Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau

10/29/2024

Pumpkin donuts 🎃🍩, Pumpkin Snickerdoodle cupcakes 🎃🧁, chocolate truffles that remind you "Donut Forget to Vote!" and more... It's a sweet reminder to enjoy the tastes of Leelanau this fall!

https://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/blog/post/its-donut-season-and-more/

Blogger: Kandace Rae Chapple takes us on a delectable tour for some of the best treats.

It’s that time of year when the harvest is bearing its fruit – and veggies. And, just to be clear, calories don’t count when baked goods are seasonal, right??? Here’s a look at all the calorie-free goodies you can find in Leelanau this fall season….

10/26/2024

TONIGHT is "Thriller Night" at Jacob's Farm TC!
*Haunted maze
*Donuts & cider
*Live music & more!

October 26th, 2024 7pm - 9pm $20.00 per person

Click for more info and enjoy their last weekend of the season! 🎃🌽💀

Established in 2008, this 40-acre centennial farm is all about celebrating local produce, good food, and a-maze-ing community connection – and once the harvest season hits, it all starts with their iconic corn maze.

10/24/2024

You know the ole' sayin..."an apple a day..." 🍎

There are so many places in and around Leelanau to enjoy delicious apples and boy are they good this year.

Blogger: Kandace Chapple takes us on a quick tour with tips on which varieties to enjoy for baking 🥧or eating 😋!

https://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/blog/post/an-apple-a-day/

10/02/2024

The region’s art centers host popular art exhibitions and classes in October. Carve out time to explore some art on your color tour this fall, or if you need something to do on a rainy day.

https://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/blog/post/enjoy-art-exhibits-harvest-festivals-this-fall/

Blogger: Marla R. Miller

Leaf peeping for red, gold, and crimson treetops is the main attraction in October. Outdoor hikes, wine tours, and fall festivals add to the splendor of autumn. It’s almost like a second summer, only we’ve traded swimsuits for sweatshirts and beach days for bonfires. Autumn weekends ar...

10/01/2024

There's still time:

The Art of Fishing 🐠 exhibit Oliver Art Center in Frankfort features work by 25 artists and includes paintings, sculptures, mixed-media pieces, and vintage lures. The exhibit runs through October 4 and many of the works are for sale.

https://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/blog/post/hooked-the-art-of-fishing-highlights-regions-love-affair-with-fishing/

Blogger: Marla R. Miller

September signals the start of the annual salmon run as the days turn shorter and the water turns cooler. Sportsmen and anglers flock to the Sleeping Bear Dunes region to fish bays and inlets and wade in the Platte and Betsie Rivers. Oliver Art Center in Frankfort has organized an exhibit all about....

09/11/2024

September Forecast ☀ Calls for Wine Tasting 🍷, Bicycle 🚴 & Lighthouse 🛟 Tours

Click for a great list of upcoming events to enjoy in and around the Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

https://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/blog/post/september-forecast-calls-for-wine-tasting-bicycle-lighthouse-tours/

Written by Blogger: Marla R. Miller

Warm days and crisp nights make it a great time to experience the beauty of early autumn around the Sleeping Bear Dunes region. Delight in bike riding, wine tasting, and sightseeing during September, when the sun still shines brightly and the Milky Way bursts with stars. Goldenrod sets the fields ab...

08/26/2024

Sunset paddle 🚣🛶on the Platte River? 🙋‍♀️🙋Yes, please!

Here are some tips and tricks to help you enjoy the adventure!

Blog post by Kandace Rae Chapple

One of the highlights of summer is floating, kayaking or canoeing the Platte River down to the mouth of it spilling out into Lake Michigan. But as summer cools, it’s time to change it up and try an evening float instead. The water is still warm, but the evening is a different experience - one of s...

08/09/2024

Today kicks off the 2-day Port Oneida Fair in the historic district of Port Oneida.

Blogger Marla R. Miller shares how the area has been preserved by Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear and provides information on this and many other events to enjoy!

Click to learn more!

https://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/blog/post/step-back-in-time-historic-sleeping-bear-offers-wagon-rides-bicycle-tours/

07/25/2024

Have you heard about Wheels on Rails? it's the only one of its kind between Pennsylvania and Colorado and it's here in northern MI!

