insane asylum tours traverse city

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Historic Asylum Tours

• Address: 830 Cottageview Dr, Ste 101, Traverse City, MI, 49684
• Phone: (231) 938-6150

Explore the rich history of the Former Traverse City State Hospital The Northern Michigan Asylum and The Village redevelopment are central to the history of Traverse City. We offer an array of tours that give enriching perspectives on one of Michigan’s most important historic sites. From Dr. Munson's "Beauty is Therapy" theory on patient care to the former uses of the structures on the property, our tours are designed to both enlighten and entertain. Tour offerings include daytime, evening, photography, and private tours. All tours include a walk through the amazing 1885 brick steam tunnels. To view our current tour schedule, and prices and to book your tour visit our website.

Taste of the Village ~ A History, Wine & Beer Tour

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Virtual Tour

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• 101 West Grandview Parkway, Traverse City, MI 49684
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RoadsideAmerica.com Your Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions

Attraction:

Traverse City, Michigan : Mental Hospital Tour: Buildings and Tunnels

The Northern Michigan Asylum was open from the mid-1880s until 1989. Dozens of buildings scattered across 63 acres. The Asylum property has been converted into a mall, but special tours of the old buildings are available by appointment.

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Visitor Tips and News About Mental Hospital Tour: Buildings and Tunnels

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters . Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip .

The mental hospital tours still exist -- my wife and I were there for our honeymoon about 10/01/2019. You can see the tours currently offered at the facility's official website. We loved the tour!

Tours are not by appointment. They have daily tours and they cost $25. Well worth it for 2 hours. One of the highlights of my trip. If you get a chance to do the tour, do it.

Great tour, lots of info about engineering and architecture. If you want more information about patients and personal stories regarding the daily Ins and outs of the hospital -- do the Twilight Tour.

This place is awesome. Worth the price of a tour. You'll learn a ton and get to go into buildings that have been rehabbed. You also get to go into the tunnels.

The Traverse City State Hospital (formerly known as the Northern Michigan Asylum) is the last remaining Kirkbride-style asylum in Michigan, open from the mid-1880s until 1989, at which time every teenager in Traverse City and the surrounded areas descended on it with spray paint and enthusiasm. After dodging demolition by the state, the main building and outlying cottages are being renovated into shopping/dining/living spaces.

The grounds and buildings give off feelings of both extreme sadness and tranquility. A guided tour is available of some of the not-yet-refurbished buildings and of the tunnels that connected the main building to the outbuildings.

Eerie, interesting, and well worth the $25 ticket price. It's not your basic history lesson, for sure. Unfortunately there is no wheelchair access -- lots of walking, uneven steps, dark places, lead based paint peeling; you'll have to sign a waiver to participate. The tour changes as more renovations are completed.

Also, one of the outlying buildings -- formerly a laundry for the hospital -- is now a wine tasting bar, and the bar is made of doors from the asylum patient rooms.

The hospital grounds are also home to the grave of the World Champion Cow of the Insane .

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• Grand Rapids/Muskegon
• Saginaw/Bay City
• All Michigan

‘Asylum After Dark’ tours to open at Traverse City’s former psychiatric hospital

• Updated: Sep. 16, 2020, 9:47 p.m. |
• Published: Sep. 16, 2020, 7:51 a.m.

The new October tour will be focused on Cottage #30, which is still in its original state.

• Tanda Gmiter | [email protected]

TRAVERSE CITY, MI - The dark, crisp nights of October might be just the perfect time to be led slowly through one of the old brick buildings that are part of the former Northern Michigan Asylum - and hear stories about the people who used to live and work there.

The slightly creepy Cottage #30 will be home to the new “Asylum After Dark” tours, which will begin next month in part of the historic Village at Grand Traverse Commons development. Participants will be guided through four floors - from attic to basement - and get a taste of what life was like for residents of the old state hospital and those who cared for them. Vignettes from those years will be shared during the tour. And while we can’t spill exactly what stories will be told, be sure to listen closely for a horrifying tale about a glass jar full of bats.

The tour is deliberately not being billed as a “haunted” experience to undertake during the month-long countdown to Halloween, but if you do happen to sense something otherworldly, your tour guides likely won’t tell you that you’re wrong.

