A scenic and serene stretch of Northern Michigan defined by rolling vineyards, pristine Great Lakes shoreline, and charming coastal towns. From Sleeping Bear Dunes to Fishtown in Leland, the Leelanau Peninsula offers a lifestyle centered on beauty, craftsmanship, and deep appreciation for the land.
Key Facts About Leelanau Peninsula Real Estate and Living
The Leelanau Peninsula is a county-sized landmass in northwest Lower Michigan, west of Traverse City, extending into Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. It encompasses Leelanau County and includes villages of Suttons Bay, Northport, Leland, Glen Arbor, and Empire, along with 71,000 acres of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Leelanau Peninsula American Viticultural Area wine region, Fishtown in Leland, and the Grand Traverse Lighthouse at Leelanau State Park. The real estate market spans from lock-and-leave village condos in Suttons Bay to waterfront estates on Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan, vineyard parcels, and private gated enclaves at Northport Point. Each village has its own K-12 school district. The peninsula connects to Traverse City via M-22 and the Leelanau Trail.
The Leelanau Peninsula is not a single market -- it is a collection of distinct villages, each with its own character, price points, school district, and lifestyle profile. Understanding the differences is the first step for any peninsula buyer.
Commercial and cultural hub of Leelanau County. Walkable downtown, Village Marina, Leelanau Trail access, Harbor Heights new construction. Own K-12 district. 18 miles from Traverse City.
Tip of the peninsula. Deep-water marina, Northport Point gated estates with private golf, Leelanau State Park and Grand Traverse Lighthouse adjacent. Own K-12 district. 30 miles from Traverse City.
Historic commercial fishing village and authentic shanty community on the Lake Michigan channel. Leelanau State Park nearby, Manitou Island ferry access. Leland Public School. 35 miles from Traverse City.
Southern peninsula gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Dramatic dune landscapes, Sleeping Bear Bay, Glen Lake. More remote, strongest vacation and second-home character. 45 miles from Traverse City.
Life on the Leelanau Peninsula is defined by a connection to nature and a slower, more intentional rhythm. Residents enjoy a balance of rural tranquility and well-curated local amenities -- mornings at a lakeside cafe, afternoons on the Leelanau Trail, or evenings at a favorite vineyard. Seasonal festivals, farm markets, and community gatherings keep the social calendar full, while the natural landscape encourages year-round exploration.
The peninsula encompasses 71,000 acres of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, multiple state parks, miles of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay shoreline, and a federally designated wine region. Fishtown in Leland is one of the last authentic commercial fishing shanty communities on the Great Lakes. The Grand Traverse Lighthouse at Leelanau State Park is among Michigan's most visited historic structures.
For buyers, the peninsula offers a range of product types that most Northern Michigan markets cannot match: village condos, bay-front estates, Lake Michigan shoreline, vineyard parcels, historic farmhouses, and gated enclaves -- all within one county.
Dining across the peninsula reflects its agricultural heritage and commitment to quality. Farm Club highlights a true farm-to-table experience. Art's Tavern and The Cove bring local flavors to life in relaxed settings. Hop Lot Brewing Co. offers outdoor gathering space with locally sourced food. Gilchrist adds classic local dining charm. The peninsula's dining scene is inseparable from its agricultural calendar: cherry season, harvest, and farm market rhythms shape what is on the menu throughout the year.
The Leelanau Peninsula AVA is one of Michigan's two federally designated American Viticultural Areas. Celebrated producers include MAWBY, Leelanau Cellars, Black Star Farms, Shady Lane Cellars, and Brengman Brothers. The M-22 corridor through the peninsula connects tasting rooms in a continuous route from Suttons Bay north toward Northport and south toward Glen Arbor. The wine region's agricultural calendar provides a seasonal rhythm that is central to full-time peninsula living.
The Leelanau Peninsula's outdoor recreation opportunities are anchored by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which covers 71,000 acres of protected dunes, hardwood forest, and Lake Michigan shoreline. The iconic Dune Climb near Glen Arbor is one of Michigan's most visited outdoor experiences. Beaches along the peninsula include Suttons Bay Beach, Vans Beach, Northport Beach, Glen Haven Beach, Bohemian Beach, and Good Harbor Beach, each with different character and exposure.
The Leelanau Trail provides a 17-mile non-motorized corridor from Traverse City to Suttons Bay for cycling, walking, and cross-country skiing. Leelanau State Park at the peninsula tip covers 1,300 acres with trail access to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. The Manitou Islands, accessible by ferry from Leland, offer wilderness hiking and camping on North and South Manitou islands just offshore in Lake Michigan.
