THE MILL STREET HOUSE · NORTHPORT & THE LEELANAU PENINSULA
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A NORTHPORT FIELD GUIDE

Go a little further.
Find a little more.

Good coffee. A pocket full of memories. A long lunch, a trail through the trees, or one more round. Start planning your kind of Up North day.

WHAT ARE YOU IN THE MOOD FOR?

15 places to explore

01

COFFEE TO ONE MORE ROUND

Eat & drink

Start with coffee in Northport, find a spot for lunch, or make an evening of dinner by the bay.

Downtown Northport

New Bohemian Cafe

Coffee · breakfast · lunch

A relaxed stop for espresso, breakfast sandwiches, fresh deli sandwiches, and a sweet treat before heading out.

A good place to begin your Northport morning.

Downtown Northport

The Mitten Brewing Co.

Beer · wood-fired pizza

Pair a local pour with wood-fired pizza from onsite North End Eatery. The covered biergarten makes this an inviting stop in the village.

Check the Northport location for current service.

Omena

Knot Just a Bar

Casual dining · bay views

A casual meal overlooking Omena Bay. An easy option for a waterfront lunch or dinner as you explore the M-22 corridor.

Breakfast service varies seasonally; check the hours page.

02

A TASTE OF LEELANAU

Wineries & cider

Farm tasting rooms, a waterfront pour, and a little time to savor the peninsula.

South of Northport

Green Bird Cellars

Estate wine · hard cider

An organic farm setting for estate-grown wines and handcrafted cider. Take a little time to enjoy the vineyard atmosphere.

Call ahead for groups larger than six.

Omena

Leelanau Cellars

Waterfront tasting room

Explore a range of Leelanau wines beside Grand Traverse Bay, with a seasonal waterfront patio for lingering over a glass.

The winery asks groups of eight or more to call ahead.

Lake Leelanau

45 North Vineyard & Winery

Wine flights · vineyard setting

A post-and-beam tasting room with flights, glass pours, and a patio. A good stop when your day takes you farther down the peninsula.

Reservations are required for groups of six or more.

Planning for a group? Check each winery’s group policy and arrange your ride before heading out.

03

FOLLOW THE SHORE

Beaches & rockhounding

For rock hunting, start with Peterson Park and Christmas Cove. For a sandy beach day in town, try Haserot.

Lake Michigan · Northport

Peterson Park

Rockhounding pick

A strong starting point for fossil and Petoskey-stone hunting, with a broad lake overlook and a rocky shoreline below the bluff.

A long stairway leads to the beach. Plan for uneven stones and the climb back up.

Lake Michigan · Northport

Christmas Cove

Beachcombing & rock hunting

A small township beach access for a slow shoreline wander. Make it a second rock-hunting stop, or simply enjoy the Lake Michigan setting.

Access is at the end of Christmas Cove Road; parking is limited.

Downtown Northport

Haserot Park & Beach

Sandy beach day

A village beach and grassy park beside the marina on Grand Traverse Bay. Choose this stop for a picnic and a more traditional beach afternoon.

Our sandy-beach option, rather than a dedicated rock-hunting destination.

04

TAKE THE SCENIC WAY

Hikes & trails

Quiet forest paths, dune landscapes, and a Lake Michigan overlook. Pick a trail to fit your day.

North of Northport

Kehl Lake Natural Area

2-mile trail network

Wander mixed forest and wetlands around a quiet inland lake. The viewing platform is a lovely place to pause and watch for birds.

Moderately sloped terrain; trails can be wet in spring.

Near Leland

Houdek Dunes Natural Area

3.3 miles of trails

Explore forested dunes, birches, and a creek observation platform. The trail network gives you options for a shorter loop or a longer wander.

Expect sandy sections, slopes, and stairs; stay on marked trails.

Tip of the peninsula

Leelanau State Park · Cathead Bay

Lake Michigan Trail · 2.2-mile loop

Head into the park’s southern trail unit for woods, a lake overlook, and beach access. This trailhead is separate from the lighthouse day-use area.

Check the DNR page for the trail map, entry requirements, and current notices.

05

MAKE TIME FOR A ROUND

Golf around the peninsula

Nine holes in Northport or a longer golf outing through the Leelanau countryside.

Suttons Bay

Bahle Farms Golf Course

18 holes · hills & orchards

Make a golf day of the rolling Leelanau landscape, with elevated tees and a course that winds through hills and cherry orchards.

Browse current availability directly on the course’s booking page.

Cedar

Manitou Passage Golf Club

18 holes · Arnold Palmer design

Plan a full golf outing on an Arnold Palmer Signature course farther down the peninsula. A scenic option for a dedicated day on the greens.

Check the course website for rates, policies, and tee times.

AT THE TIP OF THE PENINSULA

A day at
Leelanau State Park.

Woodland trails, Lake Michigan views, and the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. Pick your starting point—there are two separate park areas.

01 / LIGHTHOUSE & LAKESHORE

Head to Lighthouse Point.

Visit the northern day-use area for the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, picnic spots, and a playground. Check current lighthouse tour hours and admission before you go.

15310 N. Lighthouse Point Road
Northport, Michigan

Directions to the lighthouse area ↗
02 / CATHEAD BAY TRAILS

Take the scenic way.

The southern unit has the Cathead Bay trail system. Follow the 2.2-mile Lake Michigan Trail loop for an overlook and connections to the sandy shoreline, or explore the 3-mile Mud Lake loop.

A separate trailhead on Densmore Road.
Use the park map to plan your route.

Directions to the Cathead Bay trailhead ↗

Check the DNR page for entry requirements and current notices. Respect posted shoreline closures and stay on marked trails.

THEN COME HOME TO MILL STREET

A good day deserves
a comfortable landing.

Book now

Links and visitor details checked October 30, 2026. Opening times, menus, and seasonal access can change; use the linked sites for the latest details.

More local information: Northport & Omena visitor guide ↗