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The Boathouse on Waukazoo! Beach, Bars, Brewery all within a block!

Photo gallery for The Boathouse on Waukazoo! Beach, Bars, Brewery all within a block!

Exterior
Exterior
Outdoor dining
Living area
Private kitchen

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10176.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View map
Northport, MI
  • Willowbrook Mill
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Peterson Park
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Christmas Cove Beach
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪55 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Downstairs BR 1

1 Queen Bed

Downstairs BR 2 (kids room)

2 Single Beds

Upstairs BR 1

1 King Bed and 1 Single Bed

Upstairs BR 2

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Downstairs Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Upstairs Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Boathouse on Waukazoo! Beach, Bars, Brewery all within a block!

Charming historic downtown Northport home built in 1908. View of the bay from the front porch. Less than a block to the public beach, park, marina, bars, restaurants and brewery! Four bedrooms include two downstairs and two up. Jack and Jill full bathroom upstairs. Large fully equipped kitchen. Washer and dryer. Smart TV with wireless internet. Huge lot with lots of parking. Front porch and side patio for enjoying the summer nights.

Northport is at the tip of the Little Finger and is close to all that Leelanau County has to offer including; winery and cidery tours, breweries, Fish Town in Leland, shopping in Suttons Bay, boating and fishing in the bays and the inland lakes. Hiking trails lead to hidden beaches. Ten minutes to the north is the Leelanau State Park and the historic Grand Traverse Lighthouse.

More photos to come....

Please note that this house has steps at all entries and may be difficult for those with mobility challenges.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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Property grounds

Waterfront cottage on 10 acre bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. Very Private,Pets

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
$200 non-refundable deposit.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Check in for 7 day stays must begin and end on Saturday. All summer stays have 7 day minimum.
Pets defined as dogs only. Limited to one large or two medium to small dogs.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Northport

Northport is home to this holiday home. Grand Traverse Lighthouse and Historic Fishtown are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Leelanau State Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Holiday homes in NorthportOpens in a new window
Map
Northport, MI

What's nearby

  • Willowbrook Mill - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Christmas Cove Farms - 3 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Peterson Park - 8 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Christmas Cove Beach - 11 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Leelanau Sands Casino - 13 min drive - 16.9 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 49 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Northport Brewing - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Knot Just a Bar - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Leelanau Wine Cellars - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Fischer's Happy Hour Tavern - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Fingers Crossed - ‬2 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The Boathouse on Waukazoo! Beach, Bars, Brewery all within a block! pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

What time is check-in at The Boathouse on Waukazoo! Beach, Bars, Brewery all within a block!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Boathouse on Waukazoo! Beach, Bars, Brewery all within a block!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Boathouse on Waukazoo! Beach, Bars, Brewery all within a block! located?

Situated in Northport, this holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Willowbrook Mill and Lake Michigan. Christmas Cove Farms and Good Neighbor Organic Vineyard and Winery are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 46 out of 51 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 51 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 51 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 51 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 51 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Robert P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was excellent. Only 2 blocks to beach and downtown. Very comfortable. Already booked for next year.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leslie V.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our host was excellent and responded to our questions very quickly. This little house was warm and homey and it’s right next to all the shops and activities in Northport. We’ve already booked this home again in 2026!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patricia D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very nice place and love Northport!

Property was very clean, and comfortable to stay. Only thing that would be nice is a reclining chair.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Margaret K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Northport stay!

Our family of ten, all 14 and older, had a fabulous time at the Boathouse. The home was tucked away down a main side street where we could walk to the beach, groceries, shops and restaurants. We had wonderful nighttime fires on the side patio and read books on the swing on yet another side porch. We took daily walks along the beachside road and walked to tennis and pickleball courts. Sleeping and bath arrangements were comfortable for our big group. The kitchen offered everything we needed for “eating in” when wanted. Northport is such a beautiful, fun town in close proximity to Leland, Sutton’s Bay, Traverse City and even a nice day get-away to Glen Arbor and Empire. We are so thankful to have found this Boathouse gem.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelle P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Northport

Northport is my new favorite place in Leelanua Peninsula. Would definitely stay at the Boathouse again
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anna B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful

We had a lovely winter stay! Charming house in the center of town.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beth K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another perfect stay at the Boathouse!

