Spread the love!

Petoskey, Michigan: Where Fun is Always on the Menu – Best Things to Do and Places to Visit

The Little Traverse Wheelway runs a whole 26 miles from Charlevoix right up to Harbor Springs out there. Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen has been making the chocolate in Petoskey right since the whole of 1947. Petoskey Art in the Park brings over 130 of the artists right into the town every July. The Odawa Casino out there runs over 1,000 of the slot machines. Bring the children.

Petoskey, Michigan sits on the shores of Lake Michigan and it is the kind of place children remember in detail. Beaches and outdoor days, art and culture, shopping and good food. Family, friends or on your own, Petoskey fills the days.

The beaches are the biggest draw in Petoskey. Clear water and soft sand, and they work for swimming and sunbathing and doing nothing at all. There is more past the beaches too, from hiking and biking trails through to kayaking and fishing. For a slower day, walk the streets and take the local art and culture scene.

Key Takeaways

• Petoskey offers a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages, from stunning beaches and outdoor adventures to art and culture, shopping, and delicious food and drink.
• Outdoor enthusiasts will love the many hiking and biking trails, kayaking and fishing opportunities, and other outdoor adventures available in Petoskey.
• With its charming streets and local art and culture scene, Petoskey is the perfect destination for a relaxing and enjoyable vacation.

Exploring Petoskey’s Beaches

You cannot come to Petoskey without the beaches. Sandy shore and clear water, and it is where the day goes.

The beaches in Petoskey look out over Little Traverse Bay. The sunset over that bay is the thing children describe afterwards. Take a blanket, some snacks and a drink and stay for it.

For an active beach day there are water sports. Swimming through to kayaking through to paddleboarding, the list runs long. Parasailing is there for anybody who wants the harder version.

And sometimes you want to lie on the sand and do nothing. That is allowed. Petoskey’s sandy beaches are built for it.

The strongest beaches around Petoskey include Zoll Street Beach in Harbor Springs, Glenwood Beach in Boyne City, and Sturgeon Bay Beach in Cross Village. Each one has its own character and gives you a different afternoon.

So take the sunscreen and a book and head out to one of Petoskey’s beaches for the day.

Art and Culture in Petoskey

Petoskey runs a real arts and culture scene, which surprises people. Art person or somebody looking for a different afternoon, there is plenty in it.

The Historic Gaslight District is where to start. The area holds shops and restaurants and galleries, from handmade jewelry through to local paintings and sculptures. The architecture of the buildings is worth the walk on its own.

For Ernest Hemingway readers, the statue of him in the Gaslight District is the stop. It makes a good photograph and it is a fair way to acknowledge one of the strongest writers of the 20th century.

Staying with Hemingway, the Crooked Tree Arts Center is the other one to make time for. The exhibits rotate, alongside classes and events showing local and regional artists. Painting through to pottery through to photography, the range is covered.

For something with no equivalent, the Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix. These homes were designed by the architect Earl Young in the 20th century and they look like nothing else standing. A guided tour covers the history and the architecture of them.

Petoskey’s art and culture scene is the quiet corner of the town. Seasoned art person or somebody wandering in, something in it will catch you.

Outdoor Adventures

Petoskey runs outdoor days right through the summer. Hiking through to biking through to whitewater rafting, there is a version at every level.

Start at Petoskey State Park, which runs miles of hiking trail alongside a beach and a campground. Experienced hiker or somebody taking a slow walk, there is a trail that fits. Watch for wildlife along it, because deer and bald eagles both turn up.

For biking, the Little Traverse Wheelway. This 26-mile bike path runs from Charlevoix to Harbor Springs with Lake Michigan alongside the whole way. Rentals are easy to find in town if you did not bring a bike.

For something with more edge, the Bear River Valley Recreation Area. In summer that means whitewater rafting or fishing in the Bear River, or the trails and the scenery around them. In winter it means cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

For a quieter outdoor day, take one of Petoskey’s nature preserves, the McCune Nature Preserve or the Thorne Swift Nature Preserve among them. These protected areas put the local flora and fauna within arm’s reach.

Whatever the outdoor plan is, Petoskey has ground for it. Take the sunscreen and the boots and go.

Food and Drink Scene

Petoskey eats well, across restaurants and snack bars and bars. A slow dinner or something quick between beaches, both are covered.

For wine, Petoskey runs several wineries and vineyards with tastings. You sample the region and learn how the wine gets made. For beer, several bars carry craft beers and ciders across the range.

For something quick, take one of the snack bars in Petoskey. A hot dog, a pretzel or popcorn, then a film at the cinema afterwards.

For ice cream, Petoskey has some of the strongest shops in the region. Take a cone and eat it with the water in front of you.

For a slow dinner, Petoskey runs several fine dining rooms. Mediterranean through to American, the cuisines are all here.

