I spent most of last week in Traverse City for a client conference where we had some freedom to explore, take clients dinner and visit new shops and restaurants along the way.
Where I Went in the Traverse City Area
We covered a lot of ground in a short amount of time between conference events. I walked around downtown Traverse City which never gets old and bought a sweatshirt from LA Cool and a pair of linen pants from another local shop.
We also visited Bowers Harbor Vineyards to pick up my wine order, but first grabbed a glass of sparkling to sip outdoors. I love the laidback nature of this winery and it was quiet on a Tuesday evening. After that, we went to Brys Estate which feels like I’m transported to Northern California. Beautiful views and the most gorgeous property. Definitely make reservations in advance, especially at Brys!
During an open afternoon, we grabbed lunch at Farm Club, a hidden gem of a restaurant on the Leelanau Peninsula. We then made our way to Glen Arbor to buy candy from Cherry Republic and I also couldn’t say no to a fresh corndog. I was super excited to travel up to Glen Arbor to visit the Mill–it’s a beautifully renovated space with coffees and a small lunch menu with cocktails and drinks. Plus, I just realized, they offer lodging and the rooms look cozy and bright.
We headed up to Leland for a quick walk by the fish ladder and Picnic, a little grab and go shop with ice cream, fudge, sandwiches and more–plus a cute curated shopping area with hand creams, soaps and more.
For dinners, we went to the Burrow and Amical. What a treat it is to eat in Traverse City! We made our reservations well in advance for client dinners and I had some of the best meals I’ve ever enjoyed. At the Burrow, I ordered a glass of sparkling rose from local Mawby Winery and cacio e Pepe with chicken. My colleagues ordered some tasty cocktails and steaks and we were all in agreement that the place was delicious, plus the space was beautiful and our server was amazing. Overall, great experience. I’ve been to Amical before, but I hadn’t ordered the blackened white fish over a bed of rice, with a side of truffle risotto. I also ordered the vanilla bean cheesecake and caramel tart to share, and again, amazing. It’s a little darker in this space and pretty tight and I prefer outdoor seating here, but service was spectacular per usual.