“The sights, sounds … and darkness will leave you wanting to explore more,” according to the event description. “Join us for a bonfire after your experience and take home an exclusive piece of asylum history.”

The event is slated to run Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in October. It includes:

• 30-minute guided experience – includes exclusive map and $5 off village merchandise
• Cost is $45 per person or $80 per couple, (Ages 18 & over ID required)
• Not wheelchair accessible

To reserve a ticket and see available dates and times, check the website here .

The original cream-colored brick work can be seen inside the now-empty buildings. Photo courtesy of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.

Grand Traverse Commons runs a handful of historical and architectural tours year-round , taking advantage of several different buildings - and sometimes even tunnels - on the sprawling old hospital’s grounds. The gorgeous cream-brick Victorian Italianate buildings were constructed as a state-run asylum that opened in 1885 with innovative programming. It later was named the Traverse City State Hospital, where staff cared for patients for a century before it closed in the late 1980s. Now a mixed-use development, the huge main building and its wings have been renovated into condos, apartments and a shopping district that includes restaurants, a winery and a bakery. Many of the buildings are still in their original state and can be walked through on the tours.

For some time, staff at the Commons has been looking for a historically-accurate way to create a tour for all those clamoring for an October event.

“This is based in fact, stories that we have found from people who have worked here,” said Krystal Fluette, an office manager who handles the tour planning. “There are good descriptions. It stays true to the story of the Traverse City State Hospital.”

“It’s always been something that I have been trying to move forward. We’ve had a lot of interest in people wanting to do an October tour. It’s a great year to give people what they want.”

The main building and several others at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons have been renovated as part of a sprawling development. Photo courtesy of Loose Canon Photography .

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3 Shocking Grand Traverse Commons Tours | Traverse City Historical Tours

Looking for one of the most fun and exciting things to do in Traverse City ? A historical tour of the former Traverse City State Hospital and Village at Grand Traverse Commons tours is a must-experience when visiting the Northern Michigan area.

About the Village at Grand Traverse Commons

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is also known as the former Northern Michigan Asylum for the Insane. This area is a fascinating mix of abandoned buildings, spacious park areas, winding paths, renovated shops, office spaces, condos, and restaurants.  

Totaling almost a million square feet, the former hospital housing and administration buildings are considered one of the largest historic restoration and adaptive re-use projects in the United States.

History of Traverse City State Hospital

The Traverse City “insane asylum” hospital operated between 1885 – 1989. During its peak, it housed 3,500 residents.

Care at the facility was very progressive for its time. It operated on the philosophy that exposure to nature, socialization opportunities, and being productive were the best treatments for mentally ill patients.

The design of the hospital buildings and grounds reflects those views. Thousands of windows allowed for natural light as well as the presence of garden areas, pathways, and open-design buildings.

After the facility closed in 1989, it sat vacant until 2000. Then, a local preservation group and design company began working together to begin renovations.

Today, the renovated areas house shops, office space, condos, wineries, restaurants, and art galleries. Plans are in the works to continue renovations on the remaining buildings over the next several years.

The former grounds also have a new lease on life and regularly host a local farmer’s market, festivals, concerts, and other community events. Miles of groomed trails offer hiking, biking, jogging, and cross-country skiing opportunities.

Related: New Study Says Michigan is One of the Five Spookiest States in the U.S.

3 Shocking Grand Traverse Commons Tours

There are several Grand Traverse Commons tour options . The most popular tour is the Guided Historic Walking Tour .  

Visitors will walk through three former asylum cottages, restored shops, and finally, through the 1885 underground steam tunnels.  This tour focuses on the history of the hospital and the ongoing preservation efforts.

The Tripod Photography Tour  allows photographers of all abilities to capture unique images of the former hospital and grounds.

This tour allows for additional time to explore attics, basements, and abandoned buildings not included on the Guided Historic Walking Tour. This tour also includes a walk through the 1885 underground steam tunnels.

Looking for a bit of spooky fun? Book the Twilight Tour and hear fascinating stories about life at the hospital while touring an abandoned ‘cottage’ by flashlight. This includes a walk through the 1885 underground steam tunnels.

