Traverse City Disappointment (Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Marquette: homes, live, restaurant)
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You are right Michmoldman.......everyone deserves a second chance...So...We will give it another try. My husband is of the opinion that because we have been living permanently in the U.P for the last 3 years, we are not used to seeing more than 3 cars on the road at the same time and we may have been a little overwhelmed. So.....Traverse City we will forget our first "date" and we will definately see you again!
Traverse city is a nice town, but I agree with you about the traffic there. It can ruin a good time for sure. The July-Aug time period seems to be the worst, and hotel rates can really skyrocket too. All that being said I dont get sick of going there, its a nice place to base a trip into the leelanaw, or out to the sand dunes. Downtown TC is a nice place to kick around too. I live in a small farm town with no traffic, so Im not used to it either so I understand how TC traffic could be a shocker if you dont deal with it alot. If you live in metro Detroit Im sure you wouldnt even notice TC traffic at all.
Go check out "The Village at Grand Traverse Commons" next time...if you didnt last time. Its an awesome place to walk around, and check out some very cool little shops. Hit some wineries, and just kinda get to know TC a little more. Maybe next time without the high expectations, you will find it a little nicer. But like others have said...its a GREAT place to stay, then hit the other places nearby. Drive up the Peninsula, head to Fishtown, Sleeping bear, Petosky...all those awesome places! The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
Traffic? In a city? whoa...who could've predicted that ?!?
When you visit TC, you're in one of the most vibrant and growing small cities of it's size in the nation. Unlike a lot of downtowns, Traverse is bustling, businesses are opening, and store fronts that go empty are quickly filled. Lots of new-ish restaurants, a beautiful bayside park, well preserved historic buildings, on and on. Unlike a lot of cities, people are moving to Traverse City and property values in the downtown and central neighborhoods are strong.
If you've come down from the UP for a visit you were probably surprised by an area and a town with strong economic and cultural vitality, something fairly rare in da Yoop. This is not to criticize, as I love the UP as it is, but let's face it, things are a bit depressed up there and towns are quiet whether they want to be or not.
Do you ever visit a real large city, like Chicago? Now there's hustle and bustle, but it's one of my favorite getaway places when I need to get out of NW Michigan for a few days.
Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs are also great towns..not cities really. But don't visit those either during the summer months, as they're just as bizzy as Traverse.
Give TC another try. Take a deep breath, relax when you're driving, PARK and walk, explore the downtown shops & restaurants, visit the GT Commons as michmold has suggested, and realize that if there weren't a lot of people the cool businesses couldn't and wouldn't be there in the first place.
If all the activity gets to be a little too much head north and west onto M 22 and visit Leelanau County, one of Michigans most beautiful places. Just small towns, lots of great scenery and lake views, good beaches and, if attitude adjustment in required, there are 18..yes, 18 wineries in Michigan's little finger. Most give free tastings. Enjoy!
Traffic? In a city? whoa...who could've predicted that ?!?
When you visit TC, you're in one of the most vibrant and growing small cities of it's size in the nation. Unlike a lot of downtowns, Traverse is bustling, businesses are opening, and store fronts that go empty are quickly filled. Lots of new-ish restaurants, a beautiful bayside park, well preserved historic buildings, on and on. Unlike a lot of cities, people are moving to Traverse City and property values in the downtown and central neighborhoods are strong.
If you've come down from the UP for a visit you were probably surprised by an area and a town with strong economic and cultural vitality, something fairly rare in da Yoop. This is not to criticize, as I love the UP as it is, but let's face it, things are a bit depressed up there and towns are quiet whether they want to be or not.
Do you ever visit a real large city, like Chicago? Now there's hustle and bustle, but it's one of my favorite getaway places when I need to get out of NW Michigan for a few days.
Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs are also great towns..not cities really. But don't visit those either during the summer months, as they're just as bizzy as Traverse.
Give TC another try. Take a deep breath, relax when you're driving, PARK and walk, explore the downtown shops & restaurants, visit the GT Commons as michmold has suggested, and realize that if there weren't a lot of people the cool businesses couldn't and wouldn't be there in the first place.
If all the activity gets to be a little too much head north and west onto M 22 and visit Leelanau County, one of Michigans most beautiful places. Just small towns, lots of great scenery and lake views, good beaches and, if attitude adjustment in required, there are 18..yes, 18 wineries in Michigan's little finger. Most give free tastings. Enjoy!
