Leland

Leland, Michigan

Leland is a charming 19th century town located on the coast of the Leelanau Penninsula, a tiny barrier of land between the vastness of Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau.  It's hard to believe that the picturesque collection of historic buildings was once an Ottawa settlement.  Surely the most remarkable feature of Leland is Fishtown, comprised of weather-beaten wooden docks and fisheries and looking basically the same as it has for hundreds of years.  Fishtown was one of the final fishing towns on the Great Lakes.  While the streets are now dotted with tourist shops and microbreweries, it still reminds me of the kind of historic town you would expect to see in Europe.  Something about this town seems frozen in time, despite the fact that the fisheries have now largely given way to kitesurfers. 

If you are heading to Leland, there's no better place for to chat over a bottle of cherry wine and charcuterie board than The Riverside Inn, which is just a short walk away from these views.  Don't let the laid back Midwestern vibe fool you.  This restaurant is progressive enough for even your pickiest vegetarian friend, even featuring a shwarma cauliflower "steak" on its dinner menu.