Petoskey’s food and drink scene runs deep. Wine person or beer person, there is a room here for you.

Shopping in Petoskey

You did not come to Petoskey for the shopping and you will do well at it anyway. Antiques through to clothing through to specialty food, the range is wide.

The Old Town Emmet Farm Market is the one that sticks. This farmer’s market is easy to reach and it has blacktop parking, so nobody comes back muddy. Fresh produce, baked goods and handmade crafts are all on it, and the market sits right by the water.

For antiques, Joseph’s World Art & Antiques. Vintage clothing through to rare books through to antique furniture. It works like a treasure hunt and you never know what is on the shelf.

For clothing, American Spoon. The shop carries clothing for men and women alongside accessories like hats and scarves. The materials are sustainable and eco-friendly, so the purchase sits easily.

And no shopping trip in Petoskey finishes without Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen. This candy shop has been going since 1947 and it is known for its chocolates, fudge and ice cream. You can watch them make the chocolate in front of you, which is the part children remember.

Fresh produce, antiques or something sweet, Petoskey has it. Take the afternoon.

Historical Landmarks

Petoskey carries plenty of landmarks for history people. Museums through to historic districts, there is a site here that will hold you.

The Historic Gaslight District is the most famous landmark in Petoskey. The area runs shops and restaurants and galleries, with Victorian architecture down the streets. Pennsylvania Park sits in it too, with a gazebo and statues and memorials, one of them of Ernest Hemingway.

The Bay View Association is the other one. This National Historic Landmark carries a lot of history and it rewards a slow afternoon on foot or by bike, with Little Traverse Bay in view.

For fossils, take Petoskey Stone Fossil Park. The park is built around the Petoskey stone, a fossilized rugose coral stone unique to the beaches of the Great Lakes. Hunt for them on the shore, or take the nearby Little Traverse Bay Historical Museum for the history behind them.

Legs Inn is a historic landmark and a dining destination, started in the 1920s. It is now a popular room for Polish cuisine, with architecture and decor that exist nowhere else.

History turns up all over Petoskey. The Gaslight District, the Bay View Association or an afternoon hunting Petoskey stones, all three teach the children something without their noticing.

The Petoskey stone is a fossilized rugose coral and it is unique to the beaches of the Great Lakes. Children come off the shore out there with pockets full of them every single summer. Ernest Hemingway has a statue standing out there in the whole of the Gaslight District. This town holds onto things.

Family Fun in Petoskey

Petoskey works with a family and there is plenty here everybody will take to. Young children or teenagers, this Michigan town covers both.

Camping

For an outdoor trip, camp in Petoskey. There are plenty of campsites in the area and you can pitch a tent or bring a camper trailer. The Petoskey KOA, the Hearthside Grove Motorcoach Resort and the Petoskey State Park are the strongest of them.

Pool Time

In warm weather the pool is where the day goes. Petoskey has several that work for families, the Bay Harbor Yacht Club Pool, the Country Club of Boyne Pool and the Petoskey Winter Sports Park Pool among them.

Fun Activities

Petoskey runs plenty the whole family can do together. Walk the Historic Gaslight District and its boutique stores and independent shops. For history, the Little Traverse Historical Society Museum or the Ernest Hemingway Cottage. For something active, go-karting at Great American Adventures or mini-golfing at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf.

Kids’ Activities

With young children, Petoskey has plenty to fill a day. Take them to the Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen for the tour and the free samples, or hunt Petoskey stones at Magnus City Park Beach. For time outdoors, the Petoskey State Park Beach or a walk at the Bear River Valley Recreation Area.

Petoskey works with a family. Camping, the pool or the activities around town, the days here are the ones the children describe years later.

Nightlife in Petoskey

So you want a night out in Petoskey. This small town runs livelier options after dark than it looks capable of.

Bars first. A cold beer or a serious cocktail, there are plenty of rooms. The Cabana Bar is the outdoor one, and the Noggin Room Pub is the cozy one for a pint. For the upscale version, High Five Spirits and its artisanal cocktails.

Feeling lucky, take the Odawa Casino for slots or table games. With over 1,000 slot machines and a range of table games, one of them will suit. There are dining options in there too.

No night out works without company. Petoskey is friendly, so start a conversation with the locals or meet people at one of the bars or casinos in town.

A quiet nightcap or a long night, Petoskey has both. Drink responsibly and enjoy it.

Special Events in Petoskey

Petoskey runs events through the year. Music, food or culture, there is a version of each. These are the ones worth timing a trip around.

Festival on the Bay

Festival on the Bay runs across a long weekend in August. Live music, food vendors and craft beer, in good weather beside the water.

Petoskey Winter Carnival

For the winter months, the Petoskey Winter Carnival in February. Ice skating through to snowshoeing, with hot chocolate and ice sculptures being carved while you watch.

