Harold's and Laura's Guidebook
Food Scene
Moomers Homemade Ice Cream
7263 N Long Lake RdVoted Americas favorite ice cream! 4.5 Miles (7.3km)
Our favorite couples night restaurant. Make sure you have the pita chip appetizer. Not a kids favorite spot..
Parking meters are free after 6 pm and all day Sundays
72 locals recommend
Poppycocks
128 E Front StOur favorite couples night restaurant. Make sure you have the pita chip appetizer. Not a kids favorite spot..
Parking meters are free after 6 pm and all day Sundays
Groceries, Deli and Prepared Meals. Moomer's Ice Cream by the carton without the wait in lines! 4.5 Miles (7.3 km)
21 locals recommend
Fresh Coast Market
7270 N Long Lake RdGroceries, Deli and Prepared Meals. Moomer's Ice Cream by the carton without the wait in lines! 4.5 Miles (7.3 km)
Great Coffee Shop. Light Meals, Ice Cream and Baked Goods. Kid Friendly. Cool "Up North" Décor. 5 Miles (8.1 km)
33 locals recommend
Bud's
3061 M-137Great Coffee Shop. Light Meals, Ice Cream and Baked Goods. Kid Friendly. Cool "Up North" Décor. 5 Miles (8.1 km)
Close to Birchwood Cove, typically not crowded with tourists. On nice day's, choose the patio. Amazing Stuffed Burgers. Great salads and Pizza choices. 4.3 Mikes (6.9 km)
Mulligan's Pub & Grill
2430 W Crown DrClose to Birchwood Cove, typically not crowded with tourists. On nice day's, choose the patio. Amazing Stuffed Burgers. Great salads and Pizza choices. 4.3 Mikes (6.9 km)
Popular tourist destination. Can be noisy and crowded. Deck is a nice choice with live music on occasion. Last I knew, no reservation opportunity and whole group must be present to seat.
46 locals recommend
Boone's Long Lake Inn
7208 Secor RdPopular tourist destination. Can be noisy and crowded. Deck is a nice choice with live music on occasion. Last I knew, no reservation opportunity and whole group must be present to seat.
Popular Beer and Entertainment Stop. Great Live Music (honor system cover). Food Available (order next door at the Stone Oven eat at Lake Ann Brewing). Can be crowed but seats open up all the time. You might have to share a large picnic table. Outdoors seating kid friendly. 9.7 Miles (15.6 km)
57 locals recommend
Lake Ann Brewing Company
6535 First StPopular Beer and Entertainment Stop. Great Live Music (honor system cover). Food Available (order next door at the Stone Oven eat at Lake Ann Brewing). Can be crowed but seats open up all the time. You might have to share a large picnic table. Outdoors seating kid friendly. 9.7 Miles (15.6 km)
Glen Arbor, MI. One of the few area restaurants in this area directly on Lake Michigan.
