Around the Area

The Great Outdoors
“The Land of Delight”, beautiful Leelanau County, offers adventurous visitors opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, boating, sailing, hiking, biking and rock hunting to name a few! There are dozens of natural parks and the acclaimed Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to explore. There are over 30 trails in the county to suit any hiker’s ability. One of the most popular is the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. This family friendly multi-use trail spanning 27 miles starts Empire and takes you past the Sleeping Bear Dunes and iconic Dune Climb through Glen Arbor and all the way north to Port Oneida. Be sure to drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.
Drive the M-22 loop around the Leelanau Peninsula, passing through our numerous quaint villages, past sandy beaches, pastoral vineyards, orchards and farms. You can take the Manitou Island Transit Ferry from Leland AKA 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 Soul 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 Penninsula 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