Mary And Sid’s guidebook
Breweries and Pubs
The building known as the "Old Brewery" was first completed in 1898 and was used to brew Petoskey Sparkle beer until 1915. In 2012 it reopened as Petoskey Brewing. It is known for great beers like "Horny Monk" and hard cider, and also has many seasonal specialty beers. It also has wonderful sandwiches, soups, and excellent cheese curds!
You can walk or bike the Petoskey to Mackinaw Trail straight to Petoskey Brewing, following along Round Lake and Mud Lake.
49 locals recommend
Petoskey Brewing
1844 Harbor-Petoskey RdThe building known as the "Old Brewery" was first completed in 1898 and was used to brew Petoskey Sparkle beer until 1915. In 2012 it reopened as Petoskey Brewing. It is known for great beers like "Horny Monk" and hard cider, and also has many seasonal specialty beers. It also has wonderful sandwiches, soups, and excellent cheese curds!
You can walk or bike the Petoskey to Mackinaw Trail straight to Petoskey Brewing, following along Round Lake and Mud Lake.
Classic pub in the heart of downtown Petoskey. Try the Reuben sandwich!
23 locals recommend
Mitchell Street Pub
426 E Mitchell StClassic pub in the heart of downtown Petoskey. Try the Reuben sandwich!
This local brewery has amazing views of Lake Michigan! Their award winning beer and good eats make this a great choice any time of day!
36 locals recommend
Beards Brewery
215 E Lake StThis local brewery has amazing views of Lake Michigan! Their award winning beer and good eats make this a great choice any time of day!
Found in the lower level of Stafford's Perry Hotel, The Noggin Room offers a casual atmosphere with a cozy fireplace, food, and a wide selection of spirits, wine, and beer.
10 locals recommend
Noggin Room Pub
118 Lewis StFound in the lower level of Stafford's Perry Hotel, The Noggin Room offers a casual atmosphere with a cozy fireplace, food, and a wide selection of spirits, wine, and beer.
One of our favorite destinations, especially when our grandkids are in town! Pond Hill Farm is a working farm market, winery, cafe, and brewery located 5 miles north of downtown Harbor Springs on M-119. Their cafe food is delicious, and Pizza on the Farm day is well worth planning for!
Stroll through the vineyards, hike through the woods, and pet farm animals in the livestock barn. In winter, cross country ski, snowshoe, fat tire bike, or hike on miles of groomed trails. The vineyard sled hill is a blast!
67 locals recommend
Pond Hill Farm
5699 S Lake Shore DrOne of our favorite destinations, especially when our grandkids are in town! Pond Hill Farm is a working farm market, winery, cafe, and brewery located 5 miles north of downtown Harbor Springs on M-119. Their cafe food is delicious, and Pizza on the Farm day is well worth planning for!
Stroll through the vineyards, hike through the woods, and pet farm animals in the livestock barn. In winter, cross country ski, snowshoe, fat tire bike, or hike on miles of groomed trails. The vineyard sled hill is a blast!
Food scene
Legs Inn in Cross Village is called a monument to nature, built on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan that is the only place in Michigan you can see four lighthouses on a clear day. Excellent Polish cuisine is a specialty as well as American dishes like Whitefish and Trout. It is considered one of the funkiest and most eccentric restaurants in Michigan and the drive from our condo through the Tunnel of Trees makes it even better. Open seasonally so check ahead.
71 locals recommend
Legs Inn
6425 N Lake Shore DrLegs Inn in Cross Village is called a monument to nature, built on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan that is the only place in Michigan you can see four lighthouses on a clear day. Excellent Polish cuisine is a specialty as well as American dishes like Whitefish and Trout. It is considered one of the funkiest and most eccentric restaurants in Michigan and the drive from our condo through the Tunnel of Trees makes it even better. Open seasonally so check ahead.
City Park Grill, one of Petoskey’s oldest buildings, was originally constructed in 1875. McCarty Hall, as it was then known, was a males-only billiard parlor that offered cigars and “intoxicating beverages.”
The storied history includes tales of prohibition, speakeasies, underground tunnels, of young Ernest Hemingway, and ghost sightings.
City Park Grill has a nice selection for fine dining as well as an inviting environment at their long historic bar with a seat designated where Ermest Hemingway sat in his day. Ask about their speakeasy tours that are given seasonally.
26 locals recommend
City Park Grill
432 E Lake StCity Park Grill, one of Petoskey’s oldest buildings, was originally constructed in 1875. McCarty Hall, as it was then known, was a males-only billiard parlor that offered cigars and “intoxicating beverages.”
