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July 11, 2019

Traverse City Bachelorette Guide

 
By: Carlee McCardel

 

Now the fun begins! Round up your gals and pack your bags, because let’s be real, you can’t beat a weekend in Traverse City with the girls to celebrate your upcoming nuptials. Enjoy a weekend getaway while taking in the lakes and grapes beauty of Traverse City, along with all this beach town has to offer! Lucky for you, we’ve come up with the perfect itinerary!

Getting Here

Traverse City has come a long way and traveling here is pretty easy! For many Michiganders, it's an easy car ride North, and there’s a local airport for those traveling a little further. Cherry Capital Airport offers direct flights from Denver, Florida, North Carolina, and Washington D.C. Check out tvcairport.com to see all available flights that can bring you to the National Cherry Capital of the world. 

 

Where to stay

Now that you’ve arrived in Traverse City, you’ll want to check-in! Hit up one of our favorite places to stay in downtown Traverse City!

 

Park Place Hotel

The Park Place Hotel is one of the more iconic landmarks in Traverse City.  Located in the heart of downtown Traverse City, you truly can’t find a more convenient place to stay. Though the location is great, the hotel doesn't stop there. The Park Place provides amazing room accommodations by providing three different types, West Wing Rooms, Tower Rooms, and Suites to fit any traveler or group.  Plus, there’s an awesome onsite restaurant and rooftop lounge with views of the whole city!

(traversecity.com)

 

Hotel Indigo

 Hotel Indigo is one of the newest hotels to hit Traverse City. Located right on West Bay, Hotel Indigo puts you a block away from some of the best stores and restaurants. Though, the best part is that you’re located directly across from Lake Michigan! With a more modern feel, Hotel Indigo will give you the best stay with the best views of West Bay.

(IHG.com)

 

Holiday Inn

The West Bay Beach Resort is located directly on the water and is only a short walk to downtown shopping, dining, and nightlife. However, their location isn’t even the best part. One of our favorite things about this hotel is that they offer boat and jetski rentals to guests. You don’t even have to leave your hotel to enjoy the lake from the water. Plus, kickoff your weekend festivities with live music and cocktails right on their lakeside patio. We also can’t forget to mention that the Holiday Inn has one of the best dance clubs in the area!


(Booking.com)

 

What to wear

To kickoff your celebratory weekend in style, you’re going to want to dress your squad in Lakes and Grapes. Located right downtown Traverse City on E. Front Street, across from The Little Fleet, Lakes and Grapes has the perfect apparel for traveling around town, enjoying sips by the bay or while adventuring through the vineyards. We promise your photos will look Instagram worthy! And we’re not just talking about the scenery! Once you check out the Rosé by the Bay apparel line, you’ll understand why. 
Plus, Lakes and Grapes offers a variety of tees for the hotter days and sweatshirts/jackets for a nice cool Northern Michigan Night. The premium Lakes and Grapes apparel is designed to inspire people to get out and enjoy all things Lakes, Grapes, and Northern Michigan living. 
If you’re looking to expand on your shopping trip, adventure down the rest of Front Street and treat yourself to something special! Afterall, you can’t come to Traverse City without shopping on the iconic Front street.

 

 

Wine Tasting 

What better way to celebrate this important milestone than by sampling some of the finest wines that Michigan has to offer. With over 40 wineries in the area, no visit to Traverse City is ever complete without taking a day (or two) to savor the fine wines and beauty of the Traverse Wine Coast. Situated on the 45th parallel – just like France’s Bordeaux region and Italy’s Piedmont region – Traverse City has quickly become a notable wine destination, boasting a variety of cool-climate wines that pair well with the town’s booming culinary scene.  
Whether you're exploring the wineries of Old Mission Peninsula or Leelanau County, you’ll love the breath-taking views, award-winning wines, and the unforgettable atmosphere.  
For an easy and safe way to travel through TC’s wine coast, you’ll want to use a local wine tour company. Traverse City has a ton of wine and beer tours that will shuttle you around the Grand Traverse area to let you drink and not worry about driving.  Book with Traverse City wine and beer tours at 231-499-2656 or Grand Traverse tours at (231) 947-7433. These are the perfect businesses to take you on your wine and beer tasting excursions.

 

Rove Estate

Rove Estate is located on the highest point on Leelanau Peninsula so you truly get a taste of Northern Michigan with their view. Known for its Pinot Noir, Rove has created award-winning wines that will deliver a taste of what Northern Michigan truly is.      

 

Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery

Located on the Old Mission Peninsula, Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery has an amazing view of East Bay. Known for its wildly popular frozen wine, Frosé, you can drink it on their upper deck and enjoy the spectacular views.

 

Mari Vineyards

A more recently built winery also located on the Old Mission Peninsula is Mari Vineyards. Mari Vineyards has achieved the status of becoming the first northern Michigan winery with underground barrel aging. Though Mari produces some of the best wine in Northern Michigan what draws people to this vineyard is the wine caves. They reside beneath the winery. On the summer solstice, the caves align with the sunrise creating a passage into the center of tunnels creating the "summer solstice" passage.

