Memorial Weekend in Traverse City, Michigan!

Okay, so you are coming up to the Traverse City, Michigan area for the upcoming holiday and want to know where to go for great shopping, art, food and views...let me help you out. Let's start with the roads first. Division St., aka US 37/31, is down to one lane between 14th St/Silver Lake Rd and the Grandview Parkway, so you might want to use Airport Rd, Garfield, 3 Mile Rd or M-72 when coming into town. Gas prices today are about $2.46/gallon for regular...sorry about that. Hurts us locals too, believe me!


The cherry orchards are in full bloom right now, so bring your cameras and be ready to stop and take photos. Nicest blossom drives right now are everywhere! Both east and west Grand Traverse Bays are spectacular, all shades of turquoise and blues, just breathtaking, and beaches have just been graded and cleaned up, perfect for strolling and beachcombing. If you are in town and see Wayne St., just off Division, just before Grandview Parkway, take a quick drive and you will get an amazing view of the West Grand Traverse Bay and all downtown TC, it loops around, but residential, so drive slow and be respectful of the neighborhood. The drive up Old Mission Peninsula is a "do not miss," with all the orchards and wineries, not to mention the views of both bays at various points. Take 37 to Center Rd all the way or stay to the left on Peninsula Dr.


Shopping for gifts, mementos, cherries or art? Let's get started...Love the clothes and shoes at What To Wear, an adorable boutique on Front St. in downtown Traverse City. They just moved to a new location, 152 E. Front St. Fabulous footwear, clothing and accessories, my favorite clothing/shoe shop in all of Northern Michigan! Looking to add something to your home, try Stewart Zack's, Nest, Cottage Garden, Penny Lane or Nifty Things. Votruba Leather for any travel goods and of course, leather. In the new Warehouse District, check out The Red Dresser for a wide variety of eclectic gifts, some handmade, but all fun and unique. And if you are looking for some fun Cherry products, don't miss Benjamin Twiggs, the oldest purveyor of cherry products in Michigan. The new owner has revamped the shop and it is light, bright and incredibly inviting with vintage aprons, cherry dishes, towels and incredible coffee, Michigan dried cherries, blueberries, chocolate covered cherries, cherry salsa, cherry butter, jams, jelly and more. Benjamin Twiggs in located in the Campus Plaza, just north of downtown, 1215 E. Front St., between Eastland Drugs and the Omelette Shoppe, across from the Civic Center, with lots of free parking!


Is art your passion? Don't miss the Inside Out Gallery or Rebecca's Studio and Adornments Gallery in the Warehouse District, they have incredible works. Located on Garland St., they are easily accessed right behind the TC Visitors and Convention Bureau on Union St. Belstone Gallery and Evergreen Gallery are both located right downtown on Front St., Belstone just north of Park St. and Evergreen sandwiched between Union St. and Cass St. If you drive north of town, towards Elk Rapids, be on the lookout for Twisted Fish Gallery, they will come up on the left and are definately one of my favorite galleries. If you are going towards Suttons Bay, check out The Painted Bird in Suttons Bay and The Secret Garden in Empire. All the above mentioned galleries carry a many works by local Northern Michigan artists.


And now my favorite part of this blog, where to go for food and meals! As I already mentioned, Benjamin Twiggs for take home goodies, but add to that Fustini's, an incredible purveyor of amazing balsamic vinegars and olive oils. They are located in downtown TC, right on Front St., between Union St. and Cass St. You will want to drink them, they are so incredible. They will combine flavored olive oils with flavored balsamic vinegars and you won't understand how you could have lived this long without having these in your life. One of my favorite combinations is the peach white balsamic with garlic olive oil...even my 14 year old son, who never goes for this kind of thing, loved it! Make sure you try the pineapple, blueberry and of course cherry balsamics! Also worth checking out is American Spoon Foods on Front St., their cherry poppers, maple sugar candy and local wines are lovely, as well as their lemon curd and lime curd. They are also right downtown on Front St. If you can't leave without some fudge(you fudgie you!), my favorite fudge in town is Doug Murdicks, on Front St. between Union St. and Cass St., it is the creamiest most decadent and flavorful fudge in all of Northern Michigan. I have been to Mackinaw Island, where there is a fudge shop for every visitor(yes, I am exaggerating), and I can honestly say that no one touches the creaminess or flavor of Doug Murdick's Fudge, period. Chocolate Cherry, Plain Chocolate and Maple Walnut are some of my favorite flavors, but try them all!