The storied history includes tales of prohibition, speakeasies, underground tunnels, of young Ernest Hemingway, and ghost sightings.
City Park Grill has a nice selection for fine dining as well as an inviting environment at their long historic bar with a seat designated where Ermest Hemingway sat in his day. Ask about their speakeasy tours that are given seasonally.
Open all year in downtown Petoskey with great options for tacos, fish and chips, pizza, Mediterranean food, and beer!
40 locals recommend
The Back Lot Beer Garden
425 Michigan StOpen all year in downtown Petoskey with great options for tacos, fish and chips, pizza, Mediterranean food, and beer!
A family business in Petoskey since 1976. Sandwiches, soups, pastries and desserts. All of our breads, soups, salads, and desserts are made on location. Open for lunch.
10 locals recommend
Cormack's Deli
2569 Charlevoix AveA family business in Petoskey since 1976. Sandwiches, soups, pastries and desserts. All of our breads, soups, salads, and desserts are made on location. Open for lunch.
Just down West Conway Road, this take out and delivery pizza is fantastic! You may need to allow 45 minutes to an hour for your pizza to be made on busy days.
11 locals recommend
Piper's Mighty Good Pizza
974 W Conway RdJust down West Conway Road, this take out and delivery pizza is fantastic! You may need to allow 45 minutes to an hour for your pizza to be made on busy days.
Kilwins, also known as Kilwins Chocolates, is an American company, specializing in confectioneries such as candy, ice cream, and fudge. In 1947, Katy and Don Kilwin opened the first location in Petoskey, Michigan and the company is still headquartered there to this day. There are over 140 locations in the United States, across 25 states.
We recommend visiting Kilwin's flagship store for ice cream, specialty chocolates, or scheduling a tour of their unique and fun operations.
17 locals recommend
Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen
1050 Bay View RdKilwins, also known as Kilwins Chocolates, is an American company, specializing in confectioneries such as candy, ice cream, and fudge. In 1947, Katy and Don Kilwin opened the first location in Petoskey, Michigan and the company is still headquartered there to this day. There are over 140 locations in the United States, across 25 states.
We recommend visiting Kilwin's flagship store for ice cream, specialty chocolates, or scheduling a tour of their unique and fun operations.
An elegant restaurant in the heart of Harbor Springs. For fine dining at reasonable prices, take advantage of their summer special menu selection of 2 for 1 at 5pm. Must reserve ahead of time to get the special.
28 locals recommend
The New York Restaurant
101 State StAn elegant restaurant in the heart of Harbor Springs. For fine dining at reasonable prices, take advantage of their summer special menu selection of 2 for 1 at 5pm. Must reserve ahead of time to get the special.
Just down the road, Mim's provides its customers with cooked to order Mediterranean flavored meals. They use wholesome ingredients and provide quick service at fair prices from a brightly colored café. Mim's provides indoor and patio seating. Customers may order to go by phone or in person. Monday - Saturday 11am to 8pm.
11 locals recommend
Mim's Mediterranean Grill
1823 U.S. 31 NJust down the road, Mim's provides its customers with cooked to order Mediterranean flavored meals. They use wholesome ingredients and provide quick service at fair prices from a brightly colored café. Mim's provides indoor and patio seating. Customers may order to go by phone or in person. Monday - Saturday 11am to 8pm.
Julienne Tomatoes is a quaint restaurant in downtown Petoskey. One of our favorite places for breakfast or lunch. Farm fresh eggs, fruit, and quiche. A Petoskey treasure. Their motto is Makers of Good Food.
12 locals recommend
Julienne Tomatoes
421 Howard StJulienne Tomatoes is a quaint restaurant in downtown Petoskey. One of our favorite places for breakfast or lunch. Farm fresh eggs, fruit, and quiche. A Petoskey treasure. Their motto is Makers of Good Food.
Artisan breads, cookies, scones, muffins, and turnovers. We once made an emergency purchase of their Addictive Granola for a family member in Indiana!
6 locals recommend
Crooked Tree Breadworks
2264 M-119Artisan breads, cookies, scones, muffins, and turnovers. We once made an emergency purchase of their Addictive Granola for a family member in Indiana!
Right up the road, eat where the locals eat. Good food, friendly atmosphere.
Northwood Family Restaurant
4769 Oden RdRight up the road, eat where the locals eat. Good food, friendly atmosphere.
This place is always busy but worth getting there early enough to avoid much wait. A throwback sort of feel and really, really good food and friendly servers.
