Great place! Great staff! Food is what it is. Ambiance is on point. We will be back! My husband and…read moreI visited for a comedy show. However we have been to other shows here in the past. Always a great time.

I drove 8 hours round trip to see a concert here on 3/31 from Detroit. We had front row tickets. We…read morewere 45 minutes late due to bad weather and the boomer woman at the door wouldn't let us in. She told us the show was over but we could hear the music. We called her out politely but didn't start anything. She then told us to have a good night. I was looking forward to this show for over a month. I took time off work. Now I'm out $90 in tickets and $80 in gas. Not to mention a day of pay. Unacceptable honestly.

It was a rainy cool day in Northern Michigan so we needed to find an alternative to all our outdoor…read moreplans. A friend suggested we check out Raven Hill Discovery Center, which was 30+ min from our hotel in Bay Harbor. I loaded up the car with my 3 kids ranging in ages 6-11 and figured we would give it a shot. When we got there we seemed to be in the middle of nowhere so I was a little skeptical, but figured after a long drive we had to check it out. We payed $10/person (adults have to pay too since "everyone is a kid at Raven Hill Discovery Center) and the lovely woman who works here gave my kids the rundown of the center. Within minutes the same woman announced it was time to learn about the animals and so we joined the other 10 or so people there to learn about and pet snakes, bearded dragons, etc. We have a bearded dragon back at home, but the kids were excited to see this one and learn about snakes. My 11 and 9 year olds stayed for the entire lesson, but the 6 year old got bored halfway thru and went back out to play in the center. And 20 or so min later his siblings and the rest of the gang joined him. The center itself is small, but packed with really fun and interesting activities such as building magnetic towers, creating a ball maze and more. After an hour or so I dragged my kids out of there, but they could have easily stayed for longer. There also seems to be a ton to do outdoors here, but we skipped that part due to the rain even though it was just drizzling when we left. I can't imagine not being outside when possible in Northern Michigan, but this really is the perfect activity on a cold and/or rainy day and great for kid (and even adults) of all ages!

Don't miss this gem of a place. We went in the Winter and Cheri accommodated us even though they…read moreare closed, we made an appointment and they opened their doors to us. For that we are grateful as the boys (4 & 2) enjoyed each and every aspect. There is so much to touch and play with and learn, we have pictures that will last a long long time. What made it even more amazing is we had the whole place to ourselves. The boys were able to touch snakes, lizards and turtles and Cheri did a great job explaining things and asking our 4 years old questions. The magnet table is such a cool thing, there is enough for all to enjoy. We have to go back when it's warm so we can experience all there is to do outside. My one critic is it's to bad there aren't walkways to get to the stuff outside when there is so on the ground and also thought it would be nice if there is a children's price as well. But we are still thankful for our time and would very much like to go again. Thanks for the family memories Raven Hill.

This place is amazing! Its located in the mall. We accidentally parked near Dunham's but we found…read moreout that its closer to the other doors further down. They have doors that are hard to escape. They charge $10 per person but the membership is a lot cheaper. They also participate in the museums for all and charge $20 for a membership for the year for it. There is an area behind the counter area with a room for strollers and bags. You can also eat food there as well I believe. The kids had so much to do. They had a lot of educational areas and designs. They loved placing the balls in the tubes. They had a little vet area. They also had a kitchen area in the back. They had a car track and water table. They have a giant playscape with two slides. By the checkin they have a small store area as well. The kids had so much fun!

Our kids had a ton of fun here, especially at the water table!…read more We thought that it was an actual, standalone museum, so we were confused when we were walking through the mall, and we accidentally walked right past it because we thought it was a gift shop. Lo and behold, it's actually very roomy and has multiple interactive stations! Besides the water table, they also loved the vet clinic, play structure, food truck, and collecting eggs. This would be a great place for grandparents to take their kids while parents go shopping at the mall.

If I could give this place 10 stars I would!…read more This is quite simply the most stimulating museum experience that I've ever had in my life! The theme of the museum is that it's basically a walk-through the history of the technology of the reproduction of music. It is a guided tour that takes about an hour and a half, and it consists mainly of hearing about the history and development of the technology. And all of the pristine musical instruments are played for you. It is just a delight ! Clean well kept informative, exciting stimulating I just can't think of enough words for this place and I just want more people to know about it. The highlights are a player piano that plays Rhapsody and blue exactly the way George Gershwin would've played it And then a completely operating organ that would've been used (and was used) during the silent movie era This place is just so fun ! I was so happy after I visited and can't wait to come back hopefully for a special event so I can see a silent movie with the appropriate accompaniment! Worth every dime of admission ! They also take donations, so please give generously!

