Rainy day activities in and around Petoskey

“The nicest thing about the rain is that it always stops. Eventually.”- Eeyore.

Ah rain. What a way to ruin your perfect summer day. As someone who works 6 days a week and who also loves to be outside in the summertime, there is nothing as frustrating as having my one day off be a rainy day. Or, imagine travelling to a gorgeous, picturesque town like Petoskey in the summertime, and as you are preparing for the day’s adventures, you hear the ominous crack of thunder as the sky opens up and rains down on you and your outdoor plans. As frustrating as these scenarios are, fortunately, Petoskey has several great summertime rainy-day options. I have selected 6 indoor alternatives that are perfect for locals and tourists alike for when you are faced with a rainy summer day in Petoskey. 

• Crooked Tree Arts Center–  CTAC has four different galleries filled with beautiful art for visitors to explore for free. In addition to being an art gallery, they also offer classes, performances, and lectures in their theater. Many days they have drop-in, open art days as well. They also have a gift shop on site where you can purchase items that were created by local artisans. Bonus: depending on when you visit, you may even spot a painting created by Jennifer Shorter. 

• Little Traverse History Museum– The museum is open from the beginning of June (this year they open on June 9) until October. The museum is located in the former Pere Marquette train station down by the waterfront, which was built in 1892. Today it is home to permanent exhibits pertaining to the history of Petoskey as well as temporary exhibits that rotate each summer. For only $5, you can learn plenty about the area that you love. 

• Petoskey District Library–  I know I have mentioned it before in previous blogs, but I can’t help but repeat myself. Our library is amazing. In addition to the thousands of physical books they have on hand that you may read or borrow, they have over 35,000 digital books, and they have a Makerspace where you can rent items to help you make stuff, such as art supplies, 3D printers, and so much more. They also have a very extensive Library of Things where you can check out items like board games, kitchen equipment, and a Roku stick, all things that would be extremely useful on a rainy day.   

• Harbor Springs Lyric Theatre– We have a lot of great movie theaters in northern Michigan, but the Harbor Springs Lyric Theatre is a pretty special place. It operates as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, and it is staffed mainly by enthusiastic movie loving volunteers. It houses three unique theaters, and the main one, Theater 1, has lights on the ceiling that look like stars in the night sky which looks very impressive when the lights are dimmed. In addition to all of the latest movies, the Lyric also hosts special events and shows local films. 

• Northern Lights Recreation– This is recently under new ownership and in the last year has really received a glow up. In addition to their 16 bowling lanes and arcade, they also have Krazy Darts, a Valo Arena which is a virtual reality game room that you must see in order to fully appreciate, and a two-story laser tag arena. Plus, they have a brand-new sports bar and grill, Louie’s. I have tried out the Krazy Darts and Valo Arena, and both are very entertaining. You could easily spend an entire rainy day here and have a blast.  

• Downtown Petoskey Shopping– Ok, so this is partially outdoors, as you stroll from store to store, but it is summertime, so it shouldn’t be too chilly. Why not explore all of the great shops that Petoskey has to offer? The Gaslight District has it all. Great restaurants? Check. Clothing stores? Absolutely. One of the best independent bookstores in Michigan? They have that too. And don’t forget the recently named 2026 Red Hot Best Gift Store, Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts. And, if you are in need of a good umbrella while you shop, Grandpa Shorter’s carries an umbrella called the Shedrain Vortex, that I highly recommend. Bonus: If you purchase any of their umbrellas while it is raining, you get 20% off.   

So, if you find yourself in Petoskey for the day, and it is raining, don’t fret. Put on your raincoat and make the best of it with an indoor (or mostly indoor) alternative.

“A guarantee of rain always comes with a promise of sun, in weather, and in life.”