The average distance for all tours is approximately one mile. Be aware that age guidelines apply for all tours. VIP/private tours are also available.

Village at Grand Traverse Commons tours can be booked on their website.

Traverse City Asylum Tour Tips

• Be sure to wear a closed-toe, rubber-soled shoe. The tours cover a lot of ground, some of it is slippery and uneven.
• Even during the summer, the basement/tunnel areas are chilly. Dress in light layers, such as a t-shirt and jacket. Consider wearing pants and long sleeves, to protect arms and legs in the tunnels and abandoned buildings.
• Check the age guidelines for all tours prior to booking.
• Use the restroom before the tour begins – there won’t be an opportunity after you leave.
• Consider the conditions prior to booking your tour. Anyone who has difficulty walking, has a fear of smaller, enclosed spaces (tunnel areas), or is unable to climb stairs should consider these factors prior to booking.
• Be sure to book in advance. These tours fill quickly, especially during the busy summer months.
• Plan some extra time to visit the shops and the unique Traverse City restaurants in the Commons area. Grab a sweet treat from the Pleasanton Brick Oven Bakery  or Underground Cheesecake Company. Stop by  Spanglish  for authentic Mexican cuisine or enjoy a wine tasting at Left Foot Charley .

Have you had a chance to tour the former Traverse City State Hospital? Tell us about your Grand Traverse Commons tours experience in the comments below.

Hello, I'm Christine Snow. I've lived in Michigan my entire life and love everything about the Mitten State! I've served as an assistant editor, writer, photographer and columnist for a variety of publications and am currently working as a freelance writer and travel blogger based in northwestern Michigan. In my free time, I love camping, snowshoeing, hiking, traveling, and finding great new places to visit.

Kirkbride Buildings - Historic Insane Asylums

O nce state-of-the-art mental healthcare facilities, Kirkbride buildings have long been relics of an obsolete therapeutic method known as Moral Treatment. In the latter half of the 19th century, these massive structures were conceived as ideal sanctuaries for the mentally ill and as an active participent in their recovery. Careful attention was given to every detail of their design to promote a healthy environment and convey a sense of respectable decorum. Placed in secluded areas within expansive grounds, many of these insane asylums seemed almost palace-like from the outside. But growing populations and insufficient funding led to unfortunate conditions, spoiling their idealistic promise.

Within decades of their first conception, new treatment methods and hospital design concepts emerged and the Kirkbride plan was eventually discarded. Many existing Kirkbride buildings maintained a central place in the institutions which began within their walls, but by the end of the 20th century most had been completely abandoned or demolished. A few have managed to survive into the 21st century intact and still in use, but many that survive sit abandoned and decaying—their mysterious grandeur intensified by their derelict condition. More...

Dr. Kirkbride

Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride was a founding member of the Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane (AMSAII)—forerunner of the American Psychiatric Association—serving first as secretary, then later as president. Through this association and in his writings, Kirkbride promoted a standardized method of asylum construction and mental health treatment, popularly known as the Kirkbride Plan, which significantly influenced the entire American asylum community during his lifetime. More...

Latest Blog Entries

Danvers State Hospital Cameo 11 May 2018 -- I was surprised to catch a cameo by the Danvers State Hospital Kirkbride in an old episode of Unsolved Mysteries the other night. The cameo occurs in episode three of the classic TV show’s fourth season, from 0:22:48 to 0:23:23... read more

Worcester Clocktower Replica Complete 07 Dec 2015 -- I swung by Worcester State Hospital this weekend as I was in the area and I had read the clock tower replica had finally been completed. You can read more about that here: Rebuilt clock tower welcomed on hospital campus in Worcester... read more

May 13: Preserve Greystone Court Hearing 12 May 2015 -- On Wednesday, May 13th, Preserve Greystone will be making their case in court for halting demolition of the Greystone Kirkbride. This may be the last chance for stopping the ongoing destruction of this historic building... read more

Preservationworks Press Release 30 Apr 2015 -- Preservationworks has issued a press release summarizing their conference held this past weekend. The conference brought together many leaders in Kirkbride building preservation efforts... read more

Greystone Developments April 2015 05 Apr 2015 -- Abatement of the Greystone Kirkbride in New Jersey appears to be nearing completion, and actual demolition could begin as early as this month. Preserve Greystone is planning a rally at the Kirkbride on Sunday, April 12th... read more

Preserve Greystone Town Hall Meeting 27 Mar 2015 -- Preserve Greystone is holding a town hall meeting on Wednesday, April 1 at 7:00PM. The meeting will be held at Morristown Town Hall, Senior Center, 3rd Floor in Morristown, New Jersey... read more

Recent Updates

Prints of Kirkbride buildings are now available.

