Traverse City

Tucked between State Street and Eighth Street is the 18-block neighborhood of Boardman, a residential enclave of Traverse City known for its walkable streets, eclectic houses and historic charm. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its 1890s architecture, Boardman is largely residential, with a small commercial district consisting of local shops along its southern border. But bayfront and lakeshore parks are just outside the boundaries as are more commercial options. <br><br>At Sunset Beach Park to the north, locals can swim, paddleboard and boat in the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay, where water temperatures average about 70 degrees throughout the summer. “Tourism is a huge pull for the city, but locals get to enjoy the city year-round,” says Janene Silverman, the owner of Raduno, a restaurant located on Eighth Street. “The lakes are absolutely gorgeous.” <br><br>Hull Park to the south overlooks Boardman Lake, which connects to the bay via the Boardman River. Boats and kayaks launch from Hull Park, and visitors can walk for five miles on its pedestrian pathways.<br><br>Nearly 175 houses, most in the Victorian and Craftsman styles, date back to the late 19th century. There are also Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and Tudor styles available, as well as the occasional cozy cottage from the early 20th century. The streets are lined with established trees, and the city keeps the sidewalks neat and accessible. <br><br>The average home is priced between $700,000 and $1.2 million. Outliers include properties with historic appeal, which can sell for more than $2 million. Boardman is densely populated, and space is at a premium, as shown by the 57% average increase in home pricing between 2022 and 2023. However, there are opportunities for homebuyers to invest by purchasing one of the area’s older homes in need of restoration—these properties are priced typically between $150,000 and $300,000.<br><br>Since Boardman is only a few blocks from Front Street’s retail district, locals have plenty of options for dining and shopping. Search for treasures at EB2 Vintage Shop and Penny Lane or find new music at Eugene’s Record Co-op. Spend a weekend getting tattooed at Front Street Tattoo or pick up something to read at Higher Self Bookstore—all walkable from Boardman’s residential streets. <br><br>For a meal out, head south of the neighborhood to Eighth Street for a freshly made sandwich. Raduno is a relaxed deli that offers dining and carryout, caters for local events, and is known for its fresh egg pasta, made daily in-house. “Traverse City has grown a lot in recent years, and even the off-season has a booming tourism scene,” says Silverman. “But we run a local place—most of our customers are our neighbors who walk over for dinner. We have a wonderful customer base, and we’re lucky to call many of our customers our friends.”<br><br>After eating, walk to Silver Spruce Brewing Company to sample local beer on tap. While there are several corner store grocers within walking distance, most residents drive to Family Fare Supermarket just outside of Boardman’s boundaries for grocery shopping.<br><br>F & M Park, located just outside the Boardman neighborhood boundaries to the east, is a popular place for locals to spend time. With a train-themed playground called the “Recreation Express” and a seasonal ice-skating rink, the park is a hit with neighborhood children. It also has public restrooms, basketball courts, gazebos and a grassy field used for sports and picnicking. During the city’s National Cherry Festival, F & M Park hosts several events, including the Cherry Pie Bike Ride, Kids Cherry Teddy Bear Tea and Kids Cherry Pie Eating Contest. <br><br>Students in Boardman are zoned in the Traverse City Area Public School District—which, according to Niche, is the best-rated school district in Grand Traverse County. A student may attend Central Grade School, which was graded A- by Niche, from preschool through sixth grade, then continue through eighth grade at West Middle School, graded B+. WMS is located a few miles outside of the city, so the school district provides free bus transit for students. After middle school, students may attend Central High School, graded A- by Niche. CHS is located beside the Northwestern Michigan College campus and offers an Early College Program for students to earn up to two years or an associate degree in collaboration with the college.<br><br>Known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City hosts the annual National Cherry Festival every June and July. With an average of nearly 500,000 visitors, the festival is a huge source of income for the city and surrounding areas. <br><br>Most events are held at the Open Space Park (just north of the Boardman neighborhood) but satellite events are set up throughout the city. Over 100 events are held over the festival’s eight days. With community picnics, markets, orchard tours, pie-eating contests and even “Cherry-Pit-Spit” competitions, there’s plenty for locals and tourists to explore. There are also concerts held at the Pepsi Bayside Music State, with celebrity artists including the Goo Goo Dolls, T.I. and Stone Temple Pilots performing during the 2024 season.<br><br>Traverse City’s Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant is located alongside Boardman Lake, directly south of the neighborhood. The plant provides job opportunities to the area but occasionally produces an unpleasant smell.<br><br>The moderating effects of nearby lakes mean that Traverse City maintains warm and mild summers (perfect for growing cherries and grapes) and cold winters. Snowfall generally occurs between November and April. <br><br>With major employers like Munson Medical Center, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City Area Public Schools and Tyson Foods located in the city, most Boardman residents don’t need to commute far for work. <br><br>For travel, Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is close —just under 4 miles east of Boardman, around a 10-minute drive. Six airlines serve the airport, with flights mostly to big-city hubs.

