College senior Ashley Prescott gets her first real taste of shopping “Traverse City-style”– and decides she may have been missing something all these years.
I’ll be honest. When I was younger, I thought Traverse City was the kind of place where old people go to gamble, play golf, and retire; or maybe where families could go for a week or two in the summer in order to unwind from their busy schedules. I never saw it as a place for somebody like me.
But after just one visit, I’ve fallen in love — and I’ve only just gotten here. I’ve already learned to call Traverse City “TC,” just like the locals do!
My first day in Traverse City began on Front Street, in the city’s downtown district, full of shops whose merchandise overflows onto the sidewalk, and restaurants that tempt you with mouth-watering smells as you walk past. I walked up from the beach nearby and meandered through streets that cascaded with blooming trees, admiring the downtown architecture. (These buildings are beautiful, yet with a friendly feeling that makes the city feel cozy.)
You don’t see many national chain stores in downtown Traverse City — although I did pass a Subway in my travels. I stopped at a local cafe for lunch, and I was not disappointed. The service was friendly and inviting, and the workers seemed to quickly recognize the regular customers.
My favorite part of the downtown visit was walking back to my car with the beautiful Grand Traverse Bay spread out in front of me. The waves were crashing on the breakwall, and the water was such an intense blue that it hardly looked real, and even the cold wind off the water wasn’t enough to discourage me.
The next day, I left the city and took a drive north to the town of Suttons Bay. It wasn’t one of those rides where you have to invent games to pass the time. I had that beautiful water to my right, and that’s all I needed to keep myself entertained. Restaurants with outdoor patios lined the shore, and sailing ships were visible far out into the distance. It’s a wonder people don’t come here more often — it’s the perfect therapy.
Suttons Bay is a small town, and it made me smile. If you were ever a fan of “Gilmore Girls,” I’m sure you remember Star’s Hollow, the whimsical town where Rory and Lorelai made their home — where everyone knows your name, and the stores are full of hidden treasures. Suttons Bay is like that.
Before I go any farther, you need to know that I hate shopping. I only shop when I can’t possibly avoid it – and even then I try to put it off. With Christmas shopping my philosophy is, “Get in, get out, get it over with.” I fly through the mall, pushing old ladies in motorized carts out of my way, and my record to date is 12 gifts found, bought, and carried away in an hour and a half. With Suttons Bay, I plan to make an exception. I’m coming back when I’m not working — and when I do, the old ladies in their carts will be safe.
The buildings there are painted in different colors — yellow, red, purple and blue — and each has its own Star’s Hollow-ish charm. I was only able to take a quick peek through most of them, but I’m convinced that we’ll meet up again. Many of the homemade crafts I saw will be finding new homes on various end tables and shelves in my apartment. Oh Suttons Bay! I may even have to introduce you to my mother.
Ashley Prescott, a native of Ortonville, is studying Integrated Public Relations at Central Michigan University and is spending the summer in Traverse City. Her favorite pastime is fishing on Green Lake and the Betsie River.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Do try and take the entire M-22 trip starting in Manistee and go up and down both sides of the Leelanau Peninsula when you get the chance. This route features many small communities and some outstanding scenery, not to mention many fine wineries. This area is not dependent upon big industry as will be noted right away. It is especially stunning in the Fall.
TC is the most gorgeous city in this beautiful state. Three friends and I have been coming up here the week before Memorial Day for twenty years. When we started we only stayed 3-4days and motel-hopped along the
Grand Traverse Bay. Then we moved up to a cabin on Spider Lake for a few years. That’s when our Girl’s Week went to a full week. Yes we go to the casinos but there is so much more. The downtown shopping, the different mall shopping and OHHHH the Wine tasting. That is amazing. We found a new Winery you must try, Ciccone Winery. It is beautiful, the wine is great and the view from the parking lot is awesome. I could go on and on but I know I will be back up in TC next Spring with the girls.
I am so proud of Ashley, my granddaughter. I live in Florida but am planning to visit Ashley in July so she can introduce me to beautiful Traverse City and
I spend 3-4 weekends per year in TC now. Guy’s weekend (third weekend in July) and more! We stay at the family cabin on Crystal Lake and commute over to visit the rest of the family.
Highlights – Fav food spots – Underground Cheesecake Factory, The bread place right nearby too; Fogarellis has GOOD wine and cheese, Pangea’s Pizza is so good, just to name a few of them… When you get a chance… spend a couple of weekends up here and you will love it.
