[perfectwanda1]

My husband and I just got back from a very short trip to Traverse City. We didn't stay long.

What a disappointment. This was my first time there and perhaps my expectations were too high. It certainly was beautiful along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The hotels were fabulous along the lake but everything just seemed packed in too tightly in the city. The traffic was crazy. It was bumper to bumper and the drivers were rude. This was on May 1st and perhaps because it was a nice day, everyone wanted to be "out and about". But, I cannot fathom how crazy it must be in the summer peak vacation times. I don't know how anyone would consider this to be "getting away". I felt like I was downstate during rush hour.

HOWEVER.......Petosky and Charlevoix (sp?).......WOW!!!!!!

We fell in love with these two cities. Particularly downtown Petosky!!! ADORABLE!

For all the hoopla Traverse City gets (and it does have nice restaurants and shopping)....my money is on Petosky and Charlevois for getting away or permanently moving to. I HEART these two cities.

W

[detwahDJ]

There have been big changes in TC over the last decades. Shopping was once outside the city. It was quite was laid-back even quaint), now it's streets are cattle runs. I had relatives who lived on a dirt road leading up to the bay - really. Looks like runaway consumerism without any central planning to maintain its beauty. Malls, hotels, fast food, and condos. A govt decision to make it so. The beauty is now outside of the city.
I was there when the Traverse Bay shoreline was a leisurely drive. Now it's just businesses - shop quickly then go elsewhere.
What the city offers now is services and a desirable location near other places.
I use the city for needed services but visit elsewhere like Sleeping Bear, the peninsula lighthouses and state parks, Elk Rapids north. I avoid that traffic as much as possible.

[Peter B]

Bumper to bumper traffic? For what? 2 blocks??

Originally Posted by perfectwanda1

My husband and I just got back from a very short trip to Traverse City. We didn't stay long.

What a disappointment. This was my first time there and perhaps my expectations were too high. It certainly was beautiful along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The hotels were fabulous along the lake but everything just seemed packed in too tightly in the city. The traffic was crazy. It was bumper to bumper and the drivers were rude. This was on May 1st and perhaps because it was a nice day, everyone wanted to be "out and about". But, I cannot fathom how crazy it must be in the summer peak vacation times. I don't know how anyone would consider this to be "getting away". I felt like I was downstate during rush hour.

HOWEVER.......Petosky and Charlevoix (sp?).......WOW!!!!!!

We fell in love with these two cities. Particularly downtown Petosky!!! ADORABLE!

For all the hoopla Traverse City gets (and it does have nice restaurants and shopping)....my money is on Petosky and Charlevois for getting away or permanently moving to. I HEART these two cities.

W

[ram2]

Originally Posted by Peter B

Bumper to bumper traffic? For what? 2 blocks??

Agreed. Why don't you park the car and walk around downtown?

[JGatti]

Sorry to see you did not like your visit. TC has become very busy but I've always felt the traffic flows pretty good considering just how many people are there. Knowing the back roads helps to get from one side to the other too. I've never been to Petoskey or Charlevoix sounds like I need to make sure to go this summer.

[michmoldman]

I love TC! Its even better when you get out and walk around, and even better when the crowds are gone for 6-7 months of the year. I guess its so busy and built up because people want to be there.
I like the vibe better then Petosky, and love that you can easily escape and head to Lake Michigan and Lelanau.

[perfectwanda1]

Originally Posted by Peter B

Bumper to bumper traffic? For what? 2 blocks??

Maybe it was my fault, I just so happened to pick the worst day to travel to Traverse City....it was a sunny day in the midst of a yucky weather week and everyone decided to get out and enjoy the sunshine at the same time.
Again.....my fault. After all, I only traveled 3 hours to be there, and my expectations were high. Again.....my fault.

It was congested, noisy and the other drivers were "manic". Perhaps we hit some kind of "shift change" or school was letting out....whatever.....all I know was that it didn't feel like "Pure Michigan"......but again perhaps.....it was my fault.

W

[Nephler]

While in Petoskey, did you make it over to Harbor Springs?

[Giesela]

Originally Posted by perfectwanda1

Maybe it was my fault, I just so happened to pick the worst day to travel to Traverse City....it was a sunny day in the midst of a yucky weather week and everyone decided to get out and enjoy the sunshine at the same time.
Again.....my fault. After all, I only traveled 3 hours to be there, and my expectations were high. Again.....my fault.

It was congested, noisy and the other drivers were "manic". Perhaps we hit some kind of "shift change" or school was letting out....whatever.....all I know was that it didn't feel like "Pure Michigan"......but again perhaps.....it was my fault.

W

Don't let em railroad you. If traffic was awful and drivers were rude that's the way it was. Nothing was your fault. Everyone has their own opinion and you have to take everyone's opinion with a grain of salt - the lovers and the not so much.

Hell its not even summer yet.

[michigan83]

When I went to Traverse City, traffic was horrible also.

But I still loved it there, because I just assumed it was part of the deal. I enjoyed it once I was out of the car.

But I am also not going to criticize someone if the traffic ruined it for them. I can see how that could happen.