The Top 10 Things to do in Petoskey
There is still a lot of summer left, and there are a lot of ways to enjoy it in Petoskey. Here’s our list of top 10 things to do when you visit Petoskey.
1. Petoskey State Park – You’ll find this gorgeous, scenic state park just outside of Petoskey. It sits on beautiful Little Traverse Bay, and features a wonderful, sandy beach perfect for taking a dip in the cool, clear waters of Lake Michigan. The park also has two hiking trails and plenty of places for campers to pitch a tent or park an RV.
2. Grandpa Shorter’s – No trip to Petoskey is complete without visiting us here at Grandpa Shorter’s. We’ve been downtown since 1964, welcoming visitors and sending them home with Michigan souvenirs, like Petoskey Stones, apparel and more. You’ll also find Michigan-made products, gear for the lake and cabin, Minnetonka Moccasins and decor to give your own home that “Up North” feel.
3. Little Traverse Wheelway – bicyclists with love The Little Traverse Wheelway. It’s a unique way to see the Lake Michigan scenery. The 26-mile bike path follows the shoreline between Petoskey, Charlevoix and Harbor Springs. You’ll pass through parks where you can picnic and towns and villages offering unique shopping and dining. And, of course, you’ll have many opportunities to view sparkling Lake Michigan along the way.
4. Mackinaw Trail Winery – This state-of-the-art Petoskey winery sits on 30 acres of beautiful, rolling hills, planted with 15 acres of grapes. In operation for 10 years, they’ve earned multiple medals and best in class awards. Visit the tasting room to enjoy their many hand-crafted wines including their Restricted Label, their finest vintages of premium Michigan wine. You’ll also find a microbrewery and bistro on site.
5. Crooked Tree Arts Center – If you’re looking for inspiration, visit Crooked Tree Arts Center where you can view exhibits, take a class, listen to a lecture, or attend a concert and other special events. They offer art education for people of all ages. You can also shop their gallery where you’ll find original works of art for sale.
6. Little Traverse History Museum – Located in the restored Pere Marquette train depot, this museum sits on Petoskey’s scenic waterfront. History buffs will enjoy displays on the life of Ernest Hemingway, who summered in the area as a child, Odawa Indian artifacts and the history of the Little Traverse Bay area.
7. Fishing – Charter a boat, and you can sail and fish Lake Michigan for trout, salmon, bass and steelhead. If you prefer inland lakes, you’ll find walleye, bass, perch, northern pike and bluegill. You can also fly fish the local rivers for brook trout, salmon and steelhead.
8. Petoskey Stone hunting – You can’t visit Petoskey without taking a trip down to the beach to hunt for Petoskey Stones, the highly sought after fossils featuring a unique hexagon pattern when wet or polished. If you find one, you can take it home as a souvenir. If you don’t have any luck, don’t worry! Just stop in at Grandpa Shorter’s and purchases an authentic stone from our collection.
9. Hemingway Tour – Pulitzer Prize winning author Ernest Hemingway spent his childhood summers in the Petoskey area. His time here later influenced many of his famous writings. There are several places in the area you can visit where Hemingway spent time, and some he even mentions in his works. Literary fans will love taking a walk in this famous writer’s shoes.
10. Odawa Casino – You don’t have to travel to Vegas to enjoy world-class gaming. Come to Northern Michigan and try your luck! Odawa Casino in Petoskey has something for every player, including slots, tables and poker. You’ll also find a resort hotel and fine dining on site. Ovation Hall regularly features national acts and entertainment.
It’s not too late to put Petoskey on your summer itinerary. We can’t wait to see you!