-Todd M. Beedy ( Swartz Creek, MI )
My hometown, and my mother’s hometown! I miss both of those gorgeous places.
I can not wait until I get to visit TC! You have done such a wonderful job of describing it. You painted a beautiful picture of what a city should look like!! I love the Gilmore Girls part…one of my favorite shows
Thanks so much for sharing our beautiful Traverse City area with your audience, Ashley! You and your readers are welcome to relax, dine, shop and wander our shorelines, gorgeous natural landscapes and charming downtown districts. Please visit soon!
I have lived in TC for 25 years now and never once regretted the move. Thanks Ashley for seeing what we see everyday, which is the beauty of our fair city. We have so much to offer and welcome all with open arms. I must say a few of our high points are the restaurants, wineries and brewers. I think we offer the best of the best!
I have been going to TC for over 40 years now. I remember it when it was a sleepy little tourist town. It has sure grown since than but it has kept it’s charm. I never get tired of spending the summer in TC. TC offers so many things to see and do and the people are always friendly. I will be there by the end of the month and will be looking forward to the cherry festival again this year. Hope to see you there too.
I spend the summer in TC every year and love coming here. I live in Nevada so the bay with its gorgeous turqouise/blue water, the green grass and trees that turn a fabulous array of colors in the fall, the rain, yes RAIN, and the”small- town-with-everything-to-offer” ambience make Traverse City a very welcome change for me. It is truly the most beautiful place Michigan. Drive up Old Mission Peninsula and take in not only the breathtaking view but the quaint little places to stop for lunch. Come for a weekend and you won’t want to leave.
The comments are very interesting about TC, make me go for a visit.
Is the place humid in the summer? When do the fall colors start showing ?
Will a week suffice visiting TC and Mackinac Island, the same week?
Since I already plan my summer vac, plan to come in the fall for the colors.
Or perhaps visit the area next summer.
Please respond. Thanks
erlindagrubino@yahoo.com
I agree with Cindy – as Manistee dates back to my childhood, I visited there two years ago after MANY years and saw what a fine town it has remained all this time. Also, we traveled up and down the other areas Cindy mentioned and I enjoyed them all THOROUGHLY! So pretty!
Ashley, your article is beautifully written and you are certainly beautiful too! I have a very good friend who lives in T.C. and loves it. It is so rare to find a lovely place where friends, nature, shops and wonderful scenery are intertwined. My friend thinks we might not encourage people to visit too much or it may become “overcrowded.” Enjoy your visit and your senior year at CMU. By the way, I am (literally) a very old friend of your Grandmother’s. I hate shopping also, but I love HERSHEY kisses. Do you remember? All the Best, Shirley
Linda, although it’s hard for us to predict the weather on any given day, you’ll be pleased to know that summers in Traverse City are usually cooler and less humid than in most of the Upper Midwest — and thanks to the nearby lakes there’s almost always a cooling breeze. Again, it’s difficult to predict the exact onset of fall color, but it usually starts in mid- to late September and reaches its peak in the middle of October. Can you do Traverse City and Mackinac Island together in one week? Many people do, but it really depends on what you want to do and how much time you want to spend ding it. Are you the kind of person who likes being on the run, seeing as much as possible in a limited time, or do you prefer to lie back and relax during vacation?
Traverse City is amazing and one of my favorite places in Michigan. The kayaking was what drew me to it and I can’t wait to get back there this summer and take in its beauty and cavort with its friendly people.
An IPR major from CMU – I also graduated from the program. If you get a change, drive north and discover Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs. You will not be disappointed!
My parents are both from Traverse City, so it has always been my home away from home. My grandfather had built a home on East Bay. What a beautiful area….it was inevitable that it would become as touristy as it is. My son made the bike ride out to Suttons Bay from Traverse City last year…what a lovely and quaint area! But, if you have not been there yet, by all means take the drive out in the opposite direction of T.C., to Elk Rapids. It’s a *gorgeous* drive out, and they have the most beautiful downtown, and amazing and entirely unique views of the bay! It has become my ‘must see’ stop whenever I visit T.C. now!
Hi,
My family is making a move to Traverse City from Los Angeles. My husband spent his summers in Glen Arbor as a kid and we go back to visit once a year, but neither one of us know anything about Traverse City. We are just starting to do the research. We also have young kids so I was hoping to get some help on the best elementary schools and great family neighborhoods. Anyone have some suggestions on where to start?
Greatly appreciated!
Ana
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