Suttons Bay, MI: Beaches, Wineries + Things to Do

Last Updated: April 2026

Suttons Bay is a small village on the eastern shore of the Leelanau Peninsula, 15 miles north of Traverse City on M-22, with two public beaches on Grand Traverse Bay, a genuinely walkable downtown, and more than 30 wineries and cideries within a short drive. If you want the quality of a northern Michigan wine country destination without the Traverse City crowds, this is the town. I’ve been coming here for years and still find reasons to stay longer every time.

Where Is Suttons Bay, Michigan?

Suttons Bay sits on the eastern shore of the Leelanau Peninsula on West Grand Traverse Bay, 15 miles north of Traverse City — about a 20-minute drive on scenic M-22. The village is positioned at the 45th parallel, halfway between the equator and the North Pole, which creates the climate conditions that make the Leelanau Peninsula one of Michigan’s premier wine-growing regions.

M-22 runs directly through downtown, which makes Suttons Bay a natural stop on any M-22 road trip. From here you can reach Leland and Fishtown in 15 minutes, Northport in 20, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in about 30.

• From Traverse City: 15 miles north via M-22 (20 minutes)
• From Sleeping Bear Dunes: 30 miles northeast (30 minutes)
• From Detroit: ~260 miles (4 hours)
• From Chicago: ~300 miles (5 hours)

Suttons Bay Beaches

The beaches here are the reason I drove up from Traverse City the first time and the reason I keep coming back. Grand Traverse Bay water is shallow and warms fast — by July you’re looking at some of the most swimmable water in northern Michigan. Both beaches are free to use.

Beach	Best For
Marina Park Beach	Families, ADA access, walkable to downtown shops and restaurants
Sutton Park (South Shore)	Quieter experience, pavilion with grills, locals’ pick for weekends

Marina Park Beach

Marina Park Beach is the right choice if you’re traveling with young kids or anyone who needs beach wheelchair access — it’s the most accessible beach in Leelanau County and is directly connected to downtown, so lunch is a five-minute walk. I usually arrive by 10am to grab a picnic table before the weekend crowd fills in.

• 📍 Front Street at Adams Street, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
• 📞 (231) 271-3051
• 💰 Free
• 🐾 Dogs allowed on leash
• ♿ Mobi-Mat to water’s edge (seasonal) + wheelchair-accessible swing. Best ADA beach access in the county.
• ⏰ Open daily — no hours restriction
• 🌐 suttonsbayvillage.org

The park has picnic tables, grills, playground equipment, volleyball nets, and swings. The water is shallow with sugar sand bottom — genuinely safe for little ones to wade and splash without worrying about drop-offs.

Sutton Park (South Shore Park)

Sutton Park is the beach locals point you toward when Marina Park gets crowded on summer weekends — it’s at the south end of St. Joseph Street, slightly removed from the downtown foot traffic, and many Leelanau County residents consider it the better beach of the two. The pavilion with grills makes it good for an afternoon cookout.

• 📍 South end of St. Joseph Street, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
• 📞 (231) 271-3051
• 💰 Free
• 🐾 Dogs allowed on leash
• ⏰ Open daily

Dog-Friendly and ADA Beach Summary

Best for ADA access: Marina Park Beach — Mobi-Mat to water’s edge and accessible swing are in place seasonally. This is the strongest wheelchair beach access on the Leelanau Peninsula. Best for dogs: both beaches allow leashed dogs — confirm current seasonal restrictions with the village at (231) 271-3051 before your visit, as rules can change Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Wineries and Cideries Near Suttons Bay

Suttons Bay sits at the heart of the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, and the 45th parallel climate here produces award-winning wines and ciders. You could spend a full weekend hitting wineries without repeating yourself. Below are the two I recommend starting with — they’re distinctly different experiences and together give you a strong sense of what this wine region does best.

Black Star Farms

Black Star Farms is worth a half-day on its own — it’s a full estate with a tasting room, an award-winning inn (USA Today’s #1 Best Wine Country Hotel 2025), a cafe, and grounds that look like northern Michigan at its best. Their Arcturos wines consistently medal, and the Sirius Maple Dessert Wine is a Michigan original you won’t find anywhere else.

• 📍 10844 E Revold Rd, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
• 📞 (231) 944-1270
• ⏰ Daily 10am–6pm (extended summer hours — confirm before visiting)
• 💰 Tasting fees apply
• 🐾 Black Star Farms welcomes dogs outdoors on their picturesque estate grounds and tasting room patios.
• 🌐 blackstarfarms.com

Suttons Bay Ciders

Suttons Bay Ciders is the stop for a view that will genuinely stop you mid-sentence — floor-to-ceiling windows on a hilltop property with Grand Traverse Bay spread out below. Their Natalie Rose won Best in Class at GLINTCAP, and the range runs from crisp traditional to jalapeno and mint. It’s also one of the most kid-friendly spots on the trail.

