The Mission Point Lighthouse stands at the very tip of Old Mission Peninsula, where the narrow strip of land divides Grand Traverse Bay into its two arms. The 1870 lighthouse is a classic white wooden structure with a keeper's cottage attached — more homey than heroic, but the setting is spectacular. The grounds are open to the public for free, and you can walk the shoreline, sit on the rocks, and look back down the 20-mile length of the peninsula.
The drive out to the lighthouse along Old Mission Peninsula is the main attraction in itself. The road runs through a nearly continuous corridor of cherry orchards and vineyards on either side, with frequent glimpses of the bay. Several wineries along the route offer tasting rooms, and the combination of the drive, the lighthouse, and a couple of winery stops makes for an excellent half-day excursion from town.