Traverse City... been?

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  • Indy_Guy_77

    Grandmaster
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    16   0   0
    Apr 30, 2008
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    Wife and I are headed up to TC here in a few weeks for a long weekend.

    Neither of us have ever been...

    Anything in the area a "must see"?

    We generally like light hiking / outdoors stuff. I think we may rent bikes one of the days and do a winery tour. Not set in stone, though.
     

    fochman

    Plinker
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    Apr 2, 2011
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    There are a lot of wineries on the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas to tour. The TART Trail is a nice paved bike trail that you can get on at the bay and runs about 10 miles in length. The Leelenau Trail is nice also and runs about 15 miles up the peninsula. My wife and I road both these trails last year while camping in the area. If you like gambling there's a casino in the area. There's some interesting shopping in the downtown section. If you see any, try the cherry bbq sauce that's made in the area. I bought a bottle and made bbq chicken on the grill. It was tasty.
     

    gregkl

    Outlier
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    33   0   0
    Apr 8, 2012
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    Bloomington
    There are a lot of wineries on the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas to tour. The TART Trail is a nice paved bike trail that you can get on at the bay and runs about 10 miles in length. The Leelenau Trail is nice also and runs about 15 miles up the peninsula. My wife and I road both these trails last year while camping in the area. If you like gambling there's a casino in the area. There's some interesting shopping in the downtown section. If you see any, try the cherry bbq sauce that's made in the area. I bought a bottle and made bbq chicken on the grill. It was tasty.

    This^^^^

    My mom and dad lived there. It was great going up to visit. There are also a couple of nice restaurants in the area. I can't remember the name, but if you head northwest up around the bay, not too far out there is a restaurant that sits on the bay(on your right when driving). Good food, nice location.

    Leelanau wine trail is nice. Last time I went, the wineries did not charge for tastings.

    A walk down by the marina in the evening is also nice. Michigander's are proud of their boats and you will see some nice ones.
     

    bigelowe

    Marksman
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    Oct 14, 2012
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    bullitt county
    Wife and I are thinking about going there also. Kids love the Florida beaches,but we want something alittle different this time. They were overruled.
     

    gvsugod

    Expert
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    13   0   1
    Mar 19, 2012
    981
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    SW Indianapolis
    I grew up in Traverse City. We are heading up in a few weeks.

    I say go fishing, the fishing up there is phenomenal. You can go anywhere even from shore and have a good shot to catch some fish. Smallmouth in the river and bay, lakers are hot right now on the bay.

    I dont like the touristy crap, but like I said I spent 18 years there.
     

    LeeStreet

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    Oct 26, 2009
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    South of Steuben Co.
    While you are there, drive up to Petoskey then on to Mackinaw City, to take in the tourist stuff, and also walk out onto the boat dock and check out the expensive boats. After that , go to Mackinaw island.
     

    buckstopshere

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    Jan 18, 2010
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    Greenwood
    It's beautiful up there. I usually stay in traverse city when I'm working Michigan but never have time to do any of the touristy stuff. We love to hike and there are a few trails I was most interested in tackling up near there if I had some appointments cancel but sadly,hasn't happened yet.

    Empire Bluff Trail - very short hike (1.5 miles) with some elevation Empire Bluff Trail - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (U.S. National Park Service)

    Sand Lakes Quiet Area - Many different trails here and lots of places to just hang out with the wife and kiddos (if they're tagging along) Sand Lakes Quiet Area

    Sleeping Bear Point Trail #2 - 2 mile loop might be of interest for you. If not, Sleeping Bear Dunes is a National Lakeshore and there are other trails there. http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/trailsleepingbearpt.htm

    have fun buddy!
     

    LEaSH

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    Aug 10, 2009
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    Indianapolis
    Esch Road (beach). And not too further south of that is the Platte River. It might get a little crowded on the Platte, but Esch Road can be quiet on weekdays. Watch for illegal nudies that might be on the north end, I report them if they are there. I'm not a prude, it's just not cool for families and kids, you know?

    https://www.google.com/maps/@44.7616533,-86.0583707,15z

    There are some secret spots I wont post here, but PM me if you want to get to places where there are few if any humans. It has been awhile, so maybe things have changed up there. Wintertime is usually my favorite time up there.

