to get some of the back story on the Guided Historic Building & Tunnel Tour. It gives you the opportunity to go inside some of the not-yet-renovated buildings and you get to walk through the old steam tunnel to learn about how the buildings were built.
Reservations required. Tours are for ages 12 and up.
Hike the Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area and Go Barn Spotting
The Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area is a 140-acre park adjacent to the historical buildings of the commons. Find miles of hiking trails through wooded hillsides and meadows that lead to breathtaking views of both Grand Traverse bays and Old Mission Peninsula.
Be prepared to climb, climb, climb to reach the top and you’ll be rewarded with a great vista.
Another fun find is the historic barns at the Grand Traverse Commons.
These old brick barns have been recently renovated from previous use on the grounds of the former State Hospital. Now, Cathedral Barn is used for weddings and other special occasions.
Rent Bikes and Ride the TART Trails
We kept the weekend moving by renting cruiser bikes from Einstein Cycles (just across the street from our hotel) and riding the TART Trail into Traverse City. Those cruiser bikes with the padded seats were a really smooth ride, and we enjoyed breaking up a few of our restaurant stops with the jaunt along the bay.
We also found ourselves at the Downtown Traverse City Farmer’s Market scoring a little fresh produce too.
We Can’t Wait to Go Back Again!
After our fantastic weekend up in TC, the only thing we are still wondering is, when can we do this again?!
And, when we get back, what else do we need to check out?
If you’ve been to Traverse City lately, let us know where you stayed, ate, sampled, etc. We’d love to hear more winery, brewery and hiking tips for next time.
Would this be fun while pregnant? I am trying to plan a mini vacation before baby#2 arrives and our first away from baby#1. It would be early December and I would be 30 weeks. Any advice??
This looks like so much fun! Thanks for the ideas, a parent getaway is in my future 🙂
Glad to help! Have fun!!
As an INTP, I enjoyed this post!
Amiee and cooks house are top places to eat. I would add Georgina’s. Lunch in the warmer half of the year Little Fleet is exceptional for food trucks. The area is not cherry, cherry, cherries any more, locals avoid the cherry fest in general. Many restaurants have special menus for restaraunt week in August, the film festival in late July is also good adult fun. Lots of local brew pubs, add Right Brain to your list if not already.