27 Fun & Best Things to do In Petoskey (Michigan)

Tucked at the northern end of the lower Peninsula, Petoskey is a hotspot for art, adventure, and nature lovers.

Renowned for its scenic beauty, this region is filled with history and sits in the heart of the Midwest’s most popular four-season resort area.

Home to a population of over 5,670 citizens, Petoskey means “where the light shines through the clouds” in the language of Odawa.

Formerly inhabited by indigenous tribes, this region is a fantastic place to spend your vacation.

There are numerous attractions in this coastal resort community.

For art lovers, this city houses the finest museums and theatres to choose from.

Moreover, outdoor and nature lovers can have a swell time at the numerous parks and resorts around the city.

And if you have a thing for fine wine, then you are in luck because this city is a haven of wineries that produce sweet wines served alongside tasty dishes.

So if that’s the kind of city you envision your vacation to be in, you have made a great choice.

Explore the little traverse historical museum, play and relax in Petoskey State Park, or enjoy a great game at the Odawa Casino.

Excited already?

Then stay glued to your screen as this list takes you through the fun and best things to do in Petoskey.

 Best Things To Do In Petoskey.

1. Great Lake Center For The Arts

Since its establishment on July 2018, the Great Lake Center for the Arts has grown to become a state-of-the-art venue for performing arts.

This social hub offers all year-round events across all genres, like music, theatre, dance, movies, intellectual dialogue, and education.

It includes an intimate 525-seat theater that is beautifully crafted and a large stage with great features that meet international standards.

Likewise, this center features an engagement room, a rooftop terrace, a main-level patio, and a donor lounge where patrons gather.

Visit this amazing center for an up-close and personal musical experience with your favorite artist.

Snuggle in comfortable seats with your partner and enjoy the melodious acoustic and sound design.

You can also venture into the rooftop bar to enjoy a drink or two before the event.

Finally, you can enjoy a great view of lake Michigan with a beverage in hand and a great conversation with your family and friends.

Address: 800 Bay Harbor Dr, Bay Harbor, MI 49770, United States

The park houses numerous trails to take a walk, ride bikes, ride rollerblades, or skate.

There is also a large area of land where you can have a picnic, read a book, or lie down.

With a large pavilion for shade, this attraction is splendid for gazing at the sunset while munching on your breakfast.

This park also has incredible features such as boat ships, shelter houses, grills, and a playground for kids.

This gorgeous park also comes with a pier that anglers will love.

The pier goes into the bay with multiple benches for visitors to sit on, relax and view the lighthouse.

However, you can also take a stroll after a meal or a few drinks.

And probably have a relaxing evening watching boats launch on the beautiful lake.

This serene resort stretches along the river banks and is a lovely place to spend a day with your loved ones.

Of note, this hidden gem features trails, boardwalks, and whitewater rafting.

Additionally, the valley contains trails on both sides of rapidly flowing rivers and various bridges.

Some of these trails are broad concrete paths suitable for wheelchairs, bicycles, and strollers.

This recreation center also houses a shelter house, a beautiful canopy, and a picnic shelter with benches.

And if you are a water adventurer, this recreation area offers decent rapids for you to explore.

You can hike the dirt trails if you are hungry for adventure or take beautiful pictures in the view of the gorgeous landscape.

To cool off, you can dive into the lake’s warm waters, or if you are in the mood to fish, you can happily get down to business.

So make sure you visit the Bear River Valley Recreation Center.

Who knows?

The resort could become one of your favorite spots in Petoskey.

If you are in Petoskey and want to gamble a little, then hang on and head over to Odawa Casino.

Situated on an Indian reservation in Petoskey, Michigan, this Casino features a smoking area, gift shops, game slots, table games, bars, and a drink station.

With great servers and a variety of game slots to choose from, this destination is your sure bet to enjoy the nightlife in the city.

You can place a bet, roll a die, and win money while at it.