25 locals recommend
Teddy Griffin's Road House
50 Highland Pike RdThis place is always busy but worth getting there early enough to avoid much wait. A throwback sort of feel and really, really good food and friendly servers.
Famous for delicious donuts, coffee cakes, bread, bagels, cakes, cookies and more.
11 locals recommend
Johan's Pastry Shop
565 W Mitchell StFamous for delicious donuts, coffee cakes, bread, bagels, cakes, cookies and more.
One of Northern Michigan's hidden gems is the Douglas Lake Bar & Steakhouse. Located on the shores of Douglas Lake just east of Pellston, the "DLB", has a rich history of providing great food and service in a rustic log building overlooking Douglas Lake.
The two giant fieldstone fireplaces offer the perfect dining ambiance during the spring and fall seasons. Summer guests enjoy dining on the lakeside patio or the screened-in porch.
During the months of July and August they have Music On The Lawn, Sundays from 6-9pm. Check the schedule to see when your favorite local artists perform.
30 locals recommend
Douglas Lake Bar & Steakhouse
11001 Douglas Lake RdOne of Northern Michigan's hidden gems is the Douglas Lake Bar & Steakhouse. Located on the shores of Douglas Lake just east of Pellston, the "DLB", has a rich history of providing great food and service in a rustic log building overlooking Douglas Lake.
The two giant fieldstone fireplaces offer the perfect dining ambiance during the spring and fall seasons. Summer guests enjoy dining on the lakeside patio or the screened-in porch.
During the months of July and August they have Music On The Lawn, Sundays from 6-9pm. Check the schedule to see when your favorite local artists perform.
Looking for elegant dining with a sunset view on Walloon Lake just south of Petoskey in Walloon Village? Walloon Lake Inn is just the place.
14 locals recommend
Walloon Lake Inn
4178 West StLooking for elegant dining with a sunset view on Walloon Lake just south of Petoskey in Walloon Village? Walloon Lake Inn is just the place.
The best Mexican food in Michigan, made with lots of farm produce. The times and dates are done in pop-up style so check their website (or get on their email list!) for when you can get that great Mexican food. The farm store is good, too, with local meat and dairy as well as a wide variety of produce.
13 locals recommend
Providence Organic Farm & Natural Food Market
5695 N Michigan 88The best Mexican food in Michigan, made with lots of farm produce. The times and dates are done in pop-up style so check their website (or get on their email list!) for when you can get that great Mexican food. The farm store is good, too, with local meat and dairy as well as a wide variety of produce.
Family-owned and operated Victorian Guest House overlooking Little Traverse Bay. The Roselawn Dining Room is open seasonally for breakfast, lunch & dinner and a famous Sunday Brunch.
7 locals recommend
Stafford's Bay View Inn
2011 Woodland AveFamily-owned and operated Victorian Guest House overlooking Little Traverse Bay. The Roselawn Dining Room is open seasonally for breakfast, lunch & dinner and a famous Sunday Brunch.
Tom's Mom's Cookies
267 S Spring StOMG cookies. 38 years in Harbor Springs.
Just really good food and friendly staff. Not a bad idea to make reservations.
25 locals recommend
The Paper Station Bistro
145 E Main StJust really good food and friendly staff. Not a bad idea to make reservations.
Really great sweet and savory pies. And cookies! A little pricey but you understand why when you eat their baked goods.
House of Pies
4577 Oden RdReally great sweet and savory pies. And cookies! A little pricey but you understand why when you eat their baked goods.
Groceries
We love this store for their great wine and beer selection, quality meat and fish, local produce, and good food from their deli.
19 locals recommend
Toski Sands Market & Wine Shop
2294 M-119We love this store for their great wine and beer selection, quality meat and fish, local produce, and good food from their deli.
Small natural food co-op with a great selection of local and natural foods, and a good deli.
21 locals recommend
Grain Train Natural Foods Market
220 E Mitchell StSmall natural food co-op with a great selection of local and natural foods, and a good deli.
If you want really good meats, go to Plath's. They also sell hot dogs and a few specialty grocery items. They've been around for over 100 years, so you know they're good.
Plath's Meats
2200 E Mitchell RdIf you want really good meats, go to Plath's. They also sell hot dogs and a few specialty grocery items. They've been around for over 100 years, so you know they're good.
A very favorite place to find organic seasonal produce, as well as a small (good) selection of other local products and organic choices. Always friendly.