This was our second stay at the Boathouse and it was just as great as the first. The home is equipped with most anything you’d need for a long stay. The proximity to downtown restaurants and shops (and Barb’s Bakery!) make it the perfect place to stay for an up north getaway. We can’t wait to rebook and come back for a third time!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Molly R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Location

We really enjoyed our stay at the Boathouse. It's an interesting house and property which character and charm. The location is in town Northport which makes it a short walk to everything from the grocery store to quaint shops to the beautiful bay to local restaurants. It was a great trip!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location close to everything

Great communication from owner, nice & comfy.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our week at The Boathouse

We had a great week at The Boathouse with our family. There is so much to do in Northport as well as the entire Leelanau Peninsula. Our 5 grandchildren enjoyed The Boathouse and exploring Northport. Our host, Mary Ellen, was very organized and communicated with me when I had a question.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

doug t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Upnorth vacation

Great experience. House was old but in great condition.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alfred D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Attending a Wedding

The property was a great fit, with a full bath upstairs and downstairs, perfect for a diverse family of adults, elementary age kids, grandmother and grandfather. Ample kitchen for making our breakfasts, lunches and watching movies in the evening, and accessibility to a quaint town.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anthony S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing week near the lake

We had a group of 10 stay the week of July 4th. We were able to walk to downtown Northport to enjoy the Mitten, Barb's and the fireworks on the 4th. The house was well equipped -- especially the air conditioners and laundry -- to meet our family's needs. We'll definitely consider staying here again on our next trip to Northport.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Jane N., La Porte, IN

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Conveniently located

Conveniently located to downtown Northport and surrounding areas for bike riding. Our week concluded with the Uncaged Festival in Northport which was really nice.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Vicky S., Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great cottage!

Wonderful cozy cottage in a great location in Northport. We had everything we needed and more. The owners are wonderful and easy to communicate. Will definitely return.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarkis K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Northport trip

We had a great stay. This house is conveniently locate near sleeping bear dunes, Glenn Arbor and Suttons Bay. Within walking distance to downtown Northport. Very convenient for going out for dinner and drinks at night. Great house with a lot of character. Plenty of beds and bedrooms for me and my family. Comfortable beds and furniture. We would definitely stay there again!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

C. Jason C.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
The location of the property is within close walking distance of everything, which we really enjoyed. The city of Northport is beautiful and authentic. There is a sense of community here. This is not a tourist trap and you will soon feel like a resident. In regards to the property, it needs some TLC in the areas of cleanliness and maintenance. Every corner and crevice of the house was covered in spider webs, the cabinet drawers were soiled with coffee grinds, the shower curtain on the main floor was covered in what appear to be pink mildew, the silverware and cups were soiled with food particles, some of the bedding was soiled with hair and what appeared to be bodily fluids, the sofa cushions were covered in what appeared to be cat hair. The washer was growing black mould. The interior and exterior of the home is in need of a fresh coat of paint, the deck boards on the front porch are splintered need to be cleaned and sealed, the grill needs to be cleaned and the outdoor furniture needs to be power washed. We really tried to look past some of this and enjoy the trip, but each day we would find something new. We did contact the owner and sent her pictures of our main concerns, and she did send out a cleaning person, which which helped some. My suggestion to make this place great, is a good deep cleaning, and some minor maintenance.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carrie P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great week at the boathouse!

We had a great week at the boathouse. Myself, my husband, our 3 girls and their 3 friends (ages 11-17) all loved the house. There was plenty of room (we probably could have squeezed in another 3 girls!), beds were comfy, AC and ceiling fans kept us all cool, and the welcome bottle of wine was appreciated! Northport is our favorite up north town, and the location was perfect, the girls could walk down to the beach/park or to the shops/restaurants. And still close enough for day trips to sleeping bear and traverse city. Porch swing and fire pit were great when we were just hanging out at the house. Would love to stay here again sometime!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marissa R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Back at the Boathous