• 📍 10530 E Hilltop Rd, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
• 📞 (231) 271-6000
• ⏰ Mon–Wed 12–7pm · Thu–Fri 12–8pm · Sat 11am–8pm · Sun 12–7pm (confirm seasonal hours)

Also worth your time along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail: L. Mawby for sparkling wines (reservation required), Tandem Ciders for farm-to-glass hard cider with wood-fired pizza, and Verterra Winery for sustainable practices and one of the nicest tasting rooms in the county.

Downtown Suttons Bay: Shopping and Dining

Downtown Suttons Bay is about four blocks long and entirely walkable. What makes it worth your time is that none of it is chain retail — every shop is locally owned, and several have been running for decades. Plan at least two hours to browse properly.

Where to Eat in Suttons Bay

Martha’s Leelanau Table

Martha’s is the dinner reservation you make before you book your hotel room — a French-inspired bistro in a century-old farmhouse that’s been a Suttons Bay institution since 2008. The outdoor patio in summer, with live music some evenings, is one of the best non-waterfront dining settings in all of Leelanau County. The kitchen sources from local farms throughout the season.

• 📍 413 N St Joseph St, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
• 📞 (231) 271-2344
• ⏰ Wed–Sun 5pm–9pm · Closed Mon–Tue
• 💰 Mid-range to upscale
• 🌐 marthasleelanautable.com

Note: Martha Ryan sold the restaurant in June 2025. It continues operating under the same name with the same farm-to-table approach. Confirm current hours before visiting.

Wren

Wren is the place for a thoughtfully made dinner without any pretense — a small seasonal menu from Chef Adam McMarlin in the old Suttons Bay Hose House firehouse. The menu follows what’s available and in season, which means it changes, and that’s the point. The building itself is half the experience.

• 📍 303 N St Joseph St, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
• 📞 (231) 271-1175
• 🌐 wrensuttonsbay.com

9 Bean Rows Bakery and Farm Market

9 Bean Rows is where you start your morning in Suttons Bay — fresh croissants, legendary scones, good coffee, and a handful of savory breakfast options. When cherry scones are on the board, order two. Named after a line from Yeats, which tells you something about the owners.

• 📍 112 N St Joseph St, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
• 📞 (231) 271-5222
• ⏰ Mon–Sat 8am–4pm · Closed Sun
• 💰 Cafe pricing

Shopping Highlights

Bahle’s of Suttons Bay (210 N St Joseph St) is the anchor of downtown shopping — family-owned since 1876, now in its fourth generation, carrying high-quality men’s and women’s clothing including the best Barbour sportswear selection in the Midwest. Hours Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 11am–4pm · (231) 271-3841.

Bay Books (220 N Saint Joseph St) is a genuinely good independent bookstore open since 2018, with a staff that takes matching readers to books seriously. Also worth a stop: The Happy Woman (309 N St Joseph St) for eclectic clothing and gifts, Village Cheese Shanty (106 N St Joseph St) for Michigan cheeses and deli sandwiches before a beach afternoon, and Lima Bean for science and nature toys.

Things to Do in Suttons Bay Beyond the Beach

The TART Trail connects Suttons Bay to Traverse City on a paved path — one of the better bike rides in northern Michigan, especially in the morning before traffic picks up. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards from North Shore Outfitters downtown for time on the bay. In winter, Bahle Park has groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails a short drive from the village center.

The Suttons Bay Art Festival (August 1–2, 2026) brings 100 artists to Marina Park Beach — one of the better small-town art festivals in northern Michigan, with food vendors, a children’s area, and a community breakfast Sunday morning. It draws visitors from across the Midwest.

Where to Stay in Suttons Bay

The Inn at Black Star Farms (10844 E Revold Rd) is the standout — a 10-room luxury inn on the winery estate, USA Today’s #1 Best Wine Country Hotel 2025, with an exceptional breakfast and access to the estate’s Barrel Room. It books up fast in summer; plan ahead for a romantic getaway. Nearby options include the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in the village and Fountain Point Resort on Lake Leelanau for families wanting a traditional Up North cottage experience.

Additional lodging nearby: Treeloft 22, Suite 22, Northern Dream Bed and Breakfast, M22 Inn, and Leelanau Sands Casino and Lodge. For a wider range of options, Traverse City hotels are 20 minutes south and include everything from boutique inns to full-service resorts.

The Best Time to Visit Suttons Bay

June through October is the sweet spot — beaches are swimmable from late June, wineries are fully operational, and the fall color in the Leelanau Peninsula runs late September through mid-October alongside the wine harvest. July averages a high of 79°F, which is genuinely comfortable beach weather. August brings the Art Festival.

Winter has its own appeal if you know what you’re coming for — snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at Bahle Park, cozy winery visits, and a much quieter version of the village. January averages a low of 17°F with significant lake-effect snow. Spring is cherry blossom season and shoulder-season prices across the board.

Frequently Asked Questions About Suttons Bay

Plan your visit: Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce · Village of Suttons Bay · Nearest airport: Cherry Capital Airport (TVC), Traverse City — approximately 20 miles south.

Hours and details verified through official sources. Always confirm before visiting, especially during off-season months. Hours and prices can change seasonally.