June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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Hungry? Come to Northern Michigan prepared to be impressed. Named a top foodie town by Travel + Leisure and Bon Appetit, Traverse City is perfect for a long weekend of tasting and savoring.
Start by booking a long weekend in a unique space through Airbnb. If you're planning a getaway with friends or the whole family, this stunning lakefront log cabin on Suttons Bay would be perfect. Just a few minutes north of Traverse City, this rental has everything you'll need to relax. Amazing lakeside views, a spacious kitchen and fire pit on the water all await you. You'll feel all the more secure and cozy when you planned for the unexpected with Allianz Travel Insurance .
If this option doesn't quite fit, this condo will. Situated downtown, this space is good for those who want something not too big and not too small.
For breakfast, head to the Omelette Shoppe where you'll find yourself in the good company of tourists and locals saddling up for fuel. It has famous (and enormous) pecan and cinnamon rolls that you won't be able to resist, along with its namesake omelettes.
The location puts you in a prime spot for walking off the carbs on Front Street, the main thoroughfare of downtown where you'll find souvenirs, antique shops, coffee spots and first-class shopping. You may still be full from breakfast, but a stop at the original Grand Traverse Pie Company on Front Street is required. No visit to the cherry capital of the Midwest would be complete without a slice of the delectable cherry crumb pie.
From the pie shop, it's just a few short blocks to Grand Traverse Bay. Take a break in Clinch Park, right on the water. You'll find a beach, picnic tables and a great kids' playscape.
Dinner options in Traverse City can be overwhelming. Make it easier by going straight to the top of the list with Trattoria Stella. This media darling and Mario Batali favorite is a hyper-local restaurant that features rustic Italian food done impeccably well. Everything is made from scratch and with supreme attention to detail — even the craft cocktails. The menu changes daily, so even if you've been before, go again.
After dinner, walk over to the 7 Monks Taproom. Hitting all the local breweries and food spots is a bit ambitious for one weekend, but visiting 7 Monks solves that problem. With over 36 taps of local beer and seasonal favorites, you can taste your way around Northern Michigan from the comfort of your bar stool or booth.
Saturday, hit the road for a tasting tour of the Leelanau Peninsula. M-22 is the iconic road that runs through farms, vineyards and the small towns that comprise this tiny stretch of land. With the security of travel insurance, it's all the easier to get lost in the beauty of your surroundings.
About 20 minutes outside of downtown Traverse City, make your first stop at Leelanau Cheese. The cheese maker was classically trained in Switzerland, and the shop is famed for its raclette. You'll find mounds of Swiss- and French-style cheeses here. Sample what you can and take extra for snacking on the road.
For lunch, stop in Suttons Bay at 9 Bean Rows Restaurant. Situated in a historic firehouse and featuring seasonal and sustainable food, 9 Bean Rows is one of the most celebrated restaurants in Suttons Bay. For lunch, go with the lamb burger and pommes frites with rosemary aioli.
Before turning back to Traverse City, head a bit more north to Tandem Ciders. Inspired by their tandem bike trip through Europe and the local ciders sampled, this husband and wife duo hatched a plan. They settled in Northern Michigan to recreate that experience for their guests, one handcrafted bottle of cider at a time. With beautiful labels, local apples, mouth-watering taste profiles and eclectic names like The Crabster, their bottles are gift-worthy and memorable.
After a full day of exploring, head to The Cooks House for dinner. Located in the heart of downtown Traverse City, this intimate dining venue is as local and as fresh as it gets. If the menu overwhelms, you can't go wrong with the reasonably priced five- or seven-course tasting menus. For those looking for a more immersive experience, plan ahead to make the centerpiece of your trip The Cooks House Amateur Chef Series where budding chefs and food enthusiasts prepare a tasting menu with Eric and Jen, the owners.
Your bags may be packed, but there's still time for a taste of a signature Traverse City libation: wine from the Old Mission Peninsula. East of downtown and jutting out into Grand Traverse Bay you'll find vineyards, rolling hills, and incredible panoramas. Make a quick stop at Chateau Grand Traverse. It has a well-stocked tasting room with friendly staff, interesting wines and a resident vineyard dog named Sitka. Take a few special bottles from the partnership they've fostered with the Michigan DNR and give back to state conservation efforts. Toast to the end of your trip in epic fashion at Two Lads Winery. Situated high atop a bluff near the end of Old Mission, this tasting room has floor-to-ceiling glass windows and the best views in all of Traverse City.
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