Trip planning
A Weekend in Leelanau
A flexible two-day Leelanau itinerary: Sleeping Bear Dunes and Glen Arbor, followed by Leland, Fishtown, and time beside the water.
Read the guideFIND YOUR KIND OF LEELANAU
Good days start here.
A weekend by the lake. A family day outside. A road trip with room to stop. Find a plan, explore the details, and make it your own.
THREE WAYS TO BEGIN
Choose a plan that fits.
With the family
Leelanau With the Family
Practical family trip ideas with manageable outing choices, meal breaks, weather alternatives, and questions to ask before a beach or trail day.
Read the guide
Trip planning
An Unhurried Leelanau Road Trip
Three flexible regional drives linking Sleeping Bear scenery, Leland, and the northern peninsula without turning every town into a rushed stop.
Read the guideTHE VISITLP GUIDE COLLECTION
Follow your curiosity.
Find practical ideas for the towns, shoreline, food, and outdoor experiences that interest you.
13 guides
Trip planning
A Leelanau Scenic Drive with Time to Stop
Use this flexible route to connect towns, waterfronts, and a few favorite photo subjects. Choose one section for a leisurely day or spread the full peninsula journey across two days, with time for the places between the views.
Read the guideTrip planning
A Weekend in Leelanau
A flexible two-day Leelanau itinerary: Sleeping Bear Dunes and Glen Arbor, followed by Leland, Fishtown, and time beside the water.
Read the guideTrip planning
An Unhurried Leelanau Road Trip
Three flexible regional drives linking Sleeping Bear scenery, Leland, and the northern peninsula without turning every town into a rushed stop.
Read the guide
Beaches & outdoors
Crystal River Kayaking: Plan a Glen Arbor Paddle
The Crystal River offers a different view of the Glen Arbor area: close to the water, with wooded banks and bends that slow the pace. Plan around current river conditions and your group’s comfort, then leave time to enjoy town afterward.
Read the guideBeaches & outdoors
Empire Bluff Trail: A Walk to the Lake Michigan View
Empire Bluff combines a wooded walk with a broad Lake Michigan view. The distance is modest, but hills and steps make it worth planning as a real walk rather than a quick stroll from the car.
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Towns & history
Fishtown in Leland: A Waterfront Visitor Guide
Start with the shanties beside the Leland River, then leave time for lunch, shops, and a walk through town. Fishtown works best as the center of an unhurried Leland visit, with room to notice the details between stops.
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Food & wine
Leelanau Cherries: Plan a Seasonal Food Stop
Cherries are a natural part of a Leelanau food itinerary, but the best plan follows the actual harvest. Ask what is available now, choose between fresh fruit and prepared products, and leave room for a farm-market stop along your route.
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Towns & history
Leelanau Lighthouses: Mainland and Offshore Views
Leelanau’s lighthouse photographs tell several different stories. Grand Traverse Lighthouse is a mainland destination near Northport; South Manitou and North Manitou Shoal Light require a separate understanding of island and offshore access.
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Food & wine
Leelanau Wine Tasting: Plan a Relaxed Day
A satisfying Leelanau wine day leaves room for conversation, a meal, and the landscape between stops. Choose a small cluster of tasting rooms, arrange transportation first, and confirm each visit before setting out.
Read the guideWith the family
Leelanau With the Family
Practical family trip ideas with manageable outing choices, meal breaks, weather alternatives, and questions to ask before a beach or trail day.
Read the guide
Beaches & outdoors
Petoskey Stones in Leelanau: What to Look For
A stone-covered Lake Michigan beach invites a slower kind of outing. Learn to recognize the Petoskey stone pattern, choose a place where access and collecting are allowed, and enjoy the search without expecting a guaranteed find.
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Beaches & outdoors
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive: Plan Your Stops
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive brings forest, dunes, and Lake Michigan views into one scenic loop. Give yourself time to stop, and treat the overlooks as places to enjoy from the designated viewing areas.
Read the guideBeaches & outdoors
Sleeping Bear Dunes: A First-Visit Plan
Start with one main experience: climb sand, walk to a bluff view, or follow a scenic drive. Then add a town stop and leave room for weather. A first visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes does not need to include everything.
Read the guideMAKE THE PLAN YOUR OWN
Pick a town. Leave a little room.
Use the town guides and local directory to connect your favorite stops. Confirm opening hours and access before you set out.