Traverse City Cannabis Tourism: Downtown, Beaches and Where Olswell Fits

The region

Traverse City centers on Grand Traverse Bay, with the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas nearby for wine tasting and scenery. The city itself has restaurants, galleries, shops and breweries, and a walkable downtown. Olswell sits on East Front Street, close to dining and shopping, so it is easy to fit in.

Front Street

Front Street is the downtown dining and shopping corridor, with restaurants, galleries, boutiques and breweries. Check current listings and hours for places you want to try. Order ahead on the live menu and pick up on a walk between lunch and a gallery.

Wine country, on its own day

The Leelanau Peninsula, northwest of Traverse City, is a wine region with rolling hills and water views, and the Old Mission Peninsula is another. Check current winery listings, hours and tasting fees before you plan a route. Most wineries run tasting rooms where you sample and buy bottles.

Make it a wine day with a designated driver or a ride, and keep cannabis out of it. Do not mix alcohol and cannabis, and do not drive after either. The Leelanau Peninsula visit guide covers the peninsula in more detail.

Cherry Festival and summer events

The National Cherry Festival happens every July in Traverse City, with parades, concerts and cherry-themed food. Check the official festival site for dates. Plan lodging well in advance, expect crowds and longer waits, and see the Cherry Festival guide for how it plays out with cannabis. Outside festival season, Traverse City is typically less crowded.

Beaches and water

Grand Traverse Bay has beaches and water activities, including swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and boating, with rental companies for equipment. Keep beach days clear: no cannabis on the beach, and none before you swim, paddle or boat.

Where to stay

Traverse City has hotels, resorts, boutique options, bed-and-breakfasts and vacation rentals. Vacation rentals often have more space and privacy, which matters if you plan to use cannabis, but policies vary. Confirm the cannabis policy before you book, since many properties prohibit it. Read the listing and contact the host.

A simple plan

• Day one: downtown and the bay. Breakfast downtown, gallery browsing on Front Street, lunch, a beach afternoon, dinner. Stop at Olswell between activities or pick up your online order. Wrap up the day's driving before any use, and only on private property that allows it.
• Day two: wine country. A designated driver or a ride, one or two tasting rooms, lunch. No cannabis on this day.

At Olswell Traverse City

• Location: 728 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686. Hours and directions are on the Olswell Traverse City store page.
• Order on the Traverse City live menu and pick up in store. You pay cash at pickup, and there is an ATM on-site. Orders are held until the end of the business day. Olswell does not deliver.
• Inventory rotates, so check the live menu for what is in stock.
• First-time customers get 25% off their first visit.
• Traverse City's Happy Hour takes 20% off the whole shop on Monday 5-9 PM and Thursday 9AM-1PM.
• Bring a valid government-issued photo ID showing you are 21 or older.
• Olswell's house brands are RKIVE Reserve, Play and The Limit, grown and processed by Olswell in Michigan.

New to dispensaries? The first-time visitor guide for Traverse City walks through the visit.

Using cannabis responsibly in Traverse City

• Use it only on private property that allows it, never in public areas or on beaches.
• Never drive after using it.
• Start lower than you would at home.
• Give edibles an hour or two before deciding you need more.
• Follow your lodging's rules.
• Cannabis must not cross state lines, so buy only what you will use in Michigan.

When to visit

• Summer (June to August): peak season, with the Cherry Festival in July and the most water activity. Book lodging and popular restaurants early.
• Fall (September to October): fewer crowds and fall color. Wine harvest season is on the peninsulas.
• Winter (November to February): cold and snowy, with some attractions closed or on shorter hours.
• Spring (March to May): weather improves slowly, and some venues open later in the season.

Your next step

Order on the Olswell Traverse City live menu and pick up in store.

Michigan cannabis tourism guide Sleeping Bear Dunes guide Torch Lake guide

For adults 21 and older only. Must present valid government-issued photo ID. Please consume responsibly.

Sources: Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency