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 is close to downtown commercial districts, but offers larger homes with a quieter vibe.
The people of Old Town can hike on the Boardman Lake Trail, which winds around the lake.
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Victorian homes among the most seen
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.”
Victorian-style homes are among the most popular in Old Town.
Craftsman bungalow-style homes can be spotted in Old Town.
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Parks are a ride or walk away
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.
Enjoy sun and fun at the beach in Clinch Park, located in Traverse City, Michigan.
Follow the trail from Old Town to the Boardman Lake Bridge for panoramic nature views.
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Archie's aims to build community spirit
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.
Archie's Social House serves brunch and dinner to Old Town guests.
Order an after-dinner flight at Traverse City Whiskey Company in Old Town.
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Schools score no less than a B-plus
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.
Central Grade School in Traverse City, Michigan, is graded A- by Niche.
St. Francis High School, a private school located in Traverse City, is graded B+ by Niche.
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Festival is a cherry on top
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.”
Commuters have transportation options
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.
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
637
Median Age
46
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$67,500
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$79,273
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
43.4%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.7%
% Population in Labor Force
64.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
29''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
76''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
95/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
83/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
