Leland & Northport Travel Guide
At the very tip of Leelanau County, you will find Northport, a small community that has managed to stay “local”. Start your morning at Barb’s Bakery with a donut and travel north to the lighthouse in Leelanau State Park. End your day at one of the beaches which you can find almost empty nearly year round. Northport is home to the true “up north” experience from your childhood.
Fishtown, Leland, Michigan
Neighborhoods:
Fishtown - Historic fishing district that is the heart of Leland for over a century. Visit the marina, Carlsons Fish Market, Cheese Shanty, and walk the docks of this unique villiage.
Outdoor Activities:
There is SO much to do when you are traveling to Northern Michigan with your family. To read about more activities, read our blog post about Your Family Vacation with Kids at Wander North Rentals: Things to Do, Places to Eat & more!
Sleeping Bear Dunes is a must see when visiting Northern Michigan. A few favorite trails are Empire Bluffs, Pyramid Point, and Alligator Hill. If you're feeling adventurous the dune climb is also a good time!
Leelanau State Park is full of peaceful trails and beautiful lake views. Spend some time exploring the lighthouse and take a dip in the lake!
South Manitou Island is a rugged adventure that can be a day trip or an overnight stay. Take the ferry out of Fishtown in Leland, enjoy a beautiful ride to the island, and then spend the day exploring the trails and light house.
Omena Cut Flowers U-Pick: A small family run flower farm that's a perfect stop to cut a few dahlia's on your drive to Northport.
Lighthouse - Enjoy the beauty and history of the iconic lighthouse located at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. The Grand Traverse Lighthouse has been restored and is open to the public seasonally. Visitors can tour the restored keepers dwelling and climb the Lighthouse Tower for a magnificent view of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. The Lighthouse sits inside Leelanau State Park.
Food and Drink:
Some of my favorite coffee shops and brunch locations in Leelanau County. To read more about these places, read my blog on the Top 10 Coffee and Brunch Spots in Traverse City, MI. If it’s food and drinks that you’re looking for to fuel up in between your adventures, read our blog on the Best Restaurants in Traverse City.
New Bohemian is an adorable small town coffee shop that brews a great cup of coffee! Grab a cup before you walk down to the marina
North End Pizza or better known to locals as the big hot woody, this pizzeria serves wood-fired pizzas to go! Delicious and easy lunch to take on the road to the dunes.
Blue Boat Coffee or now known as MadCap Coffee has made it's way north from downstate Michigan! Located just up the hill from Fishtown it's a quick stop before you hit the beach for morning rock hunts.
Village Cheese Shanty: An iconic summer stop in Leland's fishtown for a pretzel bread sandwich and visit to the fish ladder
Knot Just a Bar specializes in fun. Their menu offers everything from casual bar favorites like burgers and sandwiches to tastes of Michigan with local fish and seasonally available fruits and produce. They also offer a variety of seafood dishes, pastas and entrée salads
Nittolo's is a 3rd generation Italian restaurant in Lake Leelanau. They have a variety of delicious pizza, pasta, and seafood. Dine in or carry out!
Picnic is a grab and go deli located in Leland a few blocks from the beach. Grab your lunch and head to Vans for the day or drive into the county for your wine tour.
Yard & Lake is coming soon and will include music performances, pop-up suppers with visiting chefs, classes with specialty cooks, bakers and mixologists. Special event programming featuring Michigan vineyards, breweries and distilleries downtown Northport across from Barb’s Bakery.
Wine, Beer, and Spirits
Just a few of my favorite wineries off of M22. A full list of Leelanau wineries and map is available in the welcome book at our properties. To read more of my favorite wineries and local brew spots, read the blog posts: Premier Wine Country: Traverse City, Michigan’s Finest Wineries and Vineyards. Need more winery suggestions? Leelanau Wine Trail can help set you up with a map to do it yourself or resources for a guided wine tour.
Mitten Brewing Company: The local brewery in Northport that serves the best beer in town.
Tandem Ciders: The apple, with its godly omens and its air of fecundity, is considered the most mysterious of all fruits. Tandem Ciders hopes to capture and bottle all the mystery, splendor, and diversity of the apple in their ciders.
Leelanau Wine Cellars: Leelanau Cellars’ tasting room provides a unique experience with more than 40 distinct wines to enjoy. From sweet to dry, fruity to bubbly, they have options for everyone! Located along the picturesque M-22 and nestled right on the Grand Traverse Bay, the tasting room offers some of the best views the region has to offer.
Dune Bird: Dune Bird is a collaboration of the unexpected. In a twist on the traditional, Dune Bird elevates a craft espresso bar right alongside an exceptional menu of exciting, cool climate wines in a warm, inviting space complete with a hint of aviation and industrial design. Dune Bird’s focus is people. Small, hot plates and later hours are our invitation to linger and to lean in.
Rentals:
North Shore Outfitters - Boat and watersports rental in Northport. Boats are launched from the Northport Marina but smaller equipment like paddle boards and kayaks can be delivered to Dune Ranch for your entire stay.
Shopping:
Benjamin Maier Ceramics is a local creator with a beautiful collection of ceramics fired right in Leland. Stop by for a hand made coffee mug or commission an entire set of dishes.
Au Sable is a seller of home furnishings, antiques, and curiosities. If you want your home to have a unique curated look, au sable is a must stop
The Warren Collective - The Warren is a boutique filled with local makers' prints, jewelry, textiles, and more. Northern Michigan is becoming a hot spot for creatives and the warren is a great place to start your journey
