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Discover the Charm and History of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

I’m excited to share one of my favorite spots in Traverse City! With its fantastic shops, restaurants, entertainment, and outdoor spaces, this destination is a must-visit. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, you’ll find yourself coming back again and again. There is always something new to discover!

The Northern Michigan Asylum, now known as The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, is a key piece of Traverse City’s rich history. This historic site has been thoughtfully redeveloped into a vibrant community space while preserving its past. Several guided tours offer visitors a unique glimpse into the hospital’s history. From Dr. Munson’s innovative “Beauty is Therapy” approach to patient care to the various uses of the site’s historic buildings. Tour options include daytime, evening, photography, and private tours. All tours feature a walk through the remarkable 1885 brick steam tunnels.

Many call the Commons “Home”

Today, The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is home to a variety of amenities, including condominiums, apartments, retail shops, restaurants, offices, senior living, and event spaces.

Kirkbride Hall, a historic venue within The Village, is available for events. For those looking to stay in Traverse City, the Kirkbride Suite offers luxurious accommodations for up to 10 guests. Located in the 1885 Chapel Building, the suite features a private elevator and a fully furnished 2,700-square-foot condominium with three bedrooms, each with a private bath. This is the perfect retreat to enjoy during your stay in Traverse City, offering easy access to explore the property and its rich history.

Many buildings remain vacant, and the infamous tunnels that once connected them, part of the state-of-the-art ventilation system, are left to explore. Having taken these tours multiple times, I highly recommend experiencing one of the guided tours.

While guided tours are required to access certain buildings and the tunnels, you are free to explore the grounds and enjoy the restaurants and shops on your own. Some of the must-visit areas include:

Shopping and Dining

The Mercato offers a one-of-a-kind indoor shopping experience, featuring local and unique shops. Throughout the grounds, you’ll find coffee shops, breweries, wineries, bakeries, fantastic restaurants, and more.

Historic Barn Park

Located on 25 acres, the Botanic Garden at Historic Barn Park is open for visitors. Owned by Garfield Township Parks and Recreation, the Visitor Center operates from April to October, staffed by volunteers. You can take a docent-led tour (available April – October) or enjoy a self-guided audio tour year-round. The park also hosts various programs and events, with space available for weddings and other gatherings.

Natural Area

The Botanic Garden trails connects to the 140-acre Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area. The Natural area offers miles of unpaved trails, many of which are named and color-coded (Click here for trail map). These trails are a personal favorite, as they allow you to customize the length of your walk. The area is popular for hiking, biking, nature watching, and cross-country skiing. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leashes.

The natural area features hills, streams, meadows, and wetlands, along with a man-made reservoir from 1894, a relic of the Traverse City State Hospital. This concrete structure, covered in vibrant graffiti, stands out against the natural surroundings. Another curious find is the Hippie Tree, a downed tree that has been painted multiple times. According to local folklore, entering the tree in just the right way can open a portal to another realm—though as you can see, I stood in the center and lived to tell the tale. 😊

Plan your Visit

As you can see, there’s so much to explore at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, from its rich history to its vibrant present-day offerings. Whether you’re wandering through the historic grounds, savoring a meal, or simply soaking in the natural beauty, each visit offers something special. Don’t miss the photos I have taken over the years below for a glimpse of what awaits—these snapshots capture just a hint of the charm and character that make this place truly unique. Plan your visit today and see for yourself why it’s one of my favorite places in Traverse City!

The Tunnels at Grand Traverse Commons

The Buildings at Grand Traverse Commons

The Trails at Grand Traverse Commons

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.