Petoskey Restaurant Week

Petoskey Restaurant Week runs in September and it brings out the strongest restaurants in the area. Prix-fixe menus, and a chance to eat right through the town.

Little Traverse Bay Half Marathon and 10k

For runners, the Little Traverse Bay Half Marathon and 10k in October. The route runs some of the better scenery around here, with the fall foliage doing the work while you do yours.

Petoskey Art in the Park

Petoskey Art in the Park runs in July and brings over 130 artists. Paintings, sculptures and jewelry, with live music and food vendors alongside.

Those are a few of the events Petoskey runs through the year. Mark the calendar so you do not miss them.

Accommodation Options

Petoskey runs accommodation from cozy inns through to luxurious resorts. Budget traveler or somebody wanting the lavish version, both are covered.

For the luxurious end, the Inn at Bay Harbor, Autograph Collection. This 4-star hotel runs elegant rooms with plush beds. It sits in the heart of the city, close to the attractions. The free Wi-Fi keeps you connected while you are away.

For something cheaper, the town runs a set of inns and motels. The Apple Tree Inn is the cozy one that will not empty the wallet. The rooms are comfortable and carry the basics you actually need.

For the countryside version, the Pike Cidery and Winery. The winery lets you stay in a cabin out in the country. The cabins carry the amenities, including a kitchenette, so you can cook your own meals.

For anybody who wants to be in the trees, the Resort Pike Cidery and Winery. The resort sits in the middle of forest and runs hiking, biking and fishing. There is a restaurant on site cooking with locally sourced ingredients.

Whatever the budget, Petoskey has a bed for it. Pack the bags and get up here.

Getting Around Petoskey

You have made Petoskey, and now you need to move around it. That is easier than it looks. Petoskey has plenty of options and none of them involve riding a moose.

By Car

Driving to Petoskey, parking is plentiful and mostly free. Park on the street or in one of the public lots. Watch for the No Parking signs or you will collect a ticket. Lock the car while you are at it.

By Shuttle

Not driving, take a shuttle. Several shuttle services in Petoskey will take you where you need to go. Some of them run wine tours, so you can drink the maple wine while somebody else drives.

By Bike

Petoskey is good ground for a bike, particularly out to the beaches and state parks. There are several bike rental places in town, so you do not need to bring your own. Wear a helmet.

By Foot

You can also walk Petoskey. The town is small enough to cover on foot, and you get the air and the exercise with it. Watch your step around the walloon lakes and harbor springs.

So there are plenty of ways to get around Petoskey. Drive, take a shuttle, ride or walk, the town works either way. And if a moose or a bear turns up, do not ride it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the deal with Petoskey Stones? Are they really that great?

They are. Petoskey Stones are unique to this area, fossilized coral with a honeycomb pattern in them. They make good souvenirs or jewelry and they turn up all over the beaches here. Do not take too many, because the next visitors want some.

Can you recommend any romantic spots in Petoskey?

For a slow dinner, Chandler’s, on the strength of the menu and the room. For scenery, walk Bayfront Park along the waterfront. And for something with no equivalent, book a hot air balloon ride with Grand Traverse Balloons and take the views from up there.

What are some of the quirkiest things to do in Petoskey?

Take a tour of the Kilwins chocolate factory, which is exactly as good as it sounds. Try glassblowing at the Boyer Glassworks Studio. Or sign up for a ghost tour of the Gaslight District and see what turns up.

Where’s the best place to catch some live music in Petoskey?

The City Park Grill is the one for live music, with acts through the week. For something smaller, the Red Sky Stage, running folk through to jazz through to comedy.

What’s the craziest event that happens in Petoskey throughout the year?

The Petoskey Snowmobile Festival is the one people talk about. A weekend of snowmobile races, a parade and a chili cook-off. The Polar Plunge is the other, where you jump into a freezing lake for charity.

Frequently asked questions about Petoskey, Michigan

Where can you hunt for Petoskey stones around Petoskey, Michigan?

Petoskey Stone Fossil Park out there is built right around the whole of the Petoskey stone itself. The stone is a fossilized rugose coral and it is unique to the beaches of the whole of the Great Lakes. Magnus City Park Beach out there is the other place to hunt for the whole of them. Take a bag.

How long is the Little Traverse Wheelway bike path near Petoskey?

The Little Traverse Wheelway runs a whole 26 miles from Charlevoix right the whole way up to Harbor Springs. Lake Michigan sits alongside the whole of the path for most of the length of it out there. Bike rentals are easy enough to find in the town out there if you did not bring one. Helmet on.

Which beaches near Petoskey, Michigan are worth the drive out?

Zoll Street Beach in Harbor Springs and Glenwood Beach in Boyne City are the two to start with. Sturgeon Bay Beach out in Cross Village is the third of them out there as well. All of the beaches out there look right out over the whole of Little Traverse Bay. Sunset show.

Spread the love!