Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology

This hands-on children's museum in Grand Traverse County transforms learning into pure fun. Kids can explore interactive exhibits that spark imagination while parents actually enjoy watching the magic happen. The museum focuses on STEAM learning through play - think building challenges, water tables, and creative art stations. What sets this place apart is how it adapts to different age groups, keeping toddlers and tweens equally engaged. The staff genuinely cares about creating memorable experiences, and you'll find yourself staying longer than planned as your kids dive deep into discovery mode.

Tucked away on the scenic Leelanau Peninsula, Jim DeWildt's gallery showcases the raw beauty of Northern Michigan through masterful landscape paintings. DeWildt captures the region's dramatic lakeshores, rolling vineyards, and dense forests with a painter's eye that locals instantly recognize. His studio space allows visitors to watch the artistic process unfold, while original oils and watercolors line the walls—each piece telling a story of Michigan's changing seasons. This isn't your typical tourist gallery; it's where authentic regional artistry meets genuine passion for the Great Lakes landscape.

Leelanau Studios sits at the heart of the Grand Traverse Regional Arts Campus, where creativity flows as freely as Lake Michigan's shoreline breezes. This vibrant arts hub transforms the Peninsula's natural beauty into inspiration for working artists and visiting creators alike. Local painters, sculptors, and multimedia artists call these studios home, crafting everything from cherry blossom watercolors to driftwood installations. The open studio events let visitors peek behind the creative curtain, watching art come to life in real time. It's where Traverse City's artistic soul meets the raw, untamed spirit of the Leelanau Peninsula.

Step into Megan Renae Studios in downtown Traverse City and discover where artistic vision meets Northern Michigan inspiration. This creative sanctuary showcases original artwork that captures the essence of Grand Traverse County's natural beauty through vibrant paintings and unique mixed-media pieces. You'll find everything from stunning lakefront landscapes to abstract interpretations of cherry blossoms and autumn maples. The studio space invites you to watch the creative process unfold, with works-in-progress displayed alongside finished pieces. Perfect for art collectors seeking something truly local or anyone wanting to take home a piece of Michigan's artistic soul.

Step into this welcoming gallery space on the Leelanau Peninsula where local and regional artists showcase their work in rotating exhibitions. Kids gravitate toward the interactive displays and hands-on art stations, while parents browse paintings, sculptures, and crafts that capture Northern Michigan's natural beauty. The gallery owners know their artists personally and love sharing stories behind each piece. You'll find everything from vibrant landscapes of nearby vineyards to whimsical pottery that makes perfect gifts. The relaxed atmosphere encourages lingering, and the reasonable prices make it easy to take home a piece of Leelanau's creative spirit.

The main visitor center for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Empire, offering exhibits and trip planning resources.