Laura's Guidebook
Casual lunch/dinner
They have food trucks during the warmer months! Everyone can get what they want! Great outdoor seating.
172 locals recommend
The Little Fleet
448 E Front StThey have food trucks during the warmer months! Everyone can get what they want! Great outdoor seating.
Beautiful outdoor Biergarten space to spread out in the summer, IGLOOS in the winter! Make a reservation on their website!
The bbq is also AMAZING
116 locals recommend
Hop Lot Brewing Company
658 S W Bay Shore DrBeautiful outdoor Biergarten space to spread out in the summer, IGLOOS in the winter! Make a reservation on their website!
The bbq is also AMAZING
Lovely indoor and outdoor seating from Summer-Fall! Super great for kids because there’s plenty of space to roam! Great beer, wine, and homemade pizza! Live music on the weekends usually.
28 locals recommend
Jacob's Corn Maze
Michigan 72Lovely indoor and outdoor seating from Summer-Fall! Super great for kids because there’s plenty of space to roam! Great beer, wine, and homemade pizza! Live music on the weekends usually.
Love their cocktails and pizza! They usually have happy hour specials too and live music on weekends.
60 locals recommend
The Parlor TC
205 Lake AveLove their cocktails and pizza! They usually have happy hour specials too and live music on weekends.
Amazing oven-fired, flatbread pizzas. They have their own beers on tap as well! Great outdoor seating and kid-friendly!
106 locals recommend
The Filling Station Microbrewery
642 Railroad PlAmazing oven-fired, flatbread pizzas. They have their own beers on tap as well! Great outdoor seating and kid-friendly!
Typical “dive bar” scene, but around here they’re known for their legendary hot wings! So juicy and crispy!
14 locals recommend
Brady's Bar
401 S Union StTypical “dive bar” scene, but around here they’re known for their legendary hot wings! So juicy and crispy!
Wines, ciders, and beers!
Beautiful views of the bay and tasty wine! This is on Old Mission Peninsula.
The owner is Marty Lagina, from the show, The Curse of Oak Island!!
58 locals recommend
Mari Vineyards
8175 Center RdBeautiful views of the bay and tasty wine! This is on Old Mission Peninsula.
The owner is Marty Lagina, from the show, The Curse of Oak Island!!
Best views of the bay! Not my favorite for hard cider in the area, but it has a great atmosphere.
37 locals recommend
Suttons Bay Ciders
10530 E Hilltop RdBest views of the bay! Not my favorite for hard cider in the area, but it has a great atmosphere.
Really fun, fancy, and unique cocktails! Feels like you’re at a speakeasy since it’s dark and in the basement.
52 locals recommend
Low Bar
128 S Union StReally fun, fancy, and unique cocktails! Feels like you’re at a speakeasy since it’s dark and in the basement.
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
3309 Blue Water RdMust try the Frosé!!!
By far my favorite cidery in terms of flavor! Authentic apple flavors. We even had a keg of Smackintosh at our wedding!
63 locals recommend
Tandem Cider
2055 N Setterbo RdBy far my favorite cidery in terms of flavor! Authentic apple flavors. We even had a keg of Smackintosh at our wedding!
Sightseeing/hiking
This is a great way to see Sleeping Bear Dunes!
66 locals recommend
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Entrance
South Dune HighwayThis is a great way to see Sleeping Bear Dunes!
This is a nice out-and-back trail. Kid- friendly! We’ve pushed a small stroller here before. Views are breathtaking at the top!
46 locals recommend
Empire Bluff Trailhead
Empire Bluff TrailThis is a nice out-and-back trail. Kid- friendly! We’ve pushed a small stroller here before. Views are breathtaking at the top!
Historic hospital complex now with lots of dining and shopping options! Great spots for brunch and fancy dinners.
130 locals recommend
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
1200 W Eleventh StHistoric hospital complex now with lots of dining and shopping options! Great spots for brunch and fancy dinners.
Brown Bridge Quiet Area
Brown Bridge RoadWe love hiking here along the Boardman river!
Point Betsie Lighthouse
3701 Point Betsie RdBreakfast/brunch
Delicious baked goods, especially the scones. Great local coffee spot too!
17 locals recommend
Good Harbor Coffee & Bakery
111 W Front StDelicious baked goods, especially the scones. Great local coffee spot too!
Fun place to grab coffee in the morning. Tasty quick breakfast options too!
26 locals recommend
Mundos Roasting & Co.
1238 Boon StFun place to grab coffee in the morning. Tasty quick breakfast options too!
Amazing homemade bagels and shmear! The whitefish salad is fresh and super yummy too!
Definitely suggest ordering online, even the night before if you can; they’re always super busy!
7 locals recommend
Bubbie's Bagels
1215 E Front StAmazing homemade bagels and shmear! The whitefish salad is fresh and super yummy too!
Definitely suggest ordering online, even the night before if you can; they’re always super busy!
The Omelette Shoppe
124 Cass StReally yummy omelettes! Fancier diner vibes.
Fancy dinner/celebration
Everything on the menu is incredible. Beautiful views right on the bay!
59 locals recommend
Apache Trout Grill
13671 S W Bay Shore DrEverything on the menu is incredible. Beautiful views right on the bay!
PepeNero
700 Cottageview DrAmazing Italian cuisine!
Traveler advice
Getting around
Download the ParkMobile app!
Parking at meters downtown is much easier when you have the ParkMobile app! You just pay on your phone. The meter itself will NOT update, but as long as you have the correct space and zone on your phone, it’s okay!
Book before you go
Restaurants
Definitely recommend making reservations for brunches and dinners if you can! Many places accept reservations or let you get in line online. If you can’t make a reservation, plan to go a little early to get on te list!
Getting around
Follow Grand Traverse 911 on Facebook!
I always check their page for traffic/accident updates. They give great notice on road closures due to events in town.