Traverse City recs

Lara05 · July 2010

My parents are from out of state and thinking of visiting Traverse City during their next trip to see us. Does anyone have recommendations of hotels or B&Bs that you've had personal experience with? And any recommendations of wineries to visit or avoid in the Leelanau/Old Mission Peninsula area? Restaurant recommendations are welcome too!

They were also thinking of a B&B near the South Haven or Saugatuck area instead of TC. Thoughts/recommendations?

Thanks girls!

goodgollie · July 2010

How fun for your parents! DH and I only stay at the Marriott in TC, which is way off the strip, but very nice. As far as wineries go, I love all the wineries on Old Mission. To visit them all would take a whole afternoon. If they are up for more another day I would recommend Shady Lane, Leelanau Cellars, 45 North, Longview, Chateau Fontaine and Circa Estate on Leelaneau Peninsula. As far as places to eat, I would highly recommend Bower's Harbor Inn on Old Mission Peninsula. It's a (supposedly) haunted mansion turned into a restaurant. You can even go upstairs to see the elevator shaft where the old logging barron's wife hung herself. Plus they have great food! North Peak Brewery is right downtown and excellent. We just discovered Blue Tractor in Olde Town in May. They have the best mac and cheese ever! If they like asian fusion and sushi, I highly recommend Red Ginger downtown. Pretty much all the places to eat right downtown are superb. I don't know South Haven or Saugatuck very well. I hope they have a wonderful time!

WendyGR · July 2010

LOVE Black Star Farms B&B, Chateau Chantal also is nice but I haven't stayed there (yet!).

I can't think of any wineries to avoid, I love them all. Bowers Harbor, Chateau Chantal, Shady Lane, Black Star, and L Mawby are on our short list when we can only visit a few.

goodgollie · July 2010

I forgot about the wineries to avoid...do not let them go to Raftshol or Boskydel vineyards on L. Penninsula. They are both run by old cranky men and their wines are terrible.

lzalewski · July 2010

We usually stay at the Homestead, on the Leelanau peninsula. I love it there, but it's not really a B&B. Next time, I think we may try the Tesoro Inn, near Chateau Chantal. I tried to book our anniversary trip there in June-- they were booked, but the owner was incredibly nice. http://tesoroinn.com/

In Saugatuck, I've heard good things about Wickwood Inn and Hidden Garden Cottages. (I live 10 minutes away, so I don't have personal experience w/ either, but a CW loved Hidden Garden.)

Kasa · July 2010

I don't have any recommendations, but I just wanted to suggest that they reserve their room as early in advance as possible, especially if they're traveling in the summer or fall. I'm trying to find a room up there for a weekend next month and am getting frustrated by how many places are totally booked up. I've run into that problem in the fall too.

Stephanie586 · July 2010

My DH and I got engaged in TC. We ate at Trattoria Stella. Its an upscale italian restaurant in the basement of the old mental hospital that has been revitalized as condo space and art gallery. The restaurant is very good and is a cool space. We really like the Chateau Chantal and Chateau Grand Traverse on the old mission penninsula, great people and very good wine. We also really like the Black Star Winery. We met some other couples there and had a great time. The North Peak brewery downtown is very good too. And for breakfast the Omlette Shoppe is a must.

Lara05 · July 2010

Thanks everyone for the great recommendations!

Traverse City recs

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