Leelanau County, Michigan

The county of Leelanau, Michigan, is arguably one of the most beautiful places in America. From small, charming villages to picturesque beaches, Leelanau County offers a unique plethora of things to do and see for family vacations, group retreats, and more throughout its coastal towns.

Leelanau County resides along the beautiful drive down scenic M-22, a 116 mile stretch of highway taking you along the breathtaking Lake Michigan through Leelanau, Benzie, and Manistee counties, which includes driving through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – an iconic vacation destination in Leelanau County, as well as many other breathtaking views. No matter what time of the year it is, the northwestern Michigan peninsula offers nothing short of spectacular views!

If you’re looking to make Leelanau County part of your traveling adventures or a vacation destination, here are some things you can do while you’re here! No matter where you decide to go, there is always something to do for everyone to enjoy!

Glen Arbor is a quaint, charming town nestled between Sleeping Bear Dunes and other fantastic coastal towns, offering several bodies of water including Lake Michigan, Big and Little Glen lakes, and the Crystal River. However, these aren’t the only things you can find in Glen Arbor!

GLEN ARBOR

Indulge yourself with the local arts at the Glen Arbor Arts Center! With multiple events happening a year, you can discover your own creativity hands-on or enjoy the view from feet away while supporting the arts!

The Cherry Republic is home for all things cherry – from chocolate covered cherries to cherry baked goods, trail mixes, wines, and so much more!

Looking to support local while enjoying your favorite hobby? The Cottage Book Shop is a small business offering a wide variety selection of books for all ages and genres! You can also find books and art written locally here!

Looking for a romantic date with picturesque scenery? Enjoy a date night at Blu, Glen Arbor’s fine dining with a beautifully executed cuisine and wine program, nestled next to unparalleled views you can’t just find anywhere else!

EMPIRE

If you’re interested in diving into Sleeping Bear Dunes, you might find yourself at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center! Open all year long (with the exception of major holidays), the visitor center houses brochures, passes, and information you’ll need to enjoy Sleeping Bear Dunes and its breathtaking scenery!

The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is perfect for exploration! This scenic drive takes visitors through popular areas of Sleeping Bear with picturesque stopping points along the way–including a 500 ft. top view of Lake Michigan and Manitou Islands!

If your exploring is making you crave something cool, Tiffany’s Cafe invites ice cream and coffee enthusiasts to indulge in their selection of delectable ice cream flavors and handcrafted coffees, perfect for after long days out in the summer heat or days out at the beach!

Joe’s Friendly Tavern is a local staple and a favorite for generations. The rustic and charming interior will make anyone feel right at home along with the classic American food, refreshing drinks, and friendly staff.

Empire may be a small town nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, but it also has quite a bit of history attached to the name! Once being an early 19th century settlement/trading post, this charming town is now a tourist destination with extraordinary sunset views and scenery as well as a gateway to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Leland, Michigan, is a small, coastal place on a sliver of land tucked between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau. Nicknamed “Fishtown”, this beautiful coastal town was home to a thriving commercial fishing business about 100 years ago. Here, you can take the ferry to the Manitou Islands where you’ll discover a shipwreck, lighthouse, and the Coast Guard Station as well as many beautiful parks and beaches.

LELAND

If you’re interested in charter fishing during your trip, check out Reelin’ Leland, Whitecap Charters, or Maevelous Leland Charters! Whatever you’re looking for in a charter trip, you’ll find it here with years-experienced captains leading the way!

Take a smooth trip, gliding over crystal-clear waters, to the Manitou Islands with Manitou Island Transit! During the summer, you can even book camping trips to the islands.

The adults of the group looking for day out can make a plan to visit Amoritas Vineyards, where wines are made with grapes planted, nurtured, and harvested by hand! Explore the exquisite estate, experience samples from the wine-tasting room, and you might even bring a bottle home with you!

Carlson’s Fish is a fifth-generation owned business focusing on providing customers the highest quality and fresh fish, jerky, and smoked fish products.

SUTTONS BAY

Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a pleasant game on the green at Bahle Farms Golf — a public 18-hole golf course in the heart of Leelanau County, with natural and lush views and gorgeous terrain.

If you have younger children coming along, why not take them to the Great Lakes Children’s Museum, a non-profit organization with hands-on, interactive, and informal education environments!

Whether you’re going out on the Leelanau Trail, Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, or simply just a leisure paddle down Suttons Bay, Suttons Bay Bikes has a selection of mountain, gravel, road, and e-bikes to suit your needs! You may also opt to find a bike guided tour on the website.

The Bay Theatre is a historical movie theatre house that was set to close in 2018. It is now a non-profit organization that continues to put on movies for the community to enjoy. The theatre houses 271 seats with state-of-the-art digital projection and Dolby surround sound.

Suttons Bay is a charming and colorful coastal town south on M-22. Here, you’ll find an abundance of local shops, art galleries, museums, beaches, trails, and more!

The village of Northport is the northernmost part of the Leelanau peninsula, and one of the earliest settlements in the county. Northport is home to Leelanau State Park, which leads up to the tip of the peninsula, the historical Grand Traverse Lighthouse, and many local galleries, shops, and restaurants.

NORTHPORT

Looking for an off-the-beaten-path beach to enjoy? Look no further than Christmas Cove Beach, a tranquil coastal haven with breathtaking turquoise water and soft, sandy shores covered with beach stones. It is perfect for relaxing in solitude!

Take a day to visit the historical Grand Traverse Lighthouse, located inside Leelanau State Park. Visitors can enjoy touring the restored keeper’s dwelling and climbing up to the top of the lighthouse for a spectacular view of Lake Michigan!

The Leelanau State Park is located at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, offering visitors over 1,550 acres of beautiful trails and forestry to discover. It is home to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, a playground, a pavilion, and a campground.

If you enjoy family-friendly, community-oriented events, you might just enjoy what Around the Corner Food has to offer! Around the Corner Food is a vibrant hub that fosters community through movie nights, kid experiences, and farm-to-table food from a locally-driven menu. Browse the website for all of the events, movie schedules, and more when you visit!

Looking for a place to stay on your trip? Look no further than Left Coast Vacation Rentals! Whether you’re looking for a quaint cottage or a luxury lakeside home, we have everything you need for a fun-filled vacation in Leelanau County! And with their experienced property managers, you will be assured a relaxing, stress-free stay.

Are you an owner looking for a reliable property manager? Left Coast Vacation Rentals is the perfect choice for you! Their attention to detail and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction makes them the ideal partner for managing your vacation rental property.