Mary's Guidebook
Food scene
The local hangout. Good food and atmosphere. Sometimes there is a wait
72 locals recommend
Art's Tavern
6487 W Western AveThe local hangout. Good food and atmosphere. Sometimes there is a wait
Trattoria Funistrada
4566 West Macfarlane RoadVery popular Italian food - need a reservation
Best French restaurant in Michigan. Chef is French and you won’t be disappointed. Call for reservation
25 locals recommend
La Becasse Restaurant
9001 S Dunns Farm RdBest French restaurant in Michigan. Chef is French and you won’t be disappointed. Call for reservation
Market 22
497 E Harbor HwyGreat pizza-take out too.
Everything cherries and a restaurant there too. Great gifts to take home.
55 locals recommend
Cherry Republic | Glen Arbor
South Lake StreetEverything cherries and a restaurant there too. Great gifts to take home.
Great local food and ambiance. Its about a 20-25 minute drive but worth the trip. One of our new favorites.
89 locals recommend
Farm Club
10051 Lake Leelanau DriveGreat local food and ambiance. Its about a 20-25 minute drive but worth the trip. One of our new favorites.
This place is booming. Huge outside dining. You won't be disappointed. In the winter they put up Igloo which is fun. Also, have several fire pits running most of the time.
116 locals recommend
Hop Lot Brewing Company
658 S W Bay Shore DrThis place is booming. Huge outside dining. You won't be disappointed. In the winter they put up Igloo which is fun. Also, have several fire pits running most of the time.
Can't get enough of this place. Local with great ice cream and shakes. Also, they do have beer and wine now for take out. I've been coming here for 20+ years
Laker Shakes Burdickville Market
8995 S Dunns Farm RdCan't get enough of this place. Local with great ice cream and shakes. Also, they do have beer and wine now for take out. I've been coming here for 20+ years
best Japanese food around- love the curry chicken. Also have a bar and sushi selections. Reservation needed. Worth the 30 minute drive into Traverse City
143 locals recommend
Red Ginger
237 E Front Stbest Japanese food around- love the curry chicken. Also have a bar and sushi selections. Reservation needed. Worth the 30 minute drive into Traverse City
Good food. Funky because they have a regulation sized curling rink (yes, its an ice rink). You can take a lesson. About 10-15 minutes from the town house
29 locals recommend
Broomstack Kitchen and Taphouse
172 W Burdickville RdGood food. Funky because they have a regulation sized curling rink (yes, its an ice rink). You can take a lesson. About 10-15 minutes from the town house
Closest place for groceries. Yes, you pay more than going to Meijer's in Traverse City but its 10+ minutes away and they cater to the summer visitors with selections you ordinarily don't find in local grocery stores. Also, large selection of Beer and wine. I go here probably once a week.
20 locals recommend
Anderson's Glen Arbor Market
6545 Western AveClosest place for groceries. Yes, you pay more than going to Meijer's in Traverse City but its 10+ minutes away and they cater to the summer visitors with selections you ordinarily don't find in local grocery stores. Also, large selection of Beer and wine. I go here probably once a week.
really good submarine sandwiches. pretzel rolls for buns are great.
18 locals recommend
Shipwreck Cafe
11691 S Lacore Rdreally good submarine sandwiches. pretzel rolls for buns are great.
Eric, the owner is full of energy, and he is driven to make this place swing. Italian food and pizza. The Ceasor salad is huge and great-real fresh.
24 locals recommend
Nittolo's Pizza
104 Main StEric, the owner is full of energy, and he is driven to make this place swing. Italian food and pizza. The Ceasor salad is huge and great-real fresh.
Do you like chocolate? Look no further. Made locally and is very popular--downtown Empire. 5 minutes away.
32 locals recommend
Grocer's Daughter Chocolate
11590 S Lacore StDo you like chocolate? Look no further. Made locally and is very popular--downtown Empire. 5 minutes away.
About 15 minutes away-- on the way to Traverse City. Great bakery and local produce-- only open during the summer. Love it!
