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The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

1200 W 11th St., Traverse City, MI 49684
231-941-1900
Website
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Ranked #12 of 25 attractions in Traverse City
Type: Historic Sites, Shopping centres
Owner description: Old state asylum that is being renovated into shops, restaurants, wineries, and more...lots to look at, including tons of trails to walk, bike, ski,... more » Owner description: Old state asylum that is being renovated into shops, restaurants, wineries, and more...lots to look at, including tons of trails to walk, bike, ski, etc. « less
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89 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    39
    28
    17
    3
    2
Date Rating
Columbus, Ohio
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 June 2013 NEW

I found it hard to navigate this area -- not sure where was the best place to park, found myself feeling lost walking around the basement looking at the shops. I feel like I might have missed out on some of the shopping area because I wasn't sure where I was going (tried looking at the directory/map and still confused).... More

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See 2 more reviews by Allie H for Traverse City
Lansing, Michigan
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 June 2013

We were there for the Dairy Festival. What fun for families and the weather was perfect. Enjoyed all the different vendors and the belly dancers. Ice cream ruled!!!

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See 3 more reviews by LilHotNana for Traverse City
La Palma, California
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 June 2013

It was very sad for me and my entire family just to go and venture this facility. Having both my grandmother and Mother hospitalized here. Crying about what they must of endured and wondering what went on behind these walls. Looking around the facilities and seeing rennovations happening and then just one thing I saw that just shook my world... More

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Oxford, Michigan
Contributor
20 reviews 20 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 June 2013

Amazing transformation of an old hospital.....housing an excellent restaurant, eclectic shops, artisan fare, a small winery, and a host of interesting shops. A bakery on site makes wonderful organic breads (my favorite is the olive parmesan), scones, and pastries. Well worth exploring and enjoying!

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See 6 more reviews by Susan H for Traverse City
Fort Worth, TX
Top Contributor
216 reviews 216 reviews
57 attraction reviews
Reviews in 76 cities Reviews in 76 cities
23 helpful votes 23 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 May 2013

This eclectic mixture of shops, settings, restaurants, bakery, is situated in the basement of the Old State Hospital. It's still under fine-tuning, but most of the shops are interesting, although a bit pricey, but one-of-a-kind and worth the exploring!

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See 17 more reviews by crystalclearreef for Traverse City
Michigan
Senior Contributor
46 reviews 46 reviews
13 attraction reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 May 2013

Many of the shops here are expensive, but it is a nice little place to look around and the history of the building makes it unique.

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See 10 more reviews by Jencornell for Traverse City
sgirlie
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 May 2013

This place was disturbing. The shops and restaurants in the main building are crammed into the basement. This area has low ceilings, tiny rooms (obviously where the mental patients were stored) and is just creepy. It's claustrophobic and unsettling. I don't understand why the shops are relegated to the basement instead of the first floor.

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See 3 more reviews by sgirlie for Traverse City
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Top Contributor
50 reviews 50 reviews
22 attraction reviews
Reviews in 24 cities Reviews in 24 cities
23 helpful votes 23 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2013

Given that the building used to be used as a State Mental Health Hospital (formerly unpolitely referred to as the insane asylum) I had to wonder about what this place would be like. It was great! Nice little shops with very interesting art, jewelry, local wines, interesting soaps, AND a gem of a restaurant, Trattoria Stella. Not right downtown, but... More

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See 7 more reviews by GregfromDTW for Traverse City
Atlanta, Georgia
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 April 2013

My favorite things at Grand Traverse Commons are 1) The butternut squash grilled cheese sandwich at the Underground Cheesecake 2) The hiking trails at the south end of Red Drive (park off to the side of the road and start at the Orchard Trail trailhead sign) and 3) The creepy 'mental asylum' history. The Orchard trail meanders through land that... More

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See 2 more reviews by M H for Traverse City
Indianapolis, Indiana
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 April 2013

Visited Saturday, April 6 2013 for the farmer's market and a few shops. Farmer's market was a pleasant surprise: 2-3 years ago did the winter market and was a little disappointing. This time there was a greater variety of booths and products available.

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See 3 more reviews by Barry F for Traverse City

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