Blogger Kandace Rae Chapple provides details on how you can enjoy it!

Click to learn more!

https://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/blog/post/railbikes-in-northern-michigan/

07/19/2024

Have you enjoyed the start of the art fair season? There's plenty more where that came from... click to learn more about when and where!

https://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/blog/post/shop-en-plein-air-support-fine-artists-at-art-fairs-around-sleeping-bear-dunes/

07/12/2024

Starry, starry night... 🌟🌙✨

Don't miss the opportunities to experience northern Michigan's night sky at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore's Star Parties!

Mark your calendar 📅:
Sat, July 13
Sat, Aug 10
Sat, Aug 31
Sat, Sept 14

Click to learn more!

Looking out at the stars high atop a dune at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a special experience - one that is new for many city folks. The National Lakeshore encourages people to get out and look up at Star Parties held throughout the summer.

07/09/2024

I scream, you scream, we all scream...for ICE CREAM! 🍨🍦

We've gathered some of Leelanau's finest locations for the best cold treats to enjoy on these hot days! ⛱

Blogger: Kandace Rae Chapple

Grocer's Daughter Chocolate
Blue Moon Ice Cream Shop
Scoops 22-Suttons Bay
Laker Shakes Burdickville Market
Moomers Homemade Ice Cream

Which is better – ice cream or gelato? You don’t have to decide – we suggest both! Here’s a tour of some of the sweet shops to check out in Leelanau County.

07/03/2024

Looking for 4th of July celebrations in the County? 🎉🎆

Blogger: Kandace Rae Chapple created a list of fun, family-friendly activities that take you from morning til night.

Click for more info;

It’s time to break out the red, white and blue! Here are some events coming up to celebrate July 4th at your favorite spots in Leelanau County – break out the flags, sparklers and fireworks!

06/21/2024

Are you looking to add some art & culture to your trip to Sleeping Bear?

Blogger Marla R. Miller takes us on a tour of the gateway communities from Frankfort through Leelanau with a list of classes, events, and exhibits you won't want to miss!

https://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/blog/post/take-in-the-creative-culture-of-sleeping-bears-gateway-communities/

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Glen Arbor Arts Center
Old Art Building
Oliver Art Center

The creative culture of the Sleeping Bear Gateway Communities brings together local artists, business owners, and residents to create community. You feel it in the homespun holiday parades and celebrations which are a highlight of the summer.

06/06/2024

Have you heard of the Treat Farm Trail? It's a great alternative to the ever-popular Empire or Old Baldy Trails.

Learn more about it here from blogger Kandace Rae Chapple

https://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/blog/post/hiking-the-quieter-treat-farm-trail-with-history/

Already been? Share your experience and pics! 📸

🥾👣🚶🚶‍♀️

05/16/2024

History Highlight: Pierce "Pat" Stocking loved spending time in the woods and exploring the bluffs above Lake Michigan. His idea for a road to the top of the dunes, later known as the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, came about in the early 1960's as a way to share the beauty of the dunes with others. After opening to the public in 1967, Stocking continued to operate the scenic drive every day until he passed away in 1976. The following year, the road became a part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and was eventually named after him, based on popular opinion. This seven-mile route features stunning panoramas of the dunes, Lake Michigan, and Glen Lake with twelve scenic stops along the way. (Pictured: Stop #9)

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is officially OPEN for the 2024 season! Please drive slowly, watch for bikers and motorcyclists, park only in designated parking spots, and be aware of your surroundings.

05/10/2024

It's wildflower season! Leelanau Conservancy is in the midst of preserving wildflowers that are in danger of being lost in new construction and will sell the wildflowers at a Memorial Weekend sale!

Click to learn more and save the date! 📅
https://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/blog/post/wildflower-rescue-time/

Blogger: Kandace Rae Chapple

05/09/2024

History Highlight: The very first cherry tree in Michigan was planted in 1852 by Thomas Dougherty on Old Mission Peninsula, without knowing if the tree would survive in our climate. Not only did the tree flourish, but it ultimately led to a rapid growth in cherry tree farming! Michigan has the perfect recipe for cherry trees: rolling hills, sandy soil and colder winters!

While we can't get enough cherries in the summertime, we love watching the trees blossoming this spring! 🌸🍒