Michael's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Otsego Lake State Park Boat Ramp
7136 Old US Hwy 27 SBeach, Playground and Nice Boat Launch
Pond Hill Farm is one of our favorite places to visit anytime of year, but especially in the fall. The Farm offers many acres of trails, trout stocked ponds, several overlook with countryside and water views. They have a brewery, winery, lunch options and shop. They also have many outdoor games, bon fires, woodshop, playground and so much more. This place is great for families and adults.
67 locals recommend
Pond Hill Farm
5699 S Lake Shore DrPond Hill Farm is one of our favorite places to visit anytime of year, but especially in the fall. The Farm offers many acres of trails, trout stocked ponds, several overlook with countryside and water views. They have a brewery, winery, lunch options and shop. They also have many outdoor games, bon fires, woodshop, playground and so much more. This place is great for families and adults.
There is nothing like this island. A must visit. A 15 minute ferry ride across takes you back in time or "Somewhere In Time", where there are no motorized vehicles, only horse and carriages and bicycles. You can also walk to most attractions on the island. You Must plan on at least an entire day on the island to make it worth your while and have a chance to take in many of the sites. We recommend staying at least one night on the island, you wont regret it.
276 locals recommend
Mackinac Island
There is nothing like this island. A must visit. A 15 minute ferry ride across takes you back in time or "Somewhere In Time", where there are no motorized vehicles, only horse and carriages and bicycles. You can also walk to most attractions on the island. You Must plan on at least an entire day on the island to make it worth your while and have a chance to take in many of the sites. We recommend staying at least one night on the island, you wont regret it.
Pictured Rocks is a bit of a drive from here, so we would recommend camping or lodging over night. It is well worth the drive to see the lakeshore and visit all of the waterfalls in the area. I believe there are 14 or more waterfalls in that near by area. Otherwise, you can take a day drive up to Tahquamenan Falls. Plan on about two and half hours both ways and at least two hours there. There are upper and lower falls to see and are both well worth the drive to see. There is walking/hiking involved in seeing Tahquamenan Falls.
129 locals recommend
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
N8391 Sand Point RoadPictured Rocks is a bit of a drive from here, so we would recommend camping or lodging over night. It is well worth the drive to see the lakeshore and visit all of the waterfalls in the area. I believe there are 14 or more waterfalls in that near by area. Otherwise, you can take a day drive up to Tahquamenan Falls. Plan on about two and half hours both ways and at least two hours there. There are upper and lower falls to see and are both well worth the drive to see. There is walking/hiking involved in seeing Tahquamenan Falls.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is also a must see. The top 3 places to visit in Michigan are Pictured Rocks, Mackinac Island and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The great thing about staying in Gaylord, is that you are right in the middle of everything great in Northern MI. Sleeping Bear Dunes is almost a 2 hour drive from here. Well worth the drive. Some of the views can be seen and experienced right from your car and much of it requires walking/hiking. Amazing beaches and lakeshore from Northport down to Frankfurt, MI. Lots of cool little towns along the way as well as wineries. Glenn Arbor, Leland and Frankfurt are some of our favorite villages to visit in that area.
303 locals recommend
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
9922 W Front StSleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is also a must see. The top 3 places to visit in Michigan are Pictured Rocks, Mackinac Island and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The great thing about staying in Gaylord, is that you are right in the middle of everything great in Northern MI. Sleeping Bear Dunes is almost a 2 hour drive from here. Well worth the drive. Some of the views can be seen and experienced right from your car and much of it requires walking/hiking. Amazing beaches and lakeshore from Northport down to Frankfurt, MI. Lots of cool little towns along the way as well as wineries. Glenn Arbor, Leland and Frankfurt are some of our favorite villages to visit in that area.
Some say it's like traveling through parts of Tuscany along this part of Old Mission Peninsula. Chateau Grand Traverse is one of our many favorite wineries to visit in this region. Partially because of the wine, but especially because of the views. There are many great wineries along the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula as well as the Petoskey and Harbor Springs area.
34 locals recommend
Chateau Grand Traverse Winery
12239 Center RdSome say it's like traveling through parts of Tuscany along this part of Old Mission Peninsula. Chateau Grand Traverse is one of our many favorite wineries to visit in this region. Partially because of the wine, but especially because of the views. There are many great wineries along the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula as well as the Petoskey and Harbor Springs area.
Beach and Boating
Higgins Lake N. Has Beautiful Turquois Waters, a Large Boat Ramp. Nice Long Beach W/Tables and Grills and a Snack and Supply Shack.
31 locals recommend
North Higgins Lake State Park
11747 N Higgins Lake DrHiggins Lake N. Has Beautiful Turquois Waters, a Large Boat Ramp. Nice Long Beach W/Tables and Grills and a Snack and Supply Shack.
Great Bar Food, Amazing Views, Nearby Boat Launches, Chain of Lakes(Elk, Skegemog, Torch, Clam and Lake Bellaire), Drive your car or your boat to the Restaurant. Boat and Car parking on site. Beautiful turquois waters with beautiful sunsets.
84 locals recommend
Dockside Torch Lake
6340 Old Torch Lake DrGreat Bar Food, Amazing Views, Nearby Boat Launches, Chain of Lakes(Elk, Skegemog, Torch, Clam and Lake Bellaire), Drive your car or your boat to the Restaurant. Boat and Car parking on site. Beautiful turquois waters with beautiful sunsets.
Crooked lake is just N. of Petoskey and is a part of another chain of lakes which include (Crooked, Pickerel, Burt, Mullett, Then out to Lake Huron). Great Fishing, sandbar, watersports, etc.