With its quiet, walkable streets shaded by established trees, Central seems like it would be a suburb far from the city—but it’s under a mile from downtown. Central residents can enjoy a quick commute and return home to walk to dinner or picnic on the riverfront with ease. Central's Bike Score is 95 out of a possible 100, designating it a "Biker's Paradise," and it's listed as "Very Walkable" with a Walk Score of 79 out of 100. “People looking for downtown properties are drawn to the walkability of this neighborhood,” says Mark Hogan, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Schmidt. “They want to walk or bike to work, to use public transit for groceries, or to stroll to a park—and they can certainly find all that here.” Central’s streets are gridded and tree-lined with well-maintained sidewalks. Some yards are fully fenced, but more common is partial fencing that surrounds the side and back yards and leaves the front yard open. Off-street parking is found in garages and driveways behind houses, accessible by neat alleys parallel to the main streets. Most houses are Queen Anne or Victorian styles, featuring gabled roofs and bay windows. Other houses are in the Craftsman style, with covered front porches perfect for entertaining. “Most Central houses were built from the turn of the century to the 1940s,” says Hogan. “Traverse City has gotten super popular in the past few years, so it’s definitely a seller’s market right now, and prices are rising.” Currently, Central's average house price ranges between $500,000 and $700,000. Several local restaurants are within walking distance of Central’s residential streets, including Blue Tractor Barbeque. Its building—built in 1886 as a bar called Novotny’s Saloon—was rebuilt in 1978 after a fire destroyed the original wood framing. Now, Blue Tractor is a popular restaurant known for its homestyle mac and cheese, pulled pork and fried pickles. Across the street, more formal fare (and custom wine pairings) can be found at Forrest, A Food Studio. Owned and managed by a local couple, this upscale restaurant is only open on select days, offers one seating per night and changes its prix fixe menu monthly. Reservations are required, as Forrest is often booked out well in advance. In the evenings, locals meet up at Brady’s Bar for casual drinks and a plate of the self-proclaimed “Best Wings in Traverse City.” Across the neighborhood on East Fourteenth Street, whiskey aficionados can sample Traverse City Whiskey Company’s distilled drinks or take a cocktail class and learn to mix premium cocktails at home. Along South Union Street are shops, fitness studios and beauty salons. Locals get groceries at Tom’s Food Market, just south of Central, and make quick stops at Deering Meat Market or Oryana Community Co-op for specialty products. Hannah Park is just outside the neighborhood's boundaries. It is located on the west coast of the Boardman River, close to downtown. The park has sturdy platforms for fishing and several picnic benches scattered along the walking path. Following the walking path east leads to the Boardman Lake Trail, which encircles the lake and offers plenty of spots to sightsee and enjoy nice weather. Students may attend Central Grade School, graded A minus by Niche, West Middle School, graded B plus, and West Senior High School, graded A minus. The public elementary school, on Seventh and Pine streets, is within walking distance of many Central students’ homes. “Kids can walk to the public elementary or to several private and religious schools without leaving the neighborhood,” says Hogan. Alternative schools include St. Francis High School and TCAPS Montessori School, both graded B plus by Niche. Known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City hosts the annual National Cherry Festival every June and July. With an average of nearly 500,000 visitors, the festival is a huge source of income for the city and surrounding areas. Most events are held at the Open Space Park, but satellite events are set up throughout the city. Over 100 events are held over the festival’s eight days. With community picnics, markets, orchard tours, pie-eating contests and even “Cherry-Pit-Spit” competitions, there’s plenty for locals and tourists to explore. There are also concerts held at the Pepsi Bayside Music State, with celebrity artists including the Goo Goo Dolls, T.I. and Stone Temple Pilots performing during the 2024 season. “The Cherry Festival is huge, and the organizers do a great job