Suttons Bay
Suttons Bay: Real Estate, Landmarks, and Restaurants
Suttons Bay
Suttons Bay is a village in Leelanau County, Michigan. Incorporated in 1898, this village lies midway up the eastern shore of Leelanau Peninsula. Suttons Bay is a coastal village that has its own special quality and unique charms: from specialty shops and galleries to its famous wineries.
Suttons Bay is located about 30 miles north of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Whether you are visiting by boat or by car, you will surely be captivated by Suttons Bay’s rolling landscapes and turquoise waters.Suttons Bay Homes & Real Estate
When it comes to homes and real estate, Suttons Bay offers a very diverse array of choices. It has charming cottage-style buildings and log homes that create a sparse suburban atmosphere. There are also modern and contemporary homes, and homes along the lakefront. Some of the properties welcome natural light and provide magnificent views of the Suttons Bay Marina.
Suttons Bay neighborhoods are very quiet, low traffic areas with county maintained roads.
With most Suttons Bay Homes being close to schools, shops, and restaurants, everything is easily accessible. Suttons Bay in Leelanau County is definitely one of the best places to live in Michigan.
Suttons Bay Waterfront Homes for Sale
The town is located on the shore of Suttons Bay, which is an inlet of Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is one of five lakes that comprise the Great Lakes. Therefore, Suttons Bay is a nature lover’s paradise, and there are plenty of waterfront homes that allow residents to enjoy the wonderful views.
Waterfront homes in Suttons Bay are often bright and airy, with large windows that provide ample natural lighting and stunning views. Some Suttons Bay waterfront homes have a Georgian Colonial design. Some of the properties are ranch homes built in the 1970s and remodeled during recent years. Enjoy expansive, panoramic sunrise Bay views at Suttons Bay.
Average Home Prices in Suttons Bay
The average home value in Suttons Bay is $339,687 for the year 2020. According to Zillow, Suttons Bay home values have gone up 3.6 percent over the past year. Zillow also predicts that the median home value will fall by 2.1 percent within the next year.
Take note that if you are planning to build a home in Suttons Bay, you need to have 10 plus acres to build on—unless you are in a subdivision or pre-existing area that supersedes this order.
Famous Homes & Neighbors in Suttons Bay
There are plenty of notable homes in Suttons Bay that catch a lot of visitors’ eyes. For example, there is a lovely Japanese Style Home located at 308 Adams Street in Suttons Bay. This spectacular residence incorporates features of Japanese castles and colors derived from Buddhist temples.
Another interesting residence in Suttons Bay is called The Passivhaus or The Passive House, located at 376 Lincoln Street. A passive house is a voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building. It is a home that is purposely designed to reduce the building’s ecological footprint: it’s a nature-friendly establishment. The concept was developed in 1989 by researchers Wolfgang Feist of Germany, and Bo Adamson of Sweden. The result is an ultra-low energy and cost-efficient building that requires little energy for space heating or cooling.
The Passivhaus in Suttons Bay is no different. The concept for this “traditional house” is to focus on reducing the energy consumed in its lifetime. In 2014, wife and husband Lois Bahle and Larry Mawby set out to build their own carbon-saving, energy-conserving house. Their home’s classic design fits well with the neighborhood’s vintage bungalows and family cottages. The decision to create a Passive House with the help of architect Larry Graves and general contractor Clark Southwell helps the couple live a sustainable lifestyle that also benefits the environment.
Suttons Bay residents have a few famous neighbors, one of which is American chef and restaurateur Mario Batali. Mr. Batali was featured in an article of the New York Times in 2007 where he talked about Northern Michigan and his home in the Leelanau Peninsula.
Because he co-owns restaurants in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Westport, CT, Singapore, and Hong Kong, he may not have a lot of time to fly in and enjoy the peace and quiet of Northern Michigan.
The famous Ciccone Vineyard and Winery, owned by Madonna’s family, is also located in the beautiful Leelanau County, overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. You can enjoy 100 percent estate-grown, award-winning wines in Ciccone Vineyard and Winery’s Tasting Room. It has live music every Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and other enjoyable events throughout the year.