Added a Saint Elizabeths Hospital page.

Added an Harrisburg State Hospital page.

Added chapters 51-60 to Kirkbride's book .

Added a Cherokee State Hospital page.

Expanded the Weston State Hospital gallery.

• Athens State Hospital Completed: 1874 Architect: Levi T. Scofield Location: Athens, Ohio
• Buffalo State Hospital Completed: 1895 Architect: Henry Hobson Richardson Location: Buffalo, New York
• Cherokee State Hospital Completed: 1902 Architect: Henry F. Liebbe Location: Cherokee, Iowa
• Clarinda State Hospital Completed: 1895 Architect: Foster & Liebbe Location: Clarinda, Iowa
• Danvers State Hospital Completed: 1878 Architect: Nathaniel J. Bradlee Location: Danvers, Massachusetts
• Dixmont State Hospital Completed: 1862 Architect: J.R. Kerr Location: Dixmont Township, Pennsylvania
• Fergus Falls State Hospital Completed: 1906 Architect: Warren Dunnell Location: Fergus Falls, Minnesota
• Greystone Park State Hospital Completed: 1876 Architect: Samuel Sloan Location: Morristown, New Jersey
• Hudson River State Hospital Completed: 1871 Architect: Frederick Clarke Withers Location: Poughkeepsie, New York
• Independence State Hospital Completed: 1873 Architect: Stephen Vaughn Shipman Location: Independence, Iowa
• Northampton State Hospital Completed: 1858 Architect: Jonathan Preston Location: Northampton, Massachusetts
• Saint Elizabeths Hospital Completed: 1855 Architect: Thomas U. Walters Location: Washington, DC
• Taunton State Hospital Completed: 1854 Architect: Elbridge Boyden Location: Taunton, Massachusetts
• Traverse City State Hospital Completed: 1885 Architect: Gordon W. Lloyd Location: Traverse City, Michigan
• Weston State Hospital Completed: 1880 Architect: R. Snowden Andrews Location: Weston, West Virginia
• Worcester State Hospital Completed: 1877 Architect: George Dutton Rand Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
• Photo Prints Prints of selected Kirkbride photographs on this site are available for purchase in 8x10 and 11x14 formats. Details »

Please note that in some instances these buildings are off-limits to the general public and permission must be obtained if you wish to access the property and/or take photographs.

Michigan's Eerie Asylum After Dark Tours Will Take You Through A Former Psychiatric Hospital

Sophie Boudreau

More by this Author

The arrival of fall means that many Michiganders have started planning adventures to undertake during the spookiest season of them all. While some opt for wholesome outings to cider mills and apple orchards, others like to explore the darker and more mysterious realm when autumn rolls around. One unique tour here in the Great Lakes State will take you on an eerie yet fascinating fall excursion.

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For additional information about the Asylum After Dark tour and other offerings at the complex, click here . Have you and your loved ones explored this destination during previous family adventures? Share your favorite memories with us by leaving a Facebook comment or recommend another must-see historical locale in the Great Lakes State by filling out our nomination form here .

If you’re looking for more history, check out this unique historic mansion in Michigan .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Historic Asylum Tours at The Village

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Traverse City State Hospital

• 2.1 Kirkbride
• 2.2 North Cottages
• 2.3 South Cottages
• 3 Images of Traverse City State Hospital
• 7 Past News

History [ edit ]

Northern Michigan Asylum for the Insane was established in 1885 as the demand for a third psychiatric hospital, in addition to those established in Kalamazoo and Pontiac, Michigan, began to grow. Lumber baron Perry Hannah, “the father of Traverse City,” used his political influence to secure its location in his home town. Under the supervision of prominent architect Gordon W. Lloyd, the first building, known as Building 50, was constructed with Victorian-Italianate? style according to the Kirkbride Plan.

