10 Best Breweries and Beer Places in Lake Leelanau

"Thin-crusted wood-fired flatbreads and flavorful house brews revitalize the Depot.LD • BAR • $-$$ • 642 Railroad Place • 231.946.8168"

"An off-the-wall brewery that uses such bizarre ingredients as pig heads, fruit pies and asparagus, this art-bedecked place — which also includes a hair salon — is unforgettable. On our recent visit, we tried a lemon beer that owner and head brewer Russell Springsteen was testing. The recipe included lemon zest as well as juice, and it was delicious — a refreshing, more-natural-tasting departure from the uber-sweet shandies (lemonade mixed with beer) that have been rising in popularity."

"With a passion for brewing beer and cutting hair, Russell Springsteen combined both with Right Brain Brewery and the hair salon next door in 2007. Located in a large warehouse on East 16th Street, this innovative Traverse City microbrewery has an industrial style and family-friendly atmosphere. It hosts more than 150,000 patrons every year, and there are at least 30 beers on tap all the time."

"Tucked into an alleyway in the city's edgy Warehouse District, this microbrewery is paired with a hair salon next door. (Their motto is, You sip, we snip.) The 70-seat pub features at least 10 handcrafted ales, beers, stouts and porters at a time. Dress code: CasualPhone: +1 231-944-1239"

"A wide variety of mead along with some flavorful hard apple ciders.D • BAR • $$ • 119 N. Maple St. • 231.714.5028"

"At Sparky’s Diner, you’ll get a classic menu for breakfast in Traverse City. Some of your options include omelets, country-style biscuits and gravy, French toast, pancakes, oatmeal, and steak and eggs. Two things that make the diner stand out, though, are the build-your-own eggs sandwich and the corned beef hash omelet, which features Swiss cheese."

"I gotta say though that for as much as I love eating comfort food at my own job, I need a break every now and then, you know, to change it up."

"The awesome service and intimate setting at Rounds Restaurant make you feel like a local. Since breakfast is served all day, you can stop by for your morning favorites at any time. The old-fashioned diner menu features country-style options, such as country-fried steak, steak and eggs, and homemade biscuits and gravy."

"For unique menu items made with locally sourced ingredients, book a table at the renowned Cook’s House. A true foodie destination, the Cook’s House offers five-course and seven-course tasting menus that will have you planning your next visit. Location:115 Wellington St, Traverse City, MI 49686"

"A sweet little dollhouse of a spot, home to sustainable local cuisine with a French sensibility.LD • $$-$$$ • 115 Wellington St. • 231.946.8700. We have a feeling you’ll love MyNorth’s monthly food and drink newsletter …"

"This has been a favorite of ours for quite some time, they just became a part of some wonderful family memories too. We haven't been able to take our toddler…”more"

"Best Beach for Picnics and a Book: Located next to the NMC College Maritime Academy and the Maritime Pier. It's a great park for relaxing and reading a book or taking a walk out on the pier. It boasts a deep lush grassy area from the road, Picnic Tables, Grills and Swing Set."

"Between Clinch Park and Bryant Park beaches is Sunset Park Beach. More urban lakefront, Sunset Park Beach a great place to read on the beach and enjoy views of bats from the nearby Duncan L Clinch Marina. It’s a great location, right off Front Street, about a block from the Traverse Bay Cafe."

"You can enjoy plenty of indoor and outdoor fun in this 480-acre common area. The architecture is lovely. It’s a state hospital and asylum that was built in 1984, the Victorian buildings for which have been preserved and repurposed into an entertaining public area."