The Ciccone Vineyard and Winery currently has 14 acres planted with a variety of grapes. It offers a large array of European varietals; Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.Well Known Historical Landmarks
Suttons Bay is rich in both history and culture—and it is full of interesting landmarks and tourist attractions. One of these is Fountain Point, located in 990 South Lake Leelanau Drive. The name “Fountain Point” comes from a fountain of sparkling artesian spring water that has been continuously gushing since 1867.
In 1889, Lydia Morrison of Cincinnati, Ohio established the “Fountain Point House”. It is a Victorian-style mansion that has been attracting guests and tourists ever since.
Another interesting landmark is the Leelanau Transit Company Suttons Bay Depot in 101 S. Cedar Street. This railroad track was built in 1903 to access a Northport-Manistique car ferry. However, the railway was immediately unsuccessful and the ferry was discontinued in 1908.
In 1919, the Leelanau Transit Company was organized to take over ownership of the tracks. They built the depot in Suttons Bay as a passenger and freight station.
For those who want to visit Suttons Bay’s museums, the Eyaawing Museum and Cultural Center is one of the best choices. It was created by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians to establish, gather, interpret, and maintain a record of the history of the Grand Traverse Band of Anishinaabek. The tribe has a great respect for the circle of life, as well as the telling of their true heritage. And so the museum’s goal is to promote the Tribe’s belief that the culture, language and spirit of the Grand Traverse Band shall be recognized, perpetuated, communicated, supported, and shared with the people of all nations.
Inside the museum is the Odaawa Gamik or Gift Shop, which features the work of local and tribal artists. It has everything from handmade baskets to jewelry. It has stained glass, dream catchers, maps, books, and educational materials. A friendly volunteer will even tell stories from the Anishinaabe culture and belief systems. While the museum itself is small, there is a lot of information about several tribes in the region.
Restaurants in Suttons Bay
The restaurants in Suttons Bay are very diverse in terms of menu and culinary offerings. The V.I. Grill, located in 201 N Saint Joseph St, Suttons Bay, serves fresh and local American fare within a family friendly atmosphere. Some of their specialties include Fresh Whitefish, Black Angus burgers, hand cut fries, fresh salads, and sandwiches. They also serve fresh desserts including Moomers Ice Cream.
At V.I Grill you can enjoy an outdoor dining experience around a stone fireplace with a full bar area. It provides a very unique dining experience that gives a nod to the history of Leelanau County.
Another great dining option is Martha’s Leelanau Table, located in 413 N Saint Joseph St, Suttons Bay. People love this place and give it amazing reviews online. With great food and friendly service, this is the place to go if you are looking for somewhere new to eat. They offer crisp salads, oysters, pastas, tiramisu, salmon, crab cakes, and many more.
The North Country Grill and Pub in 420 N Saint Joseph St, Suttons Bay is perfect for those who are interested in good drinks from the bar, early bird specials, and good food.
Aside from the wide variety of restaurants, Suttons Bay is known for its award-winning wines, so there are plenty of breweries to find here.
Tandem Ciders, for instance, is a laid-back place that gives a European country side vibe. You can learn a lot about ciders within a short span of time—you might get hooked. They offer draft ciders, canned ciders, bottled ciders, and Pommeau.
The Hop Lot Brewing Company is a microbrewery with an onsite beer garden and hop garden. It is located in M22, Suttons Bay. Established in 2015 by two brothers, The Hop Lot Brewing Company aims to give you the “Ultimate Brewery Experience”.
MAWBY Sparkling Wine is another great place to visit. The owners first planted their vines in 1973 and established their vineyards in 1976—so this brewery is quite historic. MAWBY Sparkling Wine exclusively produces sparkling wine. It welcomes both new and returning guests, so feel free to pay a visit.
Suttons Bay is not only a perfect tourist destination with plenty of activities all year-round and many different sites to visit; it is also a fine place to live. You and your family can enjoy magnificent views from a waterfront home, or enjoy the peace and quiet of the suburban neighborhoods. Suttons Bay is a great place to stay.