Each Leelanau village has its own market dynamics, school district, and property types. Brick Corbett's team has deep roots across the peninsula and can help you identify which community and which sub-market fits your goals -- including off-market inventory that never hits public search.
Talk to the TeamThe Leelanau Peninsula is in northwest Lower Michigan, west of Traverse City, extending into Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. It encompasses Leelanau County and includes villages of Suttons Bay, Northport, Leland, Glen Arbor, and Empire. Suttons Bay is the closest major village at approximately 18 miles and 25 minutes from Traverse City via M-22. Glen Arbor near the southern tip is approximately 45 miles and 50 minutes.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a 71,000-acre federally protected area on the southern Leelanau Peninsula along Lake Michigan. It includes the Dune Climb near Glen Arbor (one of Michigan's most visited outdoor sites), miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, North and South Manitou Islands, and numerous hiking trails. It was named "Most Beautiful Place in America" by Good Morning America in 2011 and remains one of Michigan's most popular destinations.
Fishtown is a historic commercial fishing village in Leland on the Leland River channel connecting Lake Leelanau to Lake Michigan. It is one of the last authentic fishing shanty communities on the Great Lakes, with working fish shanties, smokehouses, and docks that have been in continuous use since the 1850s. Fishtown is now a preserved historic district and is home to shops, galleries, and the ferry service to North and South Manitou Islands. It is one of the most photographed and visited sites on the Leelanau Peninsula.
The Leelanau Peninsula's villages each have distinct character. Suttons Bay is the commercial hub with the best downtown walkability, marina access, and the Leelanau Trail. Northport at the peninsula tip offers the most privacy, the Northport Point gated enclave, and Leelanau State Park. Leland is home to Fishtown and has the strongest historic and maritime character. Glen Arbor is the gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes and has the most vacation-oriented market. The best village depends entirely on whether a buyer is looking for year-round primary residence, a lock-and-leave second home, or a remote waterfront estate.
Leelanau Peninsula real estate varies significantly by village and property type. Suttons Bay offers downtown condos and bayfront homes with the lowest entry points and highest walkability. Northport Point has some of the most private and expensive estate properties on the peninsula. Leland and Glen Arbor have stronger vacation home and second-home market character. Throughout the peninsula, inventory is limited, turnover is low, and off-market transactions are common. The peninsula also has vineyard parcels, historic farmhouses, and Lake Michigan shoreline that are not available in other Northern Michigan markets.
From Suttons Bay condos to Northport Point estates to Sleeping Bear Dunes shoreline -- the Leelanau Peninsula has a range of property types and lifestyle profiles that no other Northern Michigan market can match. Brick Corbett's team knows every village and every sub-market.
Talk to the Team1,484 people live in Leelanau County, where the median age is 63.3 and the average individual income is $69,394. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Primary phone
(231) 742-7318License Number
#6502134537Address
500 S Union StGet to Know Bob
Bob is an exceptional Leelanau County Real Estate Agent, a third-generation native deeply rooted in the community, and recognized as "one of Traverse City's natural resources." Bob boasts an unparalleled 40+ year career consistently ranking in the top 1% of North American Real Estate Agents. His dedication and expertise are evidenced by numerous accolades, including RE/MAX International Hall of Fame and Titanium Club memberships, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and being named Michigan's #1 agent in 1997. Consistently a top RE/MAX of Michigan agent for over 30 years, Bob’s 50+ years in local real estate and over 5,000 properties sold speak volumes about his commitment to the Traverse City real estate market.
Bob Brick's hallmark is his deep expertise, extensive knowledge, unwavering dedication, and vast experience as a Leelanau County Real Estate Agent. Known for genuinely caring about his clients, Bob goes above and beyond to exceed expectations and help them achieve their real estate dreams. To experience dedicated service and unparalleled local expertise, Contact Top Traverse City Real Estate Agent Bob Brick Today and let his decades of success work for you.
There's plenty to do around Leelanau County, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including The Corndog Company - Glen Arbor, Rinco Bros, and Inn And Trail Gourmet.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
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| Dining | 1.63 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.57 miles | 18 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.54 miles | 13 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.46 miles | 19 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
| Dining · $$ | 1.42 miles | 15 reviews | 4.7/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 1.54 miles | 20 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.34 miles | 12 reviews | 4.9/5 stars | |
| Active | 3.55 miles | 188 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
| Active | 2.06 miles | 11 reviews | 4.6/5 stars | |
| Active | 2.92 miles | 35 reviews | 4.6/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.38 miles | 11 reviews | 4.5/5 stars | |
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Leelanau County has 715 households, with an average household size of 2.08. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Leelanau County do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 1,484 people call Leelanau County home. The population density is 24.54 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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