Cedar is Leelanau Unfiltered: Woods, Water, and Authenticity
When people look at a map of Leelanau County, their eyes usually trace the blue edges—Leland, Northport, Suttons Bay. They look at the coastline.
But if you want to know where the actual living happens in this county, you have to look at the center. You have to look at Cedar.
I’m Taylor Brown. While Janel (my business partner and mom) and I don't live in Cedar, we find ourselves out here constantly. It’s where we go when we want to escape the summer crowds, grab a serious ice cream cone, or just breathe a little deeper.
If you want a hobby farm, a hunting property, or just a place where you can see the stars without any light pollution, Cedar is the answer.
The 15-Minute Rule
The biggest secret about Cedar is its geography. When you live here, you are technically "inland," but functionally, you are in the middle of everything.
The Hub: You are roughly 15 minutes from the Sleeping Bear Dunes, 15 minutes from Traverse City, and 15 minutes from Leland.
The Strategy: You get the lower price per square foot of being inland, but you can still get to a Lake Michigan beach faster than most people living in Traverse City can.
The Culture: Polka, Sausage, and Pride
Cedar isn't a resort town trying to impress tourists. It’s a farming village with deep Polish roots, and it wears that heritage on its sleeve.
The Polka Fest: You can't talk about Cedar without mentioning the Polka Festival. For one weekend a year, this quiet town turns into the loudest, happiest place in Michigan. It’s not just a party; it’s a homecoming. Even if you don't dance, you go for the food and the energy.
The Butcher Wars: We are spoiled here. You have Pleva’s Meats, famous for Ray Pleva’s cherry pecan sausage (it’s iconic).
Bunting's Cedar Market: This is a daily staple. You stop here for a quick lunch, but the real pro move is grabbing their cheddar hot dogs or brats from the meat counter for a weekend grill-out. There is nothing better.
The Lifestyle: Woods, Gunpowder, and Ice Cream
Real estate in Cedar looks different than the rest of the peninsula.
Acreage: This is where we bring clients who want a pole barn. If you have toys—boats, snowmobiles, tractors—you need space, and Cedar offers 5, 10, or 20-acre parcels that you just can't find in Glen Arbor.
The Rod & Gun Club: We love the Cedar Rod & Gun Club. It’s the perfect spot to sight in a rifle before deer season or just shoot some skeet. It’s unpretentious, safe, and a great place to meet the locals.
The Sweet Spot: On a hot summer day, stopping at the Blue Moon Ice Cream Shop is mandatory. It’s a simple pleasure, but sitting there with a cone feels like stepping back into a simpler time.
Why We Love Selling Cedar
Cedar is for the buyer who wants authenticity.
Janel knows the land. When you are buying acreage, you need to understand perc tests, zoning for pole barns, and property lines. She’s navigated these rural deals for decades.
I know the potential. I look at these properties and see what they can become. Whether it’s finding a spot for a killer food plot for hunting or identifying a farmhouse that just needs a little vision to become a modern homestead, I love the grit of this market.
Let’s Go Inland
If you are tired of the crowds and want to see what "real" Leelanau living looks like, let’s take a drive. Reach out to us today. We can meet at the Cedar Tavern for a cold drink and map out your future in the heart of the county.
Janel & Taylor Brown The Brown Team | Real Estate One (231) 360-1510
