See all properties
Entire home

Historic Fishtown Shanty-Renovated and Remodeled

Photo gallery for Historic Fishtown Shanty-Renovated and Remodeled

Property grounds
This is a view of "The Otherside "from across the river.
Outdoor dining
"The Otherside" on the left side of the river is visible from the bridge.
Interior

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 692.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Leland, MI
  • Van's Beach
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Historic Fishtown
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Manitou Island Transit
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪47 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

1 Single Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen

About this property

Historic Fishtown Shanty-Renovated and Remodeled

One of the most unique rental properties right on the river in Leland's Historic Fishtown, this century old fishing shanty was home to one of the many fishing family businesses that occupied the village for decades.

Step out on the dock to watch the fishing boats and the Manitou Island Transit ferry coming and going from the Leland River. Observe the visitors on the other side of the river, meandering through Fishtown's "shanty" shops. Take a short walk to explore beautiful, expansive beaches of Lake Michigan and all the restaurants and shops in Leland, including Carlson's fishery, where you can get fresh caught Great Lakes fish.

Remodeled by the Carlson family in 2000, and newly renovated this year after sustaining damage from high water, this comfortable, well furnished, two bedroom, two bathroom shanty with a generous deck facing Lake Michigan, can sleep 6-8 people. This unique opportunity to spend a week in a one-of-a-kind property is offered through The Fishtown Preservation Society. If you are looking for an unforgettable vacation experience, this is it!

Property manager

Mary Lou
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Beach

Sweet Retreat Summary

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
Sweet Retreat Summary

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 3–17
Stay at own risk as this property is ON the water.
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Firecrackers are not allowed on the property.
Bring all outside activity inside by 10pm. Be a good neighbor.
Be aware that this property is directly on the Leland River and Guest are responsible for all their own safety and children's safety USE AT OWN RISK

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
This property accepts credit cards
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Leland

Located in Leland, this cottage is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and mountain biking nearby.
Map
Leland, MI

What's nearby

  • Van's Beach - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Historic Fishtown - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Manitou Island Transit - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 10 min drive - 9.8 km
  • Leelanau Sands Casino - 21 min drive - 20.7 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Nittolo's Seafood And Social - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Pedaling Beans Coffeehouse - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Leelanau Pie & Pastry - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Northern Latitudes Distillery - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Cove - ‬4 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Fishtown Shanty-Renovated and Remodeled pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Historic Fishtown Shanty-Renovated and Remodeled?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Fishtown Shanty-Renovated and Remodeled?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Historic Fishtown Shanty-Renovated and Remodeled located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Van's Beach and Lake Michigan. Historic Fishtown and Manitou Island Transit are just steps away.

Reviews

10

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. 34 out of 34 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tracey H.

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

Beautiful space.

Nicely appointed and comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carrie T.

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

Lovely!

This was the perfect place to stay in Leland!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Loved the Leland Shanty!!

What a unique place with a perfect location with access to Leland! We will definitely want to come back!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca C.

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

Great house and location for a girls weekend

Stayed here with some friends for a long weekend - had a great time, and this property was a perfect home base. The house was clean and comfortable, and the Fishtown location was fantastic! We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eric P.

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

Wonderful stay!

The home is amazing and feels very comfortable. Being right in the heart of Fishtown is a great experience, though expect to be in some other folks pictures while sitting in the dock! All in all, a fantastic place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sumer S.

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

Amazing Property

The location & property were amazing! Every detail was thought about and there was nothing that was not provided. Easy check in & parking. We loved that we could just walk to shops, restaurants & Van's beach. We would definitely recommed it was fantastic!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark B.

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

Awesome place in Fishtown

Love what they’ve done to the property. Will definitely stay here again
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy K.

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

Fishtown Shanty

Very pleasant stay and we particularly enjoyed Van's Beach which is just a short walk away. MaryLou communicated and responded to us very quickly when needed. We would definitely recommend this property for anyone interested.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris S.

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

Perfect Place

This place was just amazing. Well appointed. We decorated. It was actually much nicer than described! And located in the heart of Leland's famous fishtown and just a few steps (literally) from the beach. We loved it!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brooke B.

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

Amazing!

I can’t recommend The Shanty enough! It was so unique and clean. The location can’t be beat! I loved to hear the boats and anglers come and go. Our stay was perfect. I can’t wait to book it again!!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark B.

Wonderful property on the river. Would go back.

The house was in the middle of Fishtown - just a short walk from Leland’s historic district shops as well as the beach. Would definitely go back again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Linsey J.

