A sophisticated coastal village on the eastern shore of the Leelanau Peninsula — walkable downtown, protected bay marina, world-class viticulture, and the cultural heart of Leelanau County.
Key Facts About Suttons Bay Real Estate
Suttons Bay is a village in Leelanau County, Michigan, on the eastern shore of the Leelanau Peninsula along Grand Traverse Bay. It sits approximately 18 miles north of Traverse City via M-22 — about 25 minutes by car — and is connected by the Leelanau Trail (TART), a non-motorized path that runs the length of the peninsula. The village is the commercial and cultural center of Leelanau County, with a walkable downtown, Village Marina, and direct access to the Leelanau Peninsula wine tasting corridor. It is served by its own K–12 school district: Suttons Bay Public Schools. The real estate market includes downtown lock-and-leave condos, bayfront single-family homes, and the Harbor Heights development — the village’s primary new construction opportunity.
Suttons Bay occupies a geographic sweet spot on the Leelanau Peninsula — close enough to Traverse City for practical daily errands (18 miles, 25 minutes via M-22), far enough to feel genuinely removed from the resort-town energy of TC. The village’s protected bay position makes it a natural marina community: the Suttons Bay Village Marina is the anchor for sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding on Grand Traverse Bay’s eastern arm.
The Leelanau Trail connects Suttons Bay directly to Traverse City on a dedicated non-motorized path — a practical amenity for cyclists and walkers, and a meaningful quality-of-life differentiator from more remote Leelanau villages.
For buyers prioritizing lock-and-leave convenience, Suttons Bay’s downtown condo supply is concentrated and in sustained demand — walkable to the village’s dining, marina, and boutique retail without a car. The Harbor Heights development offers new construction in this corridor for buyers who want contemporary product in an established village setting.
Harbor Heights is Suttons Bay’s primary new construction development — contemporary luxury condos in the village corridor with walkable access to the marina and downtown. One of the highest-performing listing clusters on brickcorbett.com by CTR.
The village dining scene reflects Leelanau County’s agricultural identity directly. Hop Lot Brewing Co. anchors the casual social scene with a woody, relaxed atmosphere and locally sourced food. Martha’s Leelanau Table offers refined farm-to-table cuisine that draws visitors from Traverse City specifically for the meal. 9 Bean Rows brings artisanal cafe culture to the village format. The proximity to Leelanau Peninsula wineries means dining here is naturally paired with the county’s wine identity — a lifestyle combination difficult to replicate in the resort-core Traverse City market.
The Suttons Bay Village Marina is the operational center of the community’s water culture. Protected bay position means calmer sailing conditions than exposed Lake Michigan shoreline — a meaningful distinction for powerboat and sailboat owners. Paddleboarding and kayaking on the bay’s eastern arm provide year-round access when conditions allow. Miles of M-22 shoreline beyond the village extend the recreational footprint considerably. For buyers who want a more remote peninsula experience, compare Suttons Bay’s marina access to the Northport peninsula tip.
Suttons Bay sits in the heart of the Leelanau Peninsula American Viticultural Area — one of Michigan’s two major wine regions. The M-22 corridor north and south of the village is lined with tasting rooms producing Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines that have earned national recognition. For full-time residents, the wine region’s agricultural calendar — bud break, harvest, late-fall tastings — provides a seasonal rhythm that is inseparable from the lifestyle. For second-home buyers, proximity to the tasting corridor is a consistent quality-of-life driver.
Suttons Bay has one of the lowest inventory turnover rates in Leelanau County — properties move quickly and off-market transactions are common. Brick Corbett’s team has deep Leelanau County roots and can alert you to opportunities before they hit public search.
Talk to the TeamSuttons Bay is a village in Leelanau County, Michigan, on the eastern shore of the Leelanau Peninsula along Grand Traverse Bay. It is approximately 18 miles north of Traverse City via M-22 — about a 25-minute drive. The Leelanau Trail (TART), a non-motorized multi-use path, provides a direct non-car connection between Suttons Bay and Traverse City. Suttons Bay is the commercial and cultural hub of Leelanau County and sits within the Leelanau Peninsula American Viticultural Area wine region.
Suttons Bay has one of the lowest inventory turnover rates in Leelanau County — limited supply, sustained demand from both primary residents and second-home buyers, and historically low days-on-market for well-priced properties. The market divides into downtown condos (lock-and-leave, walkable to marina and dining), bayfront single-family homes, and the Harbor Heights development (new construction luxury condos). Off-market transactions are more common in Suttons Bay than in the broader Traverse City market, making agent relationships particularly important here.
Suttons Bay is served by Suttons Bay Public Schools, a K–12 school district based in the village. This is a distinct school district from the Traverse City Area Public Schools district that serves the broader Grand Traverse County area. Suttons Bay Public Schools is well-regarded for its small class sizes and community integration — a common factor cited by families who choose the village over Traverse City proper.
Suttons Bay is approximately 18 miles north of Traverse City via M-22, a drive of approximately 25 minutes under normal conditions. The Leelanau Trail (TART) provides a non-motorized alternative — a paved multi-use path connecting the two communities that is popular with cyclists in warmer months. Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City is approximately 30 minutes from Suttons Bay, making the village practical for buyers who travel frequently.
The Leelanau Trail (part of the TART Trails network) is a paved, non-motorized multi-use trail that runs from Traverse City north through the Leelanau Peninsula, connecting to Suttons Bay. It is approximately 17 miles long and is used by cyclists, walkers, runners, and in-line skaters. For Suttons Bay residents, the trail provides a car-free connection to Traverse City and is a consistent quality-of-life feature cited by buyers evaluating the village against more remote Leelanau communities.
Suttons Bay has low inventory, high resiliency, and one of the most compelling lifestyle combinations on the Leelanau Peninsula. Brick Corbett’s team knows this market at the property level — including what never makes it to public search.
Consult with an Advisor587 people live in Suttons Bay, where the median age is 69.4 and the average individual income is $71,963. 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 Suttons Bay 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 Suttons Bay 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 Suttons Bay, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including 45th Parallel Candy World, Northern Latitudes Distillery, and Murdick's Fudge Shoppe.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
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| Dining · $ | 0.34 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining · $$ | 2.81 miles | 84 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
| Dining · $$ | 0.26 miles | 4 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 0.67 miles | 30 reviews | 4.7/5 stars | |
| Dining | 0.27 miles | 43 reviews | 4.7/5 stars | |
| Dining | 0.27 miles | 15 reviews | 4.7/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 0.26 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.28 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.17 miles | 35 reviews | 4.9/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.35 miles | 10 reviews | 4.8/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.18 miles | 28 reviews | 4.7/5 stars | |
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Suttons Bay has 290 households, with an average household size of 1.81. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Suttons Bay do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 587 people call Suttons Bay home. The population density is 456.99 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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