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Heading north in the summer often means a stop in Traverse City, Glen Arbor, or Mackinac Island. But what if we told you there was even more North to explore?
Beyond the Dunes and TC, you can pack in the fun up north. There are so many beaches and little towns to discover, each with a charm of its own. We’ll give you a run-down of what to expect when visiting each of these towns – with or without kids.
If you like Traverse City and the general “up north” vibe, then read on. We scoped out summer fun in Charlevoix, Petoskey, Boyne City, Harbor Springs, and Walloon Lake with kids and there is a lot to do.
Here’s a glimpse at our suggested route:
Where to start! Picture perfect is a good place, I guess.
Charlevoix is a little Lake Michigan harbor town with a channel to Lake Charlevoix. The main road through town – US 31 – has a drawbridge that periodically raises to let big boats in and out. Downtown is cute and busy.
Walk the channel down to the lighthouse and Lake Michigan beach for a great playground or eat ice cream and hang out at the harborside park on Lake Charlevoix.
If you or your kids like fairy houses, the Hobbit, or whimsy, you’ll want to check out the Earl Young Mushroom Houses. We followed the self-guided tour on this map.
Young started building nature-inspired homes in the area in 1919 and continued for 50 years, constructing 26 structures. It really is cool to “hunt” for his mushroom houses.
Don’t forget to look for Stafford’s Weathervane Restaurant and Weathervane Terrace Inn & Suites on Pine River Lane, and the Lodge hotel on Michigan Avenue – they’re also his creations.
A “pleasant surprise stop” on your tour downtown: the Charlevoix Public Library. Not only does this old renovated school have a remarkable children’s section, but the outdoor music garden is a delight.
Just outside of Charlevoix is Castle Farms. Get lost exploring their beautiful gardens in a historic castle setting. What more could a person ask for?
Castle Farms is what some might call the Frederik Meijer Gardens of the north. The gigantic outdoor model train setup is likely to be the highlight for most kids.
If you’re on the prowl for Petoskey Stones, Fisherman’s Island State Park is a good bet. Just south of Downtown Charlevoix and perched on Lake Michigan, this rustic state park is not as well known as some of the others.
If you have time and enjoy biking, ride on the 23-mile long Little Traverse Wheelway. It spans from Charlevoix to Petoskey to Harbor Springs.
Lake Charlevoix is long – and it has a south arm that makes driving its south shore even longer. It’s definitely quicker to drive the north shore.
But if you’re not in a hurry, take the south shore route and go through the tiny town of Ironton. That’s where you’ll find the open-top Ironton Ferry. You can purchase a single trip, or a book of 20 tickets will save you some money.
The line gets long during high-time, but there is a restaurant at the dock if you need to get out.
Petoskey is bigger than Charlevoix. Downtown Petoskey is super cute with lots of great shopping and park space. The Gas Light Shopping district downtown gives off retro-cool vibes. So many yummy restaurants can be found in this area too.
Probably one of the most surprising things about downtown Petoskey is the natural rec area running through it. Bear River Valley Recreation Area is a gem.
With a whitewater river course (bring your kayak) and hiking trails flanking each bank, your family will love exploring this natural wonder.
If you find yourself in Petoskey on a weekday – stop in to take the free tour of Kilwin’s Chocolate Kitchen! Located on the Little Traverse Bay, you get to peek behind the scenes and see how Kilwin’s makes some of their most iconic fudge, ice cream and more.
Petoskey is full of so many wonderful things to do you may just want to stay a night or two (or more!).
If you’re not looking for it, you’d maybe never find Boyne City. That’s probably how the people there want to keep it. But now that we know, we just have to tell you about it.
Located west of US-131, Boyne City is on the east end of Lake Charlevoix. It’s home to Young State Park (you can camp here – get the Oak Campground if you can).
Their Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings is a winner and their downtown is cute – complete with a Kilwin’s and trendy restaurants with outdoor seating.
If you’re feeling adventurous, visit the Avalanche Preserve Recreation Area just outside of town and climb the 462 steps to the top for awesome views or take a spin on their mountain bike trails.
For more mountain biking, visit Boyne City School Forest Trail. This is the perfect place for kids to bike. These trails make for a fun ride!
Make your way to Boyne Mountain with their ski resort, SkyBridge, and Avalanche Bay (one of Michigan’s largest indoor water parks).
Lavender Hill Farm was our most lovely stop in Boyne City. They have lavender ice cream, soap, soda – in addition to the most gorgeous working farm. Be sure to check out the labyrinth if you go.
Harbor Springs is across Little Grand Traverse Bay from Petoskey and looks like a town out of a picture book. It’s small and is crowded in the summer, but somehow that just adds to its charm. They have a nice beach, downtown, and residential area to explore.
Harbor Springs is the start of the famous M-119 Tunnel of Trees. The narrow drive is especially beautiful in the fall. You can take this route to Pond Hill Farm, a beautiful working farm.
At Pond Hill Farm they have a cafe, hiking trails, a playground, animals and other activities. If you’ve got kiddos, they’ll want to use the squash rocket and explore their playground.
If you thought Boyne City and Harbor Springs were small, wait until you visit Walloon Lake.
Walloon Lake is just one of many inland lakes in Michigan. This lakeside town is tiny. But what it does have, it does well. There’s a small ice cream shop, a park, town beach, and store/restaurant/marina/dockside bar.
Barrel Back restaurant is right on the lake and has loads of ambiance.
Pied Piper Roller Rink is a fun indoor activity.
Feel the wind in your hair and rent a boat, jetski, or ATV from Boyne Recreation, Walloon Central Marine (boats only), Legacy Water Sports and Marina (boats only).
Paddle the day away on the Bear River with a paddle board, kayak or canoe from Bear River Canoe Livery. They have on-site amenities including: charcoal grills, picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, and fire pits. They also have a cutie little cabin available to rent if you want to stay a bit longer.
Use this map to find a great VRBO for your up north travels.
There’s no way we covered all that there is to do in the area – we were only visiting for five days. We’d love to hear more must-do-while-you’re here suggestions… please drop them in the comments.
And remember, if you are going north, things are spaced out and there are quite a few tourists during the summer. Drives between one destination and another may take longer than anticipated. Get reservations where you can. Most stores are pretty well equipped in the bigger towns if you forget anything.
Have Fun!
INFJ. Mom of 3. Idea chaser-People believer-Inspiration seeker. Together we make GR amazing – Let’s go!
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