Hey TC

Hey, happy Tuesday.

Summer showed up and she's not leaving. The patios are full, the sunsets don't quit until after 9pm, and this week has more going on than any week since we started this thing. Smart Commute Week kicks off today. Mari Vineyards is celebrating a decade. There's a cheese festival. A free yoga class on the Open Space. An outdoor craft show at The Village. And that's just the start.

Deep breath. Here's your week.

This week in TC (June 2–8)

The 32nd annual Smart Commute Week is here. The purpose is simple: walk, bike, bus, or carpool instead of driving solo, and get rewarded for it. Free daily breakfasts at locations around town all week for anyone who smart commutes. Wednesday features Norte's Slow Roll from Oryana Tenth Street to Little Fleet at 6pm and BATA's Try Transit Free Day. Thursday is happy hour at TC Whiskey Co. from 4-6pm plus an accessible bike display and Motherload film screening at the library. And Friday is the big finale:

Smart Commute Week | All week, June 1–5
The 32nd annual Smart Commute Week is here. The purpose is simple: walk, bike, bus, or carpool instead of driving solo, and get rewarded for it. Free daily breakfasts at locations around town all week for anyone who smart commutes. Wednesday features Norte's Slow Roll from Oryana Tenth Street to Little Fleet at 6pm and BATA's Try Transit Free Day. Thursday is happy hour at TC Whiskey Co. from 4-6pm plus an accessible bike display and Motherload film screening at the library. And Friday is the big finale:

Friday, June 5: Smart Commute Week Grand Finale at Oryana
Oryana partners with TART Trails to celebrate the completion of Smart Commute Week with the awards ceremony breakfast. They're serving up commuter fuel: breakfast burritos, baked goods, fresh fruit, and more while celebrating the people finding creative and sustainable ways to get around our community. Prizes awarded to challenge teams with the highest scores. Show up, eat well, feel good about how you got there.

☕ Coffee Time with The Mom Walk Co. | Tuesday, June 2, 11am | Seismoto Coffee Bar
A sip and a yap. Moms, grab your stroller, grab your coffee, and meet some new people. Seismoto is the spot. No RSVP needed, just show up. @themomwalkco.traversecity

🧘 M22 + Yen Yoga Free Class | Friday, June 5, 8:30–9:30am | TC Open Space
Free outdoor yoga on the Open Space, presented by M22 and Yen Yoga with instructor Leslie. Bring a mat, bring a friend, and start your Friday right on the waterfront.

🧘 Free Yoga on Front St. with Dharamsala TC | Friday, June 5, 4:30pm
Dharamsala TC is hosting a free yoga class right on Front Street for Smart Commute Week. Roll out your mat downtown, breathe, stretch, and kick off the weekend the right way.

🎨 Downtown TC Art Walk Part 2 | Friday, June 5, 5–7pm
The second and final Art Walk of the spring series. This week features artist Heather Harrington from 5-7pm on Front Street. Live music from Stefanie and Vincenzo at Horizon Books. Local artists inside downtown businesses, pop-up exhibits, and extended hours across the district. Free.

🍷 Mari Vineyards 10th Anniversary Celebration | June 7–13
Mari is going all out for a full week of events celebrating a decade on Old Mission Peninsula. The lineup:

Founder Marty Lagina made the bold choice to grow Nebbiolo and Sangiovese on Old Mission, grapes nobody else in Northern Michigan was attempting. Ten years later, the wines have proven him right and the tasting room with panoramic East Bay views is one of the most stunning in the state. Check marivineyards.com for the full schedule and reservations.

🧀 Leelanau Cheese Fest | Saturday, June 6, 10am | Suttons Bay

The fifth annual. Cheese cave tours, cheese pairings, cheese market, cheese-making workshops, cheese classes, food trucks, face painting, a petting zoo, cheese games, Daisy the Giant Cow, and Michigan's largest cheese table. This is an actual sentence we just wrote and every word of it is true. Learn to hand-stretch mozzarella, discover chocolate and cheese pairings with Grocer's Daughter, and make your own Fromage Blanc to take home. Leelanau Cheese has been making European-style cheeses in Suttons Bay since 1995 and this is their biggest day of the year. Free admission. leelanaucheese.com

🏪 2026 Outdoor Craft & Vendor Show | Saturday, June 6, 10am–3pm | The Village

90+ local vendors, food, and a beautiful historic setting on the front lawn of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Free admission. This is the kind of Saturday morning where you show up for one thing and leave with a bag full of things you didn't know you needed.

🍺 Short Fest | Saturday, June 6, 1–10pm | Elk Rapids Pull Barn

Short's Brewing takes over the Pull Barn in Elk Rapids for an afternoon-into-evening party. Live music, food trucks, and all the fearlessly weird beer you can handle. No tickets required, just show up. Elk Rapids is 20 minutes from TC and this is your Saturday evening plan.

🚶 Lakes and Grapes Walking Event | Wednesday
Check out @lakesandgrapes for their Wednesday Walk Club every Wednesday at 6:30PM. They keep finding new ways to get their community moving.

🍒 Cherry Festival turns 100 this year. July 4–11. Mark it. This is going to be a big one.

⚾ Pit Spitters are playing all week at Turtle Creek Stadium. Tuesday is Barks & Dawgs (bring your dog). Sunday is Family Sunday (first 250 kids eat free).

🏇 Traverse City Horse Shows start this week at Flintfields. The Spring II series runs through mid-June and draws riders from across the country. Even if you're not into horses, the grounds are beautiful and worth a visit.

