A VISITLP TRAVEL GUIDE
A Weekend in Leelanau
Two days, a few favorite places, and enough room to enjoy them. Pair Sleeping Bear scenery with Glen Arbor on one day, then give Leland and Fishtown a day of their own.
By VisitLP · Planning references checked October 5, 2026 · Photography from the VisitLP collection
YOUR PLAN AT A GLANCE
Length: two full days, with an optional arrival evening.
Day one: Empire area, one main outdoor stop, then Glen Arbor.
Day two: Leland and Fishtown, with one optional nearby stop.
Best approach: choose your lodging first and reverse the days if the weather calls for it.
Before the weekend: give yourself a useful home base
Choose lodging for the places you most want to explore. If Sleeping Bear is the main reason for your trip, start your search around Empire and Glen Arbor. If a long Leland afternoon is the priority, look there first. A place that suits your trip can be more useful than trying to find the mathematical center of every possible stop.
Book the nights you need, check the arrival instructions, and choose one dinner you would regret missing. Leave the remaining meals flexible. This is a suggested itinerary, not a timed tour: you can reverse the two days, shorten either one, or spend both in the same corner of the peninsula.
Arrival evening: settle in before you start exploring
Keep the first evening close to your lodging. Unpack, find dinner, and take a short walk if daylight and weather allow. Pick up water and breakfast supplies so the next morning does not begin with a shopping trip.
Before bed, check the National Park Service conditions page, the forecast, and opening arrangements for your one must-do stop. Save the directions you will need. A late arrival is a good reason to start slowly the next morning, not to squeeze the entire trip into a tighter schedule.
Day one morning: choose your Sleeping Bear experience
Start near Empire and choose either a walk or the scenic drive. Empire Bluff is a 1.5-mile round-trip trail with hills and steps leading to a Lake Michigan view. Choose it when everyone is comfortable with that terrain; the short mileage does not make it a flat promenade. Stay on the designated route and boardwalk.
For a day with several overlooks, consider Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive when it is open to vehicles. The approximately 7.4-mile loop is a separate park road, not the same thing as a drive along M-22. Check seasonal access and the park pass requirements before setting out. Give your chosen experience the morning instead of treating both as compulsory stops.
Day one afternoon: lunch and time in Glen Arbor
Continue your day with lunch and a walk around Glen Arbor. Decide where to eat from current menus and hours, then leave space for browsing. If the morning took more energy than expected, an afternoon with a meal and a few shops is a complete plan.
If you still want time outside, choose a nearby public shoreline stop after checking access and conditions. A Crystal River paddle belongs in a larger time block of its own; arrange the trip with the operator instead of adding it at the last moment between lunch and dinner. Save another big activity for a return visit.
Day two morning: slow down in Fishtown
Make Leland the center of the second day. Fishtown sits beside the Leland River, with fishing shanties, docks, and boats that connect the waterfront to the area’s fishing history. Begin with a walk through the public areas and look for the details: weathered siding, boat names, and changing reflections.
Allow room for other visitors and working access when taking photographs. Once you have explored the waterfront, move into the wider town for shops, galleries, and lunch. Check posted parking restrictions on arrival and decide where the group will meet if you split up.
Day two afternoon: choose one extra, or none
If you are enjoying Leland, stay. A second visit to the river after lunch can feel different from the morning. If you would like another stop, choose a nearby town or a public shoreline location that fits your route back to your lodging or home.
Treat Northport and the lighthouse as a separate northern outing when you have enough time, rather than automatic additions to this weekend. The same applies to an island excursion: verify access and transport independently before including one. More destinations do not necessarily make a better two-day trip.
Make the weekend fit the weather and your group
Use the clearest, most comfortable day for the outdoor experience that matters most. If wind, rain, or heat changes the plan, switch to town browsing, a longer lunch, and shorter walks. Do not depend on a particular seasonal shop or museum without checking its hours.
For a mixed-age group, agree on a comfortable walking distance before leaving. Pack layers, water, snacks, and shoes suitable for the planned terrain. Leave enough energy for the drive home. The best souvenir from a short weekend may be a short list of places you want to return to.
A FEW PRACTICAL ANSWERS
Questions before you go.
Can we do this in one day?
Choose either the Sleeping Bear and Glen Arbor day or the Leland day. Combining both leaves much less time at each stop.
Does this itinerary include fixed reservations or prices?
No. Reserve lodging and any priority dining or guided activity directly. Park entry, business hours, and available experiences should be checked for your dates.
Where should we add a beach stop?
Choose a legal public access point near the part of the peninsula you are already visiting. Let current weather and water conditions determine whether it is a walking stop or a water day.
CHECK THE DETAILS FOR YOUR DATES
Official planning information.
These are suggested plans. Confirm current hours, access, reservations, weather, and park requirements for your dates with the relevant operator or land manager.