Neighborhood Guide
Old Mission Peninsula
Wine, cherries, and the 45th parallel
Old Mission Peninsula is the easiest scenic day trip from Traverse City. You drive north on M-37 with water on both sides, vineyard views almost the whole way, and frequent pull-offs for photos.
The wine trail is the main draw, but this area is not just tasting rooms. You get farm stands, orchard views, and the lighthouse at the tip if you keep going all the way north.
One honest heads-up: there is one main road in and out. Traffic can stack up on peak weekends, especially when everyone leaves at the same time after sunset.
What makes this area special
- The 45th parallel marker gives you an easy halfway-to-the-equator photo stop.
- You can hit multiple wineries without long drives between stops compared with Leelanau.
- Sunset overlooks on the west side of the peninsula are hard to beat on clear evenings.
Featured places in this area
These are pulled from current listings with neighborhood or region matches.
Wineries & Vineyards
2 Lads Winery
Old Mission Peninsula • Old Mission Peninsula
Wineries & Vineyards
45 North Vineyard & Winery
Leelanau Peninsula • Leelanau Peninsula
Coffee Shops
45th Parallel Cafe
Leelanau Peninsula • Leelanau Peninsula
Farm-to-Table
9 Bean Rows Farmstead, Cafe & Bakery
Leelanau Peninsula • Leelanau Peninsula
Wineries & Vineyards
Amoritas Vineyards
Leelanau Peninsula • Leelanau Peninsula
Steak & Seafood
Apache Trout Grill
Leelanau Peninsula • Leelanau Peninsula
Family/American
Around the Corner Food and Fun
Leelanau Peninsula • Leelanau Peninsula
Family/American
Art's Tavern
Leelanau Peninsula • Leelanau Peninsula
Wineries & Vineyards
Aurora Cellars
Leelanau Peninsula • Leelanau Peninsula
Key attractions and things to do
Old Mission Lighthouse
Historic lighthouse at the peninsula tip with shoreline trails and beach access.
Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail
Nine wineries along M-37, from near-town tasting rooms to more rural estates.
45th Parallel marker
Quick roadside stop that is part photo-op, part geography flex.
Getting there and parking tips
- • Follow M-37 north and keep your stops in sequence so you are not backtracking all day.
- • If you plan wine tastings, assign a driver or book transport ahead of time.
- • Cell service can be spotty in a few sections, so download your map first.
- • Most winery lots are straightforward, but they fill fast on Saturdays.
- • Lighthouse parking is limited in peak season; go earlier in the day if possible.
- • Farm-stand pull-offs are short-stay spots, so avoid blocking entrances.
Best time to visit
- • Late spring and early fall are ideal for views, lighter traffic, and easier tastings.
- • Cherry season is great for roadside stands, usually around midsummer.
- • Fall color drives are excellent, but weekends get crowded quickly.
Related blog posts
Traverse City in Spring: Cherry Blossoms, Mud Season, and Why May Is Underrated
Spring in Traverse City means cherry blossoms along Old Mission, morel hunting in the woods, and beaches to yourself. A local's honest guide to March through May.
National Cherry Festival 2026: 100th Anniversary Insider's Guide (July 4-11)
Everything you need for Cherry Festival's 100th year. Air shows, concerts, free events, and the parking tricks locals actually use.
Old Mission & Leelanau Wineries: A Local's Tasting Guide for Fall 2026
Discover the top wineries on Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas with stunning fall foliage views, harvest season tastings, and cozy tasting rooms.