of getting locals involved,” says Hogan. “Young or old, everyone loves the concerts and events.” The moderating effects of nearby lakes mean that Traverse City maintains warm and mild summers, perfect for growing cherries and grapes, and cold winters, with snowfall generally occurring between November and April. “Downtown isn’t that big, so people don’t have to commute far for work or shopping,” says Shawn Schmidt Smith, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors in Traverse City. With major employers like Munson Medical Center, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City Area Public Schools and Tyson Foods located in the city, many Central residents can walk or bike to work during warm months, as the city’s snowy winters make pedestrian commutes difficult. Bike-friendly routes are available along Sixth, Wadsworth and South Union streets, leading to West Front and Pine streets' dedicated bike lanes, which continue downtown. Traverse City’s public transit bus system makes several stops in the Central neighborhood on South Union Street. For travel, Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is close by—just under 6 miles east of Central and around a 10-minute drive. “I’m absolutely excited about the city’s growth,” says Hogan. “People have realized all that Traverse City has to offer.”

In a neighborhood where commerce and condos co-exist, residents of Downtown Traverse City often find themselves leaving their cars behind in a walkable and bikeable neighborhood with restaurants, entertainment, shops, parks and even a beach. “Everything we need is a few steps away,’’ said Barb Cooper, a Classic Real Estate agent and broker who moved downtown when her husband could no longer drive. Living space above ground-floor businesses is common downtown. Higher-end condominiums can offer lakefront and city skyline views at the upper end of the price range. “Condos are more common than apartments here, and many are in refurbished historic buildings with an industrial feel,” says Shawn Schmidt Smith, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors in Traverse City. Condos sell between $800,000 and $1.2 million, although outliers, including a rooftop penthouse in a historic building, can be priced up to $2.5 million. Typical modern townhouses offer two bedrooms and two bathrooms, priced between $850,000 and $950,000. One of the neighborhood’s biggest draws is its dining scene. Traverse City showcases some of Michigan’s best restaurants, including Poppycocks, a New American restaurant known for its live jazz and martini menu. For a casual meal, there’s Millie & Pepper, a cozy spot serving crepes and tea. After dinner, Le Macaron is a popular stop for French pastries. Front Street's Peace, Love and Little Donuts specializes in a Traverse City delicacy, the cherry pie doughnut. “The main two blocks have expanded and grown so much in recent years,” says Cooper. “Some of the restaurants have been running for over three decades, and new spots pop up every year. There’s a lot of support for our local businesses—downtown takes care of its people.” When dining in makes more sense, Front Street’s Burritt’s Fresh Market or neighboring Boardman’s Family Fare Supermarket are convenient choices for groceries. Every Saturday morning from May to October, the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market is held at the parking lot by Clinch Park, offering fresh produce, art and wine. There’s no shortage of places to shop downtown, where antique stores and boutiques line the streets that criss-cross the Boardman River. Locals stop into Nifty Things for jewelry, art and home goods or check out Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars for gourmet ingredients. Clinch Park Beach is filled with colorful towels and umbrellas in spring and summer along the shore of Traverse City Bay, which connects to Lake Michigan. During the summer swimming season, water temperatures typically stay above 68 degrees while high air temperatures average about 80. There’s space for swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding, and boaters can set off from the docks at the Duncan L. Clinch Marina next to the beach. Public lifeguards are on duty from June through August. Directly west of the beach, Clinch Park’s walking paths connect to the multi-use Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART) and the William G. Milliken Waterscape, an outdoor splash pad perfect for cooling off on hot days. Hannah Park, along