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

Great place, very unique property

Our stay over Labor Day 2023 was fantastic! The property is incredibly unique and fun. Location is great with lots to do. The beach is just steps away and the sunsets were gorgeous! Plenty of space for our family of 4. Kitchen was well stocked for anything you may need to cook and beds were comfortable!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eric B.

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

Loved this place!

What a cool and unique place. The location couldn’t be better. We really enjoyed seeing all of the boats and watching sunsets from the upper deck. Can’t think of anything I would change. Highly recommend booking…I’ve never seen anything like it!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa G.

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

Beautiful Spot!

The pictures online do not do this property justice! It was perfect for a weekend getaway with my husband. The cabin had everything we needed and more. Check in and check out were seamless.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eva C.

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

Perfect getaway

If you love Fishtown and its surrounding wonders, you will love staying at The Other Side. Steeped in the village’s history, yet fully updated with all modern conveniences, the home is welcoming and beautifully quaint. We enjoyed watching the fishing boats from the pier and the salmon attempting a jump up the dam. Van’s beach is just steps away… no better place to catch the sunset. We can’t wait to return to this gem of a place.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katherine M.

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

So much attention to detail in this restored fishing shanty!

I fantasized about getting snowed in to this cozy and charming shanty if only to read the perfect collection of books! It is an iconic location and perfect for exploring all of Leelenau Peninsula. We watched the salmon struggling mightily make their way up the falls to spawn. A short walk from the back of the shanty takes you to the beach. Our stay was much to short!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sally B.

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

Sally

Great weekend get away. We really enjoyed our stay. House was perfect. Just the cutest stay. We look forward to staying again and have shared the place with family already. The only thing that would have been helpful is a light on to find the house in the dark better. But Mary was immediately available both times I called for help so it wasn’t an issue.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Betsy L.

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

Anniversary Weekend

The cottage was beautiful and the location was unbeatable. So many little details that made this rental stand out. The new deck furniture was lovely! We took home pockets full of Petoskey stones as well as lots of great memories.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert E L.

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

Bob's Dream Trip To Fishtown

Not really a Shanty!! Such a beautiful internal design and decorating!! Since I had been visiting Leland since 1972, it was a dream to stay in"The Otherside"
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael P.

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

Fishtown Otherside

Overall Susan and I were very pleased with the property and enjoyed our stay very much.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Feels Like Home

We've stayed at this property three years in a row. It's so charming, when you walk in it instantly feels like home. Mary Lou is amazing and quick to respond with any questions.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Loriannn M., Columbus, Ohio

Comfort and History

Very comfortable renovated fishing shanty. Perfect for our family of five with young kids. Enjoyed being in the heart of Fishtown, so close to the beach, shops, restaurants, boat trips and friendly Leland inhabitants. Sunset views and fishing from the deck. A wonderful vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Meera S.

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

Absolutely Charming

We've been vacationing in Northern Michigan for 11 years and this is one of our favorite rentals. It was absolutely charming and very comfortable and clean for us (a family of 4 with teens). We had loads of fun catching (MANY) fish off the dock and watching the sunsets at the beach. It was such a unique place to stay. Walking distance to the grocery and stores. I was a bit worried about having so many tourists on the other side of the river, but it was not a bother at all!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angela B., Holland MI

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

Once in a lifetime

This place is amazing and well stocked! You can walk to restaurants for every meal if you’d like to but it also has everything you need to stay right there and cook. I wouldn’t recommend making a lot plans if you book this incredible shanty because you won’t want to leave!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Perfect Fishtown rental!

We love this unique rental in the heart of Fishtown. This was our second visit and we are already talking about our next trip. Mary Lou was fantastic and the rental immediately feels like home. Open your door to see the Joy and Janice Sue. Amazing!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2017

About the host

Hosted by Mary Lou

Host profile image
Fishtown Preservation Society’s mission statement:
Fishtown Preservation Society exists to assure public access to Fishtown and to maintain its historical integrity, working waterfront, artifacts and stories through preservation, education, and stewardship.

Why they chose this property

One of the most unique rental properties right on the river in Leland’s Historic Fishtown. This century old fishing shanty was home to one of the many fishing family businesses that occupied the village for decades. Newly renovated this year after sustaining damage from high water, this comfortable, well furnished, 2 bedroom, 2 bath shanty with a generous deck facing Lake Michigan, can sleep 6 - 8 people. If you’re looking for an unforgettable vacation and rental experience, this is it.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback