There’s a stretch of road in northern Michigan where every few miles feels completely different, and it all unfolds along a narrow strip of land surrounded by sparkling blue water on both sides.
This drive may be short but it packs in winding roads, hidden shoreline pull-offs, and some of the best elevated views over Grand Traverse Bay you’ll find anywhere in the state.
One minute you’re cruising past rows of grapes, and the next you’re stepping out into quiet open spaces or standing high above the water with nothing but open sky in front of you.
If you’re ready for a road trip filled with scenic stops, local flavors, and just enough adventure to keep things interesting, this Old Mission Peninsula drive is about to become your new favorite Michigan road trip.
1. Traverse City
Traverse City sits at the base of Grand Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan, about 2 hours from Grand Rapids, and it’s the main hub you’ll pass through before heading onto the Old Mission Peninsula.
This place is famous for cherries, and not just a little bit, since the surrounding region produces about 70% of the tart cherries grown in the entire United States.
It also throws the National Cherry Festival every July with air shows, parades, and pie-eating contests.
Downtown centers around Front Street, where you’ll find spots like the historic State Theatre from 1916, plus dozens of local restaurants, wineries, and the 10.5-mile-long TART Trail that’s perfect for biking right along the bay.
Right outside town, you’ve got easy access to sandy beaches like Clinch Park, the waters of Lake Michigan just beyond the bay, and nearly 40 wineries spread across Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas, which is exactly why this drive starts here.
2. Pelizzari Natural Area
Just a short drive from Traverse City and you’ll hit Pelizzari Natural Area, a 62-acre preserve located right along Center Road (M-37) on the peninsula.
This spot is all about quiet fields and wide-open views, with more than 3 miles of trail that winds through grassy meadows.
You won’t find crowds or big facilities here, just a simple parking area and peaceful trails through open fields, former orchards, and quiet forest.
It’s a great quick stop to stretch your legs, snap photos, and ease into the slower, scenic rhythm that makes this peninsula drive so special.
3. Bonobo Winery
Next up, things shift from quiet shoreline to laid-back wine tasting at Bonobo Winery, located at 12011 Center Road just a few minutes north of Pelizzari Natural Area.
This modern winery is known for its massive outdoor patio with sweeping views over West Grand Traverse Bay, where you can sip a glass of 2022 Riesling or Pinot Noir while boats drift across the water below.
Inside, the space keeps things sleek and simple with large windows, a tasting bar, and a rotating menu of wines made from locally grown grapes across the peninsula.
Plan to linger here for a bit, grab a flight, maybe a charcuterie board, and soak in one of the best elevated bay views you’ll get anywhere along the Old Mission Peninsula drive.
4. Bowers Harbor Vineyards
Keep cruising for about a 5-minute drive from Bonobo Winery and you’ll land at Bowers Harbor Vineyards, located at 2896 Bowers Harbor Road, where the setting shifts to a historic farmstead surrounded by neatly lined grapevines.
This winery has been around since 1991 and pours a wide range of estate-grown wines, including crisp Pinot Grigio, dry Riesling, and rich Cabernet Franc, all made from grapes grown right here on the peninsula.
The tasting room sits inside a restored stable barn, and out back you’ll find a relaxed patio with vineyard views plus a large grassy lawn that’s perfect for spreading out with a glass in hand.
It’s a more down-to-earth stop compared to the last winery, so take your time, try a flight, and enjoy a slower pace before continuing further up Old Mission Peninsula.
5. 2 Lads Winery
Just a few minutes from Bowers Harbor Vineyards, 2 Lads Winery shakes things up with a bold, ultra-modern building located at 16985 Smokey Hollow Road, perched high above East Grand Traverse Bay.
The winery focuses on small-batch wines like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and sparkling Chardonnay, and everything is poured inside a sleek tasting room with sharp angles and massive glass walls facing the water.
Step out onto the elevated patio and you’ll get one of the highest viewpoints on the peninsula, where rows of vines slope down toward the bay and the breeze off the lake keeps things cool even in mid-summer.
This stop feels a bit more design-forward and polished, so grab a glass, take in that panoramic view, and enjoy a totally different side of the Old Mission wine scene before continuing on.
6. Old Mission General Store
After the sleek lines of 2 Lads, Old Mission General Store brings you back to something classic, sitting right at 18250 Mission Road in the tiny village of Old Mission.
This place has been around since 1839, making it one of the oldest continuously operating general stores in Michigan, and it still has creaky wood floors, shelves packed with local goods, and that old-school charm you can’t fake.
Inside, you can grab fresh deli sandwiches, house-made cherry pie, Michigan cherry products, and even a scoop of ice cream before heading back out on the road.
It’s the perfect quick stop to refuel, stretch your legs, and soak up a bit of local history before you continue toward the very tip of the peninsula.
7. Mission Point Lighthouse
At the very tip of the peninsula, Mission Point Lighthouse marks the end of the drive at 20500 Center Road, where Old Mission Peninsula meets the waters of both the East and West arms of Grand Traverse Bay.
Built in 1870, this white lighthouse once guided ships through the narrow channel between Old Mission Peninsula and Power Island, and you can still climb the tower for views stretching across the bay.
The surrounding park is just as worth your time, with easy walking trails, a short loop trail through wooded areas, and a shoreline where you can skip stones or spot freighters in the distance.
It’s the grand finale of the drive, where you can wander, snap photos by the iconic lighthouse, and stand at the exact 45th parallel, halfway between the Equator and the North Pole.
Please note that the lighthouse operates seasonally, typically from May through October. However the park, beach and trails are open year-round.
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