the shoreline of the Boardman River near several townhouse complexes, features wooden platforms along the river, making it a popular fishing destination. Open Space Park is aptly named as the largest waterfront space in the city and is adjacent to beach volleyball courts and includes a jetty that extends into the bay. Indoors, Bijou by the Bay, a nonprofit theater whose walls are covered in large-scale murals painted by award-winning local artists, is nearby. There's also Crooked Tree Arts Center, which hosts art classes, events and free exhibits and the City Opera House, a 700-seat Victorian theater hosting plays, concerts and films, and the State Theatre, a historic building that presents an annual film festival and weekly screenings. “We’ve got outdoor activities for every season,” says Cooper. “When it’s warm, people enjoy the volleyball courts and beaches. In the winter, people go snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. There’s always something to do.” Students are zoned in the Traverse City Area Public School District—listed as the best-rated school district in Grand Traverse County, according to Niche. Students may attend Central Grade School, graded A minus by Niche; East Middle School, graded B plus; and Central High School, graded A minus. Located next to the Northwestern Michigan College campus, Central High School offers an Early College Program for students to earn college credits. Known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City hosts the annual National Cherry Festival in June and July. Most events are held at Open Space Park, though satellite stages are set up around the city. About half-a-million attend over the eight days for picnics, markets, orchard tours, pie-eating contests and even “Cherry-Pit-Spit” competitions. National rock bands play the Pepsi Bayside Music State. Goo Goo Dolls, T.I. and Stone Temple Pilots were scheduled in 2024. The moderating effects of nearby lakes mean that Traverse City’s summers are mild, peaking in July with average highs around 80. January is the coldest month, with highs averaging about 28 and lows around 15. Snowfall averages 125-145 inches a year. Traverse City’s downtown area can be louder than surrounding neighborhoods due to traffic from East Grandview Parkway and the proximity of foot traffic on Front and State streets. With major employers like Munson Medical Center, Northwestern Michigan College, and Tyson Foods located in the city, many downtown residents are close enough to consider walking or cycling -- distances are under 2.5 miles from most parts of Downtown, though auto travel is often needed beyond the Downtown area, though the Bay Area Transit System network of buses operate on several fixed routes and on-demand services. Downtown is about 50 miles from Interstate 75, one of the region's longest highways. Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is close by—just under 5 miles east of downtown and around a 10-minute drive.

It's not necessary to work in the medical field to live in Kids Creek, but the neighborhood's hospitals, specialist centers, dental offices and other medical offices make it an attractive base for healthcare professionals, who make up nearly 6% of Traverse City's employment totals. According to Barb Cooper, a Classic Real Estate agent and broker with nearly 30 years of experience in Traverse City, the area is gaining popularity, which has spurred growth around Munson Medical Center, in the northeast quadrant of the neighborhood. This suburban neighborhood doesn’t have the nightlife scene found a few blocks east, focusing instead on family dining and activities. “Despite how close it is to downtown, Kids Creek has a small-town charm,” says Cooper. Its suburban streets are lined with established trees, and there are plenty of public parks and gardens to explore. Kids Creek extends from West Front Street to Silver Lake Road from north to south and between Long Lake Road and South Division Street from east to west. It covers a sizable area and includes varied single-family homes, several townhouse subdivisions and historic buildings converted to condominiums. In the Village of Grand Traverse Commons are several condominium buildings that offer two-bed and two-bath industrial-style homes. From new construction townhouses with modern architecture to historic stand-alone houses set on half-acre properties, Kids Creek offers plenty of choices in housing. Prices range from $400,000 to $650,000. Students in Kids Creek are