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Beyond Interlochen’s campus: A guide to Northern Michigan attractions for Arts Academy students
From unique restaurants to vintage clothing and indie bookstores, here are the top weekend destinations for Arts Academy students.
Arts Academy seniors take in the beauty of historic Mackinac Island.
Interlochen Arts Academy is nestled in the heart of northwest Michigan near popular vacation destination Traverse City. Known as the Cherry Capital of the World, Traverse City is home to a vibrant mix of culture, outdoor adventure, and fun attractions that are perfect for Interlochen Arts Academy students looking to explore beyond campus.
Indie bookstores? Check. Eclectic eateries? Also check. Concerts in beautiful venues? Don’t get us started. There’s so much to explore in the Traverse City area, and this guide will help you navigate the best attractions accessible to Interlochen students. Plus, find out where Arts Academy students buy groceries and dorm essentials—and get their coffee fix.
Downtown Traverse City destinations
Every Saturday and Sunday, students have the opportunity to ride the local BATA bus to downtown Traverse City, a bustling area featuring plenty of food and shopping options. Here are a few student favorites.
Food and coffee
- Good Bowl: Contemporary Vietnamese restaurant with fresh, healthy options from crispy ribs to pho
- Mama Lu's: Affordable, modern taqueria with creative gourmet tacos
- Outpost: Trendy, locally-owned cafe serving artisanal coffee, teas, pastries, and sandwiches in a space that’s ideal for studying or socializing
- Red Ginger: Chef-owned pan-Asian fusion restaurant and sushi bar
- Taproot Cider House: Rustic tavern featuring local ingredients and farm-to-table fare
Shopping
- Brilliant Books: Independent bookstore with bestsellers and classics, plus a selection of fine journals and stationery
- Cherry Republic: Everything cherry-related, from nutritious trail mix and legendary cherry sours to chocolate-covered cherries (make sure to check out the free samples!)
- Horizon Books: Three-story independent bookstore with a cafe, books, magazines, greeting cards, journals, and puzzles
- Lululemon: Trendy athletic apparel and accessories
- M-22: Local lifestyle brand named for a scenic shoreline highway, featuring Michigan-inspired clothing and gifts
- Maggy's Vintage: Eclectic boutique offering vintage clothing, accessories, and home decor from various eras (ask about Maggy’s special discount for Interlochen students!)
- Rocket Fizz: Nostalgic candy store with a vast selection of unique sodas and treats
- Slip Vintage: Curated vintage clothing shop, known for friendly staff and unconventional finds
Fun and entertainment
- The Alluvion: Local theatre venue welcoming a diverse lineup of artists from funk to jazz, plus storytelling events and a rotating gallery space
- Coin Slot: Retro arcade with classic games and pinball machines
- Traverse City Opera House: Historic opera house built in 1891 which hosts a variety of performances including Arts Academy students through the Interlochen In Town series
Other Traverse City attractions
The BATA bus stops at the Grand Traverse Mall, which features popular stores like Macy's, JCPenney, and American Eagle, plus Target—a favorite stop for essential dorm supplies. The bus also makes trips to local movie theatre AMC CLASSIC Cherry Blossom 14, allowing students to catch the latest releases.
Interlochen’s Student Activities staff runs a special bus to the superstore Meijer for groceries, clothing, and household items; the store also features an excellent international foods section. Students can also take shopping trips to Traverse Asian Market and T.C. Latino Grocery, offering specialty grocery for students from international backgrounds.
Students mingle in the AMC Cherry Blossom 14 lobby before seeing a newly-released movie.
Interlochen attractions
Just minutes away from campus, the small town of Interlochen offers food and fun for Arts Academy students.
- Bud’s: Espresso, sandwiches, and ice cream in a woodsy-chic setting
- Mimi's Taqueria: Family-owned taqueria offering authentic Mexican food
- Tom’s: Basic grocery store and source for snacks and other essentials (a bus takes students there each Wednesday)
- Wendy’s: Fast-food restaurant with burgers, fries, and the quintessential Frosty milkshake
- On-campus shops include the Scholarshop (gifts, arts major supplies, and snacks) and the Melody Freeze (soft-serve ice cream, specialty coffees, boba, kombucha, and breakfast sandwiches).
Arts Academy students enjoy a skating trip to Center Ice.
Staying active
For students who love the great outdoors and active fun, the Northwest Michigan area offers plenty of destinations to explore.
- Center Ice: Indoor ice skating rink
- Crystal Mountain: Ski and snowboarding resort with 58 downhill slopes
- Incredible Mo’s: Bowling, escape rooms, an arcade, and laser tag just 10 minutes from campus
- Timberlee Hills: Popular spot for snow tubing in winter
- Interlochen’s 1,200-acre campus offers plenty of hiking trails for students looking for some time in nature, plus two beautiful lakes.
Other travel opportunities
In addition to the BATA buses and trips run by Student Activities, students can enjoy a variety of other off-campus adventures organized by Residence Life staff and even student clubs. These might include a multi-stop thrift store crawl, an excursion to ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness for an afternoon of rock climbing, or a trip to another city for a school-sponsored sporting event. Each Sunday, a bus takes students to several local churches, where many students are involved with music ministries. Finally, all Arts Academy seniors are invited to go on an end-of-year trip to Mackinac Island to bike, shop, eat fudge, and explore the historic island.
Learn more about Residence Life at Interlochen Arts Academy and apply today.