The Casino also offers free soda and beverages with delicious food at the deli.

Likewise, you can party hard at the Casino’s nightclub, with some drinks and cigarettes.

Nevertheless, you can have a fantastic time at this casino once you visit Petoskey, Michigan.

Set out on a mission to inspire and enrich lives through arts, Crooked Tree Art Center, Petoskey, is located in a former church.

Also, an excellent place to see some art pieces to put in your home; this attraction offers exhibits, concerts, classes, lectures, special events, and many more.

The art center sells paintings, jewelry, ceramics, and eclectic art pieces.

All pieces housed in this well-maintained building are gorgeous and are accessible on display.

However, you can also attend community classes where you can learn ballet and how to paint or pottery.

Or better still, you can feed your eyes on beautiful pieces of jewelry on display and buy one if you like the work.

This attraction offers incredible art exhibits in an enjoyable and inviting location.

Surrounded by vegetated dunes, the Petoskey stone can be found in the park.

This resort has two campgrounds; the dunes campground is mainly for tents, while the Tannery campground is for RVs.

However, this park has spectacular features like plenty of trails that connect the camp, many shades, beautiful beaches, clean sand, and ample parking space.

There is also a concession stand in the resort, and there are kayak rentals with other sports equipment.

With many trees lined up, you can hike through the trail, go for a short work or jog along.

If you decide to go for a short relaxing walk, it will lead you to the beach in Michigan.

The sight of the beach is breathtaking, and you can head on to indulge in kayak tours.

Likewise, you can dig your feet into the clean sand, walk your pets or hunt for Petoskey stones.

And, of course, if you are hungry, the park offers convenient access to restaurants and bars for you to choose from in Petoskey.

Known as the only railway in the area, this attraction was established in 1894 by the grand rapids and Indiana railway station.

It later became a ski resort until Boyne mountain opened in the 60s.

However, this resort has impressive features such as a hands-on art experience for your kids, a great play area, and historical information.

This charming local museum contains many interesting local items, including the items of Hemingway.

Of note, Ernest Hemingway vacationed in the museum in the year 1920.

So if you want to spend time in a historical attraction, Little Traverse Historical Museum is your sure bet.

Address: 100 Depot Ct, Petoskey, MI 49770, United States

This attraction offers affordable skate rentals and a fun place to ice skate outdoors.

There is also a small hill for snowboarding, a hock rink, a warming shelter, and clean bathrooms.

Additionally, this lovely place is open to the entire community to have a great time in the snow.

Beginners are not left out, as there is a designated beginner ski and snowboard area.

Skate helpers are also available to provide help to greenhorns in the attraction.

And if you want to grab a bite after the burst of adrenaline, you can head out to the concession for snacks.

Not only that, there is an indoor warm-up area and a hot chocolate spot too.

So go all out in this fantastic attraction once you are in Petoskey.

Popularly known as the “North Star” of the Michigan wine industry, this attraction has four tasting rooms in the state of Michigan.

Founded in 2004, this family-owned business is a large production facility that produces taste-worthy wine.

Now run by proprietors Ralph and Laurie Stabile, the winery sits on 30 acres of beautiful hills and has 13 acres of planted grapes.

This attraction will expose you to wine tours, wine tasting, and a mix of wineries with dogs.

Likewise, you can enjoy exceptional wine and cheese on the deck outside.

Or just play with the dogs of the owners as they take in the view of the gorgeous vineyard.

You can also go on a round of beer tasting and order one or two bottles while at it.

Sounds exciting enough?

Then head on to the Mackinaw Trail Winery and Brewery when you get to Petoskey.

Want to explore another great park at Petoskey?

Then journey over to Pennsylvania Park.

This incredible park is at the center of the city and is close to various food options.

Undoubtedly a great place to relax, this park features trails for walks, an incredible waterfall, and a beautiful green space.

With plenty of shade, you can have a picnic with your family and friends.