zoned in the Traverse City Area Public School District—considered the best-rated school district in Grand Traverse County, according to Niche. A student may attend Central Grade School, graded A- by Niche, West Middle School, graded B+, and West Senior High School, graded A-. Alternative schools include The Greenspire School, a public charter school that enrolls sixth through twelfth-grade students. Locals visit The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park to enjoy the outdoors. The 25-acre site offers seasonal classes and exhibits focusing on sustainability and biodiversity. In addition to the garden, the space includes the Traverse City Labyrinth, a meditative walking space, a shared community garden, an event space at Historic Barns Park and access to the Copper Ridge Trailhead & Mountain Bike Trail. From the garden, locals can follow the Copper Ridge Trail into the Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area to hike the 140-acre forest lined with unpaved trails. An offbeat attraction is the Hippie Tree, a large fallen trunk painted in a riot of rainbow spray paint, now a beloved local landmark. There are several restaurants scattered throughout the neighborhood, but most are centered around the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a shopping center in a renovated 1884 hospital complex. Locals enjoy wine tastings at Left Foot Charley’s or have dinner at PepeNero, an upscale Italian restaurant in a former chapel. Nearby, Pleasanton Brick Oven Bakery makes sweet treats and specialty breads, including parmesan and green olive stuffed focaccia loaves. Also in the Commons are an assortment of clothing shops, including The Haberdashery and High Five Threads, a used bookstore called Landmark Books and a children’s toy store named Underground Toys. Known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City hosts the annual National Cherry Festival every June and July, which attracts about a half-million over eight days. Most events are held downtown, but satellite events are set up throughout the city. Music, cherry-related contests and events and other activities are all part of the fun. The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) manages public transit, and bus service runs throughout Traverse City and outlying neighborhoods. The Bayline loop, which runs southwest towards Meijer, serves Kids Creek. The nearest airport, Cherry Capital Airport, is 5 miles east and is generally a 15- to 20-minute drive. Getting to and from healthcare services is easy in Kids Creek. Between the Munson Medical Center off South Elmwood Avenue, clinics and specialists at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, and dentists, specialists and family practitioners along Royal Drive, locals don't have to go far from home to reach their work in the medical field or visit their physicians.

Oak Park is a residential neighborhood within blocks of shops, restaurants and parks in downtown Traverse City. Its streets are gridded and lined with shade trees alongside a mix of older and newer homes. As Traverse City grows, neighborhoods close to downtown stand to gain from increased activity. “Downtown just keeps growing and growing, benefiting nearby neighborhoods like Oak Park and Boardman,” says Shawn Schmidt Smith, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors in Traverse City. “There are restaurants on Front Street that have been here for decades, and new spots keep popping up. It’s walkable and lovely, with beautiful views.” Oak Park was developed in the early 1900s and has a variety of house styles, including Craftsmans, brick cottages and Italianates. More recently, in the 2010s, modern industrial townhouses were built to add to Oak Park’s housing inventory with a population growth rate in the city of about 2.2%. Many houses have fenced yards, some with front-facing gardens, and the city’s Department of Public Services keeps the paved sidewalks neat and accessible. Houses range in price from $400,000 to $600,000, depending on size and condition, and the neighborhood is seeing an increase in home values, along with the city in general. “Tourism is a main industry here, but locals get to enjoy Traverse City year-round,” says Janene Silverman, the owner of Raduno, a restaurant on Eighth Street. “Every year, streets and parks are upgraded and new shops and restaurants open.” F & M Park is located between East State Street and Railroad Avenue on the west side of the neighborhood. With a train-themed