My Detroit to Michigan tour brought me here. Had a nice personal tour where the lady gave us…read morehistory of the Museum and played handful of old time Musical instruments like the pianos and organs. One self playing instrument was a combo duet between a violin and piano in a juke box. Truly amazing! This Pianoforte website explains well, "What is a Self-Playing Piano? Also known as player pianos or Pianolas, older style self-playing pianos uses a pneumatic or electro-mechanical mechanism to play pre-programmed music on your piano using perforated paper or metallic rolls. The keys would move up and down as if the piano were playing by itself." So you can imagine how the piano player was eliminated as a job performer to these new type of jukeboxes and self playing pianos. This little Museum is quite a little hidden gem that you would just pass by on the main road on to your next destination. The state of Michigan, the land of cherries and historical unique musical instruments! Well worth the stop.

The Alden Depot Museum is open Memorial Day through October, Friday (1-4) and Saturday/Sunday…read more(11-4). It houses changing exhibits showcasing local history and artifacts, enlarged photos of the area taken in the 19th and early 20th centuries, antique photographs and vintage postcard collections. Additionally, a third of the building is devoted to an extensive collection of working model train layouts of various gauges. The Dorothy Walter Family History Center opened in 2025, providing designated space to research the available documentation and photos of early local families. Note: The museum is a non profit entity operated by the Helena Township Historical Society; the building and lakeside park are owned by Helena Township. For more information please see our website (www.aldendepot.com) and FB page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064749244649

Alden has public docks and then you can walk to park. Nice sand volleyball court for some family…read morefun. Also a train to look at and good photo op. We did not see any play structure and the museum wasn't open when we were there. There was a water fountain which my kids enjoyed since they were thirsty

The highlight of our summer in Traverse City! Thank you Michael Moore for bringing…read morethought-provoking documentaries, independent films, and foreign films to our great small town! Hands down, the Film Festival blows the National Cherry Festival out of the water. Just Great Films!!

Every summer, I look forward to the Traverse City Film Festival (often referred to fondly as TCFF…read morein my family). Without a doubt, this is one of the most amazing events of the year in an already beautiful city. Even though Michael Moore is one of the founders, this film festival has proven to be incredibly diverse in its selection. The movies range from comedy to drama, action to horror. There are documentaries that will open your eyes to a whole new walk of life, there are moves that make you think about where your life is going. Some movies will make you laugh one minute, and have you in tears the next. Some might think, so why TCFF over Cannes or Sundance? Traverse City is just a normal town, with normal people. You don't need to be a celebrity to get tickets, or even to see other celebrities. There are events all over town, including places for children to go while the adults attend movies. There are panels, consisting of some of the directors, producers and actors in the movies, helping answer some pressing questions. The first year of the film festival, there was a fear that it would have the theme of "Bowling for Columbine" or "Farenheit 911", but I have gone for 5 years and never seen a political film (by choice). Between the FREE movies at the Open Space (including the Dark Knight and Mrs. Doubtfire), and the vast array of movies, this festival is definitely a family fun vacation and an educational experience! Five stars isn't enough!

This is such an absolute gem of a place! We love visiting these gardens whenever we are in town…read more They are so well maintained, and the volunteers are so friendly and love to share their knowledge about both the plants and the history. It is a perfect opportunity to learn and stretch your legs. Festival it is free to walk around the grounds and take in the breathtaking views that this site provides here in the shadows of the spires of this former state hospital. The children's garden, fairy garden and Japanese gardens are all breathtakingly, beautiful, and fun to explore how fortunate the city is to have Such a place to retreat to.

It is totally free, including guided tours. They do request donations as the place is fully funded…read moreby donations and grants. They have a large grounds with a lot of different gardens and the old farm buildings being repurposed. The history of the place is interesting: The land was initially part of the Grand Traverse Commons, which was once the site of the Traverse City State Hospital, a mental institution. They have healing gardens, labyrinth, fairy garden, Asian garden, fire resistant garden, community garden, etc... they also have a lot of trails and a self guided tour with a map. The guided tours are done by volunteers.

I have spent a lot of hours in this shop! This is the best shop in town for environment, quality…read moreand cleanliness. I have visited and been tattooed by others around this area but this is hands down the best experience! Charlie is the only artist I plan on going to in the future!

went here for a helix and a septum over a year ago. everyone was super kind and accepting. did all…read moreof the proper piercing protocols (i've been to places that haven't). septum healed perfectly and still looks great, the quality of the actual jewelry was great as well. helix healed great but i messed up the aftercare, resulting in a keloid. was not their fault whatsoever, i slept on it for many months and didn't keep it clean. overall, very nice place with a cool atmosphere