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A One to Three Day Itinerary for Northern Michigan

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Start your three day visit to Northern Michigan in Traverse City, which provides easy access to the surrounding area. Spend the first day visiting some of the areas' many wineries. Enjoy a tour and learn how the wine is made, and of course, taste some wine to pick your favorites to bring home with you. First visit the Old Mission Peninsula, where five wineries offer award winning wines and beautiful views of Grand Traverse Bay. Wineries on Old Mission Peninsula include Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery, Chateau Chantal, Chateau Grand Traverse, and Peninsula Cellars. Then make your way the short drive to Leelanau Peninsula, where there are even more wineries to enjoy, including: Black Star Farms (be sure to enjoy some homemade cheese and the famous fruit brandies), Bel Lago Vineyard and Winery, Chateau Fontaine, Chateau de Leelanau Vineyard and Winery, Ciccone Vineyard and Winery, Gill's pier Vineyard and Winery, Good Harbor Vineyards, L. Mawby, Leelanau Wine Cellars, Longview Vineyard & Winery, Shady Lane Cellars and Willow Vineyard (offering one of the most spectacular views on the peninsula).

For day two, travel west and stop in Glen Arbor, home to quaint shops and the famous Cherry Republic store. Be sure to enjoy a piece of homemade cherry pie in the café and buy plenty of cherry products to bring home with you (free samples abound in the store so you can pick just the right thing.) Continue on to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which lies along a 35-mile stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou Islands. The park was established primarily for its outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and glacier phenomena. The Lakeshore also contains many cultural features including an 1871 lighthouse, three former Life-Saving Service/Coast Guard Stations and an extensive rural historic farm district. Take the time to climb the dunes and get plenty of sand between your toes!

For day three, visit the village of Leland, which is bordered by Lake Michigan to the west and Lake Leelanau to the east. Enjoy the shops in the morning, including historic Fishtown. In the afternoon, rent a kayak and paddle around Lake Leelanau, stopping to enjoy a dip in the water.

Sources:
www.visitludington.com/statepark.html
www.wineriesofoldmission.com/
http://www.lpwines.com/
www.visitdetroit.com
www.meijergardens.org

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