Best Location/Porch in Northport - One Block from Everything!

• No words will do this place justice.

  No words will do this place justice.

  • Guest Tom Lammy
  • Date of stay 05/03/13
  • Review Submitted 05/15/13
  I heard of this hidden gem through a friend who had stayed there the past year. I have to admit I was a little skeptical at first considering the population of the town. However, I will tell you what. This place is magical, majestic and diabolical (in the sense that we would leave our jobs, family and hometown in a heartbeat if this place was for sale). Located in the heart of the small village of beautiful, BEAUTIFUL Northport, Michigan this "porch sitting society house" was one of the best, yet simplistic vacations I have ever had in my life. It's equipped with everything you need for a vacation that is sure to produce stories and memories for a lifetime. Beautiful porch with a hot-tub attached, hammock to lay on to look up at the most clear night sky I have ever seen, plenty of rooms with many beds that are full of privacy, a cottage feel to it that is so RAW that it produces a feeling of bliss and relaxation and automatically removes any and all worries from you mind. This house is the perfect location and is just a stones throw to the grocer, a block from the beach, right across from the famous 'Barbs Bakery' and oh did I mention, it's right in the MIDDLE OF THE BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL TOWN OF NORTHPORT! Now I don't usually write reviews, but my friends and I were just so pleased with this beautiful house, town and vacation that we felt we were obligated to give something back (even if it is just a review). I would recommend this house to anyone who is considering a vacation in Northern Michigan. The only downside....you might never leave.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.

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• Charming cottage that feels like home

  Charming cottage that feels like home

  • Guest Earnie
  • Date of stay 08/04/12
  • Review Submitted 09/09/12
  We discovered this property 2 years prior, when we left Leland for a day-trip to Northport, MI. The house immediately drew our attention because of its inviting front porch, large grassy yard, view of Barb's Bakery across the street, and location adjacent to the Mill. We were delighted to stay in the home this summer, and it met all of our expectations (for cleanliness, accuracy of descriptions/photos, and owner responsiveness). I refer to the property as "home" because it truly felt like home...a cozy living room where our kids could play with their toys in the mornings while we ate doughnuts from Barb's and drank coffee; the front porch, perfect for having meals or playing legos on the picnic table; quaint bedrooms on the wooded side of the house, ensuring the feeling of privacy; and a piano in the living room. The owner impressed us by his responsiveness. When I texted him that the piano had likely not been tuned in 10+years and that I regretted not being able to play, he had a piano tuner at the house the next day. Wow. We also appreciated the proximity of the home to the grocery store (great if you need a last-minute ingredient while cooking), restaurants, the beach, the playground, ice-cream at the Mill, doughnuts at Barb's (yes, they are that good to mention again!), and a little gift shop with souvenirs. My husband loved the outdoor grill for cooking fish that we bought at Friday's farmer's market, and we blissfully soaked in the hot tub after a day of exploring the woods at Cathead Bay or the lighthouse. The sleepy town of Northport perfectly suited our needs as a family wanting an escape from life in the city. The pace was slow, the people accommodating, and the natural beauty enticing. We discovered parks, beaches, trails...so many options every day and easily accessible from the house. The feeling of community in the town will draw us back next year: the last night of our trip, we heard live music at the marina, where folks brought picnic blankets and lawn chairs, while enjoying dinner and each other's company. I learned of the community's commitment to assisting every high school graduate with a college education, the Northport Promise. It feels good to promote a community that values education. Northport, and this wonderful little house, provided us with one of the best vacations our family has ever experienced, and we can't wait to return!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children.

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• Relaxing week in Northport

  Relaxing week in Northport

  • Guest Kurt & Pam
  • Date of stay 07/23/11
  • Review Submitted 07/31/11
  My family of 5 had a great week at this cute house! Northport is a quaint little town. We enjoyed going across the street to the bakery in the mornings, and strolling to the pier with an ice cream cone in the evenings. The front porch is fabulous. We spent most of our time out there, enjoying the porch swing, hammock, grill, hot tub and stereo speakers ready for our iPod. Inn-keeper Will Harper is very friendly and accommodating. He has added many thoughtful amenities such as foosball, piano, guitar and even wi-fi. The furnishings are charming with an eclectic mix of old and new ("new" in just the right places, such as appliances, linens and very comfortable mattresses!). There are many cute beach towns within driving distance. We had a fun and relaxing vacation!

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children.

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• Northport

  Northport

  • Guest TCParalegal
  • Date of stay 05/26/11
  • Review Submitted 06/14/11
  My husband had a wonderful time. Great location in town. Owner is very helpful. Would highly recommend.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, people with disabilities, tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.

