Posted on May 21, 2026
Settled at the heart of Michigan's Lower Peninsula and on the doorstep of Sleeping Bear Dunes, the beautiful town of Glen Arbor strikes a perfect chord for visitors whether you're looking for an adventure dive into nature or enjoy some of the quieter moments of small town living. Come take a look at what Glen Arbor, MI has to offer!
Being among some of America's most beautiful landscapes, Glen Arbor, MI is the perfect destination for outdoor exploration! The nature trails across the lakeshore offer great excursions around the Sleeping Bear Dunes region with our selected few standing out for their stunning views and storied histories. Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is the largest of our choice trails with its reach extending from the town of Empire through Glen Arbor and across the Port Oneida portion of the National Lakeshore. With several sections across twenty miles of trail, any slice of the Heritage Trail makes for a unique experience! If you have an interest in taking on panoramic views and old wilderness walks, Pyramid Point Trail in the east national lakeshore sees one of the best views across Lake Michigan with a loop across several beautiful biomes within the local wilderness. If picturesque shoreline, dunewalking, and sunsets are your go-to, Empire Buff Trail along the southern reaches of the lakeshore is a family hiking spot fit for any time of day or evening. Open skies and vast views make this the best sightseeing trail in Sleeping Bear. Be sure to check for possible visitor and parking fees for the trailheads when planning out your hike.
Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
5700-5742 S. Fisher Rd., Glen Arbor, MI 49664 | Website
Pyramid Point Trail
Basch Rd., Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | (231) 334-2000 | Website
Empire Bluff Trail
Wilco Rd., Empire, MI 49630 | (231) 334-2000 | Website
Whether early in the morning or late in the evening, we all have to eat at some point. And whenever you are needing a nice meal, Glen Arbor has plenty of delectable options from sit-down dining experiences to food halls to choose from! Made for a pleasant sit-down, Blu has inspired dishes, lakeside views, and award-winning service which feature in the heart of Glen Arbor as a luxury of fine dining with weekend luncheons and quiet dinners in mind. For more casual bits, look no further than Anderson's Market with a full deli service featuring cold cuts, soups, and pizza offered daily and to-order as well as a full market of local produce, custom butchery, and good spirits. If seasonal selections and flavorful cherry dishes are what you seek, Cherry Public House at Cherry Republic provides the full tavern experience with a rotating menu and choice drinks. It should also be mentioned that Cherry Republic has more to offer if you happen to enjoy the cherry theming of their various shops. Regardless of where you settle down for a meal, there is somewhere for everyone's taste in Glen Arbor!
If you are looking for regional wine, Cherry Republic Winery has a fair deal of tastings as well as spirits options featured from the peninsula. Be sure to check out the Leelanau Wine Trail which incorporates 23 local wineries throughout the region with a level of authentic experience that is hard to beat.
Blu
5705 South Lake, Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | (231) 334-2530 | Website
Anderson's Market
6545 Western Ave., Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | (231) 334-3149 | Website
Cherry Public House
6026 South Lake St., Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | (231) 226-3033 | Website
What better way is there to enjoy the lakeshore than to soak up some sun? Well, Glen Arbor has some wonderful options for any type of waterfront visitor. Tucked against the historical town of Glen Haven and at the edge of Sleeping Bear Dunes, Glen House Beach is highly praised for its beauty and appeal in its year-round accessibility. With a considerate interest, this spot tends to be busy daily, especially in the hot summer months, meaning the site's free parking goes fast! With a handful of its featured sites being included in this article, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore goes without mention as one of the most prominent landscapes in all of Michigan. Its towering mounds and dozens of miles of lakefront beach and trails hold as a core to the region's identity as a traveling destination, offering a once-in-a-lifetime journey across its natural wonders. As part of the experience, the strenuous but beloved Dune Climb sections (off of the M-109 and the Dune Trail) of Sleeping Bear is an event that has drawn millions of visitors to the dunes over the years just to run up and down their steep expanses, but be wary of the warnings posted by the National Park Service on their website for this activity as evacuation is available but not preferred. If you would like to be on the water without too much sand in sight, paddleboarding and kayaking on Crystal River is perfect for any day-long group outing set to cruise the waters at your own pace. When considering where to go, make sure to check for conditions as weather is a concern for any type of outdoor activity.
Glen Haven Beach
WX 3F+QP, Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | Website
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore
(231) 326-4700 | Website
Crystal River Outfitters
6249 River Rd., Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | (231) 334-4420 | Website
As a historic area, Glen Arbor has its share of local attractions which speak for the soul of the community. On the interest of history, Glen Haven Historic Village and the associated Sleeping Bear Point Maritime Museum act as some of the most compelling preserved historical sites and museum pieces on Lake Michigan. Available tours and self-guided attractions allow for any variety of engagement with the sites, so making a day out of them is certain to be fun! For those more interested in artistry, the locally driven Downtown Galleries such as Synchronicity Gallery and Lake Street Studios among others. This variety of Glen Arbor galleries support local artists and give insight into the art scene across the region. If the feeling of wind through your hair and sightseeing is more your inclination, the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a loop drive across the vast forests across Sleeping Bear Dunes with trail access and picking spots throughout to add some variety to your exploration. Glen Arbor has plenty of spots that show why the town is so special to everyone who visits, so make sure you check them out and enjoy your time there!
Glen Haven Historic Village
Glen Haven, Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | Website
Maritime Museum
8799 Sleeping Bear Road, Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | Website
Downtown Art Galleries
Downtown Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | Website
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
(231) 326-4700 | Website
If you end up staying around for more than a day, there are plenty of places to rest your head and wake up to continue your adventures. With some of the most well respected natural lands in the state, Glen Arbor has no shortages of campsites across the surrounding region with D.H. Day Campground along the Heritage Trail being a great pick. The proximity to beach access and general facilities make for a perfect weekend among the pines while you're in the area. If you want that sort of access to nature while refraining from seeing mosquitos, Dune Climb Inn at the base of Sleeping Bear Dunes is a breath of fresh air with its homely appeal while retaining the nostalgic motel-feel from the site's former life. All of this sits within a short distance of many trails and towns in the area, so it's perfect regardless of what you intended to do while you're visiting. For those who enjoy the sights more than anything, Sleeping Bear Inn at the historic Glen Haven village sits across the way from both Sleeping Bear Dunes and within sight of the bay and Manitou Islands. As a B&B, the offering of a full breakfast, beautiful sights, and varied accommodations (and opportunity for select packages) is hard to pass up! regardless of where you land, Glen Arbor is made to be enjoyed by anyone passing through!
D.H. Day Campground in Leelanau District
8000 W Harbor Hwy., Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | (231) 334-4634 | Website
Dune Climb Inn
7194 S. Dune Hwy., Empire, MI 49630 | (231) 668-6789 | Website
Sleeping Bear Inn
5248 Glen Haven Rd., Glen Arbor, MI 49636 | (833) 232-7262 | Website