Melanie's Guidebook

You can get anywhere in Leland on foot within 5-10 minutes. This is great during peak season when parking is sometimes hard to find. Take in the sights one step at a time. If you are used to city living and rush hour traffic you will find complaints about “busy traffic” somewhat relative. Even at its peak in traffic, it is never intolerable. Keep an eye out for pedestrians and rely on common courtesy at the River and Main intersection where all traffic seems to converge.

Kids love sand and shoreline. Spend hours at Van’s beach and watch your kids sleep like babies (after Harbor House ice cream of course!) There are plenty of shops with candy, trinkets, and kids books. They will be amazed by the dam and the docks of fish town. Make at least one sunset. If you are in need of a quick snack for hungry little ones, just go to the Leland Mercantile for a veggie pack at the deli to go or whatever you please. Don’t count on the very popular Village Cheese Shanty sandwich for a quick fix. Waits are routinely over 45 minutes. The public bathroom in the harbor is clean.

There are endless adventures outside Leland town. Go by car, but plan to walk, hike, or bike when you get wherever you’re going. If you prefer to limit your walking, do the Pierce Stocking Drive in Sleeping Bear Dunes Park. There is a car heavy mix of site seeing.