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Writer's pictureDesirae-Haunted Traverse
Jul 11

One Full Day Itinerary in Traverse City-Things To Do!

Updated: Jul 12

24 hours. One Day. The pressure is on. You want to optimize your visit to the Traverse City area. Great! Let's get started.


Hi! Dez here local tour guide and born and raised right here in Grand Traverse County. Lover of all things Michigan, paranormal, historic, and fun. Let me help you create a one-day itinerary of fun things to do in Traverse City Michigan.


Traverse City Road Sign
1-Day Itinerary in Traverse City
 

Some affiliate links can be found in this article. By clicking on them, you support me by providing this information at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. ~Dez

 

Where to Stay in Traverse City, Michigan

Before we get to your one full-day itinerary when visiting Traverse City. Where should you stay? With only one day in Traverse City, I would suggest staying as close as possible to the Old Town/Downtown Traverse City area districts. Traverse City's main roads can get congested and putting yourself within a quick drive or walking distance to some of the fun can help get back lost time behind the wheel of a vehicle.


Camping

Keith J Charters Traverse City State Park- Located about a 10-minute drive from downtown Traverse City and East Grand Traverse Bay.


Hotel

Click here for my blog on the top 5 places to stay in Traverse City.


Home Rental

Airbnb, Booking.com [aff. link] placewill be your best places to look for a one or two-night rental in Traverse City. When looking at the location of the rental, try to choose a local within walking distance of Front Street/Downtown Traverse City.


If you need to go further afield, try to choose a location that will have you on one of our main roads like US 31, Grandview Parkway, Garfield Road, or South Airport within a few minutes. These roads are the main arteries of Traverse City and will get you easily to your location. But reader be warned, rush hour traffic is present on all of these suggested roads.


Morning in Traverse City on the water
East Grand Traverse Bay


One Full Day Itinerary Morning: 9 am-2pm

When scheduling your day in Traverse City, here are some items to think ahead on:


  1. Dinner reservations (see dinner options below)

  2. Make sure your restaurant is open this evening (some close early, some close on a random day of the week due to staffing challenges)

  3. Public Restrooms

  4. Rideshare/Uber/Lyft (TC does have Uber/Lyft but to ensure you have a ride, book your rides early) We also have taxi services.

  5. Book your evening walking tour.


List of Things To Take With You:


  1. Sunblock

  2. Bottle for water (downtown TC has water fountains)

  3. Backpack (to carry souvenirs and items)

  4. Hand sanitizer/wet wipes

  5. Towel

  6. Small umbrella (sun or rain)

  7. I.D. (rentals and alcohol), small bills (tipping), and your credit card

  8. Athletic Gear, hiking shoes, and clothes for hiking or biking



Rider on Bike on Trail
Bike the Boardman Lake Trail

Suggested Morning Activity/Lunch

This activity is located in the heart of Traverse City at Boardman Lake-just south of Downtown Traverse City. Grab your hiking shoes and dress for the weather.


Hike or Bike the entire 4-mile loop on gravel, cement, and boardwalk trails. You will traverse tree-shaded paths at first as you head south on the trail, explore Medalie Park (lots of waterfowl beauty to take in), and murals by local artists and sculptures.


Here is my suggested plan:

  1. You can opt to hike or rent a bike! For this itinerary to work, make sure you head south on the east side of Boardman lake toward Medalie Park!

    1. Biking: Brickwheels rents bikes and is located a few short minutes from the trail. Price ranges from $35-$80 for a 4-hour rental. The staff will be able to give you easy directions on how to access the Boardman Lake Trail Loop.

    2. Hiking: Park at the designated parking: Hannah Road just south of the Traverse Area District Library

  2. Lunch! You have two options.

    1. Right Brain Brewery, opens at 11 am. Food Trucks on site along with a satisfying brew from RBB. This location can be seen from the trail on the west side of the trail. Easy to hop on and off the trail at this location.

    2. The Filling Stations Microbrewery, opens at 11 am. Gourmet pizza is the specialty here with a brewery on site with tasty beer options. This location is just after the Traverse Area Community Sailing area you will pass on the northside of the Boardman Lake. If you walk through the Traverse City Area Library location, The Filing Station is location north of the library. It's a very short and easy walk off trail to get to it.

