Leelanau Peninsula

Leelanau Peninsula

The Leelanau Peninsula extends about 50 km from the western side of the Peninsula of Michigan into Lake Michigan and forms the Grand Traverse Bay. It is frequently referred to as the "little finger" of the lower peninsula, shaped like a mitten. The peninsula is a well-known tourist destination, particularly due to the popularity of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The park was created mainly for its exceptional natural features, such as forests, beaches, dune formations and ancient glacial phenomena. The lakeshore also features many cultural attractions, among them the 1871 South Manitou Island Lighthouse, three former Coast Guard stations and an extensive rural historic farm district. The peninsula is also a stronghold of cherry and wine production. At the northern tip of the peninsula is the Leelanau State Park, which is a 550-acre public recreation area that is home to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum. The park also features 8.5 miles of hiking and ski trails, a picnic area, playground, cabins and a rustic campground. The Grand Traverse Light lighthouse was built in 1858, to replace a separate round tower which had been built in 1852. Nowadays, visitors can take a tour of the restored lighthouse, reminiscent of the home of the keepers in the 1920s and 1930s. The Lighthouse and Fog Signal Building features exhibits on area lighthouses, foghorns, shipwrecks and local history. The renovated air diaphone foghorn is on display year-round, and visitors have the opportunity to climb the tower for views of Lake Michigan.