Things to Do in Old Mission Peninsula
Old Mission Peninsula, Traverse City: Serene and unhurried, defined by quiet country lanes, family-run farms, and panoramic water views that encourage you to slow down and simply look.
Old Mission Peninsula feels like a world apart from Traverse City, a quiet green finger of land dividing Grand Traverse Bay into east and west arms. You'll drive a narrow road lined with cherry orchards and vineyards, catching glimpses of impossibly blue water between the trees. The air carries a distinct mix of smells depending on the season: the sweet-tart perfume of cherry blossoms in May, the dry dust of gravel roads in August, and the crisp, clean scent of pine needles after an October rain. It's the kind of place where you'll hear the distant hum of a tractor in a vineyard more often than traffic, and where the dominant sound at night is the gentle lapping of waves on a stony beach. The views are what stick with you: looking west from the tip of Old Mission Peninsula at sunset, you see the water turn a fiery orange, with the dark silhouette of the Leelanau Peninsula across the bay.
Perfect For
Top Attractions in Old Mission Peninsula
Mission Point Lighthouse
Standing sentinel at the very tip of the peninsula, this whitewashed lighthouse is surrounded by mowed grass that slopes down to rocky shoreline. You'll feel the full force of the wind coming off Grand Traverse Bay here, and hear the rhythmic clang of a buoy bell out in the channel. The 360-degree view from the grounds makes you feel like you're at the prow of a ship.
Peninsula Drive Wineries
The two-lane road is dotted with tasting rooms set back among rolling vineyards. Inside, you'll taste bright, acidic Rieslings and sample cherry wines that capture the local terroir, while looking out floor-to-ceiling windows at orderly rows of vines stretching toward the water.
Haserot Beach
This small, crescent-shaped public beach has a different sensory experience than the big, sandy shores on the Leelanau side. Your feet will feel smooth, sun-warmed stones instead of sand, and the water is typically clearer and colder here. It's a quiet spot to listen to the gentle swish of small waves and watch boats glide past.
Scenic Drive along M-37
The journey itself is the attraction. Driving the length of Old Mission Peninsula, you'll see weathered red barns located against hillsides of cherry trees, catch sudden flashes of brilliant blue bay between farmstands, and pass century-old white clapboard churches. It's a rolling postcard of Up North Michigan life.
Where to Eat in Old Mission Peninsula
The Boathouse Restaurant
Upscale American with seafood focus
Mission Table at Bowers Harbor
Farm-to-table in a historic setting
Peninsula Pantry
Casual cafe and market
Local Farm Stands along M-37
Fresh produce and local goods
Getting Around Old Mission Peninsula
You'll need a car to explore Old Mission Peninsula properly. M-37 is the only main road running its 18-mile length, and public transit doesn't extend out here. Rideshares from Traverse City are possible but can be pricey for the round trip, and you'll have limited service at the peninsula's northern end. Cycling is popular among enthusiasts. But note the road has narrow shoulders and can be busy in peak summer months. Early mornings on weekdays are the calmest times for a bike ride.
Where to Stay in Old Mission Peninsula
Explore Activities in Old Mission Peninsula
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Old Mission Peninsula.
See All Old Mission Peninsula Tours on Viator