District Guide

The Boyne area is full of small towns, sparkling lakes, and forests. A summer resort destination for over a century, this region has much to offer the curious tourist, from outdoor activities to galleries, festivals, and shopping. Each town is alike in its hospitality, but differs in style, landscape, and attractions. This is a great vacation place for families, couples, and friends.

Boyne City/ Boyne Falls/ East Jordan

Boyne City lies at the eastern tip of Lake Charlevoix, linked to Lake Michigan through the town of Charlevoix at the other end of the lake. Boyne City and the surrounding towns have been resort communities since the early 1900s, and despite the changing times and styles, the downtown areas have mostly stayed true to their origins. As a result, the communities are quaint, picturesque, and retain that small-town feel even when tourist numbers swell to the tens of thousands in the summer months. There are a multitude of good restaurants, public parks and beaches, and activities to keep the whole family entertained.

Each spring, the Morel Mushroom Festival attracts thousands of visitors from across the country in search of mushroom-hunting glory. However, even the non-mushroom aficionados can take advantage of the wealth of beauty that this area has to offer, including lake views from Boyne City Beach or Young State Park. Those more keen on getting on the green can tee off at one of the many local golf courses, such as The Bay Harbor Golf Club, or the The Alpine and The Monument at Boyne Mountain. If you're more of a ski bunny, come in the winter to try the slopes at Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands, which provide some of the best skiing in Michigan, and feature cross-country trails as well as downhill. Nearby East Jordan and Boyne Falls provide even more outdoor opportunities as well as nice restaurants and other entertainment venues.

Petoskey/Harbor Springs/Oden/Pellston

Petoskey is a lovely town on the shore of Little Traverse Bay. As one of the most popular four-season resort areas in the Midwest, Petoskey has something for everyone. One of the nicest features of this small town of 6,000 is its historic Gaslight District, a Victorian downtown with small shops and pretty storefronts. The pedestrian-friendly streets invite you to walk down to the water, where Magnus City Beach and its myriad Petoskey Stones await you. Petoskey has many historical buildings, including Stafford's Perry Hotel, the only original resort hotel that still survives from the area's early days as a vacation destination. If you'd like to get a sense of the area's history, check out the Little Traverse History Museum in the restored train depot, or take one of the Historic Trolley Tours. For some spicier stories, visit the City Park Grill. Its history goes back to the early 1900s. The main dining room looks much like it did then, and provides an interesting backdrop to a delicious meal. Or if you just need a pick-me-up, grab some coffee at the quirky Woolly Bugger café in nearby Harbor Springs.

Petoskey's spirit goes far beyond its tourist-friendly appearance. There are several community spaces, from the Crooked Tree Arts Center which hosts events and provides gallery space for local artists, to Horizon Books, a bookstore that is also home to a café and group meeting spaces. Good old-fashioned fun can be had at local farms like Just A Plain Farm and Pond Hill Farm, both of which offer fresh food and family events and activities.

This area is prized for its natural surroundings, but when you come in from the great outdoors, it's nice to enjoy the peace and quiet of a nice hotel room. For a more traditional experience, choose a historic inn like the previously listed Stafford's hotels, or for a more luxurious stay, try one of the many resorts in the area, like The Inn at Bay Harbor-- A Renaissance Golf Resort, or Boyne Highlands Resort. These resorts feature restaurants, comfortable accommodations, golf courses, and other outdoor and indoor activities.

The smaller communities of Oden and Pellston have fewer activities to offer, but each town has its share of charm and inviting restaurants and shops to visit. They make for nice day trips when you need a change of scene.

Charlevoix

Straddling the narrow strip of land between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix is the town of Charlevoix, which, like its neighboring towns, has a charming downtown area and access to fabulous outdoor recreational spaces. Walk through the quaint streets of the town, to the nearby Ferry Avenue Beach and Depot Beach, or try nearby Fisherman's Island State Park. From Charlevoix you can easily get to either Lake Charlevoix for some small-scale boating and swimming, or venture out to Lake Michigan Beach for a look at waters that stretch as far as the eye can see. There are many companies that offer guided fishing trips and boat tours of both lakes, and trips to nearby Beaver Island and Mackinac Island.

Other than outdoor parks and beaches, there are many other places to explore in the Charlevoix area. Get to know the region's roots at the Andrew Blackbird Museum, or the Harbor Springs History Museum. For a glimpse at a peculiar and quirky aspect of local history, visit Castle Farms, an early 20th century castle built by Sears and Roebucks Vice President Albert Loeb. Echoing the style of old stone farm buildings in Normandy, France, the property features turrets, expansive gardens, historical artifacts, and a rich history as an event and concert space during the 1960s. The structure is now used mostly for weddings and other big events, and makes for a memorable day trip.

Gaylord/Oak Grove

Gaylord is the largest city in the area, and sits inland at the center of the Lower Peninsula. Due to its location, it has not been quite the tourist mecca that its northwestern neighbors in the Boyne area have been. However, there is plenty to do in the town, including a better nightlife than you may find in the quieter communities mentioned above. Timothy's Pub & Restaurant and The Broken Club Pub are fun options for a drink or a hearty meal.

Of course, being in northern Michigan, Gaylord also has its fair share of outdoor places and activities. The Gaylord State Forest Area covers much of the region, extending north, east, and west from Gaylord and containing countless hiking and cross-country skiing trails. The Pine Baron Pathway is especially lovely in the autumn, when the trees burst with color, filling the branches and the ground with a riot of burnished gold. If you're pining away for a view of some local wildlife, head to the Pigeon River State Forest, where you can see the resident herd of free-ranging elk.

Whatever town you choose, the Boyne area has plenty to offer during every season, and will be the perfect place to experience a memorable vacation.