Leelanau County on the Cheap, Focus: Winter

by Ashlea Turner
Sun staff writer
This column is devoted to budget travelers who enjoy fresh food and quality time spent off the beaten path in Leelanau County.
Aaaahh, winter in Leelanau County. The snowbirds have fled to the Bahamas, Arizona and Florida and only the heartiest of souls are left here to battle the elements. With the exception of a few busy weekends, this magical peninsula is very quiet (not to mention cold and snowy.) For many of the locals, this is the most wonderful time of year.

Heavy snow blankets the landscape and simplifies the contours of the land, making hills and valleys stark and beautiful. Rivers and roads run through the oversized white quilt like fine ribbon. And no one is afraid to wear a goofy-looking hat as it is a necessity.
The restaurants and bars are full of locals who regularly battle the elements to join each other to fill up on the best dining deals of the year. Many of the establishments that are too busy to even offer a stool during the summer offer the best of the deals. So come along, over the hills and through the woods to discover the best deals in Leelanau County…
Before you eat, you need to work on your appetite so make sure to go for a walk on the beach or visit the wonderful shops that remain open, at least through the holidays. Well before the Winter Solstice, there are great shopping deals in Glen Arbor from 5-7 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving. In the spirit of the early hour, this crazy event for bargain shoppers is entitled the Pajama Party. Yes, it’s a bit early and people are really dressed in pajamas. And yes, there are great deals at the local shops. …just needed to mention it in case you needed a reason to get up at 4:30 in the morning after a big Turkey Smorgasbord the day before… on to other great deals…
While you’re in Glen Arbor, it goes without saying that the best deal around, if you’re hankering for a nibble of chocolate, is to stop in at the Cherry Republic on Lake Street for some free samples of chocolate-covered dried cherries. (But don’t tell them I sent you.)
If you’re looking for old-fashioned small town holiday shopping, visit Empire and consider attending the 1st Annual “Evening in the Village” from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, December 6th. The shops will be offering complimentary refreshments along with many options for everyone on your shopping list including antiques, handmade gifts, art, wearables, holiday cards, pet gifts, furniture and home decor. If the merchants have anything to do with it, the weather will be snowy and full of yuletide splendor, too.
Now on to the dining deals of the century…
On Monday evenings through the winter, Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor is once again offering a hamburger and fries deal — Buy One — Get One Free. The offer is only good from 5-10 p.m. on Mondays, but it’s good on any of their delicious burgers. So grab a few friends and extend the weekend through Monday evening. The Olive Burger comes highly recommended from Yours Truly.
The Western Avenue Bar & Grill in Glen Arbor and the Leelanau Country Inn, 8 miles south of Leland, also offer great specials through the winter. Be sure to check the Leelanau Enterprise for their coupons for specials such as “Buy One Entree at Regular Price and Receive a Second Entree $10.00 off!”
The best deal of the winter, however, happens on the other side of Glen Lake at “Funistrada.” On Thursday nights through the winter, they offer an incredible pasta special: two pasta dinners (with salad and bread) and a bottle of wine for $36. Every other Thursday, they also provide complimentary live and moody jazz by the Turtlenecks. NOT TO BE MISSED. Funistrada opens at 5:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, but it behooves you to make reservations before you come with a carload of your best friends.
Bargain hunters, hopefully you’ve figured out by now that the best dining deals take place during the week, and the same is true for other lodging and recreational deals. For example, The Homestead Resort offers its best skiing deals Tuesday – Friday afternoons from 3-8 p.m. Adult tickets are only $12, Juniors $10 and Kids $3. The views from the top of the lifts are unbeatable and it’s a wonderful place for families to learn to ski or snowboard.
And so as to not completely give away all the local haunts, here is a somewhat cryptic message about another favorite winter meal deal: Bluebird, Pizza, Tuesday Night.
See you there.