Under Dr. James Decker Munson (1848-1929), the first superintendent from 1885 to 1924, the institution expanded. 12 housing cottages and 2 infirmaries were built between 1887 and 1903 to meet the specific needs of more male and female patients. The institution became the city’s largest employer and contributed to its growth.

Long before the advent of drug therapy in the 1950s, Dr. Munson was a firm believer in the “beauty is therapy” philosophy. Patients were treated through kindness, comfort, pleasantry, and exposure to the asylum’s plentiful arrangements of flora provided year round by its own greenhouses and the variety of trees Dr. Munson planted on the grounds. Restraints, such as the straitjacket were forbidden. Also, as part of the “work is therapy” philosophy, the asylum provided opportunities for patients to gain a sense of purpose through farming, furniture construction, fruit canning, and other trades that kept the institution fully self-sufficient.

While the hospital was established for the care of the mentally ill, its reach expanded during outbreaks of tuberculosis, epilepsy, typhoid, diphtheria, influenza, and polio. It also cared for the elderly, and was used to trained nurses. After Munson’s retirement, James Decker Munson Hospital was honorably established on the grounds in 1926, which was operated by the state well after his death and into the 1950s. It was then replaced by Munson Medical Center, the largest hospital in northern Michigan.

With the gradual success in drug therapies in the 1970s, many patients were cured and/or improved, leaving many of the buildings empty. This, in addition to changes in mental health care philosophy, the decline of institutionalization, and cuts in funding, the Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital was forced to shut down in 1989.

Starting in 2000, The Minervini Group began negotiating with the Grand Traverse Commons Redevelopment Corporation and secured an agreement to renovate the historic buildings. Their efforts have led to the gradual, but successful preservation and development of the Building 50 as part of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, offering an array of residential and commercial opportunities. By 2005, the southernmost wing and Hall 20 (Phase One) were fully completed and in use. The 100,000 square foot Mercato Phase of the former Building 50 is currently under reconstruction and will be occupied by Fall 2007. Also on the site, other buildings are being renovated for new uses. These include an urban winery, a fair trade coffee roaster, and a brick oven bakery that will all be open for Summer 2007.

Buildings [ edit ]

Kirkbride [ edit ].

• Building 50 is the centerpiece of the former Northern Michigan Asylum (Traverse City State Hospital). Designed by Midwestern church architect Gordon Lloyd, this large mostly three story building was built on what is known as the "Kirkbride plan" of mental institution design for housing mental patients, which was popular in the 19th century. The detailing of this brick building is Victorian Italianate. With the exception of the change in the center section, Building 50 stands pretty much as it has since the 1910's. The non-matching connector section called the Fry Wing (on the south end) which was built in the 1930s was torn down in 2003. Building 50 was built of yellow-white brick which was cast at the Markham brickwords located in Greilickville, which is now a suburb to the northwest of Traverse City. A temporary rail line was used at one time to bring the bricks from the foundry to the construction site. The "cottages" were also constructed of this brick, as were a few other buildings including the two small root cellar/stables.

North Cottages [ edit ]

• Cottage 21 (Building 21)
• Cottage 23 (Building 23)
• Cottage 25 (Museum)

South Cottages [ edit ]

• Building 40 (Building 24/26)
• Building 22 (Men's Dining Hall)
• Building 28
• Building 30
• Building 32 (Constructed as TB Ward)
• Building 34
• Building 36 (Sunnyhill)

Images of Traverse City State Hospital [ edit ]

Main Image Gallery: Traverse City State Hospital

Videos [ edit ]

Books [ edit ]

• Angels in the Architecture: A Photographic Elegy to an American Asylum by Heidi Johnson. Detroit : Wayne State University Press, 2001. Search WorldCat for library copy
• Beauty is Therapy : Memories of the Traverse City State Hospital by Kristen Hains & Earle Steele. Traverse City, MI : Denali, 2001. Free eBook from the Internet Archive
• Northern Michigan Asylum : A History of the Traverse City State Hospital by William Decker. Traverse City, Mich. : Arbutus Press, 2010. Search WorldCat for library copy
• Report of the Board of Commissioners of the Northern Asylum for the Insane at Traverse City, Michigan, from October 1, 1884, to the full completion of the work, November 10, 1886 : by authority by Northern Asylum for the Insane at Traverse City (Mich.). Lansing : Printed by Thorp & Godfrey, 1886. Free eBook from the Internet Archive
• Traverse City State Hospital by Chris Miller. Charleston, SC : Arcadia Pub., 2005. Search WorldCat for library copy

