Spend a Day Exploring Northern Leelanau this Fall
Photo of the Northport Millpond by bob Bayer.
Header Image provided by Sheen Watkins
Northern Leelanau County is one of the BEST places to view fall colors as they quickly turn.
Read below for an outline of how to spend a day in Leelanau Township or jump over to our guide for Country Drives and an insiders guide to some of the best way to see Fall Color Spectacular around Northport and Omena!
1. Breakfast in Northport
There are a few incredible breakfast spots right in town to help you start your day off right. The Tribune: Ice Cream and Eatery serves fresh, from scratch breakfast for takeout from Wednesday through Sunday.
If you are looking for something a little quicker, stop by the New Bohemian Cafe for a made to order coffee drink of your choice and a fresh pastry or the famous Kevin McMuffin breakfast sandwich! New Bohemian is also a great place to grab a picnic lunch to go before you head off on a day of adventures.
Of course, there is the famous Barb’s Bakery, an institution in Northport that has been here for over 100 years!
2. Hikes, Parks, and Watersports
The area has miles of protected natural areas with trails that wind you through fields and forests you can explore through short and easy walking trails. Exploring these protected forested area is the best way to take in the colors!
The Leelanau State Park includes the sand dunes of Cathead Bay and the historic Grand Traverse Lighthouse at the top of the Peninsula.
Make sure to check out our page outlining all the local trails before you go.
You can also enjoy town with an ebike, SUP, or boat rental from North Shore Outfitters.
3. Wine tasting
The winemaking in our area is at the top of all the award lists, and this year the Leelanau Wine Trail has been named the 2nd best wine region in North America!
This fall, visit our local wineries Baia Estate in Northport, Green Bird Cellars on the south (in between Northport and Leeland) stretch of M22, Verterra Winery, and Leelanau Wine Cellars in Omena during the Leelanau Wine Trail Series.
4. Unwind in Town
After all this adventure, take some time to explore the village of Northport. Some of our favorite stores to shop in the fall are Enjoy Michigan for clothing and gifts, and Porcupine for jewelry, home goods, and gifts. Both shops are in historic buildings in the center of town. They close as soon as the snow begins to fall (which is often the first week of November around here) so make sure to start your holiday shopping with them now!
Next, grab a seasonal brew and sit by the fire on the outdoor patio of The Mitten Brewing Company just up the street.
5. Dinner at the local Tavern
Celebrate the season by enjoying a seasonal special at a local’s favorite gathering space. Take a scenic drive over to Happy Hour Tavern for their famous fried chicken and award winning cheeseburger under their outdoor dining tent set-up this year.
Stay for an overnight or make it a long weekend at one of our area cottage rentals or Air BnB hosts.
