On the shores of Lake Michigan, hopeful beachcombers search for the elusive Leland Blue Stone. Despite their name, these robin’s egg-colored gems are not stones but slag — a byproduct of the town’s 19th century iron-ore mining industry. But Leland Blue is far from the only historic find in the area: Leland showcases its past in Historic Fishtown and looks to the future by investing in preservation and community outreach.
Leland’s gridded residential streets expand outward from the Leland River. Close to Fishtown are cozy cottages and cabins, and farther from the lakeshore are modern houses on half-acre lots. House styles in Leland vary and include cottages, coastal contemporaries, ranches and upscale log cabins, “the kind with the soaring ceilings, fancy woodwork and big windows looking out over the water,” says Kimberly Bork, a Realtor, broker and owner of Venture Property LLC. Houses range in price from $700,000 to $1.3 million, with waterfront properties tending towards the higher end. Occasionally, ready-to-build lots near downtown hit the market.
Though Leland’s custom-built farmhouses and modern amenities give it a fresh feel, one part of town focuses on its early history. Historic Fishtown, lined with weathered, cedar-shingled buildings and wooden docks, sits at the confluence of the Leland River and Lake Michigan. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Fishtown was the heart of Lake Michigan’s commercial fishing industry. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and is now maintained by the Fishtown Preservation Society. Fishtown is open 24 hours a day throughout the year, and the society says thousands of people explore the area every summer.
Historic Fishtown isn’t just a monument to days past—it’s a hub of Leland's dining and retail. In the center of Fishtown, Village Cheese Shanty sells sandwiches and more than 60 types of cheese. This cash-only spot is also well-known for its pretzel bread. A few doors down, Carlson’s Fishery sells both freshly caught and prepared seafood, including smoked whitefish pate. “Even though Fishtown is most popular with tourists, locals still come by to grab fish from Carlson’s and snacks from the Cheese Shanty,” says Jeremy Anderson, the Leland Township Harbormaster. Overlooking the river is The Cove, a laid-back seafood restaurant with a full bar. The Cove also serves cherry desserts, paying homage to the nearby “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City.
A few blocks north in Leland’s contemporary downtown is the sole grocery store, Leland Mercantile Co. On North Main Street, there are bookstores, gift shops and boutiques. People who want their own Leland Blue Stones — without the hunt — can find necklaces, earrings and bracelets made with the local treasure at two downtown jewelry shops, Becky Thatcher Designs and Tampico Imports.
Between parks, lakes and beaches, Leland has no shortage of spots to enjoy the outdoors. North Street and Van’s Beaches, both on Lake Michigan, have sandy shores where people swim, canoe, kayak and fish. North and South Manitou Islands, 12 miles offshore, can be seen on the horizon and reached by ferry with Manitou Island Transit. “There’s a ton of history on the Manitou Islands,” says Anderson. “The Leelanau Historical Society has great, detailed write-ups about the islands and how they were used for industry in the 19th century. Today, they’re best known for camping; people come to the harbor, take the ferry over and spend the weekend exploring.” The society’s museum on Cedar Street has permanent historical exhibits and rotating exhibits covering a range of topics, including lighthouses, shipwrecks and the fur trade.
One block from the small modern downtown is the Village Green. This pocket park, established in 1990, was designed to function as a common area. A mosaic, tiled by artist Leif Sporck, recognizes people who have donated to the Conservancy’s Leelanau Preservers, an organization that funds land-protection projects. Across town, Hancock Recreation Area has soccer fields, tennis courts, a baseball diamond and a basketball court.
On the shores of Lake Leelanau is Nedows Bay, a small beach with calmer waters than those of larger Lake Michigan. Near Nedows Bay is the Leland Country Club, a private club that offers tennis courts and an 18-hole golf course. Next door is the Leland Yacht Club, which offers children’s group sailing lessons every summer.
Students growing up in Leland may attend Leland Public School, graded A minus by Niche. This school enrolls students from kindergarten through high school and has a total enrollment of under 500 students.
Mussel-laden jetties extend from the shore to protect Historic Fishtown from flooding and erosion. The jetties also form a breakwater to ensure safe docking for boats in the harbor. In accordance with the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program, the town government coordinates state and federal resources to reduce flood risks for residences and farms. Like many Northern Michigan towns, Leland has cold, wet winters, with an average snowfall of 76 inches, and the average winter low temperature plunges to 17 degrees Fahrenheit.
While downtown Leland is pedestrian-friendly, it receives a 55/100 Walk Score and is regarded as Somewhat Walkable because some streets lack sidewalks connecting to downtown. Leland is 26 miles northwest of Traverse City. Depending on traffic and weather, driving between the two takes 40 to 50 minutes. The nearest airport is Cherry Capital Airport, which is around an hour's drive from Leland.
Rodney Brush
Coldwell Banker Schmidt-S.Bay
(231) 715-5752
29 Total Sales
1 in Leland
$741,000 Price
Sander Scott
Net Real Estate
(231) 714-6871
89 Total Sales
1 in Leland
$50,000 Price
Tim Schaub
Schaub Team Premier Realty
(231) 715-5147
147 Total Sales
39 in Leland
$135K - $3.4M Price Range
Joe Campo
Schaub Team Premier Realty
(231) 714-6408
73 Total Sales
22 in Leland
$135K - $3.4M Price Range
Carolyn Telgard
Coldwell Banker Schmidt-Leland
(231) 714-6983
78 Total Sales
7 in Leland
$295K - $1.1M Price Range
Kimberly Bork
Venture Property LLC
(231) 715-5264
131 Total Sales
7 in Leland
$479K - $1.5M Price Range
On average, homes in Leland, Suttons Bay sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Leland, Suttons Bay over the last 12 months is $1,078,000, up 38% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Coastal living and environmental education by the Great Lakes
Life by the bay, a few miles from downtown Traverse City.