  3. Return to Vehicle Your afternoon activity awaits! Make sure you are back to your transportation by 2 pm.


Clock on Front St in Traverse City
Downtown Traverse City

Late Afternoon Activity: 2-5 pm


Shop, snack, dine or drink your way across Downtown Traverse City. There is much to shop and experience in the heart of Downtown Traverse City from antique stores to books, to boutique clothing, and more!


So here are some highlights, but feel free to wander at will based on your particular preferences.


  1. Park at the Hardy Parking Garage or on State or East Front Street as close to the Hardy Parking Garage as you can find.

  2. Walk your feet to East Front Street.

  3. If the metaphysical and crystals are to your liking, check out Higher Self Bookstore (located due North of the Hardy Parking Garage on East Front Street)

  4. Head West on Front Street.

  5. Southside of the next block (just past the Chase Bank), Milk & Honey Ice-cream Shop. A popular cool snack for hot summer days.

  6. Horizon Books is a local favorite for books. (located right across from Milk & Honey)

  7. Continue west on Front Street, look for Mr. Bill's T-shirts for a local t-shirt souvenir. Be warned some are very racy and some are funny!

  8. Higher Art Gallery is located on the north side of Front Street and right next to it is the Grand Traverse Distillery Tasting Room with curated drink specials.

  9. Momentums next door to the distillery, is a fun place for affordable fleece gear and clothing.

  10. On the next block, check out the Cherry Republic for delicious chocolate-covered, cherries and cherry products.

  11. Across the street look for On the Rocks rock shop and a colorful Traverse City Mural on the wall of Kilwins Fudge, Ice-cream and Chocolate Store. A great photo opportunity!

  12. You have the option, if you have time, to turn left on Union Street and head south to State Street before turning left again and heading east back to your vehicle. Keep your eye out for pretzel shops, a popular souvenir shop on Cass St. called My Secret Stash (right next to the Omelette Shop- a big, bright yellow building).



Evening Activity: 5 pm -Late Evening


Dining and a Tour

Stay in the Downtown Traverse City area for a taste of phenomenal dining at one of our many delicious culinary restaurants. After dinner, it's time to learn about Traverse City on a fun and engaging tour. After the tour concludes, the option of exploring Traverse City's nightlife awaits!

 

Bonus Tip! Some of the restaurants have dress codes. You might want to go back to your stay location and freshen up for dinner and your evening out.

 

Here is my suggested plan:

  1. Dining: 

    1. With a Reservation: Park at the designated parking: Hannah Road just south of the Traverse Area District Library

      1. Amical European Cuisine (Next to the State Theater)

      2. Red Ginger Sushi ( Next to the State Theater)

      3. Slate Fine Dining with casual dress code ( Next to Chase Bank)

    2. Without a Reservation:

      1. Taproot Cider house Farm to plate Cuisine (Park and Front St)

      2. Bubba's Burger and Bar (East Front St)

      3. Mama Lu's Taco Shop (across from Cherry Republic, Front St)

      4. The Flying Noodle Relaxed restaurant doling out pasta, pizza & salads in a contemporary, brick-lined space. ( Near the City Opera House)

      5. Pangea Pizza ( Next to Kilwin's Chocolates)


Ghost Tour in Traverse City Michigan
Historical Ghost Lantern Tour

Walking Tour! 

The historical Ghost Lantern Tour is a fun mix of humor, history, ghost tales, and architecture in the heart of Downtown Traverse City. It is by reservation only and starts in the late evening, 90-minute fun-filled moments in TC. For more information and to reserve your spots, visit hauntedtraverse.com


Home or Nightlife Awaits!

You have two options.

  1. Nightlife

    1. SideTraxx Dance Bar (Not just a gay bar)

    2. Union Street Station

    3. Encore 201 (Corner of Front and Cass St)

    4. The Pub (Corner of Front and Cass St)

    5. NorthBar *2nd story above The Pub (Corner of Front and Cass St)

    6. Kilkenny's Irish Public House (West Front Street)

  2. Home- Retrace your steps back to your vehicle and call it a day well explored!


Thank you for visiting Traverse City!

Need help curating a visit that meets your particular needs? I can help. Please email me to get started.


Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed my 1-day itinerary of Traverse City!

~Dez









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