From the weathered fishing shanties to the smokehouses and fish tugs, Fishtown feels like you're stepping back into simpler time. The character of the old wooden huts. The fresh fish. The Fisherman working their tails off. It's truly a one-of-a-kind Great Lakes experience you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the Great Lakes region.

I don't know if it's the nostalgia of it all, or Carlson's truly has the best fish in the Great Lakes. Regardless, we'll make the bold call and go with the latter. Fish caught, cleaned and ready to hit your plate all within the same day. We're all in on the Lake Trout and Whitefish. Pencil us in for at least a few pounds to take home.

If you've ever been to, or heard of Fishtown, you've probably heard about the Village Cheese Shanty-- famous, of course, for its incredibly delicious cheese and homemade sandwiches. It's a Leland staple every time we hit the town. If you're not picking up half a pound of cheese, you're not doing it right. Our personal favorite? Anything with jalapeño.