Past to Present: The Newcomers (Really Condensed) Guide to Traverse City
By Kierstin Gunsberg | Jan. 4, 2026
Quick, what’s your go-to Taco House order? If that question stumped you, you’re probably one of many who’ve recently landed in the area. And if you’re feeling a little out of the loop, here’s a non-exhaustive guide to the major players, institutions of bygones past, and everyday Traverse City lore that’ll have you up to speed in no time.
Before everything and everyone else, there was the Anishinaabe.
You don’t have to go far to find a piece of public art here. And some of the most iconic pieces, like the 19 colorful murals installed in Clinch Park’s pedestrian tunnel in 2019, honor the history of our region’s First Peoples, …
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