Leelanau/TC Guidebook
Food scene
Owned and operated by a pair of Sicilian expats, this is my favorite restaurant in the Leelanau/TC area. It is pricy, but worth every penny if you want fresh seafood, excellent pasta (even gluten free options!), and an extensive Italian wine list.
60 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
PepeNero
700 Cottageview DrOwned and operated by a pair of Sicilian expats, this is my favorite restaurant in the Leelanau/TC area. It is pricy, but worth every penny if you want fresh seafood, excellent pasta (even gluten free options!), and an extensive Italian wine list.
Excellent food, including local fish staples and farm-to-table veggies.
32 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Wren
303 N St Joseph StExcellent food, including local fish staples and farm-to-table veggies.
One of the best places to grab brunch in the area. The omelet is perfect every time and their home fries are the best I've had in a long time.
8 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Benedict
237 Lake AveOne of the best places to grab brunch in the area. The omelet is perfect every time and their home fries are the best I've had in a long time.
One of two restaurants in the Maple City area, Pegtown offers a great greasy spoon breakfast experience (Sundays tend to be the most popular) as well as good pizza and sandwiches if you're too tuckered out to cook.
19 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Pegtown Station
8654 S Maple City RdOne of two restaurants in the Maple City area, Pegtown offers a great greasy spoon breakfast experience (Sundays tend to be the most popular) as well as good pizza and sandwiches if you're too tuckered out to cook.
The second of two Maple City eateries, Broomstack is a former one room schoolhouse. They have a few dozen mostly local beers and ciders on draft, excellent burgers and tacos, and plenty of outdoor seating in the summer.
29 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Broomstack Kitchen and Taphouse
172 W Burdickville RdThe second of two Maple City eateries, Broomstack is a former one room schoolhouse. They have a few dozen mostly local beers and ciders on draft, excellent burgers and tacos, and plenty of outdoor seating in the summer.
Great fried chicken and other 'Murican staples at this classic dive bar/restaurant a few miles north of Leland. Tends to be crowded in the summer.
43 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Fischer's Happy Hour Tavern
7100 N Manitou TrailGreat fried chicken and other 'Murican staples at this classic dive bar/restaurant a few miles north of Leland. Tends to be crowded in the summer.
A recently-opened microbrewery and farm-to-table restaurant (the farm is literally on the property), Farm Club has become a huge hit over the past two years. In the summer they have an outdoor bar, and in the winter the fire pits and wood stove inside keep you nice and toasty. Sunsets are spectacular here, and the food is always farm fresh and tasty.
89 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Farm Club
10051 Lake Leelanau DriveA recently-opened microbrewery and farm-to-table restaurant (the farm is literally on the property), Farm Club has become a huge hit over the past two years. In the summer they have an outdoor bar, and in the winter the fire pits and wood stove inside keep you nice and toasty. Sunsets are spectacular here, and the food is always farm fresh and tasty.
Great breakfast/lunch spot, offering excellent sandwiches including good bagels. Their coffee/espresso drinks are really good too.
25 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
New Bohemian Café
110 S Waukazoo StGreat breakfast/lunch spot, offering excellent sandwiches including good bagels. Their coffee/espresso drinks are really good too.
This unassuming convenience/grocery store stocks RIDICULOUSLY delicious heat & eat Indian cuisine in its frontmost cooler, prepared fresh by the owners. Not to be missed if you need an easy meal.
37 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
NJ's Grocery
115 W Philip StThis unassuming convenience/grocery store stocks RIDICULOUSLY delicious heat & eat Indian cuisine in its frontmost cooler, prepared fresh by the owners. Not to be missed if you need an easy meal.
Cideries/Wineries/Breweries
Long a local favorite, Tandem offers up something for everyone. My particular favorites are their Farmhouse and Hop Wagon (dry-hopped like IPA), both of which are bone dry and crisp. Opt for the Pretty Penny or Smackintosh if you like yours a little sweeter.
63 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Tandem Cider
2055 N Setterbo RdLong a local favorite, Tandem offers up something for everyone. My particular favorites are their Farmhouse and Hop Wagon (dry-hopped like IPA), both of which are bone dry and crisp. Opt for the Pretty Penny or Smackintosh if you like yours a little sweeter.
An excellent place to grab a glass of some of the finest locally-produced wines and ciders the Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties have to offer. I'm fond of their Kerner and Cremant.
54 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Left Foot Charley Winery
806 Red DrAn excellent place to grab a glass of some of the finest locally-produced wines and ciders the Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties have to offer. I'm fond of their Kerner and Cremant.
Great local microbrewery with some inventive summer brews.
18 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Earthen Ales
1371 Gray DrGreat local microbrewery with some inventive summer brews.
Beaches
If you want a beautiful beach that's easy to get to, look no further.
10 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Bohemian Road Beach Good Harbor Bay
If you want a beautiful beach that's easy to get to, look no further.
Very popular local beach, about 15 minutes from the house. It tends to be mobbed, particularly at sunset so make sure to get there earlier in the day if you can.
47 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Good Harbor Bay Beach
Good Harbor Bay TrailVery popular local beach, about 15 minutes from the house. It tends to be mobbed, particularly at sunset so make sure to get there earlier in the day if you can.
Hiking
A great multi-mile hike with different levels of difficulty, culminating in beautiful views of Lake Michigan and Glen Lake. Unfortunately the property was devastated by a 2015 wind storm, but it's still one of my favorite hikes in the area.
25 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Alligator Hill Trail
Stocking RoadA great multi-mile hike with different levels of difficulty, culminating in beautiful views of Lake Michigan and Glen Lake. Unfortunately the property was devastated by a 2015 wind storm, but it's still one of my favorite hikes in the area.
Great hiking trailhead offering overlooks, dunes, heavily forested areas, and a creek. Multiple trails allow for tailored distances and difficulties.
20 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Houdek Dunes Natural Area: The Leelanau Conservancy
5959 N Manitou TrailGreat hiking trailhead offering overlooks, dunes, heavily forested areas, and a creek. Multiple trails allow for tailored distances and difficulties.