Location: Petoskey
Top Things to do in Petoskey
10 Things to Do in Petoskey That You Shouldn't Miss
Petoskey, sitting on the shores of Lake Michigan, has been a popular vacation spot for decades. Earnest Hemingway spent the first 18 summers of his life sailing and fishing on nearby Walloon Lake, and the area features prominently in several of his stories. The Little Traverse History Museum shows how the Petoskey area was a formative influence on young Hemingway. The area is also a well known winter destination, with three popular ski resorts featuring everything from dog sled rides to tubing.
Restaurants in Petoskey
1. The Spa at the Inn at Bay Harbor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By ProMich - Traverse City, Michigan
It's been a dozen years since I've visited this particular spa and it is just as good as I remember it. I made a last-minute decision to call and was able to get to back-to-back appointments within an hour of making that call. I always like to try the seasonal treatment and this time it was bubbles and berries exfoliation which I loved. I followed that with a massage which got all the knots out of my upper back, neck and shoulders. In all a great afternoon. Now I can kick off my weekend!
2. Little Traverse Wheelway
Overall Ratings
5 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By Lisa S - Detroit, Michigan
I love this bike path. It follows along Little Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan and you often have great water views. In Petoskey there are convenient parks and opportunities to refill water bottles or picnic. I have biked it from Charlevoix to Petoskey downtown, past Bay View, and to the Petoskey State Park, where there is a great beach to walk. Nice biking. Some hills.
3. Riverwalk Pier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By karjer21 - Newnan, Georgia
TheRIverwalk starting from Wenonah Park and going down river as the Bay City Loop until it meets the Bangor Trail. This walkway is well lit, well kept and unfortunately also well like by all the ducks and geese that frequent the Saginaw River, walkers and runners beware of their droppings. This walk is truly a wonderful walk along the river and under a working bascule-type drawbridge. It is also great to sit on the convenient benches and watch Great Lake freighters, the Princess Wenonah and other large vessels transit up the Saginaw Rivers. The Riverwalk trail is used by all ages for hiking, running, jogging, bike riding and just strolling in general. A great place to watch the sunset or for those more hardy sunrise.
4. Historic Gaslight District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 286 reviews
Reviewed By Pomerols - Weston, Florida
I just spend 5 days in San Diego and I went almost everyday to the Gaslight District. The area is great in the evening. It is full of life and lights with a lot of restaurants and bars. During the day, while the area still has a lot of restaurants, I found the shopping minimal, mostly tourist stores and a few galleries and clothes shops. A lot of homeless people...
5. Plumber's Helper Charter Service
Overall Ratings
5 based on 5 reviews
Join Captains Jim and Kim Musselman aboard their comfortable and roomy Tiara 4300 Open sport-fishing yacht for a fun and memorable fishing trip on Northern Lake Michigan. This is charter fishing at its best, with over 30 years' experience. "If you don't catch fish, you don't pay!"
Reviewed By Brianjazar - East Lansing, Michigan
This charter service is run by a husband and wife team who live on the boat you will fish from. I arranged my charter for two people via email, and Kim was very responsive and detailed in her messages. A deposit is required to book...MoreThanks so much for your great, thorough review! We're happy we were able to exceed your expectations.
6. Petoskey State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 421 reviews
Reviewed By seecrane - East Lansing, Michigan
We camped here for three nights in mid-September, at the Tannery Creek campground. I'd always camped at the Dunes campground before, but it was closed for the season. Still close to the beach. The campground was very uncrowded while we were there. Good thing, because we'd reserved a site online and the previous occupants hadn't bothered to vacate it. Thankfully the site next door was available. Nicely maintained park. Helpful staff. Can't speak for restrooms; didn't use the ones at the campground. Really nice beach: wide and sandy at the day use area, more wild and secluded near the campgrounds. Great rock hunting.
7. Bear River Valley Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
5 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By 132gardener - Alma, Michigan
A wonderful place to explore nature in the middle of the city. May I suggest that you take a walk along the river in order to experience both the rapids and the wildlife. This is an excellent example of how successful we can be when we try to return things to their natural state..
8. Mackinaw Trail Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
Nestled in the rolling hills of the beautiful Petoskey area, Mackinaw Trail Winery & Brewery offers spectacular vineyard views on your visit. Join us on the weekend for fun party experience or come on a slower weekday to enjoy the intimate winery experience. Tours of the wine making experience on weekdays.
Reviewed By LRFoodieMan - Little Rock
We REALLY enjoyed visiting the winery...the tasting was relaxed and very informative. The woman conducting the tasting was super-friendly and well-informed. The wines are VERY good. You need to give this place a try! (The sparkling Peach and Cherry wines, along with the Vidal Blanc Ice Wine were ESPECIALLY amazing!)
9. Maple Moon Sugarbush and Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Located on 80 beautiful acres in Petoskey, Michigan, Maple Moon Sugarbush and Winery offers a little slice of heaven for its visitors. Maple Moon is a wonderful addition to the Petoskey area. Family owned, the maple trees and facility are open for tours and the Peterson's are delightful and welcoming. They sell their products at an on-location store, which includes their own super premium maple ice cream (which is world class) with their own 100% pure maple syrup. They have numerous grades of syrup, all made on the premises, as well as jam, salsa, home-made maple granola and other specialties. Their latest addition is nothing shy of amazing. They have become America's First and ONLY maple winery, with nine 2015 vintages available. It doesn't get any better than this. The Peterson's do it all themselves, and it is a family labor of love. It's wonderful that they have settled in Petoskey, so we can all fall in love with Maple Moon. Tour the sugary and sample delectable treats such as maple syrup, maple candy, maple ice cream, maple root beer and maple wine.
Reviewed By RGCG - Illinois
We saw them at a farmer’s market and decided to stop by their property. They have a nice tour to explain the maple syrup making process. The maple syrup is very good. They also make maple wine. It sounds odd but is very good. We left with a case and of course some maple syrup. Make this a stop on your list and you will not be disappointed.
10. Crooked Tree Arts Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By David G - Kerrville, Texas
... of some of his best original B&W prints was the prime attraction at this excellent local museum. There was also a major juried show of beautiful modern photographs taken in national parks. The complex also includes a theater. Altogether, it was enough to put this venue on our list of places to visit whenever we are in the area.
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