Links [ edit ]

• "Hall 18" A website created by a former patient
• Website for new development of the Kirkbride
• Website with history & photos

Past News [ edit ]

From Ex-Mental Hospital to a New Mixed-Use Life

• Preserved Institution
• Kirkbride Buildings
• Asylum Books
• Articles With Videos
• Institution With A Cemetery
• Past Featured Article Of The Week

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Tour a former hospital, asylum, or prison

These historic buildings have come back to life as hotels, museums, and distilleries

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Created by Roadtrippers - February 12th 2021

H ospitals, asylums, and prisons are not usually places people opt to visit while on vacation. But all over the country these historic, imposing structures are being repurposed as luxury hotels, apartment complexes, or academic campuses. Some have been renovated or restored, while others sit in a state of arrested decay. Guided or audio tours address the often-complicated histories and highlight the people who lived and died within the thick stone walls—and spirits of all kinds are helping to bring life back into these forgotten spaces.

Central State Hospital Museum

Milledgeville, GA

Central State Hospital opened in 1836 as the “State Lunatic, Idiot, and Epileptic Asylum” in Milledgeville, located two hours southeast of Atlanta. Central State developed a notorious reputation, and has sat mostly abandoned for decades. Tours are available through the Milledgeville Visitor Center and held two days per month.

Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary

Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary opened in 1896, and at the time of its closing in 2008, it was the oldest operating prison in Tennessee. Brushy reopened as a tourist destination in 2018 and while it has its fair share of macabre tales, visitors will find an entirely different kind of spirit here: The Brushy Mountain Distillery produces 10 unique flavors of moonshine and offers tastings to the public.

Joliet Prison

From 1858 to 2002, the huge complex in Joliet, Illinois—with its 24 buildings and surrounding 25-foot-tall limestone wall—housed thousands of prisoners. Today, guided tours provide a glimpse into the prison’s complicated history. There's something here for everyone, including history buffs, film enthusiasts, and fans of the paranormal. Several movies and TV shows were filmed at the prison, including The Blues Brothers , Saw II , Let’s Go to Prison , and Prison Break .

Historic Cook County Hospital

Half a century ago, Cook County Hospital was treating more than 100,000 patients each year. Its emergency room was one of the busiest in the world and its operating rooms were among the first to try risky, innovative surgical techniques. Today, visitors to Chicago can check into the sprawling old Cook County Hospital thanks to a massive rehabilitation and redevelopment that has transformed the 1914 Beaux-Arts building. The vibrant complex now includes two Hyatt hotels, a food hall featuring Chicago cuisine, and an in-hotel museum that highlights the hospital’s history.

Ohio State Reformatory

Mansfield, OH

The Ohio State Reformatory , located in Mansfield, Ohio, opened in 1896 and housed more than 155,000 inmates during its nearly hundred years in operation. In 1993, just three years after it closed, the prison welcomed inmates once again—fictional residents that populate the big-screen adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption . The prison reopened as a museum in 1995 and proceeds from tours and events help fund grounds maintenance and structural improvements.

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, was designed by architect Richard Andrews following the Kirkbride plan and constructed between 1858 and 1881. The largest hand-cut stone masonry building in North America opened to patients in 1864. Reaching a peak of 2,400 patients in the 1950s, the facility closed in 1994, and is now open for history and ghost tours.

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

Richardson-olmstead campus.

The Richardson Olmsted Campus , once home to the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, comprises 13 buildings: Three have been repurposed into a luxury hotel and the remaining 10 are still in a state of suspended ruin, abandoned since 1974. Public tours take visitors through two of the vacant buildings and into a renovated corridor of Hotel Henry. But more than offering a stunning before-and-after comparison, exploring the Richardson Olmsted Campus also provides an intimate glimpse into the complicated history of mental health care in the U.S.

