Guidebook for Lake Leelanau
Food Scene
Martha's Leelanau Table
413 N St Joseph StAmazing food, great service, live music most nights.
This lovely place is set on the small waterfall from Lake Leelanau into Lake Michigan. Shop and walk around Leland and Fishtown then enjoy a great lunch or dinner upstairs or a more casual place downstairs.
42 locals recommend
The Cove
111 W River StThis lovely place is set on the small waterfall from Lake Leelanau into Lake Michigan. Shop and walk around Leland and Fishtown then enjoy a great lunch or dinner upstairs or a more casual place downstairs.
Grab a cup of coffee then stroll over to the Lake Leelanau bridge and enjoy the view...one of my favorites.
20 locals recommend
Pedaling Beans Coffeehouse
116 E Philip StGrab a cup of coffee then stroll over to the Lake Leelanau bridge and enjoy the view...one of my favorites.
Great croissants and sandwiches. Enjoy eating there or grab and go. The lines can be long. Ordering ahead and picking up saves time.
49 locals recommend
9 Bean Rows Restaurant
303 N St Joseph StGreat croissants and sandwiches. Enjoy eating there or grab and go. The lines can be long. Ordering ahead and picking up saves time.
Nittolo's Pizza
104 Main StFine dining or casual...amazing food.
After enjoying the park, beach and walking around Northport, NPG is a casual spot.
Northport Pub & Grille
After enjoying the park, beach and walking around Northport, NPG is a casual spot.
Grab a cup of coffee and take a walk through beautiful Suttons Bay.
21 locals recommend
Mundos Roasting & Co.
206 N St Joseph StGrab a cup of coffee and take a walk through beautiful Suttons Bay.
Casual dinning with a fun porch in the summer overlooking the golf course and North Lake Leelanau. Nedows Beach is located just down the hill with a great view of North Lake Leelanau.
9 locals recommend
The Leland Lodge
565 Pearl StCasual dinning with a fun porch in the summer overlooking the golf course and North Lake Leelanau. Nedows Beach is located just down the hill with a great view of North Lake Leelanau.
Parks & Nature
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
9922 W Front StLight houses always interest us. Being on the point of Leelanau county is just beautiful.
If you love a spectacular hike, please see Leelanau State Park-Trail head, also in the guidebook.
29 locals recommend
Leelanau State Park
15310 N Lighthouse Point RdLight houses always interest us. Being on the point of Leelanau county is just beautiful.
If you love a spectacular hike, please see Leelanau State Park-Trail head, also in the guidebook.
This trail is just a few miles from our home and has an amazing west view at the lookout and wonderful east view. Love it!
It only takes about an hour so head into Leland afterwards.
27 locals recommend
Clay Cliffs Natural Area: The Leelanau Conservancy
4755 N Manitou TrailThis trail is just a few miles from our home and has an amazing west view at the lookout and wonderful east view. Love it!
It only takes about an hour so head into Leland afterwards.
Just 3 miles north of our place is this amazing trail with a cool creek, sand dune, birch trees and pines.
20 locals recommend
Houdek Dunes Natural Area: The Leelanau Conservancy
5959 N Manitou TrailJust 3 miles north of our place is this amazing trail with a cool creek, sand dune, birch trees and pines.
Kayaking down the Platte River to Lake Michigan is a tradition we love doing with family every year. They have tubes to just float too. If you don't do either, the beach here is amazing. Platte Point.
58 locals recommend
Riverside Canoe Trips
5042 N Scenic HwyKayaking down the Platte River to Lake Michigan is a tradition we love doing with family every year. They have tubes to just float too. If you don't do either, the beach here is amazing. Platte Point.
This is our favorite trail and worth the drive for us. It has multiple choices through the forest then opens up to an amazing west view of sand dunes then on out to the shoreline. Bring a blanket, water, picnic and enjoy. (sunscreen and bug spray are never a bad idea around here).
14 locals recommend
Leelanau State Park — Hiking Trailhead
Densmore RoadThis is our favorite trail and worth the drive for us. It has multiple choices through the forest then opens up to an amazing west view of sand dunes then on out to the shoreline. Bring a blanket, water, picnic and enjoy. (sunscreen and bug spray are never a bad idea around here).
Empire Trail is another of our favorites and worth the drive with a view that makes one ponder life's beauty. The village of Empire is sweet and has a great beach area.
46 locals recommend
Empire Bluff Trailhead
Empire Bluff TrailEmpire Trail is another of our favorites and worth the drive with a view that makes one ponder life's beauty. The village of Empire is sweet and has a great beach area.
Leelanau State Park-Hiking Trailhead off Densomore Rd.
The first road on the left after the Woolsey Memorial Airport.
