Activities
downtown glen arbor
Glen Arbor is a small lakeside town sitting in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The downtown area includes the following attractions.
Boutique shopping and multiple art galleries featuring local artists.
Cherry Republic’s campus which includes a Great Hall, Winery, Public House & Ice Cream stand.
River Club Glen Arbor which is a large campus that includes putt-putt, a Mexican Restaurant and live entertainment right on the banks of the beautiful Crystal River.
Several restaurants including Art’s Tavern, Good Harbor Grill, Boonedock’s, Western Avenue Grill, Millie’s Glen Arbor & Cherry Public House. The Mill is an 1800’s flour mill that has been restored and offers a riverside cafe and a restaurant called Supper.
sleeping bear dunes & lake michigan
Named the “Most Beautiful Place in America” on ABC’s Good Morning America, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a sight to behold.
The lakeshore includes miles of sand beach, bluffs and forests that surround Lake Michigan.
Lake Street in Glen Arbor has a small public beach and a boat launch, but this isn’t the best beach for lounging. Glen Haven beach is just a few miles away and offers an expansive beach area, a historic old mining town, a cannery & boat museum, blacksmith shop and a maritime museum.
The Sleeping Bear Dune Climb is a 4 miles drive and offers a 285 foot wall of sand for visitors to climb. This part of the park also includes a picnic area, various trails and there is an options to walk 1.5 miles through the Dunes to Lake Michigan.
Pyramid Point is a bluff of Lake Michigan that offers an incredible panoramic view of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands and the Manitou Passage. There is a parking lot at a trailhead that is a 1/2 mile hike from Pyramid Point.
The Crystal River that runs through the heart of Glen Arbor is a wonderful day trip on the water. Crystal River Outfitters offers canoe & kayak rental, including transportation to and from the river. There are also kayaks available at most of the 3 properties but you will require 2 vehicles for logistics if you want to float the river. The recommended “put-in” spot is at the launch site at Fisher Road & Dunns Farm Road which includes a National Park parking lot. This float will take approximately 2-3 hours and is 4.5 miles long, ending right across from the gas station on M22, very close to all of the properties.
local wineries
The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is a short drive from Glen Arbor area. From town, you can reach the start of the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail in about 45 minutes. The Leelanau peninsula is a scenic terrain that includes rolling vineyards, farms and forests amongst many small towns. The Old Mission Peninsula offers 19 miles of rolling hills and incredible bay views throughout.
The Leelanau Peninsula wine trail features more than 20 different wineries and the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail features 10 different wineries.
Both peninsulas include several award winning wines. More information can be found at the links provided above.
Downtown Glen Arbor offers wine tasting at the M22 Store, Cherry Republic and Glen Arbor Wines.