We have lived in the U.P for approx. 3 years. We were not born nor raised here. In reality, we were both born and raised downstate and are very familiar with "big" cities and the traffic that goes with it. We both worked for an International company (we are now retired) and traveled all over the United States and Canada, in both our work and leisure. Perhaps, I gave everyone the wrong impression. I also would like to say, while we were in T.C. we did in fact... park, and did some shopping and dining. I couldn't walk around too much because I pulled a tendon while jogging and I can only walk for short distances before it hurts, so walking around was not an option. Perhaps.....next time.
We will try T.C. again. And as both you and Michmoldman suggest, we will try GT Commons. And Leelanau sounds lovely.
And Luzette was "spot on" about the luxuries T.C. now offers with better shopping, dining, and entertainment. (Girlfriend Luzette...I think you rock ).
Ahhh, Traverse City....I remember driving up M-37 and hitting Chum's Corners and thinking that I've got another 10 miles to go to hit the 'city'...It's still my favorite northern city...I used to love the South City Limits, stopping in there for their Pecan Encusted White Fish...on my next visit to Michigan, I want to make it up to TC...
Location: Carmel Indiana, heart still in Michigan :)
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On your next trip be sure and look at a map of the city. The back routes are not as busy IMO. Lets say your heading in from the East side and staying or want to go to the Grand Traverse Mall, or that area. I'd jump off 72 on 3 mile and take it down to south airport rd. It may be a longer drive distance wise but you avoid the downtown area and the traffic coming and going. From that area if you want to avoid 31 to head up to downtown go back on S Airport to cass st. This takes you right up and dumps you off right across from the marina if I remember right.
Regarding your comment of hearing the waves or traffic. The only time I've experienced bad traffic at night is after the fireworks. Other than that I don't see the traffic as being bad at all. Compared to where I live? Yes it's heavy. But compared to area's I've driven through, Novi, Canton, Plymouth, Southfield etc. I'd much rather deal with TC traffic.
Traffic in Petoskey can be bad too. Living in northern Michigan is a memory I try to block out of my conscious, but last time I was in Petoskey I was coming down 31 and had to wait 30 minutes just to turn on 131. Traffic in Traverse City is heavy but I never been in actual traffic jam.
On your next trip be sure and look at a map of the city. The back routes are not as busy IMO. Lets say your heading in from the East side and staying or want to go to the Grand Traverse Mall, or that area. I'd jump off 72 on 3 mile and take it down to south airport rd. It may be a longer drive distance wise but you avoid the downtown area and the traffic coming and going. From that area if you want to avoid 31 to head up to downtown go back on S Airport to cass st. This takes you right up and dumps you off right across from the marina if I remember right.
Regarding your comment of hearing the waves or traffic. The only time I've experienced bad traffic at night is after the fireworks. Other than that I don't see the traffic as being bad at all. Compared to where I live? Yes it's heavy. But compared to area's I've driven through, Novi, Canton, Plymouth, Southfield etc. I'd much rather deal with TC traffic.
Yes, the congestion I run into is along the bays from the hospital area east. South along Airport Road it thins out a bit. TC also has a rush hour like large cities.
Residents know the area and plan their days accordingly, but vacationers are usually pressed for time, and every hour counts, so frustration sets in when you can't move freely or you find you're in the wrong lane and can't change. I map my destinations (usually banks, restaurants, or routes) and avoid the lakefront during rush hours.
Maybe TC is becoming the "large city" of the north.
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You are right Michmoldman.......everyone deserves a second chance...So...We will give it another try. My husband is of the opinion that because we have been living permanently in the U.P for the last 3 years, we are not used to seeing more than 3 cars on the road at the same time and we may have been a little overwhelmed.
So.....Traverse City we will forget our first "date" and we will definately see you again!
In a city? 
whoa...who could've predicted that ?!? 
, as they're just as bizzy as Traverse.
head north and west onto M 22 and visit Leelanau County, one of Michigans most beautiful places.
Enjoy!
I also would like to say, while we were in T.C. we did in fact... park, and did some shopping and dining. I couldn't walk around too much because I pulled a tendon while jogging and I can only walk for short distances before it hurts, so walking around was not an option. Perhaps.....next time.