Eastern State Penitentiary is a former prison, operational from 1829 until 1971. The prison was one of the first examples of what would become known as the "Pennsylvania System" of incarceration, a system that encouraged separate confinement of prisoners. Now open as a museum, visitors can take self-guided or guided tours.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Philadelphia, PA

Burlington County Prison

The Burlington County Prison , located in Mount Holly, New Jersey, was designed not only to minimize escapes, but also to serve as a space to reform inmates “through religious instruction, education, and vocational training.” Operating from 1811 until 1965, the Burlington County Prison was the oldest continuously-used prison in the U.S. at the time it closed and it reopened as a museum in 1966.

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Le Monastère des Augustines

For nearly 400 years—long before this site was a destination wellness hotel— Le Monastère des Augustines served as a cloister and hospital for Augustinian sisters. During the first half of the 19th century, the sisters also welcomed approximately 1,400 orphaned or abandoned children into their space. In the 1990s, the sisters decided to create a wellness hotel and museum; Le Monastère des Augustines officially opened in 2015.

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Traverse City, MI

The Northern Michigan Asylum, later called the Traverse City State Hospital, opened in 1885, six decades before psychiatric drugs were first used. It provided mental healthcare for 104 years before it closed in 1989. Over the last two decades, the former hospital has been restored and transformed into luxury apartments, restaurants, and shops. What was the largest employer in Traverse City for 75 years is once again an essential part of the community, and it’s one of the largest historic adaptive reuse developments in the U.S.

When the Old Idaho Penitentiary first opened its doors in 1872, it took in the worst criminals in the West—including women and children as young as 10, simply because female- and juvenile-specific facilities didn’t yet exist. It closed in 1973 and today operates as a museum and National Historic Site. Several buildings have weathered away over time, leaving little more than the structure’s crumbling frame.

Old Idaho Penitentiary

Hot lake springs hotel.

The Hot Lake Springs Hotel in La Grande, Oregon, was featured in a 2001 episode of The Scariest Places on Earth . The Colonial Revival hotel is near the 8-acre Hot Lake, which is endowed by underground springs bubbling up a half-million gallons of water every day. The average temperature of the lake is a toasty 200 degrees Fahrenheit and it's been thought to have healing properties.

Banner Photo Credit: Alexandra Charitan

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Plan Your Day

Make the most of your visit to the village…, we know it’s work to plan a vacation. your time is valuable and we want you to have an amazing experience with a personalized itinerary planned by some of our awesome team members..

Whether you’re on a schedule and just have a few hours or have the whole day, we’ve put together itineraries from romantic getaways to family outings and more. Enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind experience at The Village!

Winter in the Village

Winter is a great time to shop, dine and explore the Village  (Approximately 6 hours)

• Fuel up with Brunch at Red Spire Brunch House or S2S - Sugar to Salt . 
• Spend some time strolling the Mercato for one of a kind treasures sold at one of 14 boutique shops. 
• Grab a to-go beverage and a trail map from B50 The Village Store on the way to High Five Threads for snow shoe rental!
• Head out of the trail head to enjoy miles of snow shoeing fun! Can you find the hippie tree ?
• Wind down and warm up with a coffee from Higher Grounds Trading Co. 
• Want to stay a little longer? Grab dinner and drinks at Trattoria Stella or PepeNero .

Family Outing

Whether you live around the corner or around the world, your family will thank you for a fun afternoon exploring The Village. (Approximately 4 hours)

• Hike the trails to the  Hippie Tree.
• Grab lunch to go from Spanglish,  beverages from B50 The Village Store,  cookies from Pleasanton , and have a picnic on the Piazza under our Pavilion.
• After lunch, challenge the family in a friendly game of Bocce Ball (one of our favorite pastimes) on the Piazza.

Ladies Day Out

Time to grab your gal pals and visit The Village for a fun day spoiling yourselves at The Village. (Approximately 8 hours)

• Express Manis and Pedis at M Salon and Spa.
• Brunch at Red Spire Brunch House.
• Walk brunch off with a shopping session in the Historic Mercato,  home to 14 amazing boutique shops.
• Wine Tasting at Left Foot Charley.
• Dinner and Drinks at Pepe Nero.

