Park the car, leave the keys in the hotel, and spend three days on an outdoors getaway of kayaking, biking and hiking, with awesome dining, shopping, movies and entertainment mixed in. (Did we mention snorkeling to a movie?)
Oft-times, weekend escapes present unfortunate choices—decisions involving the word “or.” As in, do we want city—inventive restaurants, smart and sexy boutiques, live entertainment, captivating films …? OR do we want nature and the great outdoors—Zen of hiking, safe and breezy two-wheeling, playful kayaking, rejuvenating swimming in clean, clear, fresh water …? Well, friends, it’s time to vanquish the OR and embrace the AND of a Traverse City weekend. Kayak to a downtown microbrewery. Bike to captivating eateries. Walk to keenly curated shops. Snorkel to a movie theater(?) … well, you could ... And never, ever, ever, start your car until it’s time to head home.
FRIDAY’S OUTSIDE INSIDE AGENDA:
Today’s flyover: Park the car. Check into your hotel. Hop on your rental bikes and pedal southwest about 1.5 miles to the Village at Grand Traverse Commons (11th and Elmwood Streets). This sprawling campus of Italianate architecture and parkland was a state-of-the-art mental asylum when built in the late 1800s, but is now one of America’s most remarkable mixed-use restoration projects. Work up an appetite roaming (by foot or mountain bike) the hilly forest trails out back, and then refuel in one of the many eateries. Extend the experience by shopping the Mercado district, in the restored lower level of the campus centerpiece, Building 50.
RIDE, RUN, WALK … GET OUT, NOW
This story is from the September 2017 edition of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine.
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This story is from the September 2017 edition of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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Bringing your dog on your next outdoor overnight excursion? Oh, yes! With a little planning, your canine companion will enjoy camping just as much as you. These Northern Michigan spots are perfectly pet-friendly.
SWEET ON THE BETSIE
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REFRESH IN BLUE AND WHITE
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Explore Emmet and Cheboygan counties by foot, bike or hoof, thanks to this scenic trail.
Please, eat the violets.
The wild violets that dot our forest floors are pretty enough to eat. Go ahead—let our six simple recipes fuel your culinary imagination.
OASIS ON ELK LAKE
ARCHITECT KEN RICHMOND DESIGNS A HOME THAT CAPTURES THE CARIBBEAN COLORS OF ELK LAKE WHILE FEELING COMPLETELY ORGANIC TO THE NORTHWOODS.
LOSS AND NATURE
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GO WITH THE FLOW
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CHAMPION OF TREES
Archangel Ancient Tree Archive is the “most hopeful project on the planet,” says David Milarch.
DINING OUT NEAPOLITAN, BUT WITH STYLE
American House—the Siren Hall spinoff—is making darn good pizza.