Likewise, enjoy a beautiful and peaceful jog around the attraction.

This hidden treasure also hosts free concerts during summer.

In addition, you can also catch a glimpse of the art shows and sideway sales when it’s summer.

To top it all, this attraction sits perfectly downtown, so you can’t miss it when you come to Petoskey.

Have you ever dreamt of having outdoor dining with a scenic view to behold?

Don’t hold your breath because dreams come true at Petoskey Farm Vineyard And Winery.

This gorgeous winery, where you can go for a wine-tasting spree, has a spectacular view.

Housed in an eye-catching building, this winery serves pizza and tasty wine.

You have a glass of wine from the selection of wines, sit down outdoors, and enjoy the excellent serene environment.

You can also beckon their friendly staff to give you an insight into the wines and ciders.

Moreover, you can bring your family along so that you can enjoy a fantastic afternoon in the embrace of this attraction.

Address: Petoskey Farms Vineyard & Winery, 3720 Atkins Rd, Petoskey, MI 49770, United States

12. Sunset Park

This beautiful small park should be your favorite spot in town if you want to have a good look at the bay.

Sunset park has incredible features such as picnic tables, baseball fields, beaches, a beautiful waterfall, and a stream.

There are also plenty of walking paths, clear-cut grass, and accessible bathroom.

Perfect for family gatherings, this attraction is a great place to catch the stunning view of the sun setting on lake Michigan.

You can climb the stairs to get down the Bayfront or take beautiful pictures.

Moreover, you can plan a picnic during your travels, talk a romantic walk over the bridge and gaze at the fantastic view of the water.

Ultimately, this park is pure heaven for premium relaxation.

Wallow lake winery is a cute miniature attraction to have delicious wine with breathtaking views.

To have a taste of wine, this attraction is your sure bet.

With amazing architecture, bouquets, and a pet-friendly environment, this attraction is sure to blow your mind away.

So come over to this great outdoor spot and take a tour around the attraction.

Taste varieties of wines and have the workers guide you through with eye-opening information.

You can also enjoy the fragrance of the scented flowers while you enjoy a meal of wine and pizza.

However, after a time well spent, you can revisit this attraction anytime you are in Petoskey.

Address: Walloon Lake, MI, USA

14. East Park, Petoskey

The beautiful East Park sits majestically on a cliff above the lake.

Notably, this attraction houses amazing pictures such as a picnic shelter, a spectacular spot to eat, and walking paths.

However, this unique park is multi-tier.

That means the park is divided into upper, middle, and lower levels, so there is ample space to indulge in multiple activities.

The upper level houses a house shelter where you can stop to rest after hiking through the trails.

Likewise, there is an open field in the middle trail where you can play fun games.

The picnic area is large enough to contain a good-sized group, so you can hold a small get-together there.

Furthermore, you can also go for a walk, run, or bicycle in this beautiful park.

Besides, you can allow your kid to have fun on the slide and swing in the kids’ area.

Nevertheless, this park will leave you yearning for more, as the activities this park provides are endless.

This enormous sports complex features fields, a baseball field, and a giant disc golf course.

An exciting way to spend the afternoon with your friends playing games of all sorts. This park beat is suitable for any outdoor fun.

You can play a game of soccer, baseball, volleyball, and handball on this open field.

Likewise, you can play an exciting game of disc golf on the 24 holes disc golf course.

This spectacular park is dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry friend for walks.

Moreover, there are a lot of activities that you can engage in while in this complex.

So make this place one of your unique places in Petoskey when you visit.

A trip to every photographer’s dream will leave you mesmerized for a long time.

The WaterFall Area sits next to an area in downtown Petoskey.

This attraction is located inside Bayfront Park, a secluded waterfall in the middle of the city.

With a tranquil old, this attraction is an excellent place to stop and relax with the perfect water space to calm you down.

However, this park attraction also has picnic tables in the area, so you can sit and take in the gorgeous view.

