Reader feedback: Traverse City, Mich.

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You missed the fabulous, incredible, remarkable renovated State Theater in downtown Traverse City. Michael Moore completely restored the old theater to it's early in the century Glory days. The theater was dedicated last fall and is showing classic movies. It's worth a trip around the lake just to see this marvel of restoration. It is truly spectacular and far surpasses any of the "big city" restorations.

The State Theater is a big miss as Ms. Wiltjer says. In addition you missed both the TC Film Festival and the Epicurean Festival, the two too fabulous to miss. Also, Michigan's only 5 star restaurant, Tapawingo, on the banks of St. Claire Lake in sleepy Ellsworth. Summer months feature lunch service as well as gourmet dinners. Both Lulu's (Bellaire) and the new Siren Hall (Elk Rapids) boast delicious meals under the tutelage of Mike Peterson, and the Rowe Inn, also in Ellsworth, is worth a trip. You can stay at House on the Hill in Ellsworth for a gourmet weekend. In fact, they offer wine weekends that feature great food as well. And how about Interlochen for great music year round! There is more to TC than cherries and fudge. That's why we moved here from Chicago!

You missed climbing the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and eating at Art's in Glen Arbor--the best hamburger joint in the Midwest. After Art's, there's a must-stop at the Cherry Republic down the street for everything cherry from ice cream to salad dressing. Not to mention taking the ferry to Manitou Island out of Leland--an easier easier jaunt for a day visit than Beaver Island. Traverse City is great fun, but to get away from the summer or holiday crowds, head west out of town to the Leelanau Peninsula!

Sleeping Bear Dunes are a must! Also, don't forget Mary's Kitchen Port in Traverse City for some of the best sandwiches you will ever eat and don't forget Pleva's Meats in Cedar--home of the magnificent Cherry Sausages. I lived 23 years in the Traverse City area and also try Good Harbor Bay on Lake Michigan for its beach and the town of Empire for some great views and beaches. Some of the wineries (both in Leelanau County and on the Old Mission Peninsula) are terrific also. Visit the Old Mission ones (north of Traverse City on "the Peninsula") for German style wines and Leelanau County for French Hybrid. Some suggestions there are Larry Mawby near Suttons Bay, Ciccone (yes, that is Madonna's father) near Lake Leelanau, and perhaps my favorite, Boskydel south of the town of Lake Leelanau on the east side of that lake.

Oops, I almost forgot--Interlochen Center for the Arts. What a place! Also check out Benzie County and the towns of Frankfort and Beulah and the beautiful Crystal Lake. Another Travese City location for food--Sleder's Tavern on the westside.

Downtown TC has several fabulous restaurants (Poppycock, Amical Cafe). In July and August there's "Friday Night Live" when the streets are closed off and full of entertainers and just a general festive atmosphere. Also check out the farmer's market on Saturday mornings.

I think the restaurant was the Freshwater Lodge but I know the Cherry Vanilla Martini was fabulous!

Traverse City is one of the best kept "secrets" of the Midwest!! My husband and I went up there last summer, another stop on the list of our places to check out for retirement. Fell in love with the area ~ just purchased some land in Benzie County (just 15 miles south of Traverse City) to build our retirement home on. People look at us like we're nuts for wanting to retire to the north because of long winters and snow, but we actually enjoy all the season changes and winter is one of the best ... so MUCH to do up there ... the people are some of the most friendly we've ever run across in our world travels. The natural beauty is amazing ~ can't wait to call it HOME!

You absolutely MUST drive over to Glen Arbor in the summer months and do at least one of two things while there:
1. Relax on a boat in Glen Lake. Seriously, you have to see the water to believe it. Its Caribbean clear.
2. Visit Art's Tavern and order a burger. They ground the meat on-site, creating the 2nd best burger in all of the Midwest.(Redamak's is #1 in my opinion). Their chili is also amazing. Oh, and make sure you order tater-tots!! Also, its cash only, so remember that :)
Also recommended is spending the afternoon drinking cold beverages and listening to live music at Boone Dock's, then grabbing some ice cream right next door. Also next door, is a nice boutique shop for women called Queen of Couture. Then, later in the day, have some dinner at the Western Avenue Grill.
I stay in Glen Arbor for a week every year during 4th of July week, and I look forward to it every year.