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• If you love being right in town, this is the ideal Northport, Michigan location

  If you love being right in town, this is the ideal Northport, Michigan location

  • Guest Karen
  • Date of stay 06/12/10
  • Review Submitted 06/25/10
  We stumbled on the property when investigating Northport as a possible vacation destination. We were looking for an in-town option, to get the real flavor of the eclectic mix of locals and summer residents. The description and photos made the house seem like it could fit the bill for our needs: a house set back from the road, yet in the center of town. And indeed, Mill Street Manor and Porch Sitting Society was exactly as advertised. While we are very picky, for this trip we weren’t looking for the ultimate swanky beach house with granite countertops and Viking range. We just wanted a happy, sunny, peaceful place with ample room for us and three older teenagers that would serve as a base camp for hiking, biking, long walks, beaching, and whatever else we decided to do individually and as a family. If you love being right in town, this is the ideal location. Northport has it all, on a small scale: Stubbs, The Eat Spot, the well-stocked Tom’s Grocery store and on Fridays: the Farm Market. We also had a fabulous time at Fischer's Happy Hour Tavern and ventured out to buy eggs and cheese at some local farms. We ventured to Leland to catch the ferry to South Manitou Island—and to stock up on the most awesome smoked fish and jerky ever, ate a great meal at Martha’s in Sutton’s Bay and enjoyed the many natural wonders of the Leelanau Peninsula. Will Harper should be appointed Michigan’s ambassador to Northport. He is so enthusiastic, and is as hands on or off as you require. He went above and beyond to make sure that we had everything necessary to have a great stay. The house was neat and clean, the Wi-Fi was great, and the Satellite TV was perfect for the only thing we watched all week: the NBA championship. For us, the house was perfect five people, and would be fine with one more person. But with only one true bathroom, and one beach bathroom in the basement—it could get challenging for the pickier traveler.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.

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• Great house for two families with kids to share

  Great house for two families with kids to share

  • Guest Pamela A
  • Date of stay 04/06/10
  • Review Submitted 04/21/10
  We stayed a week in early April. The house was spacious enough for two families of 4 to share. Everyone was comfortable with their rooms, the kids loved the upstairs with their own TV and space to stretch out. They also loved the Foosball table in the basement. We loved being right in town but still close to several parks, the beach and all the area has to offer. Barb's Bakery is right across the street and the donuts are a delicious way to start your morning. The hot tub and front porch were great. The owner was easy going and seems like a great guy. I recommend this property and will stay there again!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

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• • Guest Frank and Elaine Kirby
  • Date of stay 02/17/10
  • Review Submitted 02/17/10
  We had a wonderful visit to Mill St Manor for a winter break / get away. My husband,I and our two little children spent 5 days / 4 nights here with another couple with two older children. The house was very spacious and has a great set up for a couple of families to visit. The upstairs loft is perfect for kids to have their own space and place to get away. The house was very clean. We enjoyed an atmosphere of relaxation the entire stay. The large wood stove in the living room and the hot tub off the porch definitely helped to create this atmosphere. Last, but not least, the owner was wonderful. He was very easy to communicate with when planning our stay and very quick to respond to any questions we had. Our family would definitely recommend this rental to others. It would be a very nice place to visit during the summer with the large covered porch. Thanks again for sharing Mill St. Manor with us. We really enjoyed.

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• • Guest David190
  • Date of stay 12/19/09
  • Review Submitted 12/19/09
  Added by owner, quoting Thanksgiving renter email: "Will, We had a wonderful time and enjoyed your home very much! We commented numerous times on the brightness, the perfect size, LARGE PORCH, and the "perfectness" of your rental. It is a perfect location and we appreciate the off-season price. Unfortunately, due to the rainy weather, we didn't get a chance to try the hot tub (grrr!). "

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• • Guest Liz & Rob2
  • Date of stay 08/07/09
  • Review Submitted 08/07/09
  This cute house has got to be the best kept secret in Northport. We have been staying in the area for years and passed by this gem a number of times without even seeing it. The present owner took the house out of the shadows and remodeled it to make it shine. Every detail in the house is perfect with the addition of a great porch to spend the mornings and evenings on enjoying the “hustle and bustle” of a sleepy Lake Michigan coastal village. This is not the beach house with the killer view, but a great location for our family to kick back, do a little painting and reading on the porch and let the kids wander around town eating ice cream, visiting the beach, going to the library and exploring the various pocket parks in town. Everything is within walking distance including the grocery store. Behind and next to this house is a small stream which provided a great opportunity to bird watch in the mornings and the evenings. It didn’t get any better spotting birds anywhere else in the Leelanau. You can stack people like wood in all the rooms and beds provided, but in the end there is one finished bathroom with an additional shower, toilet and stationary tub downstairs in the basement. Perfect for us, but might be tight for more than four. The kitchen has its charms, but don’t plan on practicing your culinary visions.That said, Mill Street Manor is nicely decorated and a well done rehab of an old Montgomery Ward kit home. It is comfortable and well appointed with all the amnities. The porch becomes the “heart of the house”, and everyone had private space, from the attic lair, to the game room in the basement, to sneak off to.We look forward to returning next year. Book this soon before it becomes hard to get a slot!

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• • Guest Alisha Cochrun
  • Date of stay 04/19/09
  • Review Submitted 04/19/09
  I am friends with the owner of this house and so far, have experienced some of my best weekends ever in Northport. The house is beautiful and you can't find a better location around. It is a perfect summer vacation spot... with an upstairs hang out area and an incredible deck with a sweet grill and outdoor stereo system. And to sum up the town of Northport, well, it's fabulous! The people are so down to earth and friendly, I felt right at home. There's loads of great outdoor activities- hiking, golfing, sailing, snowmobiling in the winter; or building a bonfire and enjoying the sunset. I cannot wait to escape to this small town bliss again!

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July 1 - Aug 15 .......................... $1200/5n, $1650/week 
All other dates........................... $600/2n, $750/3n, $900/4n, $1200/week

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.