16 locals recommend
Blu
5705 S Lake StGlen Arbor, MI. One of the few area restaurants in this area directly on Lake Michigan.
Another of our favorite couples restaurants and a beautiful drive on the Old Mission peninsula. Consider an afternoon on the peninsula visiting wineries, beach's and the light house. $$$ restaurant that should not disappoint you. 19.7 Miles (31.7 km)
54 locals recommend
Boathouse Restaurant
14039 Peninsula DrAnother of our favorite couples restaurants and a beautiful drive on the Old Mission peninsula. Consider an afternoon on the peninsula visiting wineries, beach's and the light house. $$$ restaurant that should not disappoint you. 19.7 Miles (31.7 km)
Nice Bar and Dining. We typically share appetizers and small plate options. Inside and Outside seating. Golf Course View. 4.5 Miles (7.3 km)
21 locals recommend
Bradley's Pub & Grille
10586 US-31Nice Bar and Dining. We typically share appetizers and small plate options. Inside and Outside seating. Golf Course View. 4.5 Miles (7.3 km)
Never disappointed with this one. Quality pub food. Recent addition and outside seating options. 3.7 Miles (5.95 km)
28 locals recommend
Oaky's Tavern
9205 US-31Never disappointed with this one. Quality pub food. Recent addition and outside seating options. 3.7 Miles (5.95 km)
Adult restaurant. Dress sporty. Great food and drinks. One of the best in town. You may want to reserve a few weeks in advance. $$$
143 locals recommend
Red Ginger
237 E Front StAdult restaurant. Dress sporty. Great food and drinks. One of the best in town. You may want to reserve a few weeks in advance. $$$
Sightseeing
Make sure you stop at all the view-points on the Pierce Stocking Drive. Take the kids to the dune climb. 26.4 Miles (42.5 km)
232 locals recommend
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Make sure you stop at all the view-points on the Pierce Stocking Drive. Take the kids to the dune climb. 26.4 Miles (42.5 km)
Fun little "fishing" town on the M-22 Loop. Buy smoked or fresh fish at Carlson's on the docks. Swim at "Vans Beach" just south of the river in town. 27.6 Miles (44.4 km)
84 locals recommend
Fishtown
203 W River StFun little "fishing" town on the M-22 Loop. Buy smoked or fresh fish at Carlson's on the docks. Swim at "Vans Beach" just south of the river in town. 27.6 Miles (44.4 km)
Perfect Place for walk on the pier (weather permitting) and Sunsets. Kids can play on the beach swings. Nice choice of restaurant's. Stop at Crystal Falls Mini Golf on the way there or back. 32.3 Miles (52.0 km)
107 locals recommend
Frankfort
Perfect Place for walk on the pier (weather permitting) and Sunsets. Kids can play on the beach swings. Nice choice of restaurant's. Stop at Crystal Falls Mini Golf on the way there or back. 32.3 Miles (52.0 km)
Family Fun
Best choice for floating the Platte River. Check river flow conditions before going. If the river is not flowing well this can require a lot of hand paddling. Kids will love this one!
(Interesting note - The Platte begins at Long Lake)
18 locals recommend
Honor Trading Post
8294 Deadstream RdBest choice for floating the Platte River. Check river flow conditions before going. If the river is not flowing well this can require a lot of hand paddling. Kids will love this one!
(Interesting note - The Platte begins at Long Lake)
Super Family Friendly Drive-In Theatre. If you have not tried a Drive-In Movie this is your chance. Check website for movies. Only drawback, sun-sets late in Northern Michigan, get the kids to take afternoon naps if they want to make it through the first movie. You have to be a night owl to make it through the second.
76 locals recommend
Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre
9812 Honor HwySuper Family Friendly Drive-In Theatre. If you have not tried a Drive-In Movie this is your chance. Check website for movies. Only drawback, sun-sets late in Northern Michigan, get the kids to take afternoon naps if they want to make it through the first movie. You have to be a night owl to make it through the second.
Family owned (our son) 36 Hole Mini Golf. Hard and Soft serve ice-cream, try a fresh raspberry shake. 24.5 Miles (39.4 km)
11 locals recommend
Crystal Falls Mini Golf & Ice Cream Shop
1405 Michigan AveFamily owned (our son) 36 Hole Mini Golf. Hard and Soft serve ice-cream, try a fresh raspberry shake. 24.5 Miles (39.4 km)
Rainy Day
Kids Rainy Day Option 2-3 Hours - Kid friendly bowling (bumpers and light balls). Large Game Room. Pizza.
15 locals recommend
Incredible Mo's
1355 Silver Lake Crossings BlvdKids Rainy Day Option 2-3 Hours - Kid friendly bowling (bumpers and light balls). Large Game Room. Pizza.
Music House Museum
7377 US-31Best for adults and older children.
Kids Rainy Day Option 1-2 Hours - Kids will love the game room (its in the basement). You can spend $50.00 on games real fast!
7 locals recommend
Great Wolf Lodge
3575 N U.S. 31 SKids Rainy Day Option 1-2 Hours - Kids will love the game room (its in the basement). You can spend $50.00 on games real fast!