Bear Creek Organic Farm
4012 Atkins RdA very favorite place to find organic seasonal produce, as well as a small (good) selection of other local products and organic choices. Always friendly.
Sightseeing
A block away after crossing West Conway Road at the light. Walk or bike either direction for beautiful scenery and exercise. The trail connects to The Wheelway, which travels to Petoskey and follows the Lake to Charlevoix.
Petoskey to Mackinaw Trail
Petoskey to Mackinaw TrailA block away after crossing West Conway Road at the light. Walk or bike either direction for beautiful scenery and exercise. The trail connects to The Wheelway, which travels to Petoskey and follows the Lake to Charlevoix.
No cars. Just ferry boats arriving at the dock. Horse-drawn carriages and tandem bicycles rolling through town. Molten fudge layered on marble slabs. The ferry leaves from Mackinaw City (or St. Ignace if you want to drive over the Mackinac Bridge!) throughout the day. Great history, and well worth the day trip.
276 locals recommend
Mackinac Island
No cars. Just ferry boats arriving at the dock. Horse-drawn carriages and tandem bicycles rolling through town. Molten fudge layered on marble slabs. The ferry leaves from Mackinaw City (or St. Ignace if you want to drive over the Mackinac Bridge!) throughout the day. Great history, and well worth the day trip.
You may be surprised how much you enjoy this place, and it's just up the road! The original hatchery opened in 1920, but was replaced by a brand-new facility in 2002 and is one of the most advanced locations of its kind. Oden rears brown trout and rainbow trout for both inland and Great Lakes waters.
There are some lovely walking trails on site.
11 locals recommend
Oden State Fish Hatchery
8258 S Ayr RdYou may be surprised how much you enjoy this place, and it's just up the road! The original hatchery opened in 1920, but was replaced by a brand-new facility in 2002 and is one of the most advanced locations of its kind. Oden rears brown trout and rainbow trout for both inland and Great Lakes waters.
There are some lovely walking trails on site.
Founded in 1875 by the Methodist Church, Bay View is one of the few remaining Chautauquas in the United States. Committed to the four pillars of the Chautauqua movement of the Arts, Worship, Education, and Recreation, Bay View has a rich and diverse 12-week academy in the summer months. The general public are welcome for worship, concerts, musicals, and lectures and may pay a small fee for participation in recreational activities as well as the Boys and Girls Club.
6 locals recommend
Bay View Association
1715 Encampment AveFounded in 1875 by the Methodist Church, Bay View is one of the few remaining Chautauquas in the United States. Committed to the four pillars of the Chautauqua movement of the Arts, Worship, Education, and Recreation, Bay View has a rich and diverse 12-week academy in the summer months. The general public are welcome for worship, concerts, musicals, and lectures and may pay a small fee for participation in recreational activities as well as the Boys and Girls Club.
Lavender Hill Farm invites visitors of all ages to explore the sight, scent, and taste of lavender at our Certified Naturally Grown farm. The largest lavender farm in Michigan, we are home to 29 varieties of lavender, Italian honeybees, and a restored century old barn. Great gift shop. Last time we went they had fields of sunflowers, as well!
32 locals recommend
Lavender Hill Farm
7354 Horton Bay Rd NLavender Hill Farm invites visitors of all ages to explore the sight, scent, and taste of lavender at our Certified Naturally Grown farm. The largest lavender farm in Michigan, we are home to 29 varieties of lavender, Italian honeybees, and a restored century old barn. Great gift shop. Last time we went they had fields of sunflowers, as well!
Built in 1876, Horton Bay General Store is a step back in time through the screen door that Ernest Hemingway visited daily as he was growing up in the area. Unique gifts, bakery items, souvenirs. During the summer the store offers special dinner meals by reservation.
7 locals recommend
Horton Bay General Store
5115 Boyne City RdBuilt in 1876, Horton Bay General Store is a step back in time through the screen door that Ernest Hemingway visited daily as he was growing up in the area. Unique gifts, bakery items, souvenirs. During the summer the store offers special dinner meals by reservation.
A beautiful paved, mostly-dedicated path, the 26-mile Little Traverse Wheelway provides cyclists, inline skaters, walkers, and joggers with a smooth path, incredible scenery, and a non-motorized link between three of the most popular resort towns in northern Michigan: Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs.
You can connect to the Wheelway by taking the Petoskey to Mackinaw Trail a block from our condo.
