Located on the west side of the Leelanau Peninsula, the charming town of Leland sits in between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau. The Leland River runs through the center of the community, connecting the two lakes. Leland is known for its quaint downtown and delightful shops, galleries, and restaurants!
Fishtown
Fishtown is a working fishing village dating back to the 1800s. You will find charmingly preserved wooden shanties, smokehouses, and docks that house unique shops and restaurants.
Stroll around the coastal village, get a bite to eat, visit the local specialty shops for a memorable gift or souvenir. You will enjoy the ambiance of the rushing waters through the dam and the breeze off the deep blue lake.
Leland Blue Stones
Rockhounds go wild for Leland Blue Stones! Leland Blues aren’t really stones, but rather a glass byproduct of iron smelting that occurred in Leland more than 100 years ago. Because iron smelting is long gone in the area, the Leland Blues aren’t being produced any longer and the limited supply makes them in demand.
Find them by taking a walk along Van’s Beach or North Beach in Leland. They’ll stand out from other stones by their dreamy blue color and irregular shapes. Jewelry makers love creating unique pieces with these finds, and you will notice Leland Blue Stone jewelry in many local shops.
Ferry to Manitou Islands
The Manitou Island Transit company has been taking visitors over to North and South Manitou Islands for over 100 years! Both islands are part of the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and managed by the National Park Service.
A ferry ride over to South Manitou Island will take about 1.5 hours. You will pass the beautiful shores and dunes of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Then you’ll head out in to the international shipping lane, and see the North Manitou Shoal Lighthouse (otherwise know as “The Crib”) up close.
Plan to pack a lunch for a day of exploring South Manitou Island, as there are no restaurants on this uninhabited island.
Get more details about the Manitou Islands and purchase your tickets here, or at the ticket office in Fishtown.