The Arts
Check online for free and ticketed events. If a headliner is on (and you don't have tickets) during your stay, head down, get a coffee or ice cream and sit in the public square next to the open sided concert hall. Audio quality is pretty darn good and you can even get a few glimpses of performers. 6.0 Mile (9.7 km)
117 locals recommend
Interlochen Center for the Arts
4000 J. Maddy PkwyCheck online for free and ticketed events. If a headliner is on (and you don't have tickets) during your stay, head down, get a coffee or ice cream and sit in the public square next to the open sided concert hall. Audio quality is pretty darn good and you can even get a few glimpses of performers. 6.0 Mile (9.7 km)
Beaches
Great Kid Friendly Beach. Be aware of Rip Currents when waves are high. Close to the Sand Dunes. Good Grub at Joes Friendly Tavern or Empire Village Inn.
43 locals recommend
Empire
Great Kid Friendly Beach. Be aware of Rip Currents when waves are high. Close to the Sand Dunes. Good Grub at Joes Friendly Tavern or Empire Village Inn.
National Park Pass Required. Otter Creek Beach, End of Esch Road. Our favorite Lake Michigan Sunset Beach. You can build a fire on the beach. Swim till the sun sets. Note: Bugs arrive immediately after sunset during summer months.
Otter Creek
National Park Pass Required. Otter Creek Beach, End of Esch Road. Our favorite Lake Michigan Sunset Beach. You can build a fire on the beach. Swim till the sun sets. Note: Bugs arrive immediately after sunset during summer months.
Another favorite Lake Michigan Sunset location. Easy Access to beach and playground. Good restaurants and a great brew pub.
30 locals recommend
Frankfort Public Beach And Playground
Another favorite Lake Michigan Sunset location. Easy Access to beach and playground. Good restaurants and a great brew pub.
State Park Pass Required. Large Safe Beach with Playground.
18 locals recommend
Traverse City State Park
1132 US-31State Park Pass Required. Large Safe Beach with Playground.
Clinch Park Beach - Parking across the road Free after 6:00PM and all day Sundays, walk through tunnel .
89 locals recommend
Clinch Park
111 E Grandview PkwyClinch Park Beach - Parking across the road Free after 6:00PM and all day Sundays, walk through tunnel .
Distilleries, Wineries and Brew Pubs
Check website for food and entertainment options. Whiskeys and Gins with local ingredients, great craft cocktails.
60 locals recommend
Iron Fish Distillery
14234 Dzuibanek RdCheck website for food and entertainment options. Whiskeys and Gins with local ingredients, great craft cocktails.
Check website for hours and entertainment. Stage is outside, kid friendly. Order your food from Stone Oven (next door) and eat at Lake Ann Brewing Company (inside or outside). Food can take 1 hour or more (OK if you in the drinking mood). Consider ordering before you head over. Check out the Lake Ann General Store when you are in town. Many pick up snacks there while waiting for dinner.
57 locals recommend
Lake Ann Brewing Company
6535 First StCheck website for hours and entertainment. Stage is outside, kid friendly. Order your food from Stone Oven (next door) and eat at Lake Ann Brewing Company (inside or outside). Food can take 1 hour or more (OK if you in the drinking mood). Consider ordering before you head over. Check out the Lake Ann General Store when you are in town. Many pick up snacks there while waiting for dinner.
The Parlor TC
205 Lake AveAbsolutely amazing craft cocktails. Food choices also.
Traverse City Whiskey Co.
201 E 14th StOur favorite small brewer. Often great entertainment.
55 locals recommend
The Workshop Brewing Company
221 Garland StOur favorite small brewer. Often great entertainment.
7 Monks Taproom
128 S Union StGreat Food. Check out the Low Bar (downstairs)
Nice stop on your Frankfort beach trip. Beer is great food is OK.
99 locals recommend
Stormcloud Brewing Company
303 Main StNice stop on your Frankfort beach trip. Beer is great food is OK.
Food, Wine and Mead selections. Entertainment most days. Best for outdoor seating on nice day's. Lots of indoor room on rainy days. Outdoor area is Kid friendly. Indoor is typical seating.
86 locals recommend
St. Ambrose Cellars
841 S Pioneer RdFood, Wine and Mead selections. Entertainment most days. Best for outdoor seating on nice day's. Lots of indoor room on rainy days. Outdoor area is Kid friendly. Indoor is typical seating.