While at it, you can enjoy a plate of lunch on the site or pose for amazing pictures.

The best is that you don’t even have to hike a trail to do all these because the waterfall is easy to locate.

There is even a road that leads to a hill where you can view the different parts of the waterfall.

So don’t miss this fantastic destination once you are in Petoskey.

Another exciting attraction to visit is the Bay View Association.

Notably, this attraction is a beautiful methodist Chautauqua designed as a nicely appointed cottage home.

However, this attraction holds a six-month summer educational program suitable for adults and children.

Such educational programs include a music college, a weekday kids’ club, a women’s council, and other activities for members.

In a nutshell, this attraction is family oriented, but what else can you do in the park?

Good question.

This attraction is a beautiful place for music, so you can come here to see concerts.

Likewise, you can also take a peaceful stroll to view the stunning summer homes within the area.

And if you are hungry, you can drop by the Terrace inn for fine dining or appetizers.

You can also try out sips of the inn’s alfresco, which is worth the hype

Moreover, you can bring your camera to take beautiful pictures of vintage homes.

To sum it up, this attraction is a must-see in Petoskey.

Zorn Park Beach is an excellent attraction with a lovely Sandy beach and a fantastic swimming area.

Regarded as a lovely area for an afternoon walk, this attraction features many places to sit, such as picnic tables or by the cannon.

This is also a great place to have lunch and enjoy a pleasant time with family.

Additionally, this little piece of heaven has a lovely water fountain where you can drink water.

And if you are hot, you can take a dip at the lake, which is the coldest area because of the natural spring.

You can also hop on the raft in the water, or if you are not up for it, you can lay back and watch the ducks.

Moreover, having a picnic with your family and friends is also not bad.

Likewise, a lovely walk in the evening is also a splendid activity to indulge in while you spend time at the attraction.

So head on to this attraction and remember to bring everyone along.

Address: Zorn Park Beach, Michigan 49740, United States

19. Resort Pike Cidery And Winery, Petoskey

Resort Pike Cidery And Winery sits along William road and resort Pike road on the southern side of Petoskey.

This attraction specializes in ciders; if you are gluten intolerant, you have come to the right place.

Delight your taste buds with different flavors of dry and semi-dry wines.

Moreover, you can enjoy sitting outside while gazing at the lovely scenery and a breath of fresh air.

One fantastic drink to try out is the delicious coffee cider.

While at it, you can sit back and relax, taking in the feel of nature while looking at the gazing goat nearby.

Enjoy a splendid day at the park as you spend time in the abyss of pleasure.

Little Traverse Light rests on the northern side of Little Traverse Bay of lake Michigan.

It marked the entrance to the harbor at harbor springs and was created by the United States lighthouse in 1884.

Although it is not accessible to the public, you can still see its stunning beauty from the harbor springs.

This beautiful attraction is eye-catching, and its picturesque presence soothes the sight.

You can also take beautiful pictures of the lighthouse as a kayak tour of the lake.

Nevertheless, this attraction is one that photographers can’t afford to miss.

Address: C29C+RR, Harbor Point, MI 49740, United States

21. Lavender Hill Farm

Renowned for being the biggest lavender farm in Petoskey and Michigan, the Lavender Hill Farm should be your next stop.

Home to over 26 varieties of lavender, honeybees, and a century-old barn that recently got restored, the attraction is breathtaking.

This attraction is just a few minutes away from Charlevoix and Boyne city and has a passion for lavender.

Furthermore, this attraction features attractions such as gift shops, farm boutiques, and a reliable transport system to take you from the parking lot to the field area.

You can also walk through the fields of lavender, plan a wedding, or learn how to prepare a delicacy with lavender.

Likewise, you can check out the distillery that shows you how lavender oil is produced.

Or better still, you can sit and enjoy the scenery of unforgettable landscaping views.

In addition, you can attend the concerts the attraction hosts on a specific evening or try out the fizzy lemonade.