TART Trail: Summer mode. Twelve paved miles from TC to Acme. Bikers, runners, walkers, strollers, dogs. It's a highway of movement right now and it's beautiful.

VASA Singletrack: Fast and dry. Full canopy, shaded, ten degrees cooler in the woods than in town. Best riding of the year.

Palmer Woods (Glen Arbor): 27 miles of mountain biking, 15 miles of hiking. Summer canopy is lush. Download your maps, cell service is nonexistent.

The water: Kayak and SUP season is fully open. Paddle TC, The River Outfitters, and Acqua Dolce are all running rentals on the bay and the Boardman River. The Boardman is the best beginner paddle in the region. Gentle current, tree-lined, runs right through town.

🧘 M22 + Yen Yoga | Friday 8:30am | TC Open Space — Free outdoor yoga with Leslie. Bring a mat.

🐐Blackstar Farms in Suttons Bay is bringing back their Goat Yoga - Beginner-friendly outdoor class blends light movement, fresh air, wine country views, and plenty of chaotic goat energy. Thursday, Saturday or Sunday at 10AM

🧘 Dharamsala TC | Friday 4:30pm | Front Street — Free yoga for Smart Commute Week.

🧘 Bonobo Flow | Saturday 10am | Bonobo Winery — New weekly yoga series on Old Mission.

🏃 TC Track Club Fun Run | Monday 6:30pm | Loco Boys Brewing — Fun runs move to Mondays starting this week. An evening of miles, movement, and community. Free, all paces, no membership required. Stick around for a drink after. tctrackclub.com

🏃 Fleet Feet Women's Run Club | Friday 8am | F&M Park — Free, all levels, all welcome.

💪 Energize TC Free Classes this week:

This week’s Newsletter is brought to you by one of our founding Move Series partner Energize.

The Locals Block:

Sharing all the new local spots, openings & products dropping in TC.

Traverse City Picnics is more than a picnic experience, it’s a chance to reconnect with nature, your people, and yourself in one of the most beautiful places in Michigan.

From intimate celebrations to wellness-inspired gatherings, each experience is designed with intention, ease and a little Northern Michigan magic.

Founded by Suzanne and Frank, Traverse City Picnics was created from a love of intentional living, wellness, movement, and creating meaningful experiences that bring people together. Inspired by Northern Michigan summers, beach sunsets, dune landscapes, and thoughtfully curated gatherings, the company was built around creating experiences that feel elevated, welcoming, and deeply personal.

Part of the inspiration behind the brand comes from Suzanne and her husband’s own Northern Michigan love story. On August 2, 2015, the couple eloped in Sleeping Bear Dunes during what many locals remember as the “storm of the century.” Surrounded by wind, sand, and Lake Michigan, the moment perfectly reflected their adventurous spirit and deep connection to Northern Michigan.

Last August, exactly ten years later, they celebrated a full circle vow renewal surrounded by family and friends at one of their favorite beach locations along Lake Michigan. Their journey, rooted in a shared love for the dunes, shoreline sunsets, wellness, gathering, and all things Northern Michigan, became one of the driving inspirations behind Traverse City Picnics and the meaningful experiences the company now creates for others.

Traverse City Picnics offers elevated picnic experiences for date nights, proposals, elopements, bachelorette parties, birthdays, anniversaries, corporate events, beach days, sunset dinners, and intimate gatherings throughout the Traverse City area. 

You can choose your location or let them scout the perfect spot for you based on your preferences. 

Each setup is thoughtfully styled with layered textures, candles, optional florals, soft coastal inspired details, and personalized touches designed to feel both luxurious and effortless. You can also enjoy curated charcuterie, beverages, and a variety of food options through our local partners, with offerings that accommodate different dietary preferences and showcase the seasonal offerings of the region.

In addition to luxury picnics, you can also incorporate yoga and wellness experiences into private and group events, blending movement, mindfulness, and hospitality into unique experiences rooted in connection and community.

Inspired by the relaxed elegance and natural beauty that make Traverse City and the surrounding lakeshore so beloved, Traverse City Picnics aims to create experiences that encourage people to slow down, gather intentionally, and create lasting memories along the water. The region continues to be celebrated for its beaches, wineries, dunes, and vibrant tourism community, making it an ideal backdrop for immersive gathering experiences centered around connection and hospitality.

Traverse City Picnics takes care of every detail so all you have to do is relax and be present.

To reach out to Traverse City Picnics; check out their website here: Traverse City Picnics

Allium Hill is a stunning vacation rental on a private 10-acre vineyard estate in Leelanau County.  An unbeatable location, just 15 minutes from downtown Traverse City, the 5-bed, 5-bath house sleeps 10 and is designed for groups with a chef's kitchen, luxurious king suites & dreamy outdoor spaces. Owned by husband and wife Sarah Hesterman and Tim Kemp, high-end private chef Tim offers private culinary experiences to guests as an add-on amenity.

More info: alliumhill.com
Book direct: alliumhill.com/book-now
Follow us: @alliumhill

If anyone has a unique stay they want to share; please send inquiries to [email protected]

See you on the Bay

June Blooms
Photo: @northcoastgolf

Peninsula Run Company is a founding sponsor of Hey TC.

Peninsula Run Company offers guided tours led by seasoned locals passionate about sharing the beauty of the region. From scenic lakeshore routes to hidden trails and local favorites, this is more than just a run; it is a way to experience the region like a local.  Book a tour at peninsularuncompany.com