Suttons Bay has wonderful antique and clothing shops, fun toy stores, gift shops, a public library (with wireless Internet), parks and movies at the historic Bay Theater You'll be ten minutes from the Leelanau Sands Casino and entertainment stage. In addition, you will be a maximum of 30 minutes from Traverse City or from any Leelanau County site such as the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, wineries, Leland (Fishtown) and Northport State Park. Traverse City offers our small 'big town' activities including Old Town Playhouse, the Dennos Museum Center and the Traverse City Opera House. The Interlochen Center for the Arts offers programs and concerts throughout the year.
Summer:
Summer Activities include: winery tours, bicycling, beach activities (swimming, playgrounds, picnics, beach volleyball), fishing, boating, water skiing, windsurfing, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking (Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore, Whaleback Point) and tours of the lighthouse at Northport. Events include: Suttons Bay Art Festival (first weekend in August), Suttons Bay Jazz Festival (fourth Saturday in July), Antique Boat Show and the Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. If you are a boater, we have several companies that will drop in a boat for you to rent for your week on the water.
Golf Information: There are multiple golf courses in the area, including some with driving ranges. Choose whether you want to play a nine or 18 hole course (and of course the 19th hole too!) The Leelanau Club at Bahle Farms is four miles away and one of the nicest courses on the Peninsula. Contact us for Golf Course phone numbers.
Area events/destinations include: rides aboard the Inland Seas Schoolship (a schooner teaching marine science), Cherry Festival in Traverse City (July 7-14, 2012), winery tours/wine tasting, horseback riding, Leland Wine and Food Festival, a day at the spa (facial, manicure, massage at Bayside Salon), biking (the Leelanau Trail runs from Suttons Bay 15 miles to Traverse City), enjoy a sunset on Lake Michigan in Leland, Manitou Island Transit (ferry service to the Manitou Islands, fishing and scuba charters, and shoreline cruises from Leland to the Manitou Islands), Traverse City Beach Bums baseball games and Interlochen Arts Festival/Academy just to name a few.
Fall:
Fall offers spectacular color touring with bright red maples, vibrant oranges, yellows, and golds. A color tour is not complete without stopping by a farm market for fresh cider and doughnuts. Other activities include: antiquing, shopping, color tours, hiking, lighthouse tours, Leelanau Sands Casino, fishing, winery tours/wine tasting, horseback riding, biking or a day at the spa. Finish the day by enjoying a sunset on Lake Michigan in Leland.
Winter:
Skiing is available at The Homestead, Holiday Hills, and Crystal Mountain Resort. It is less than thirty minutes to the Homestead -- a family friendly ski resort featuring three lifts, a great lesson program, up to date ski (downhill or cross country) and snowboard rental equipment and spectacular views of Lake Michigan! Crystal Mountain resort is approximately one hour away. There are also numerous cross country trails in the area and close access to the TART trails. Enjoy ice skating at the downtown Suttons Bay rink, great ice fishing, dining out, sunrises over Suttons Bay and snowmobiling. Many restaurants and resorts offer a warm up by the fireplace, along with your favorite food and beverages. Traverse City boasts two local breweries and the Leelanau Peninsula is proud of its many wineries.