Transportation and Hotels at the Traverse City Film Festival

by Kelly Brown | Jul 24, 2014 | Counties, Events, Towns, Vacation

The Traverse City Film Festival is quickly approaching, running from Tuesday, July 28th to Sunday, August 2nd. Planning a Northern Michigan vacation requires deciding where to stay in Traverse City, and luckily we’ve got you covered. Finding hotels at the Traverse City Film Festival is easy with many options close to venues and shuttle stops. Check out our Northern Michigan hotel guide for a complete list of places to stay on your trip up north.

Please Check with Each Hotel for Room Availability.

The Park Place Hotel

Located on State Street, this historic Traverse City hotel is within walking distance from the State Theatre, Bijou and Buzz venues. Spend nights on the top floor at the Beacon Lounge where you can enjoy a drink while looking out over all of downtown Traverse City. Then strap on your walking shoes or hop onto your bike as you head down to one of the theaters for a showing. And for late night food, stop into Minervas for music and dining before heading into your comfortably spacious room for a good nights rest.

Cambria Suites

Dress up a bit and head down to the happy hour at Cambria Suites where you’re sure to hear some jazz music and have a tasty drink. Then, walk to the NMC parking lot where you can catch the shuttle service to one of the film festival locations — no need for a designated driver. Or, plan on watching one of the films at Milliken, also located on the NMC campus. When you return, go for a dip in the indoor pool or maybe grab some snacks at the bistro before heading up to your room.

The Holiday Inn

For the 2014 festival, several film screenings will be held on a boat! Staying at the Holiday Inn in Traverse City is going to be the easiest way to board what’s dubbed, Movies on a Boat. Have some drinks on the patio before you walk right out onto the dock and jump aboard the screening vessel, the Nauti-Cat. Movies will be screened directly onto the sails. The Holiday Inn is close to the NMC parking lot where you can park and ride the shuttle to every film venue.

The Grand Traverse Resort

If you’re looking for somewhere off the main strip, then head out to the Grand Traverse Resort for your vacation. Enjoy golf, a day to the spa, swimming and more. You’ll have to drive into town to view some of the movies, but, guests who stay during the festival can win a free voucher to view one of the screenings! Simply mention the Traverse City Film Festival when booking your overnight stay and your vouchers will be provided to you at check-in.

Other Transportation Options

It’s not necessary to drive when you’re visiting the Traverse City Film Festival. Instead, hop on your bike and ride the trails to each location. Traverse City is a bike friendly town with ample bike parking. Check out the TraverseCityFilmFest.org website to find which trail you can ride to get to the festival.

If biking isn’t for you, then park and ride to the festival. Free parking, day and night, is available at both Thirlby Field and NMC Cherry Parking Lot. A shuttle service will swing by to pick you up every 10 to 15 minutes and take you around the festival loop to each film venue. If you plan on viewing a film at Lars Hockstad, the festival asks that you do not park on city streets and to be courteous to neighbors. Parking for films at Lars Hockstad is available onsite or along Union. Shuttle services are provided through BATA.

For more Traverse City Film Festival information be sure to visit TraverseCityFilmFest.org

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