Neighborhood Guide
Downtown & Eighth Street
The Heart of Traverse City
Eighth Street is just a few blocks from the action of downtown, making it an easy walk to the Front Street shopping district. You could spend your entire visit walking from your rental to various spots and never even get in your car. Easy access to the TART Trails makes this even more possible.
Stay nearby: Midtown Square
🍽️ Eat
Rare Bird Brewpub
$$229 Lake Ave, Traverse City, MI 49684
A rustic, beer hall-style brew pub with a stellar beer selection. Their own brews plus local beers, margaritas on tap, and some of the best food in town. Check their live music calendar.
The Towne Plaza
$$203 Cass St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Great for lunch with menus perfect for every meal. Features great outdoor seating in summer and specializes in pork-centered meals.
Modern Bird
$$$541 W Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
One of the newest additions to the TC restaurant scene. A trendy restaurant on West Front Street offering seasonal grub with a big-city feel.
Frenchies Famous
$$619 Randolph St Traverse City, MI 49684
A cozy breakfast and lunch spot, one of the best-kept secrets in TC. Flavorful, from-scratch food served fresh daily. Limited seating—be prepared to wait, but it's worth it.
🍷 Drink
The Parlor
$$205 Lake Ave, Traverse City, MI 49684
Craft cocktail bar with vintage vibes and a cozy atmosphere. Gastro-pub style food and one of the best happy hours in town.
Low Bar
$$128 S. Union St, Traverse City, MI 49684
This basement-level lounge is the perfect hideout. Below 7 Monks with a wide array of craft cocktails. Feels like stepping into another era. Great mocktails too.
☕ Coffee
Mundos 305
$305 W Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Our favorite coffee shop in town with wonderful coffee and tasty pastries. Their newest location—stop in for a quick coffee or spend an hour reading.
Outpost
$108 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Focuses on two things exceptionally well: coffee and bread. Pop in for a pour-over and thick-cut toast with seasonal toppings, or grab a sandwich on house-made sourdough.
🛍️ Shop
Wilson's Antiques
$-$$$123 S. Union St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Multi-level treasure trove with antiques of all kinds—furniture, books, clothing, tools. Four floors to explore with local antique maps and books.
l.a. cool
$$$120 E. Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Stylish, modern styles for women from designers across the country. Elevated looks to complete your wardrobe.
Brilliant Books
$$118 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Well-stocked local bookstore with great literature selection including an expansive children's section.
🛒 Groceries
Oryana
260 E Tenth St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Local co-op featuring bulk food items, organic and local produce, a cafe and hot bar. Sells beer and wine.
Family Fare
905 E Eighth St, Traverse City, MI 49686
Supermarket with a deli, beer, wine, and liquor.
Stay Downtown
Book Midtown Square and walk to everything downtown Traverse City has to offer.
Midtown Square