This is our favorite trail...if one is able to have a favorite...because of how it walks through the forest then opens up to sand dunes and onto the shore. Bring some bug spray, sunscreen and a blanket for a picnic on the shoreline. It tends to be less crowded.
It could be a 2 mile hike or 5 mile if you do the entire loop including the lookout and beach.
14 locals recommend
Leelanau State Park — Hiking Trailhead
Densmore Road Leelanau State Park-Hiking Trailhead off Densomore Rd.
The first road on the left after the Woolsey Memorial Airport.
This is our favorite trail...if one is able to have a favorite...because of how it walks through the forest then opens up to sand dunes and onto the shore. Bring some bug spray, sunscreen and a blanket for a picnic on the shoreline. It tends to be less crowded.
It could be a 2 mile hike or 5 mile if you do the entire loop including the lookout and beach.
4 miles from our house. This a fun beach with the option of shade and a grassy area under a big tree with picnic tables, one block off the main street. Pick up a pizza or ice cream at Scoops.
Suttons Bay Beach
4 miles from our house. This a fun beach with the option of shade and a grassy area under a big tree with picnic tables, one block off the main street. Pick up a pizza or ice cream at Scoops.
If you prefer the Big Water of Lake Michigan with a west view for a beach sunset and hunting Petoskey stones, Vans is great. Being located in Leland is a bonus for shopping, ice cream and experiencing Fishtown.
Parking is tricky but worth it.
33 locals recommend
Van's Beach
205 Cedar StIf you prefer the Big Water of Lake Michigan with a west view for a beach sunset and hunting Petoskey stones, Vans is great. Being located in Leland is a bonus for shopping, ice cream and experiencing Fishtown.
Parking is tricky but worth it.
If you want an off the grid beach, Nedows Beach is a quiet sweet option of sand, shade and the water is a little warmer.
You will pass Leland Lodge on your way down to the beach.
The Lodge is a great place to eat or have a drink.
Nedows Bay
1221 Juniper TrailIf you want an off the grid beach, Nedows Beach is a quiet sweet option of sand, shade and the water is a little warmer.
You will pass Leland Lodge on your way down to the beach.
The Lodge is a great place to eat or have a drink.
Entertainment & Activities
Blustone Vineyards
780 N Sylt Rd Foodie Friday
Hop Lot Brewing Company
658 S W Bay Shore DrRelaxed environment, great beer.
We love this winery located on the narrows just 2 miles from our home.
26 locals recommend
Boathouse Vineyards
115 St Mary's StWe love this winery located on the narrows just 2 miles from our home.
Suttons Bay Bikes
318 N St Joseph StA great place to rent bikes or eBikes.
Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail
10781 E Cherry Bend RdWe have so many beautiful options with this trail.
Bahle Farms Golf Course
9505 E Otto RdBeautiful 18 holes course.
This 9 hole course is one of my favorites when you only want to spend 2 hours of your day on the course.
Totally solar powered just north of lovely Northport and all it has to offer.
Northport Golf Course
79 Middleville RdThis 9 hole course is one of my favorites when you only want to spend 2 hours of your day on the course.
Totally solar powered just north of lovely Northport and all it has to offer.
Live music during the summer on most Friday evenings. Bring a picnic, chairs or blanket and libation of choice. We have some extra chairs if needed, just let us know.
Bay Front Park
105 Bay StLive music during the summer on most Friday evenings. Bring a picnic, chairs or blanket and libation of choice. We have some extra chairs if needed, just let us know.
Drinks & Nightlife
Northern Latitudes Distillery
Michigan 204Lake Leelanau
Aurora Cellars
7788 E Horn Rd1 mile from our home with great wine
Streetside Grille
111 N St Joseph StSuttons Bay, MI
V.I. Grill
201 N St Joseph StSuttons Bay, MI
Shopping
The beach area is our favorite in our area. It has bathrooms and a a wonderful tree for shade. This village has great shopping, an awesome book store called Bay Books, great local art stores and casual and fine dining.
102 locals recommend
Suttons Bay
The beach area is our favorite in our area. It has bathrooms and a a wonderful tree for shade. This village has great shopping, an awesome book store called Bay Books, great local art stores and casual and fine dining.
Leland
Leland is such a cool village and seeing the shops and The Sandwich shop is a must!
M22 Glen Arbor
6298 W Western AveEssentials
NJ's Grocery
115 W Philip StHansen Foods of Suttons Bay
91 4th StLeland Mercantile Co
102 N Main StTom's Food Market
105 E Nagonaba StGrab anything you need here on your way to or from the area.
Sightseeing
This picture is in Fishtown of the small waterfall along the river. Please visit the Leland area.
145 locals recommend
Leland
This picture is in Fishtown of the small waterfall along the river. Please visit the Leland area.