Petoskey sits at the base of Little Traverse Bay, in scenic Northeast Michigan. The northern Lower Peninsula has cute coastal communities, great water sports, fishing and golf, and mile after mile of quiet wilderness. People come to our bed and breakfasts to enjoy the charming small towns and to get out in nature any way they can: on skis, bikes, boats, or with golf clubs in hand.
Little Traverse Bay is wonderful for sailing and windsurfing, and really any watercraft. The water can even be enjoyed while playing a round of golf at Crooked Tree Golf Club, which has five bluff holes overlooking Lake Michigan. Warning – stunning views may be a bit of a distraction.
Several trails in town make it easy for bikers and walkers to travel throughout Petoskey. There are also a number of excellent trails traversing the northern Lower Peninsula. Bike or ride a horse on some or all 35 miles of the Petoskey-Mackinaw City Trail, or snowmobile it in the winter. A favorite trail is the North Central State Trail, which runs 61 miles between Gaylord and Mackinaw City. Much of the newly resurfaced trail is level and passes through some incredibly beautiful land. When fall colors are at their peak, the Sturgeon River Valley is breathtaking.
After a delicious breakfast at a bed and breakfast, take a walk through the historic Gaslight District. Pretty old buildings filled with interesting and eclectic boutiques and eateries make this a fun activity any time of year, from sunny summer days to snowy wintry ones. Then head out to the beach in search of famous Petoskey Stones (ask the innkeepers about them).
The Little Traverse History Museum is housed in the restored Pere Marquette train depot. Anyone who has ever been captivated by the writings of Ernest Hemingway will find this a fascinating stop, for it reveals much about the author’s life in Michigan; it also features exhibits on the history of the Little Traverse Bay region and has some interesting, rare Odawa Indian artifacts.
There are a number of festivals in this corner of Northeast Michigan, and all of them are worth a trip to a bed and breakfast. Come to the region for the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City and for Hops of Fun – A Festival of Beer and Wine in Mackinaw City; but above all, plan to attend Petoskey’s Festival on the Bay in August.
