Hey TC

Hey, happy Tuesday.

Hope you had a good long weekend. Memorial Day in TC is always that moment when the switch flips. The patios are open. We have a lot more friendly faces around town. The sunsets are getting later. And starting tomorrow night, baseball is back.

This is the week that summer arrives for real. Here's everything you need to know.

This week in TC (May 26–June 1)

⚾ Pit Spitters Home Opener | Wednesday, May 27, 7:05pm | Turtle Creek Stadium

The Pit Spitters kick off their 8th season with the home opener at Turtle Creek Stadium against the Rockford Rivets. Opening night includes a magnet schedule giveaway, pregame live music from Short Stop, a dog frisbee show, and postgame fireworks.

If you've never been to a Pit Spitters game, here's what you need to know: it's the best $12 you'll spend all summer. College kids playing real baseball, a stadium that seats 4,660 but feels like your backyard, and a game-day experience that's built for families, date nights, and groups of friends who want to drink a beer and watch a sunset behind the outfield. The Spitters have won two Northwoods League Championships since 2019 and the energy at Turtle Creek is contagious. Go Wednesday. Go this weekend. Go all summer.

🎨 Downtown TC Art Walk | Friday, May 29, 5–7pm

This is one of the best free evenings of the year. Downtown TC transforms into a district-wide art gallery with local artists paired directly with downtown merchants, turning shops and restaurants into immersive creative spaces. Dozens of local artists will be inside downtown retail and dining spaces, with some providing live demonstrations. Art forms range from painting to fiber to wood. Live music at Horizon Books with A to Z performing. Hands-on activities at the J. Smith Walkway hosted by Crooked Tree Arts Center. Participating merchants will extend their hours and offer refreshments. Originally launched in 2005, this tradition has been going for over two decades because it works. Walk Front Street, meet the artists, discover a new shop. Free. A second Art Walk follows on June 5.

🏪 Obscura Jewelry & Curiosities Opens | Saturday, May 30 | 441 E Front St

New retail boutique from Ansel and Caitlin Bowden, who also own Sanctuary Goods and Underground Toys at The Village. Obscura will offer "uncommon gifts, distinctive home décor, handcrafted jewelry, and other artisan-made items." If you love Sanctuary Goods, this is the Front Street version with mostly new, unique-to-this-store inventory. Stop by opening day.

🎬 Ballpark Movie Night | Sunday, May 31 | Turtle Creek Stadium

After the final out on Sunday, the ballpark transforms into an outdoor theater. Grab a spot on the field, get cozy with friends and family, and enjoy a fan-favorite movie on the big screen. Pajamas encouraged. This is peak TC summer energy.

Our favorite coffee roaster; Panther Coffee is opening for a soft launch on May 30th at 3211 N Garfield Rd, Traverse City. Stop in, sip and chat with them from 7AM - 5PM.

Energize TC just dropped two FREE new classes on Sunday May 31st. Choose from Pure Strength at 8:30AM or Foundational Strength at 10:15AM at 117 S Union St. Suite B. Book classes online before spots fill up. Book Here

Join Kooiman Pavao Cultural on Friday May 29th from 5-7pm for their Tasting Notes. An exhibition curated by K.P. Cultural for Traverse City Tourism. Tasting Notes celebrates the sensory experience of savoring food and wind produced in Norther Michigan while acknowledging that the exhibition is only a taste of the full picture, the commitment, dedication and grit of the industry’s workers.

Peninsula Provisions is hosting a pop up with East Leland Apple Farmette! From Friday, May 22nd 3pm-5pm. Expect homemade sourdough, crackers to sample and cheese and dips.

Mountain Bike Rides through NMMBA Rides; Thursdays at 5:30/6:00pm. Meet at the Vasa Single Track Trailhead. Longer, faster riders begin at 5:30pm; others at 6pm. Hang back and socialize post ride at the pavillion. BYOB and snacks to share. For more information check out: CherryCapitalCyclingClub.org

🎵 Live Music: Andrea Bilderback at Grand Traverse Resort | Friday, May 29, 7–9pm
Live music at The Grille to kick off the weekend. Dinner, drinks, and a view of the resort grounds. No cover.

TART Trail: Perfection. Twelve paved miles from TC to Acme along the bay. The after-work ride. The weekend morning walk. Your no-excuses option.

VASA Singletrack: Riding fast and dry. The canopy is full now and the shade makes it feel ten degrees cooler in the woods. Best riding of the year so far.

Palmer Woods (Glen Arbor): Open and incredible. Spring wildflowers are fading but the summer canopy is taking over. 27 miles of mountain biking, 15 miles of hiking. Download your maps.

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail: Twenty paved miles through the National Lakeshore. The crowds are starting to show up on weekends now. Go early or go on a weekday if you want it to yourself.

The water: Kayak and SUP season is here. Paddle TC, The River Outfitters, and Acqua Dolce are all open for rentals and lessons on the bay. The Boardman River is the best beginner paddle in the region, gentle current, tree-lined, and it runs right through the middle of town.

🏃Fun Run at Nocturnal Bloom Brewing (New Venue!)
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 6:30PM - 8PM
Walkers and Ruckers Welcome. Great beverage and food options available with outdoor seating. We will venture to the Boardman Lake Trail with a 3 and 5 mile option.
Nocturnal Bloom Brewing / 3344 Cass Road Traverse City, MI, 49684

🏃Community Run - Playa Bowls (New Venue!)
Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 8:30 AM 9:30 AM
Meet at Playa Bowls - 222 E State St Suite 101, Traverse City, MI 49684
We run at 8:30 am and warm ups are at 8:20 am. All paces and distances are welcome
Playa Bowls / 222 E State St Suite 101 Traverse City, MI, 49684

🏃Kids Run TC
Tuesday, 4:30pm-5:30pm
Running group for kids of all ages (and their grownups!)
Meet Up: Hickory Meadows

🚴NMMBA Monday Night Ride | Mondays at 6:30pm | VASA Trailhead
Every Monday at 6:30 from the VASA singletrack lot. Ride starts in April and goes through the end of October. All levels welcome.

🧘 SUP Yoga on the Bay | Paddle TC + Acqua Dolce
The bay is warming up and SUP yoga season is here. Paddle TC offers SUP yoga lessons at Clinch Park on West Bay, typically scheduled for early mornings or evenings when the bay is calmer. Acqua Dolce Paddle also offers SUP yoga for private groups. If you've never done yoga on a paddleboard, this is the summer to try it. paddletc.com / acquadolcepaddle.com

🚴 Cherry Capital Cycling Club | Group Road Rides
Road cycling group for all ages and abilities across Northern Michigan. They organize weekly group rides on the roads around Old Mission, Leelanau, and the surrounding countryside. Check cherrycapitalcyclingclub.org for this week's schedule and pace groups.

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

The Locals Block:

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

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

See you on the Bay
Isn’t she lovely! The sun is shinning, it’s a long weekend, and the patio is open!

Photo: @seismototc

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