Around the Area

The Great Outdoors
The Glen Arbor and Leelanau County area offers endless outdoor recreation for every type of traveler. Kayaking, canoeing, boating, sailing, hiking, and biking are just a few of the activities waiting at your doorstep. Explore the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, a family-friendly paved bike trail spanning 27 miles from Empire through Glen Arbor all the way north to Port Oneida, passing the iconic Sleeping Bear Dunes and the famous Dune Climb. Nature lovers will also enjoy the area’s parks, scenic overlooks, and a local bird sanctuary.
No visit to northern Michigan is complete without driving the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive or taking the M-22 loop around the Leelanau Peninsula. Along the way, discover charming small towns, pristine sandy beaches, working farms, vineyards, and orchards that make this region one of Michigan’s most celebrated destinations. For a truly unique adventure, hop aboard the Manitou Island Transit Ferry from Leland — famously known as Fishtown — and spend the day exploring South Manitou Island.
Year after year more and more great restaurants are popping up in the area. Here are a few suggestions:
- Art’s Tavern Glen Arbor (Cash or check only)
- Good Harbor Grill Glen Arbor
- Boonedocks Glen Arbor
- Cherry Republic Glen Arbor
- Cedar Sol Taco Stand Cedar
- Broomstack Kitchen & Taphouse Maple City
- Joe’s Friendly Tavern Empire
- Empire Village Inn Empire
- Shipwreck Cafe Empire
- Market 22 Maple City
- Leelanau Coffee Roasters Glen Arbor
- Grocer’s Daughter Empire
- Western Avenue Grill Glen Arbor
- L’Chayim Deli Glen Arbor
- Leelanau Cheese Company Suttons Bay
- Wine tasting – All over the Leelanau Peninsula and Grand Traverse County
- Trattoria Funistrada Burdickville, Reservations in advance needed 10 minutes away
- LaBecasse Burdickville, Reservations in advance needed 10 minutes away
- blu Glen Arbor, Reservations in advance needed
- Martha’s Leelanau Table Suttons Bay Reservations in advance needed
- Little Traverse Inn north on M22
- The Tribune Northport
- The Manitou Restaurant south of Empire
- Lake Ann Brewery Lake Ann – Music, beer, and food!
We suggest making reservations early for those noted as such.
- Mistwood Lake Ann
- The Leelanau Club Bahle Farms
- Manitou Passage Golf Club Cedar
- Crystal Mountain Thompsonville
- The Homestead Glen Arbor
- Empire Dunes Golf Club
There are many Art Galleries Museums in and about the area.
- Synchronicity Gallery Glen Arbor
- Dickinson Photo Gallery Glen Arbor
- Lake Street Studios Glen Arbor
- Glen Arbor Art Association Classes for kids and adults
- Ruth Conklin GalleryGlen Arbor
- Gwen Frostic Gallery Benzonia
- Michigan Artists’ Gallery Suttons Bay
- Great Lakes Children’s Museum – Traverse City
- Interlochen Center for the Arts Interlochen
- Traverse City Film Festival Traverse City late July
- Michigan Legacy Art Park Thompsonville
- Leelanau Sands Casino Suttons Bay
- Little River Casino Manistee
- Turtle Creek Casino Travese City
- Cherry Fest – Traverse City, early July
- State Theatre and Bijou Theatre Traverse City
- Interlochen Center for the Arts
- Traverse City Film Festival Traverse City late July
There are many unique shops in Glen Arbor like:
- Great Lakes Tea & Spice
- Arabella
- Cherry Republic
- Grocer’s Daughter
- Sleeping Bear Surf
- Cottonseed
- Secret Garden
- Empire Outdoors
- M22
- Northwoods Hardware Store & Nursery
- The Totem Shop
- The Cottage Book Shop
In addition there are plenty of exciting shops in Leland, Suttons Bay and Northport.