Suttons Bay is a small town on the eastern shore of the Leelanau Peninsula, about 15 miles north of Traverse City, and it punches well above its size in terms of food, wine, and charm. The main street is lined with independent shops and a handful of good restaurants, and the harbour gives onto the calm western arm of Grand Traverse Bay.
Wine is part of the draw. L. Mawby, Michigan's most celebrated sparkling-wine producer, is just outside town and offers tastings of meticulously crafted méthode champenoise sparkling wines that have attracted serious attention from wine writers nationally. The town makes a natural base or lunch stop on a tour of the surrounding Leelanau Peninsula wineries.
For active visitors, the Leelanau Trail connects Traverse City to Suttons Bay along the western shore of the bay — a flat, paved 17-mile rail trail that makes for an excellent cycling day trip. Riding out, stopping for lunch in town, and riding back is one of the best ways to spend a day in the region for anyone with moderate cycling fitness.