playground called the “Recreation Express” and a seasonal ice-skating rink, the park is designed to be enjoyed by children of all ages. It also has public restrooms, basketball courts, gazebos and a grassy field used for sports and picnicking. During the city’s National Cherry Festival, F & M Park hosts several events, including the Cherry Pie Bike Ride, Kids Cherry Teddy Bear Tea and Kids Cherry Pie Eating Contest. Just west of the Oak Park neighborhood is the Grand Traverse County Civic Center. This 45-acre park offers sports fields, walking and biking paths, picnic tables and pavilions, plus plenty of shaded spaces to enjoy nice weather. The park also includes the Campbell Community Playground, the outdoor amphitheater called the Parallel 45 Theatre, an indoor rink at Howe Ice Arena -- named after hockey legend and former city resident Gordie Howe -- and an outdoor skate park for BMX, skateboarding and rollerblading. In addition to playing sports, locals can learn about Traverse City’s history at the park. The city commemorates the original inhabitants of the land by protecting a 200-year-old white oak tree that was used as a trail marker by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa tribes. A block to the north, just across East Front Street, a pair of beach parks -- Bryant Beach Park to the east and Sunset Park Beach to the west -- offer swim access, but water temperatures rarely climb above 75 degrees. Oak Park residents don’t go hungry with a handful of restaurants nearby. Grab doughnuts, fresh bread or muffins at Potter’s Bakery, a fourth-generation family-owned shop that opened in 1929 and decorates wedding and specialty cakes for local events. On Eighth Street, Round’s Restaurant serves all-day breakfast with diner-style seating along its circular front wall. Dating back to the 1940s, Round’s retro décor and consistent pricing have made it a popular spot. Dinner is served down the street at Raduno, a relaxed deli known for its fresh-made egg pasta and meals made with local produce. “Traverse City has grown a lot in recent years, and even the off-season now has a booming tourism scene,” says Silverman. “But we focus on our regulars—most of our customers are our neighbors—and we’re lucky to call many of them our friends.” While several corner stores are within walking distance, most residents get groceries at Family Fare Supermarket on East Eighth Street. Oak Park students are zoned in the Traverse City Area Public School District, which is listed as the best-rated school district in Grand Traverse County, according to Niche. Students may attend Eastern Elementary School, graded B plus by Niche; East Middle School, graded B plus; and Central High School, graded A minus. Located next to the Northwestern Michigan College campus, Central High School offers an Early College Program for students to earn college credits. Known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City hosts the annual National Cherry Festival every June and July. With an average of nearly 500,000 visitors and over 100 events, the festival is a huge source of income for the city and surrounding areas. Most events are held at the Open Space Park, northwest of Oak Park, but satellite events are set up throughout the city. With community picnics, markets, orchard tours, pie-eating contests and even “Cherry-Pit-Spit” competitions, there’s plenty for locals and tourists to explore. There are also concerts held at the Pepsi Bayside Music State, with celebrity artists, including the Goo Goo Dolls, T.I. and Stone Temple Pilots, performing during the 2024 season. The moderating effects of nearby lakes mean that Traverse City maintains mild summers (perfect for growing cherries and grapes) and cold winters. Snowfall generally occurs between November and April. It’s noteworthy that Traverse City’s Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant is located on the coast of Boardman Lake, southwest of Oak Park. The plant provides job opportunities to the area but occasionally produces an unpleasant smell. With major employers like Munson Medical Center, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City Area Public Schools and Tyson Foods located in the city, most Oak Park residents don’t need to commute far for work. Traverse City Transit offers bus trips around the city, with stops at Eight and Front streets, near the Oak Park neighborhood. For longer-distance travel, Cherry Capital Airport is just under 3 miles east and around an 8-minute drive.