On to Dining Out! Let's start with breakfast. I love the breakfast options at Cuppa Joe's in the Warehouse District. Low Country Shrimp and Grits is my fav, might be too spicy for some, but works for me. They also have Migas, Creme Brulee Oatmeal(to die for!) and other great choices. Coffees and teas can't be beat. Love their frozen Chai. Opa! is another great place for breakfast, they are located in Cherryland Center, at the corner of Garfield and Airport Rds. Sandwiched near Younkers, they also have great Detroit Style Coney Dogs, Greek Food and Polish Food, we love their Calamari. Mustard's in another terrific place for breakfast, located at the corner of Cass St. and State St. in downtown TC. My kids love this place, great home fries and very fresh and healthy options that taste wonderful. Looking for lunch?

If you're craving burgers and fries, the new Slabtown Burgers and Cafe on E. Front St. might seem too good to be true, but I have been there 4 times in two weeks, and I can tell you, it is the real deal. Their Burger Bags, with a Burger, seasoned hand cut fries and a large fountain drink runs $4.90, yup! And the fries are excellent. Not quite crispy, but so flavorful, I forgive them. A Cheeseburger Bag is $5.25. Make it deluxe with lettuce, tomato and mayo for an extra .35 cents. If you are on Division,(yes, the one laner I mentioned earlier, turn left if you are approaching the Bay and right if you are headed out of town. Slabtown is just past Ace Hardware on the right hand side. I have to warn you though, if it is lunchtime, there will be a line, but it moves fast and it is well worth the wait!

Wishing for some Indian food, a lovely curry or two? Don't miss the Wellington Street Market on the corner of Front St. and Wellington St., across from Jack's Market. They serve the BEST Indian food in town! I crave this at least once a week and indulge at least every two weeks. It is fabulous! Right across the street(sort of), on Front St., is The Cook's House. This place is just incredible. Open for lunch and dinner, they use as much local and sustainable food as they can in there every changing menu. My Asparagus Soups was literally local asparagus cooked and blended, with a buttery Morel Mushroom on top, amazing. You might need reservations in the evening, so I'll give you the phone number(231)946-8700, don't lose it! Tell Eric and Jen that Maria(Karl's Mom) sent you. No alcohol license, but you can bring your own and Jack's right across the street or the Blue Goat and little further down the street can provide you with something quite easily.

My favorite sandwich shop is Grand Traverse Bakery and Deli, GT Bakery & Deli, located on Munson Ave., in the Tom's East Bay Shopping Mall, right by Joann Fabric. They have the freshest, tastiest, most incredible homemade sandwiches, soups and breads! When I work and 8 hour day, this is where I get my lunches from. Dijon dumpling soup, gold Italian soup, golden mushroom soup, Rachael's and Ruben's, Smokin' Jack, these are some of my favorites. And they sell wonderful cheeses too, don't be shy, try something! And...they are the nicest people on the planet! Sandwiches are big, you might want to share the first time and see how much you can finish.

I also love Phil's on Front(Incredible fresh fish and desserts, on Front St., between Park St. and Cass, probably need reservations for dinner.), Red Ginger(Fabulous Sushi and Sakis, located downtown right on Front St., definitely need reservations for dinner.), Trattoria Stella(Incredible Italian and wines, located in historic Building 50, off 11th St., probably need reservations for dinner.), Red Mesa(Tex Mex, you have to try their smoky refried beans and fresh corn salsa as well as their fruit Margaritas), Scott's Harbor Grill(Bananas Foster and Fish Tacos, not in that order! Located right on the Bay, on Grandview Parkway and Cherrybend Rd., heading towards Suttons Bay), Silver Swan(Dolmas, hummus, baba ganouj, plus German foods and desserts! Located on Grandview Parkway, just past Tom's West Bay, before Scott's Harbor Grill, on the left hand side.), Firefly(Great specials, sushi and small plates for sharing, located on Cass St., just past State St.), Agave(authentic Mexican, located on Garfield Rd, north of Airport Rd.)

Well, I'm sure I forgot a few places, but I'll update at a later date, this novel should keep you all busy for quite a while!