The bottom line is that this is a great place to spend a few hours if you are on vacation in Petoskey.

The round lake nature preserve is a beautiful reserve with beautiful and easy-to-follow trails.

These trails are pretty engaging and are suitable for all ages.

This resort is also an excellent place to geocache, run, walk or have a picnic.

And if you just want to excuse yourself from the city’s noise, this attraction gives you the luxury to do that.

So, journey to this beautiful attraction and immerse yourself in this tranquil environment. 

23. Good Hart Farms Nature Preserve

Bring your hiking boots and head to one of the best trails in northern Michigan.

Good Hart Farms Nature Preserve is a beautiful attraction close to the beach and Goodhart stores.

A hotspot for athletes and nature lovers, this preserve is perfect for bike and hike trails. 

You can run, walk or jog through the trails to get a good feel of this attraction.

With animals to keep you company, you can ride a bicycle or take a break under the many shaded areas.

Finally, you can capture captivating moments of the area on your camera or bird watch with your family and friends.

Address: 3264 Powell Rd, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, United States

One of the places where nature lovers can feel at home is the Offield Family Working Forest Reserve.

This breathtaking attraction is a decent place to take a walk or ride a bike.

Not only is this reserve super peaceful, but it is also absolutely stunning.

It is a great place to take a break and connect with nature; this attraction features trails, shades, and ample parking space.

You can take a run through the beautiful unpaved path or walk your dog under dog-friendly pressure.

Moreover, you cannot get lost with clearly labeled signs to guide you. 

Luckily, the fun does stop because you can also snowshoe in this reserve. 

It’s no news that Petoskey is filled with a lot of wineries you can visit to experience different ways of how wines are being produced.

Renowned as one of the few estate-grown wineries, the Spare Key Winery highly represents luxury at its peak.

This family-owned establishment operates as a vineyard and winery.

Remarkably, the wines are made from grapes grown in the vineyard and undergo processing on-site by the team.

Of note, the wines the winery produce are excellent, and most are dry.

Fruit wines are also offered from fruits grown in the facility.

Although the attraction serves no food, there are a couple of snacks and appetizers you can purchase to go along with your wine.

You can also pair the wine with chocolate, which is incredibly delicious.

There is also a cute sitting area for tasting, and you can take home a glass souvenir after tasting the wine.

So don’t sleep in this attraction when you get to Petoskey.

Susan Lake is a beautiful small lake perfect for small boats.

The small shallow lake has a surface area of 125 acres and is located in Hayes.

Additionally, the lake is surrounded by residential buildings, seasonal housing, a public boat launch, and an access point to the forested wetland.

You can dive into the lake to refresh or row a boat for a quiet time alone.

You can also have a picnic at the bank of the lake or read a book.

Ultimately, this lake gives you a dive into tranquility.

Address: Susan Lake, Hayes Township, MI 49720, USA

27. Grenensky Hill United Methodist Church

To round up your vacation in Petoskey, you should pay a visit to the Grenensky Hill United Methodist in the east of Michigan.

This beautiful setting for a church sits between Susan Lake and Lake Michigan.

Notably, the church preserved all the original woodwork and can accommodate 80 people comfortably.

With a blend of both native American traditions alongside Methodist practices, this attraction has a remarkable history.

One unique thing about this church is the calm atmosphere as well as the welcoming feel of the congregation.

The church serves a free community breakfast from 9 to 10 am every Sunday to crown it all.

And the goodness is that the meal is open to all, so head on to this attraction and make this the highlight of your vacation.

Address: 1804 E Mitchell Rd, Petoskey, MI 49770, United States

Petoskey is a city to look forward to, from wines to bars to resorts and parks.

Not only will you have the time of your life exploring the various attractions the city has to offer, but you can also learn about the history of the place.

This city guarantees you memories that will last you a lifetime.

So come along and prepare your mind for the adventure that awaits you in this hidden gem.

Happy Holidays!