    Oh, and Lake Leelanau has some great Walleye fishing if you can find a spot where the provincial folks don't try to run you off. They have been known to be a bit territorial, but I say they can go **** up a rope.
     

    Crbn79

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    May 4, 2014
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    Indianapolis, North
    Whatever you do, STAY AWAY from REED CITY (131 and 10). The most corrupt fake ticket writing city in Michigan! They target out-of-State plates knowing you are less likely to fight the ticket in Court.
     

    LEaSH

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    Aug 10, 2009
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    Indianapolis
    Whatever you do, STAY AWAY from REED CITY (131 and 10). The most corrupt fake ticket writing city in Michigan! They target out-of-State plates knowing you are less likely to fight the ticket in Court.

    Good point! And when you get off I127 and onto 115 you got to remember to lower your speed (you'll probably be used to going fast on I 127).

    And if you have some time and interest, stop into General Jim's in Clare. Big surplus shop.
     

    Indy_Guy_77

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    Apr 30, 2008
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    Thanks all!

    I WISH I could spend a day fishing... But there isn't the time. Plus my wife gets motion sickness (even on small boats in small lakes) + she doesn't have any interest in fishing. So - no fishing of any kind. :-(

    I've been looking at locations of area wineries on Google Maps. Holy crap. There are probably 40 wineries within an hour of T.C. proper. AND there are about 5-6 gun shops within that same radius.

    I think we may head up onto the peninsulas. Just drive around to wineries, see the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, just hang out together.

    The old hospital property has been made into a kind of a shopping "commons" that looks neat. May head to see that. The Village at Grand Traverse Commons | Shopping, Dining & Living in Traverse City
     

    gregkl

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    Apr 8, 2012
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    Bloomington
    Thanks all!

    I WISH I could spend a day fishing... But there isn't the time. Plus my wife gets motion sickness (even on small boats in small lakes) + she doesn't have any interest in fishing. So - no fishing of any kind. :-(

    I've been looking at locations of area wineries on Google Maps. Holy crap. There are probably 40 wineries within an hour of T.C. proper. AND there are about 5-6 gun shops within that same radius.

    I think we may head up onto the peninsulas. Just drive around to wineries, see the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, just hang out together.

    The old hospital property has been made into a kind of a shopping "commons" that looks neat. May head to see that. The Village at Grand Traverse Commons | Shopping, Dining & Living in Traverse City

    You won't go wrong doing just what you are thinking of. It is really nice up there. Slowed pace, weather should be nice. If you get a little warm, drive over to a shore. It will feel nice there. Some nice restaurants scattered throughout the area.
     

    Indy_Guy_77

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    Apr 30, 2008
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    I MAY try to finagle in a trip to the big choclatier over in Empire. May also cruise through the scenic drive in Sleeping Bear Dunes. Would really rather not hike "up/down" the dunes. Perhaps another of the hikes, too.

    During googling, ran across Black Star Inn. Holy cow. That place looks PHENOMENAL! Kind of like a small "Grand Hotel" like on Mackinac Island. (Another place I hope to visit some day...)

    -J-
     

    Wanderer

    Plinker
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    Aug 31, 2012
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    Bloomington
    I used to live in that area for a few years. I lived on a house on Torch Lake, one of the nicest lakes in the entire country I'd say. If you aren't able to go boating and fishing it might at least be worth taking a drive down to the Dockside restaurant just to check out the view. If you want a good burger I definitely recommend Don's Drive In on highway 72, and if it's pizza you're looking for, head over to Chef Charles in Elk Rapids.
     

    indyblue

    Guns & Pool Shooter
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    Aug 13, 2013
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    Indy Northside `O=o-
    The drive up to TS is nice. go this route on 119: Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route, Harbor Springs, MI

    The Polish food at "Legs Inn" isn't bad.
     
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