11 locals recommend
GALLAGHER'S FARM MARKET AND BAKERY
7237 E Traverse HwyAbout 15 minutes away-- on the way to Traverse City. Great bakery and local produce-- only open during the summer. Love it!
Sightseeing
A must see. Climb the dunes or go to pierce stocking drive to end up in a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan and the dunes on a tall bluff.
232 locals recommend
Sleeping Bear Dunes
A must see. Climb the dunes or go to pierce stocking drive to end up in a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan and the dunes on a tall bluff.
A canoe or kayak trip down the river is a must. One or 2 hour trips. Across the street they have bike rentals too.
43 locals recommend
Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District
6249 River RdA canoe or kayak trip down the river is a must. One or 2 hour trips. Across the street they have bike rentals too.
Women's clothing that is great. Right across from Art's Tavern. I spend way too much here every year.
6 locals recommend
Cottonseed Apparel
6501 Western AveWomen's clothing that is great. Right across from Art's Tavern. I spend way too much here every year.
Art gallery with all local Michigan Artists-- plus jewelry and pottery. Great selection
Synchronicity Gallery
6671 Western AveArt gallery with all local Michigan Artists-- plus jewelry and pottery. Great selection
The Spa at the homestead is smashing- look over the Manitou islands and swim. Have a massage (my daughter works here and it gets rave reviews if you like spa's. You don't have to be staying at the Homestead to book at the spa.
9 locals recommend
The Homestead
1 Woodridge RdThe Spa at the homestead is smashing- look over the Manitou islands and swim. Have a massage (my daughter works here and it gets rave reviews if you like spa's. You don't have to be staying at the Homestead to book at the spa.
Empire has a great family-friendly beach on Lake Michigan. Lots of places for children to play-- swings etc. This is really 5 minutes from the town house
Michigan 22
Michigan 22Empire has a great family-friendly beach on Lake Michigan. Lots of places for children to play-- swings etc. This is really 5 minutes from the town house
Do you like to fish? Choose from a few different captains who will take you out on Lake Michigan to fish. Best access is out of Leland, MI
Whitecap Charters in Leland, Michigan
water streetDo you like to fish? Choose from a few different captains who will take you out on Lake Michigan to fish. Best access is out of Leland, MI
This is the BOMB! The golf course is like being in England or Scotland. Only trouble is you have to get a reservation like a year in advance. However, you can eat there without playing golf and its worth it because they have someone who plays bagpipes before sunset while you look at the course. About 30-45 minutes south of the townhouse
44 locals recommend
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club
14710 Northwood HwyThis is the BOMB! The golf course is like being in England or Scotland. Only trouble is you have to get a reservation like a year in advance. However, you can eat there without playing golf and its worth it because they have someone who plays bagpipes before sunset while you look at the course. About 30-45 minutes south of the townhouse
Check out what Interlochen has for performances--world-class singers and performers. Reservations are needed ahead of time. It's also a year-round performing arts school.
117 locals recommend
Interlochen Center for the Arts
4000 J. Maddy PkwyCheck out what Interlochen has for performances--world-class singers and performers. Reservations are needed ahead of time. It's also a year-round performing arts school.
City/town information
About 25 minutes away. They call it fish town. quaint shops and right on Lake Michigan with a marina. Get fresh and smoked fish from Carlson's. The Bluebird restaurant is an institution.
145 locals recommend
Leland
About 25 minutes away. They call it fish town. quaint shops and right on Lake Michigan with a marina. Get fresh and smoked fish from Carlson's. The Bluebird restaurant is an institution.
About 30 minute drive. Shopping, food, and this is where the great brewery- HopLot is located.
102 locals recommend
Suttons Bay
About 30 minute drive. Shopping, food, and this is where the great brewery- HopLot is located.
About 10 minutes from the town house and has food, shops, as well as access to Lake Michigan. Art's Tavern and Cherry Republic are here.
83 locals recommend
Glen Arbor
About 10 minutes from the town house and has food, shops, as well as access to Lake Michigan. Art's Tavern and Cherry Republic are here.