A Gluten-Free Day in Traverse City, Michigan: Ciders, Shopping, and Restaurants

For thirty-seven years, our family has made an annual pilgrimage to Northern Michigan for our summer vacation.

Year after year, we packed the car with children, dogs, fishing gear, beach towels, and far more than anyone could possibly need for one week away. That one week has since grown into two, but the heart of our vacation remains the same: fishing, roasting s’mores, playing on the beach, and watching breathtaking sunsets while talking with family members—some of whom we see only once a year.

Honestly, my year begins and ends with our summer vacation.

It is the place where we return to one another. Children have grown, grandchildren have joined the fun, and the dogs riding in the car have changed over the years. Yet Northern Michigan remains our family’s happy place—a landscape filled with memories and traditions that deepen with every visit.

Our time “up north” always includes at least one day in Traverse City. We wander through favorite shops, revisit familiar flavors, and inevitably carry home more jars and cherry treats than we planned.

Shopping for Gluten-Free Treats in Traverse City

American Spoon is always on our list. They make wonderful jams, preserves, spoon fruits, sauces, and other treats using fruit grown by local farmers. The jewel-toned jars are nearly as beautiful as the fruit inside them! I bring home a box every year so that, months later, I can open a jar and enjoy a little taste of Michigan.

We also stop at Cherry Republic, which—in my humble opinion—is the foremost cherry-candy maker anywhere. Their shops are cheerful, generous with samples, and filled with just about every cherry creation imaginable. Many products are gluten-free, but ingredients and manufacturing practices can change, so be sure to read each label carefully.

Taproot Cider House: A Spot for Eating and Drinking Gluten Free in Northern Michigan

This year, our Traverse City outing included lunch at Taproot Cider House. If you are visiting the city and following a gluten-free diet, it is well worth investigating. Much of the menu was gluten-free during our visit, and the food was fresh, scratch-made, and delicious.

We sat outside around a large table, talking and watching people stroll along the street. There is something delightful about enjoying a leisurely meal outdoors when no one needs to rush off to the next thing.

A cider flight in Northern Michigan

Taproot also offers an extensive selection of hard ciders, including varieties made by orchards and cideries throughout the surrounding area. I chose one of my favorites from Tandem Ciders, located a few miles north of Traverse City on the Leelanau Peninsula.

Later in our vacation, we drove to Tandem for a cider flight and a Leelanau cheese board. The children ran and played while the adults lingered in the warm summer sunshine, sampling some of the best cider anywhere. It was simple, relaxed, and absolutely lovely—the sort of afternoon you wish you could tuck into your pocket and carry home.

(As always, gluten-free menus and preparation practices can change. If you have celiac disease or are sensitive to cross-contact, ask questions and confirm current procedures before ordering.)

A cheese plate at Tandem Ciders in Northern Michigan

The drive to Northern Michigan now takes us two days, but we would not miss this family pilgrimage for anything. The lakes, sunsets, local fruit, delicious cider, and gluten-free discoveries are all part of its charm.

But the best part is gathering around the table with people we love—because that is what makes any place feel like home.

Entryway at Tandem Ciders in Northern Michigan

Entryway at Tandem Ciders in Northern Michigan