History Seeker

It's not a secret that The Village is brimming with rich history. It is the foundation upon which we are built. Spend the afternoon soaking it in. 

• Join us on a 2 hour tour exploring what was once known as Traverse City State Hospital and before that Northern Michigan Asylum.
• Visit B50 The Village Store to see some historic artifacts or purchase a book about the former Asylum.
• Explore the Historic Arboretum on our Front Lawn by discovering over 30 rare species of trees and by clicking here.
• Drive less than a mile to visit the Historic Barns Park .

Romance Weekend

Enjoy a staycation or vacation with your sweetie and visit some of our favorite places! 

• Overnight in one our lovely vacation rentals.
• Start your morning with Massages at M Salon and Spa.
• Brunch at S2S-Sugar 2 Salt.
• A romantic afternoon tour of the Botanic Gardens, only a short walk away
• Enjoy a glass of wine (or two) of Left Foot Charley's Outdoor Patio
• Complete your day with a candle lit dinner for 2 at Trattoria Stella.

Casual Foodie

Perfect day for the casual foodie in us all! 

• Visit our Village Farmers Market,  every Monday in the summer, and every Saturday November through April.
• Stop by Cuppa Joe for their famous locally sourced breakfast burrito.
• Take a walk through the art adorned halls of the Mercato for some shopping.
• Head out to Earthan Ales (under the water tower) for one of their signature microbrews.
• Lunch at Spanglish (we love the quesadillas!)
• Grab a cookie from Pleasanton.

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Dinner at the Insane Asylum - Trattoria Stella

• United States    
• Michigan (MI)    
• Grand Traverse County    
• Traverse City    
• Traverse City Restaurants    

“Dinner at the Insane Asylum” Review of Trattoria Stella

My first trip to Traverse City and my first visit to Stella's. I came with my niece who lives in Farmington Hills, MI with her family. She had told me the story of the former location where Stella's is located which added to the charm and ambiance of the restaurant. I loved every bite and every sip of the locally sourced Riesling wine we shared! Thank you to the entire staff for a fantastic experience. I will be back, the next time with my husband. We are retired in Mexico, but Traverse City is a must visit for us again!!! Donna C

• Excellent 959
• Very good 241
• Average 107
• Terrible 21
• All languages
• English  (1,371)
• Swedish  (3)
• French  (2)
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• English (1,371)
• Swedish (3)
• Japanese (2)
• Italian (1)
• Portuguese (1)

1,081 - 1,085 of 1,381 reviews

This restaurant delivered on every level. We arrived on the dot for our 7pm reservations and was not seated until nearly 8:30 - but not a single person in our 10 person party was upset with this. As many have noted, this is the kind of restaurant in which people take their time and enjoy their evening - we certainly did the same and closed down the restaurant. The hostess communicated with us the whole time, managed to squeeze us in at a tightly packed bar and even took care of our first drink. The experience continued through the rest of the meal - amazing and knowledgable service, unbeatable ambiance and delectable food and wine. We loved the experience so much - we're driving the 4 hours up to go back for me birthday in a few months.

This little hidden restaurant is a very cool place for several reasons. First, the food was simply delicious. There were 5 of us and we all had something different and we all loved our choices. The menu is a little discombobulating but if you can figure it out there is good stuff. Second, they owners try and use only Michigan and if possible, local to Traverse City food sources. Last but not least...the atmosphere. It's in the lower level of what used to be the Traverse City State Hospital...yes, the building used to house an asylum. The entire grounds of the hospital are being re-purposed and they are doing a beautiful job turning it into shops, apartments, restaurants etc... Next time your in TC, maybe for the film festival, give it a try.

whenever we arrive in Traverse City! This is without a doubt our favorite restaurant in Michigan. We always look forward to eating at Stella, because the food is so creative, always delicious, and the service is great.

We love Stella and have been here several times. Our server Melanie was excellent and our food was amazing. We split the white pizza and the butternut squash risotto made us wanting more. Cannot wait for the new restaurant to open on Front and Cass streets. Continued success. Jim & Linda Munro Korner Kottage B & B Suttons Bay, MI

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