Traverse City Rickshaw Tour: Downtown, Commons & Local Life

Traverse City by rickshaw—Front Street, GT Commons and hidden corners with stories at every stop

You’ll ride through Traverse City’s best neighborhoods by rickshaw—Front Street’s bakeries, Warehouse District’s street art, Grand Traverse Commons’ history—with a local guide who shares stories as you go. Expect unexpected details: bakery smells drifting by, laughter over windblown hair, and that feeling of being part of town life even if it’s just for an hour.

What’s included

Your ride includes all fees and taxes plus your own driver-guide with a pedicab; pickup is arranged at your chosen spot in town so you just show up ready to roll through Traverse City’s neighborhoods together.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Traverse City highlights by rickshaw

• Board rickshaw with driver
• Tour Grand Traverse Commons area
• Take photos at Commons
• Visit Downtown Front Street
• Listen to driver share local info

The Experience

I’ll be honest—my first thought when I saw the rickshaw was, “Are we really doing this?” But then our driver, Mike, grinned and waved us over like we were old friends. We squeezed in (it’s cozy for two adults), and right away I noticed how different Traverse City feels from this seat—closer to the street, a little more exposed to the breeze off the bay. Mike started pedaling us down Front Street, pointing out a bakery that apparently sells out of cherry pastries before noon most days. I could actually smell bread as we rolled past. There’s something about seeing people wave from café patios that made me feel like I’d lived here longer than five minutes.

We zipped through the Warehouse District next—old brick buildings with faded signs and a couple of murals I totally missed on foot earlier. Mike told us about how this area used to be full of produce warehouses; now it’s breweries and little shops. He had stories for everything (maybe too many? but in a good way). At one point he stopped so we could hear the faint clang from someone working on a bike inside an open garage. It was one of those small city sounds you don’t notice unless you’re not in a car.

The real surprise was Grand Traverse Commons—the old asylum grounds. The buildings are huge and kind of beautiful in a weird way. Mike slowed down so we could look at the stonework and he told us about its history, which honestly gave me chills thinking about what these walls have seen. Sunlight came through the trees just right, making everything look softer than I expected. My partner tried to take photos but mostly ended up laughing because her hair kept blowing into her face—classic.

By the time we looped back toward Old Towne, I realized how much ground we’d covered in just about an hour. It’s not just about ticking off sights—it felt more like being let in on Traverse City’s little secrets by someone who actually cares if you get it or not. I still think about that stretch past Clinch Park where you can smell lake water mixed with sunscreen and popcorn from somewhere nearby… Anyway, if you want to get your bearings fast without feeling rushed or lost, this rickshaw tour is probably it.

Top questions

How long does the Traverse City rickshaw tour last?

The standard tour runs for 1 hour, but extra hours can be added if you want more time.

Which areas does the rickshaw tour cover?

The tour highlights Front Street, Warehouse District, Grand Traverse Commons area (the old asylum), Open Space & Clinch Park/Marina area, and Old Towne.

How many people fit in one rickshaw cab?

Each cab comfortably seats 2 adults; sometimes a small third person can fit as well.

Is pickup included for this Traverse City rickshaw tour?

The tour includes pickup at your starting point within Traverse City.

Are gratuities included in the price?

No, gratuity for your guide/driver is not included; 20% is suggested for good service but not required.

Is this tour suitable for families with kids?

Yes, infants can sit on an adult's lap and it's suitable for all fitness levels.

Can I customize my route or request stops during the tour?

You can suggest places you'd like to see or follow one of their preplanned routes; just let your driver know.