Crooked Lake
Crooked lake is just N. of Petoskey and is a part of another chain of lakes which include (Crooked, Pickerel, Burt, Mullett, Then out to Lake Huron). Great Fishing, sandbar, watersports, etc.
City/town information
Great little village! Barrel back Restaurant has great bar food and is right on the water. Walloon Lake Inn is fine dining right on the water. Hotel Walloon is a Boutique Resort which is on the water. Village also offers, a boat launch, shops, general store, beach, a large park on the river with great lake views.
8 locals recommend
Walloon Lake
Great little village! Barrel back Restaurant has great bar food and is right on the water. Walloon Lake Inn is fine dining right on the water. Hotel Walloon is a Boutique Resort which is on the water. Village also offers, a boat launch, shops, general store, beach, a large park on the river with great lake views.
Gaylord offers great golfing and skiing and has lots of shopping, restaurants, farmers market, near by lakes, snowmobile, bike and hiking trails and the town is right near I-75
39 locals recommend
Gaylord
Gaylord offers great golfing and skiing and has lots of shopping, restaurants, farmers market, near by lakes, snowmobile, bike and hiking trails and the town is right near I-75
Cute little town to visit. right on the river and Lake Charlevoix. Lots of cute shops and great food options. Really nice waterfront with beach, parks, boat launch, fishing dock and cleaning station and more.
45 locals recommend
Boyne City
Cute little town to visit. right on the river and Lake Charlevoix. Lots of cute shops and great food options. Really nice waterfront with beach, parks, boat launch, fishing dock and cleaning station and more.
Food scene
Nice, small, quiet, tucked away fine dining gem in downtown Petoskey. Great Date night or Sunday Brunches.
32 locals recommend
Chandler's A Restaurant
215 1/2 Howard StNice, small, quiet, tucked away fine dining gem in downtown Petoskey. Great Date night or Sunday Brunches.
Cafe Santé
1 Water StGood Cuisine food, nice atmosphere with views of Lake Charlevoix.
Relaxed, warm, atmosphere. Consistent, great food and drinks for all ages. Games and more seating in the back of the house.
29 locals recommend
Porter Haus
3885 Old Hwy 27 SRelaxed, warm, atmosphere. Consistent, great food and drinks for all ages. Games and more seating in the back of the house.
New downtown location. Nice atmosphere with great bar area. Authentic Mexican food. Only been once since they opened but would highly recommend.
8 locals recommend
El Rancho Mexican Restaurant
216 West Main StreetNew downtown location. Nice atmosphere with great bar area. Authentic Mexican food. Only been once since they opened but would highly recommend.
Awesome staff! Eclectic setting with really good breakfast/brunch type foods and great coffee. They will not disappoint.
12 locals recommend
Julienne Tomatoes
421 Howard StAwesome staff! Eclectic setting with really good breakfast/brunch type foods and great coffee. They will not disappoint.
Amazing Pretzels come from this whole in the wall establishment. Pepperoni filled is my favorite. My wife likes the jalapeno one and the kids of course love the cinnamon and sugar. Everything is good.
7 locals recommend
Petoskey Pretzel Co.
200 Petoskey StAmazing Pretzels come from this whole in the wall establishment. Pepperoni filled is my favorite. My wife likes the jalapeno one and the kids of course love the cinnamon and sugar. Everything is good.
A must visit! Hand dipped ice cream, fudge, chocolates, candies, caramel apples and all kinds of other goodies.
26 locals recommend
Alpine Chocolat Haus
208 W Main StA must visit! Hand dipped ice cream, fudge, chocolates, candies, caramel apples and all kinds of other goodies.
Historic grill in the heart of the gaslight district, with classic, truly old, original finishes. Food and service are also top notch.
26 locals recommend
City Park Grill
432 E Lake StHistoric grill in the heart of the gaslight district, with classic, truly old, original finishes. Food and service are also top notch.
This pace is truly unique! Intimate booth dining on one side and the other is a must see. This is one of those places where they bring you peanuts in the shells and you through the shells on the floor after you crack them. Bar and dining up front, Games and popcorn also in the back. I don't recall if the food is any good, but we still enjoy going every once in a while.
23 locals recommend
Mitchell Street Pub
426 E Mitchell StThis pace is truly unique! Intimate booth dining on one side and the other is a must see. This is one of those places where they bring you peanuts in the shells and you through the shells on the floor after you crack them. Bar and dining up front, Games and popcorn also in the back. I don't recall if the food is any good, but we still enjoy going every once in a while.
This place has been featured all over the country as having some of the best home-made cookies. A must when in Harbor Springs.
19 locals recommend
Tom's Mom's Cookies
267 S Spring StThis place has been featured all over the country as having some of the best home-made cookies. A must when in Harbor Springs.
Golf/Ski
Great skiing and golfing! Just a couple mile from "The Vine" Where you are staying.
51 locals recommend
Treetops Resort
3962 Wilkinson RdGreat skiing and golfing! Just a couple mile from "The Vine" Where you are staying.
Otsego Club And Resort
696 M-32Great Golf and Skiing!
Some of the best skiing in the Midwest is done at Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls, MI and The Highlands in Harbor Springs, MI Next for our area would be Nubs Nob, Treetops Resort and Otsego Resort.
121 locals recommend
Boyne Mountain Resort
1 Boyne Mountain RdSome of the best skiing in the Midwest is done at Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls, MI and The Highlands in Harbor Springs, MI Next for our area would be Nubs Nob, Treetops Resort and Otsego Resort.