Neighborhood Guide to Eighth Street & Downtown

 
 

Downtown

Eighth Street is just a few blocks from the action of downtown, making it an easy walk to the Front Street shopping district. You could spend your entire visit walking from the unit to various spots in the city and never even get in your car. Easy access to the TART Trails makes this even more possible, as you can rent an e-bike or bicycle and ride from downtown into Leelanau Peninsula. Stay at the Midtown Square Condo and enjoy some of our favorite nearby locations.

Eat
Rare Bird Brewpub $$
229 Lake Ave, Traverse City, MI 49684
A rustic, beer hall-style brew pub with a stellar beer selection. They have their own brews on tap, along with a whole slew of local beers. Don't like beer? No worries; they have margaritas on tap, too! This is a full-service bar with liquor and wine, and some of the best food in town. Check out their website to view their live music calendar.

Benedict $
237 Lake Ave, Traverse City, MI 49684
This breakfast and lunch joint serves up local, seasonal food, with a special emphasis on poached eggs. While eggs are their speciality, they also have a wide array of vegan offerings.

The Towne Plaza $$
203 Cass St, Traverse City, MI 49684
This is a great spot to head for lunch, but really their menus are perfect for every meal. They feature great outdoor seating in the summer and specialize in pork-centered meals.

Modern Bird $$$
541 W Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
One of the newest additions to the Traverse City restaurant scene, Modern Bird is a trendy restaurant on West Front Street offering seasonal grub with a big-city feel. 

Frenchies Famous $$
619 Randolph St Traverse City, MI 49684
This cozy breakfast and lunch spot is one of the best-kept secrets in Traverse City. With flavorful, from-scratch food served fresh daily, you won’t regret stopping in to start your day. They have limited seating, so be prepared to wait, but trust us, it’s worth it. In the summer, they also offer seating on their patio. 

Drink 
The Parlor $$
205 Lake Ave, Traverse City, MI 49684
This craft cocktail bar is filled with vintage vibes and a cozy atmosphere. They offer gastro-pub style food and have one of the best happy hours in town.

Low Bar $$
128 S. Union St Traverse City, MI 49684
This basement-level lounge is the perfect hideout while out on the town. Located below 7 Monks and featuring a wide array of craft cocktails, it feels a bit like stepping into another era. They also offer great mocktails if you’d prefer a drink without the booze.

Coffee
Mundos 305 $
305 W Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
With wonderful coffee and tasty pastries, Mundos is our favorite coffee shop in town. They have three different locations in Traverse City, and this is their newest. Stop in for a quick morning coffee or spend an hour reading in their beautifully-designed shop. 

Brew $
108 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
This independent coffee shop has been a staple in downtown Traverse City for years. Offering a breakfast and lunch menu, coffee, and alcoholic beverages, it’s a great place to visit, no matter your mood or time of day.

Shop 
Wilson’s Antiques $-$$$
123 S. Union St, Traverse CIty, MI 49684
This multi-level treasure trove features antiques of all kinds, from furniture to books, clothing to tools. With four different floors to explore, you are likely to find plenty of gems to take home. Some booths feature local antique maps, books, and more; a unique souvenir to remember your trip. 

l.a. cool  $$$
120 E. Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
This new shop downtown Traverse City features stylish, modern styles for women. With designers from across the country, you’ll find elevated looks to complete your wardrobe. 

Brilliant Books $$
118 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
This well-stocked local bookstore has a great selection of literature, including an expansive children’s section. Stop in and find reading material for the whole family.

Groceries
Oryana
260 E Tenth St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Local co-op, featuring bulk food items, organic and local produce, a cafe and hot bar. Sells beer and wine as well.

Family Fare
905 E Eighth St, Traverse City, MI 49686
Supermarket with a deli, beer, wine, and liquor.

Stocked
Groceries delivered to your rental!
If you’d prefer not to grocery shop while traveling, we work with an amazing local delivery service who can deliver groceries to your unit prior to your arrival. You can view their items and schedule a delivery here.

When you checkout, select 'Vacation' as the Delivery Type, 'Roost North' as the company, and enter in the name of your rental as the property code. You can change/cancel your order up to 24 hours before delivery. Enjoy!