The Village of Suttons Bay is located just 20 minutes north of Traverse City on the famous scenic M-22. Suttons Bay itself is a protected inlet on Grand Traverse Bay, all part of Lake Michigan. In addition to the charming shops and wonderful restaurants of downtown Suttons Bay, the village is surrounded by access to natural beauty! Sparkling turquoise waters, hiking and biking trails, and public beaches and parks make this a wonderful destination on the Leelanau Peninsula.
Local Landmarks
Bay Theatre – The Bay Community Theatre is not only the ONLY theatre on the Leelanau Peninsula, they operate as a non-profit with the mission to bring people together in community and share a love for film and entertainment.
In addition to showing current feature films, they also show classic movies and host Cinema Society groups that enjoy watching all film genres and invite lively discussions afterwards. The Bay Theatre hosts frequent live events, like concerts and comedy shows as well!
VI Grill – This local bar and grill has been serving food and drinks to locals and visitors since 1871! In fact, it’s the oldest continually running restaurant on The Pinky. Stop by for some great food indoors or on their outdoor patio. You’ll be part of a very long tradition in Suttons Bay once you do!
Outdoor activities in Suttons Bay
Hiking and Biking – Visitors to Suttons Bay love that there are lots of ways to get around town. It’s a very walking and bike-friendly town with many pedestrian crosswalks and the nearby Tart Trail where you can travel all the way from Suttons Bay to Traverse City on a paved and relatively flat trail.
The Stites Natural Area – part of the Leelanau Conservancy – is a wonderful spot to take a hike through hardwood forests with some great views!
Beaches and Parks – Marina Park in Suttons Bay right off Front Street has a great public beach, picnic tables, and playground equipment. It’s a popular spot for families and the water is usually calm for swimming.
The Village of Suttons Bay is surrounded by cherry and apple orchards, vineyards, and beautiful forests. Because of the proximity to such lush crops, there are lots of wineries, cideries, and breweries to visit when you’re in town. Be sure to check out the local listings on our Wineries and Breweries | Cideries pages for suggestions.