4th time we've stayed at the Boathouse, so you could say we love love it. Mary Ellen is a fantastic host. Our dog knows the dog across the street. Everything in walking distance. Dine in. Patio dining. Take out. Groceries. Ice cream. Pizza. Brewery. Bakery. Beach. Leelanau County is a gem and Northport is a great town. Walkable. Minutes to Suttons Bay. Short drive to Leland. Beaches. Love the Boathouse - beds comfy, bathrooms refreshed, layout great. We will be back. Pet friendly.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marissa R., Chesterton, IN USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Back at the Boathouse on Waukazoo

Loved getting back to Northport, and the Boathouse on Waukazoo. The Mitten Brewing, NPG, Barb's Bakery, The Big Hot Woody, New Bohemian Cafe, The Tribune, The Bay Theatre in Suttons Bay [GOTG3, IYKYK], 30+ miles of walking and beaches with Newton, Roman Wheel Pizza, ice cream in Suttons Bay, The Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Peterson Park, Gill's Pier/Onomonee Road Beach. All the dogs [Alphonse, Humphrey, Max, Gabriel, Henri, Ruger AND Mystic!!!]. The family of 41 from Ohio. The family from Kentucky. The Friday Farmers Market. Bardenhagen strawberries. Perfect weather. And perfect location, hosts, and stay. Thank you, Mary Ellen - we cherish our time at the Boathouse ❤️❤️❤️🐾🐾🐾🏖🏖🏖
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

User K., Ohio

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Best Location

We loved the outside areas and the porch swing. There is plenty of parking. It is an old house and has had hodge podged not well done modifications. The outside is attractive. The bathrooms and beds were clean. We asked for more towels and the owner accommodated. The cleanliness of the house is not good. Nice furnishings, but the furniture in the living room is very dirty as are the rugs and the floors. I did mention this to the owner, but she had no comment.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beth K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Boathouse in the Fall

We had the absolute best time staying at the Boathouse. It was myself, my husband, sister, brother in law, niece, and mom. Plenty of bedrooms throughout and a nice open living space. The kitchen was fully stocked and had everything you could need. The house was in a very walkable area. Just a one block walk will get you to downtown- with a grocery store, shops and restaurants. One block in the other direction will get you to an awesome waterfront park with a marina and beach and playground. I can’t say enough great things about the house and location. The proximity to Sutton’s Bay and Traverse City is excellent. We were able to hit some of favorite places in those towns and then head back to Northport within about 40 minutes tops. The Boathouse is now a favorite and we will for sure be making a return visit!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kurt R.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Annette W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house in a great location. Northport is cute, walkable and friendly. Easy to get to local attractions—we went to several lighthouses, Sleeping Bear, Fishtown, South Manitou Island and Traverse City. House was clean, comfortable, well-stocked kitchen. We would definitely consider returning.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

John A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great time and the house was exactly as pictured. Well stocked and well located, we'll be back for sure!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

About the host

Hosted by Mary Ellen Philbin

Host profile image
Pat and I (Mary Ellen) live and work in Orlando, Florida. We both grew up in Michigan and have visited family often over the years. I grew up in Suttons Bay which is just south of Northport. I, and my Florida born kids, have visited Leelanau County every year since they were born (nearly 30 years). We now have kids and grand kids in Traverse City! The whole family loves Leelanau County and feel like we belong there! So, we bought our own little piece of paradise! Since we are still working, we are willing to share our happy place with you! We hope you enjoy it and if we can do anything to make your stay more comfortable, we will do our very best!

Why they chose this property

The Boathouse was built in 1908. It has all of the good and some of the challenging that comes with a house this old. This house is not easily accessible to people with mobility issues. The front entrance has two sets of stairs. The back entrance is not paved and is slightly uphill. Inside it has very high ceilings and nice roomy spaces. We love the character of the house. In the winter there is a beautiful view of the bay from the front and side porches. In summer the view is there but a bit more elusive due to the lush trees and bushes. On the top of the list of pros about the Boathouse is it's location! Less than a city block to the public beach, the public park and the marina. The road to the beach is not busy so you can let the kids come and go safely.
Downtown is literally two houses away! Groceries, bakery, restaurants, bowling alley and brewery all within steps. Can't beat this when traveling with a young family or a fun adult get away...

What makes this property unique

For us the unique beauty of the place is that we are close to family and friends. The people of Leelanau County are truly welcoming.

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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