Front Street Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Front Street. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Historical Ghost Lantern Tour Downtown Traverse City

• Hi-5 Rickshaw Tour Traverse City - First Thing You MUST Do in TC!

• Wind Dancer Happy Hour Sail

Traverse City’s Front Street is entirely free to stroll and people-watch, so long as you can resist popping into the shops and restaurants. However, there are plenty of tours you can take that will get you more out of this fun area—walking tours start at US$38 per person.

Front Street brims with indie boutiques, art galleries, cherry-themed shops, and restaurants. Stroll the nearby pier for sunset views, catch live music on the waterfront, browse the farmers market (summer Saturdays), or rent kayaks. Nearby, the Children's Museum and beaches round out the options—it's equal parts shopping, eating, and wandering.

Absolutely. Front Street is about half a mile (1 kilometer) of a pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare hugging Grand Traverse Bay. You'll find flat terrain, wide sidewalks, and everything clustered within easy reach. You can stroll the full length in 20–30 minutes, or spend hours ducking into shops and galleries. It's one of Michigan's most walkable downtown strips.

Yes—dramatically so. Grand Traverse Bay views anchor the entire block, with the water visible nearly the entire way. Tree-lined streets, historic storefronts, and waterfront parks mean it has plenty of charm in every season. In summer, flowers spill from planters; in fall, the wine country backdrop glows. It's Instagram-ready without trying.

Free street parking is virtually non-existent. Your best bet: metered street parking, if available, or the lots behind Front Street buildings (often metered). The City Parking Garage nearby charges a modest hourly rate. For ease, arrive early or visit in spring or fall when there are fewer people.