Our Blog

          The holidays are fast approaching, there are now only 25 days until Christmas and Hanukkah! Time is sure to fly, so if you haven’t already, why not get a jump on your Christmas shopping in TC? *

           This Friday night shops in the downtown area will have extended hours specifically for holiday shoppers and Santa himself will be making a special appearance to light the town Christmas tree! There will be holiday sing-alongs, other live music, food and fun starting at 5:30pm. Make a weekend out of it and stay with us! We have rooms starting at $64.95 (plus taxes) this Friday and Saturday night. After a night of singing, drinking, and shopping who wants to drive all the way home when the Econolodge is only 7 miles away? We’re more than happy to host! 

*-To all those who celebrate Festivus, you don’t have to shop to enjoy the event! You can eat, drink, and be merry without any shopping bags! 🙂 

              The Traverse city Econolodge is pleased to announce a series of upcoming renovations this winter! The renovations include new light fixtures, new furniture, new bathroom counter tops, new paint, new art, and new flooring! Although we update bits and pieces every year, such as mattresses, charging stations, and curtains, this will be the first big make-over the Traverse City Econolodge has had in several years. We are very excited!

              Because we will remain open during these renovations, room types may not be guaranteed, so if you have special needs or mobility issues please let us know when you make the reservation so we can do our very best to accommodate you and make sure your stay is the best it can be.

Winter was late in arriving, but now it has come on with a vengeance! The Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club is reporting good trail conditions and daily grooming.  The Traverse City Econo Lodge has ample parking for your trailers and we love snowmobilers!  We are approximately a mile from the staging area at the Northwest Michigan Fairgrounds on Blair Townhall Road.  If you don’t want to trailer your sleds, just exit the Traverse City Econo Lodge via Beitner Road, ride along the side of the road to Hoosier Valley Road, which leads you right into the trail system.   Start your day with some yummy waffles and other offerings from our continental breakfast.  We have in room coffee makers as well as having coffee, tea and hot chocolate available in the lobby to warm up after  your ride.  And don’t forget about relaxing in our heated pool and hot tub to ease  those tired muscles and bones.  Call the Traverse City Econo Lodge at 231-943-3040 to book  your snowmobiling getaway!

The Traverse City Econo Lodge is partnering with the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail for three great weekends of wine trail tours.  First up is the Harvest Stompede which takes place September 12 and 13.  The Traverse City Econo Lodge package rate of $267.90 plus tax provides guests with a two night stay for two adults, two wine trail tour tickets and a special gift at check in.  This package is only available by calling the Traverse City Econo Lodge directly at (231) 943-3040.  We have a limited amount of packages available so don’t delay in making your reservations!  Please note that this package is for the wine tour only and does not include the Harvest Stompede race registration.

The Toast the Season wine tour is so popular that it is offered the first two weekends of November.  Our package rate for the November 7 and 8 weekend is $272.90 plus tax.  This is the same weekend as the Iceman Cometh Challenge so book your rooms early.  For the weekend of November 14 and 15, the package rate is $212.90 plus tax. Your packages include a two night stay for two adults, a couples ticket for the wine tour and a special gift at check in.  These packages must also be reserved by calling the Traverse City Econo Lodge directly at (231) 943-3040.  

For any of these wine packages  you can add a night at a discounted rate.  We can also get you extra tickets for friends if you let us know at the time of making your reservation.

Although the Traverse City Econo Lodge does not offer packages for these events, check out the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail website at www.lpwines.com for information on The Hunt for the Reds of October and the December Holiday Sale.  Also check out the www.wineriesofoldmission.com for information on the Great Mac and Cheese Bake-off to be held in November.

The National Cherry Festival is behind us, but the there are still a lot of activities taking place throughout the Grand Traverse County area.  The new Great Lakes Equestrian Festival began July 1 and continues throughout the month, ending July 26.  This event takes place at the Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg.  Although, a bit of a drive from the Traverse City Econo Lodge, our reasonable rates and friendly staff will make up for the distance.  Every Sunday is “Kids Day”, live bands perform on Thursdays, the Flintfields Park Grand Prix takes place July 19, the International Hunter Derby is July 25 and the Great Lakes Grand Prix is July 26.