People visiting the area for the first time should know their cell phones may work poorly along the Lake Michigan shoreline around Leelanau County. The hills & sand dunes may block the signals from the cell towers in places & of course there are no cell signals coming off the lake. No such problems in the immediate Traverse City area.
Traffic in Traverse City can be frustrating at the time of the Cherry Festival, but eases off considerably 3-5 miles from the center of town in any case.
I tried the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb when I was 10, it was no fun. Better to drive to the top along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. You'll have plenty of less steep dune walking to do when you get to the top, and the views are much better.
Be sure to get an area map. Almost all public roads ending at the Lake Michigan shoreline have a patch (small or large) of public beach access from the end of the pavement to the water's edge.(Inland lakes are different.)
There are a great many places along the shoreline where parking & swimming are allowed. Water temperatures are warmest between the 4th and Labor Day, and can vary a great deal from one place on the shoreline to the next. Sharp edged zebra mussels can line the bottom of bay & inland waters, so it pays to wear wading shoes in those places.

Yes, you overlooked mentioning the Interlochen Center for the Arts! You can take in a performance by a "big name" artist like Joshua Bell,Bob Dylan, or Josh Groban (an Interlochen Camp alumnus). But the best bargains are the student performances held throughout the year, from incredible music and dance performances by Academy students to great performances by the World Youth Symphony Orchestra in the summer. An amazing place to experience!

I agree that you missed Interlochen and its music center. But, half hour to the north is Charlevoix and up the road from their is Petosky. Two beautiful towns along Lake Michigan that has the same aura as Traverse City. One hour south of Traverse City is Manistee. It has old town charm and beautiful park along Lake Michigan.

the best beach is on the eastern shore of the eastern arm. There one can walk out nearly a mile and still the water is only chest deep for a 6'2" man. The water is usually calm and enjoyable to play in with your dogs too.

I like stopping at Cousin Jenny's when I'm in town. Here is a link to a review http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx...

And don't forget the worlds largest pie tin!:^)
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/701

You can usually spot some large fish under the bridge from the canal & don't forget to kiss randolph over at sleders..oh yeah, the shakes at Don's drive in are kewwwwwwl.

Just got back from TC last week, We had beautiful weather of 70's during the day. We went off season to avoid the traffic congestion and too many people and thank heavens we did. I can't image what traffic would be like during the tourist season as it was already terrible the week of May 19th. It was a long but enjoyable trip from central Il. We would have gone if only to enjoy dinner at the Amical Cafe. The food was outstanding as well as the service. We also enjoyed stopping in Saugatuck on the way home with another great meal at Marro's.

As for restaurants, an excellent choice is Bower's Harbor Inn or the Bowery in the lower level. They have a fantastic white smoked fish dip as well as some excellent wines. For steak, go downtown to Mode's Bum Steer at 125 E State St. They serve prime angus beef and the service is friendly. A block north and a couple blocks east is Amicos French restaurant. They have a view of the canal at the back end and have an excellent selection of french deserts and as the others, friendly service. After dinner, take a walk along the street to visit some of the shops and get some Italian ice.

I grew up in Northern MI and spent lots of time in TC. You all have mentioned some great places, bringing back good memories.:)

When I was younger, we loved to go to the Cherry Festival. Very busy, but always so much to do. My favorite was always the bed race.

Is the zoo still down on the bay? I haven't been that far north in awhile but my kids loved it there. And the fudge shops are great, too.

You really cannot go wrong if you plan a road trip starting out in Manistee and taking the road north and curve around to Traverse. You will find so many little treasures and towns...it's absolutely gorgeous!

My family has had a house on Glen Lake for years, and it is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. A must see. Along with that, I would highly recommend visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Downtown Glen Arbor is a quaint little village with many tourist shops too. A perfect summer vacation spot that I have gone to all my life and will continue forever.

Interlochen Center for the Arts is only about 15 minutes from Traverse City. The summer festival brings in big names, but the students (summer camp and at the Arts Academy boarding school) are the real draw. Unbelievable performances from pre-professionals. You'll have to keep reminding yourself that these are students! While in Interlochen, dine at the Hofbrau. Yum!