8 locals recommend
Little Traverse Wheelway
Little Traverse WheelwayA beautiful paved, mostly-dedicated path, the 26-mile Little Traverse Wheelway provides cyclists, inline skaters, walkers, and joggers with a smooth path, incredible scenery, and a non-motorized link between three of the most popular resort towns in northern Michigan: Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs.
You can connect to the Wheelway by taking the Petoskey to Mackinaw Trail a block from our condo.
An incredibly beautiful drive in Fall...or any season. Follow narrow and winding M-119 from Harbor Springs along Lake Michigan through a wooded 20 miles of color and light. Stop at Legs Inn or Petoskey Brewing before heading home or continuing on to Mackinaw City or the Dark Sky Park.
Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Rte, Harbor Springs, MI, USA
An incredibly beautiful drive in Fall...or any season. Follow narrow and winding M-119 from Harbor Springs along Lake Michigan through a wooded 20 miles of color and light. Stop at Legs Inn or Petoskey Brewing before heading home or continuing on to Mackinaw City or the Dark Sky Park.
Wineries
The BEST views and some really good wine! Highly recommend.
14 locals recommend
Petoskey Farms Vineyard & Winery
3720 Atkins RdThe BEST views and some really good wine! Highly recommend.
Wine and beer created exclusively by crops grown and processed on site, and a bistro menu. Family owned and operated since 2004.
27 locals recommend
Mackinaw Trail Winery & Brewery - Petoskey
3423 US-131Wine and beer created exclusively by crops grown and processed on site, and a bistro menu. Family owned and operated since 2004.
Skiing
Since 1959.
53 Ski runs.
3 Separate Peaks. 9 Experts only. 8 Most Difficult. 21 More Difficult. 15 Easiest. 1 Terrain Park.
248 Acres of skiable terrain.
73 locals recommend
Nubs Nob Ski Resort
500 Nubs Nob RdSince 1959.
53 Ski runs.
3 Separate Peaks. 9 Experts only. 8 Most Difficult. 21 More Difficult. 15 Easiest. 1 Terrain Park.
248 Acres of skiable terrain.
55 beautifully groomed and maintained downhill runs, and a wide variety of terrain parks suited to riders and skiers of every ability, all served by a network of lifts designed to make the most of each and every day. With tubing, snowshoeing and a host of other activities available, you'll find more than enough fun to chase away the winter blues.
63 locals recommend
Boyne Highlands Resort
600 Highland Rd55 beautifully groomed and maintained downhill runs, and a wide variety of terrain parks suited to riders and skiers of every ability, all served by a network of lifts designed to make the most of each and every day. With tubing, snowshoeing and a host of other activities available, you'll find more than enough fun to chase away the winter blues.
Some of the longer runs and vertical drops in the lower peninsula, with a good mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs. Check out the indoor water park!
121 locals recommend
Boyne Mountain Resort
1 Boyne Mountain RdSome of the longer runs and vertical drops in the lower peninsula, with a good mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs. Check out the indoor water park!
Great for kids
88,000 square foot indoor water park with slides, Michigan's first ProSlide SuperLOOP with the steepest drop in the industry, hot tubs, a children's pool, and Rip Zone surf simulator, Splasherhorn Mountain, and a variety of other unique waterpark attractions.
35 locals recommend
Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark
1 Boyne Mountain Rd88,000 square foot indoor water park with slides, Michigan's first ProSlide SuperLOOP with the steepest drop in the industry, hot tubs, a children's pool, and Rip Zone surf simulator, Splasherhorn Mountain, and a variety of other unique waterpark attractions.
Gnome House Hunt! Livestock barn open year-round to visit goats, chickens & bunny. A playground with a teepee climbing wall, the sandbox, slides and swings. Seasonal events include the annual Leprechaun Candy Hunt, Easter Egg Candy Walk, Pumpkin Weekends, Holiday Fest, and Trailside Tasting Events.
67 locals recommend
Pond Hill Farm
5699 S Lake Shore DrGnome House Hunt! Livestock barn open year-round to visit goats, chickens & bunny. A playground with a teepee climbing wall, the sandbox, slides and swings. Seasonal events include the annual Leprechaun Candy Hunt, Easter Egg Candy Walk, Pumpkin Weekends, Holiday Fest, and Trailside Tasting Events.
Splash in the waves, hike the trails. We really like the Old Baldy Trail.
82 locals recommend
Petoskey State Park
2475 M-119Splash in the waves, hike the trails. We really like the Old Baldy Trail.