Perfect Picnic Tour on Old Mission
There’s something magical about exploring Old Mission Peninsula, the winding vineyard roads, roadside farm stands, and sweeping views of Grand Traverse Bay. Now imagine doing it all from the comfort of a vintage VW bus with 23 windows and full open air sunroof, with local flavors and scenic stops curated just for you. The Wander With Direction Old Mission Picnic Tour offers you a day of delicious discoveries, stunning views, and the perfect lakeside lunch. Every stop along the way adds to the perfect picnic you’ll enjoy by the shores of Grand Traverse Bay.
With our vintage VW bus, local stops, and fully supplied beach setup (beach blankets, umbrella, and cooler), a Wander With Direction Old Mission Picnic is more than a day trip, it’s an experience you’ll remember. Relax, explore, and enjoy the perfect mix of local flavors, scenic views, and lakeside charm.
Stop 1Farm-Fresh Finds at Local Yokals Farm StandOur first stop sets the tone for a fresh and flavorful day. At Locals Yokals, you’ll find produce straight from the peninsula’s fields and orchards. Depending on the season, the stand overflows with juicy peaches, crisp cucumbers, sweet corn, and more, perfect to add color and crunch to your picnic basket.
Stop 2Sip & Select at a Local WineryNext, we’ll head to your choice Old Mission’s renowned wineries (or brewery, or distillery) for a tasting.
Head on over to our Old Mission Peninsula page to view all off your options. After sampling at your preferred stop, you can pick a favorite bottle or growler to take along for the picnic. It will be a perfect pairing for your local spread.
Make the Tour No-AlcoholThis tour could easily be made into a no-alcohol tour. Instead of a winery we could head over to the Old Mission General Store and pick out a ‘Pop’ from their chilled selection of classic sodas.
Stop 3 Pick up Custom Sandwiches & Salads at Bad Dog Deli
It’s time to add the heart of our picnic. We’ll stop at Bad Dog Deli, a beloved local shop known for hearty, made-to-order sandwiches. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic or something a little creative, this stop ensures our picnic has plenty of flavor and variety.
We can also pop-in to the market next door to pick up any additional picnic necessities.
Stop 4Harbor View Lavender FarmBefore heading to the beach, we’ll make a quick stop at Harbor View Lavender Farm to peek into their bakery case. Where they offer up freshly made pastries and pies, or you can pick up fresh-picked local fruit.
The Lavender Farm is a sensory delight, savor the aroma of lavender, taste the sweetness of local pastries, and add a touch of indulgence to your picnic basket.
Next Stop
Picnic on a beach at the Top of Old Mission!
With all your goodies gathered, we’ll head to the very tip of the peninsula to a beach near the Old Mission Lighthouse. This scenic beach is the perfect spot to spread out your blanket, unpack your sandwiches, fresh produce, pastries, and wine (or not), and enjoy an unforgettable lakeside picnic with panoramic views of Grand Traverse Bay.
Final StopBuchan’s Blueberry HillEvery adventure deserves a sweet ending. On the way back, we’ll stop at Buchan’s Blueberry Hill for homemade ice cream. With classic flavors and blueberry specialties, this stop adds the perfect scoop of happiness to close out the day.
5 Hour TourAssumes 1 hour for winery and 1 hour to enjoy picnic + small stops along the way and drive time. Depending on how long each stop takes, this tour will likely take 4 to 5 hours
Wander with Direction
Because the journey is just as important as the destination.
Relax in our vintage VW bus, enjoy scenery along the way, and let us take care of the details. You’ll experience Old Mission Peninsula in a way that’s fun, flavorful, and absolutely unforgettable.
Let’s make it happen!
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