Don’t let the dusting of snow on the ground fool you.  Summer is around the corner and if you are familiar with Traverse City, you know how busy it can be.  And although summer isn’t here yet, we have a busy weekend coming  up.

Package sales have closed, but tickets and rooms are still available for the Traverse City Chocolate Festival to be held this Sunday, February 26.  Call the Traverse City Econo Lodge at (231) 943-3040 for great room rates.

The Traverse City Curling Club is hosting its first Bombspiel at Centre Ice Arena, beginning Friday at 8:30 am, with matches going on throughout the weekend.  From the Traverse City Econo Lodge you turn on to Beitner/Keystone Road (the name changes midway), to Hammond to Chartwell Drive and you are in the middle of all the action.

The TC Womens Expo is also this weekend.  100 vendors will showcase health, fitness, jewelry, fashion and more at the Grand Traverse Civic Center.

The Celebration for Young Children takes place at various locations in downtown Traverse City.

Help A Horse Day takes place North Horse Rescue in Kingsley on Saturday.

And our neighbor to the east, Kalkaska is hosting their Annual Trout Festival this weekend.

You still have time to reserve your package at the Traverse City Econo Lodge for the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association Spring Sip and Savor Wine Tour to be held the first weekend of May.  Call today!

There is still time to reserve your Spring Sip and Savor Wine Tour package at the Traverse City Econo Lodge.  The Traverse City Econo Lodge is offering a two night stay for two adults, two Sip and Savor Wine Tour tickets and a special gift at check all for only $207.90 plus tax.  The Traverse City Econo Lodge is keeping rates low so you can spend more money on wine.  Call (231) 943-3040 to reserve your package. This great event takes place the first weekend in May.  Two days of sipping wine along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail.  

The Traverse City Econo Lodge is pleased to be offering packages once again this year for the Traverse City Chocolate Festival.  That’s right Chocolate Festival!!  Who doesn’t love chocolate???  The Traverse City Econo Lodge is offering chocolate lovers a special rate of $92.95 plus tax for a one night stay for two adults at the Traverse City Econo Lodge as well as two adult tickets to the Traverse City Chocolate Festival.  The tickets get you a sampling coupon for each exhibitor at the festival.  Additional nights and tickets may be added to this package.  This great event is being held at City Opera House on April 17, 2016.  You may only secure this great offer by calling the Traverse City Econo Lodge directly at (231) 943-3040.  Hurry.  Package sales will end April 13, 2016.

There is a definite chill in the air, and that can only mean one thing–hockey.  The NHL Prospects Tournament began Sept. 12 at Centre Ice Arena and continues through Sept. 16.  This is a great opportunity to see up and coming hockey prospects who are looking to catch the eye of NHL Scouts. Come see tomorrow’s stars today.

The Detroit Red Wings Training Camp opens at Centre Ice on Sept. 19 but the Wings will be in town on the 18th for the Detroit Red Wings Golf Classic.

The Traverse City Hounds also begin practice next week at Centre Ice.  Ten players return from last year’s championship team.

And if this isn’t enough hockey action for you, don’t forget about the many games and tournaments put on by the Grand Traverse Hockey Association as well as several local high school hockey teams.

The Interlochen Center for the Arts Summer Concert Series kicks off on June 13, 2014 when Sheryl Crow takes the stage for a repeat performance (and if memory serves me right, she started the summer off on her last appearance at Interlochen).   Gordon Lightfoot makes a return to the Interlochen stage on June 18 followed by Lynyrd Skynyrd on June 19.  The Interlochen Shakespeare Festival features “The Tempest”.  The Capitol Steps and Willie Nelson also make return appearances to this outstanding venue nestled on the shores of Green Lake.  The season is capped off by a performance from Steely Dan.  For a complete listing of concerts and events go to www.interlochen.org.  Already have your tickets but haven’t reserved your room?  Don’t wait.  Traverse City lodging fills up quickly in the summer and as Traverse City’s closest lodging option to Interlochen we fill up especially fast for concert nights.  Call 231-943-3040 to reserve your room.