In Traverse City’s Old Town, residents have several choices for getting around before searching for car keys. And once that choice is made, parks, shops, downtown offices and nearby riverfront dining are within reach on foot, cycle or even by car. “People often choose this area because they’re drawn to everything within a half-mile stroll,” says Mark Hagan, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Schmidt. “People want to walk or bike to work downtown, to use public transit for groceries, or to stroll to a park—and they can certainly find all that here.” Old Town’s pedestrian and cycling scores are high, owing to gridded streets, well-maintained sidewalks and bike paths on South Union and Sixth streets, which link with Traverse City’s designated bike lanes on East State and West Front Streets heading downtown. Old Town has some fenced yards, but most provide privacy with dividing hedges and ornamental trees that buffer adjoining properties. Residents park in off-street spots behind their houses, using alleyways for access, though other portions of the neighborhood include front-facing garages. Most houses are in the Victorian or Craftsman styles, and prices range from $350,000 to $550,000, depending on size and condition. “Traverse City has gotten super popular in the past few years,” says Hagan. “It’s definitely a seller’s market right now.” With no parks in the neighborhood, Old Town residents are connected by sidewalks to Lay and Hannah parks, which overlook the Boardman River. Across the river and about five blocks farther, Clinch Park and Sunset Park Beach overlook Grand Traverse Bay. The neighborhood is graded near 90% for walkability and bicycling. For a closer-to-home adventure, the Boardman Lake Trail's closest connection to the neighborhood is on Eighth Street, just east of the neighborhood. This 4-mile looping trail wraps around the lake, going from an urban setting with commercial access to a heavily wooded hiking trail and crossing the Boardman/Ottway River in the south. The trail offers lookout piers, fishing decks and kayak launches. Throughout the year, but especially during Michigan’s colder seasons, Old Town Playhouse's volunteer-run productions take the stage in a former church, built in 1903 and converted to a theater in 1975. The community theater's performances include rotating musicals, plays and traveling shows Old Town Playhouse is particularly beloved for its annual December holiday performances, including a Holiday Cabaret and a Holiday Rom-Com Parody. Old Town is near a medley of restaurants and bars in the Downtown and Central neighborhoods, but one is closest to home. Named for the owner’s late grandfather, Archie’s Social House is a hometown favorite with specials such as “Babcia’s Local Pierogis,” pillowy pasta stuffed with potato and served with a sauteed vegetable that changes seasonally, based on the local harvest. Manager Nick Petrie said the family business started with a food truck and recently put down roots. “We always wanted to get a brick-and-mortar spot, and when this space became available last year, we jumped on it,” he said. “Now we’ve been established in the neighborhood and have quite a few regulars who come by often.” Archie’s serves brunch and dinner, with a full bar offering seasonal cocktails, like cucumber-mint mojitos for summertime. When the weather’s nice, Petrie says customers enjoy socializing outdoors, so much so that he has plans for something special. “It’s always been a plan to team up with neighboring restaurants and throw a block party,” says Petrie. “Close down a street, cook our favorite meals, put on live music and whatnot. I’ve been living here five years and have had all positive experiences with our neighbors, so we want to do something fun for them.” Traverse City Whiskey Company serves flights along with premium cocktails and teaches mixology classes. Shops, fitness studios and beauty salons line South Union Street. Locals get groceries at Tom’s Food Market, located west of Old Town near the Central neighborhood, and make quick stops at Deering Meat Market or Oryana Community Co-op for specialty products within walking distance of their homes. Students may attend Central Grade School, graded A minus by Niche, East Middle School, graded B plus, and Central High School, graded A minus. Located next to the Northwestern Michigan College campus on the northwest side of Traverse City, Central High School offers an Early College Program for students to earn college credits. Students looking for a private school may enroll in St. Francis High School, which is graded B plus and is located within the neighborhood. Known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City hosts the annual National Cherry Festival every June and July. With an average of nearly 500,000 visitors, the festival is a huge source of income for the city and surrounding areas. Most events are held at the Open Space Park, but satellite events are set up throughout the city. Over 100 events are held over the festival’s eight days. Community picnics, markets, orchard tours, pie-eating contests and even “Cherry-Pit-Spit” competitions ensure there’s plenty to enjoy. “Archie’s gets a huge influx during Cherry Festival season,” says Petrie. “The events stretch all the way downtown, and people flow into Old Town to eat and explore.” There are even concerts held at the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage, where celebrity artists, including the Goo Goo Dolls, T.I. and Stone Temple Pilots performed during the 2024 season. “The Cherry Festival is huge, and the organizers do a great job of getting locals involved,” says Hagan. “Young or old, everyone loves the concerts and events.” With major employers located in the city, most residents take advantage of Old Town’s near-perfect biking routes for their commutes, taking bike-friendly South Union and Sixth streets to reach downtown’s designated bike lanes or walking across the American Legion Memorial Bridge on Cass Street. There’s also public transportation available, provided by the Bay Area Transportation Authority, with multiple stops along South Union and Cass Street. For long-distance travel, Cherry Capital Airport is just under 5 miles east of downtown.