 

Night Life

When the sun sets on this scenic city, there’s no shortage of things to do. From bars to rooftop decks with a view, Traverse City is rapidly developing as a trendy scene to unwind and celebrate.  Whether you’re in the mood to enjoy a drink, play some pool or hit the dance floor, there's an exciting mix of bars and nightlife hot spots. 
When the sun sets on this scenic city, there’s no shortage of things to do. From open-air bars to rooftop decks with a view, Traverse City is rapidly developing as a trendy scene to unwind and celebrate.  Whether you’re in the mood to enjoy an after-dinner drink, play some pool or hit the dance floor, there's an exciting mix of bars and nightlife hot spots. 

 

Little Fleet

A food truck to pair with any appetite! No trip to TC is complete without a stop at The Little Fleet. Located directly across from Lakes and Grapes on Front Street, this is the perfect place to start your night. From their craft cocktails, to tasty bites, local craft beer and wine, and live music, it’s an outside experience you can't find anywhere else!

(trevor.com)

Hotel Indigo

Revel in the beauty of the Bay at Traverse City’s hottest rooftop. And did we mention the view?! You won’t want to miss out on this sunset sipping moment. We recommend toasting to a glass of local wine or one of their craft cocktails as you watch the sun go down over the west bay.

Holiday Inn West Bay

The Holiday Inn West Bay sits right on the water on West Bay. Recently renovated, this hotel brings great accommodations to tourists.  Though many locals also love the hotel for its beachfront deck. A great atmosphere with live music, amazing cocktails and a location you can’t find anywhere else in TC if you want to drink by the beach. The Holiday Inn West Bay is also the home to Shimmers. Shimmers is the perfect ecompass of a fun nightlife spot to dance the night away. In other words it is the closest thing to a nightclub Traverse City has to offer.  

(mynorth.com)

NautiCat

Stationed at the Holiday Inn West Bay, the Nauticat is the perfect choice for an amazing sunset cruise. With a bar on board, comfy seating, and music you love, the NautiCat is the perfect choice for you and your girls.

(nauti-cat.com)

Kilkenny's

We promise you, that you’ll want to end the night at Traverse City’s Irish public house, Kilkenny’s for some amazing live music and dancing. One of the few bars open till 2am, we guarantee you will have a riot dancing the night away.

(kilkennyspub.com)

 

Food

Though Traverse City is known for its wine and scenic views, a huge part of what makes this city great is the food.    

Little Fleet: 

The Little Fleet has become the place to go to in Traverse City. It provides great food truck-style food. You can find tacos, to sushi, to some good ole BBQ at the Little Fleet.

Sorellina

 Sorellina has been a local favorite since 2012. It translates to little sister in Italian. Known not only for its wine, Sorellina provides authentic Italian dishes as well as putting a more contemporary interpretation on some classics. Sorellina shares a kitchen with Traverse City’s newest Steakhouse, Slate.

(sorellinatc.com)

Firefly

This kitchen/bar not only provides both great food and drinks, but also an amazing atmosphere. It has a great line-up of small plate and sushi offerings with one of the best happy hour deals in the city. Located only two blocks away from Front Street, Firefly provides its guests with a great view of the Boardman River.


(firefly.com)

Red Ginger

Red Ginger will cater to a more fancier dining experience but it is well worth getting dressed up to indulge in their Asian infusion dishes (my personal favorite in the city).  Order one of my favorite cocktails in the city the Red Dragon with some Dragon wings and your stomach will be sure to thank you!

 (eatatginger.com)

North Peak:

North Peak is also a local favorite and provides a more casual dining experience but creates amazing house-made craft beers. One of my favorite dishes in the city is their white cheddar ale soup served with mustard covered pretzels on top. It’s always one of my first meals in Traverse City when I arrive home from school.

(ThymeandLove.com)

The Franklin:

One of the newest restaurants in Traverse City is The Franklin. With its prime location and amazing open rooftop patio, there is no better way to dine and experience the hustle and bustle of downtown Traverse City. Stop on in for a drink or my personal favorite the Franklin Burger. Sit back, and enjoy the view while you dine on some of the best food offered in Traverse City. 

(mynorth.com)

Sweating before the Wedding

LUXBODY

After you’re done eating and drinking all around Traverse City, pop on into LUXBODY. LUXBODY is a local HIIT studio here in Traverse City. LUXBODY uses high-intensity interval training (HIIT) which is a systematized workout that incorporates intense activity bursts with fixed or lower intense rests. Switch it up and book your Bachelorette & Bubbly HIIT Party with LUX. Contact the studio to reserve your private group HIIT! LUXBODY will provide the bubbly you bring the babes! Contact LuxBody Fitness at 231-642-618 or by email info@luxbodyfitness.com.

 

Pamper yourself 

Now that your tummies are full and you’ve gotten your workout in, head on over to the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. The Resort offers a variety of spa treatments for all kinds of travelers. Bachelorette parties are known for their high energy, but why not take a moment to relax with your girlfriends. Pamper yourself before the big day! 

 (michigan.org)

Book your trip today

Traverse City has so much to offer. Let us help YOU guide your trip to all things Lakes and Grapes and the in between. We love Northern Michigan and can’t wait to share its beauty with you. Whether you’re seeking a sophisticated weekend among friends, or a wild final stand before the big day, this region has you covered! 

 

About the author Carlee McCardel:

Carlee is currently completeting her degree in communications and buisness at Hope College. Upon graduation she plans to pursue a career in marketing or public relations. You can find Carlee as the Assistant Coach for the Rockford Alpine Ski Team in Grand Rapids. She hopes to combine her passion for skiing and communication skills to help grow the sport and develop more communication knowledge.

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