Things to Do in Petoskey: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Petoskey sits on Little Traverse Bay in northern Michigan, a Victorian resort town with a walkable Gaslight District, sunsets over Lake Michigan and beaches where you can hunt for fossil Petoskey stones. Hemingway spent his boyhood summers nearby.
This guide covers the best things to do in Petoskey, 3, 5 and 7-day plans with Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, the Tunnel of Trees and Mackinac Island, plus what to eat and where to stay.
Top things to see in Petoskey
Gaslight District
Shops and restaurants in Victorian blocks.
Petoskey State Park
Dunes and a sandy beach.
Bayfront Park
Marina, waterfall and sunset views.
Little Traverse Wheelway
A 26-mile paved bike trail.
Bay View
A Victorian cottage community.
Tunnel of Trees
Scenic drive on M-119.
Harbor Springs
A polished harbor village.
Bear River Valley
Whitewater in the middle of town.
Petoskey in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Downtown and the bay
Begin in the Gaslight District with coffee and a browse through bookshops, galleries and the store where Hemingway once shopped. Have lunch downtown. In the afternoon walk down to Bayfront Park, see the small waterfall and stroll the breakwall. Stay for one of Petoskey's famous million-dollar sunsets and have whitefish for dinner.
2Day 2 · Beaches and stones
Spend the morning at Petoskey State Park, swimming and scanning the shoreline for Petoskey stones, the fossil coral that shows its honeycomb pattern when wet. Picnic at the beach. In the afternoon rent bikes and ride the Little Traverse Wheelway toward Bay View's gingerbread cottages. Have dinner at a brewery in town.
3Day 3 · Harbor Springs and the Tunnel of Trees
Drive around the bay to Harbor Springs for its harbor and boutiques, then follow M-119 through the Tunnel of Trees to Cross Village. Eat lunch at the historic log-and-stone inn there. On the way back stop at a roadside farm stand and at Pond Hill Farm for a glass of wine.
Petoskey in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Charlevoix
Head south to Charlevoix to see the whimsical mushroom houses designed by Earl Young, watch the drawbridge open and swim at Michigan Beach. Have lunch on Bridge Street and stop at Fisherman's Island State Park on the way home for a quiet beach walk.
5Day 5 · Mackinac Island
Drive forty minutes to Mackinaw City and take the ferry to car-free Mackinac Island. Cycle the eight-mile shore road, visit Fort Mackinac and sample fudge. Have lunch on the porch of a historic hotel and catch a late-afternoon ferry back.
Petoskey in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Wineries and the river
Follow the Petoskey Wine Region trail to two or three tasting rooms in the hills. After lunch, walk the Bear River Valley Recreation Area, where the river drops through town in a series of rapids. Finish with dinner and live music downtown.
7Day 7 · Last day
Take a last walk along the bay, buy polished Petoskey stones, cherry preserves and local chocolate, and have a farewell lunch. Pellston Regional Airport is thirty minutes away, and Traverse City's airport about ninety minutes.
What to do in Petoskey on a weekend
For a weekend in Petoskey, combine the Gaslight District, the state park beach and a sunset at Bayfront Park.
Add the Tunnel of Trees with a third day.
What to do in Petoskey in the evening
Evenings mean sunsets over the bay, craft breweries, summer concerts in Pennsylvania Park and relaxed dinners.
In winter the ski resorts add après-ski.
Petoskey for couples
Couples will enjoy a sunset picnic, a winery afternoon and a drive through the Tunnel of Trees in fall color.
Petoskey with kids
With kids, try stone hunting, the Wheelway by bike, Mackinac Island and the state park's shallow beach.
What to eat in Petoskey
Whitefish
Fresh from the Great Lakes.
Cherry pie
Northern Michigan's signature fruit.
Pasties
A hearty Upper Peninsula import.
Fudge
Mackinac style.
Local wine
Cold-climate whites.
Where to stay in Petoskey: best areas
Downtown
Walk to shops.
Bay View
Historic inns.
Bay Harbor
Upscale resort.
Harbor Springs
Quiet and elegant.
What to do in Petoskey when it rains
On rainy days, visit the Little Traverse History Museum, Crooked Tree Arts Center, tasting rooms or the casino.
How much does a trip to Petoskey cost?
Expect $180–350 per night in summer, $15–30 for lunch and about $35 for the Mackinac ferry.
Practical tips for Petoskey
Best time to visit
June to October, or winter for skiing.
Getting around
By car, with bikes for the Wheelway.
Our practical tips
- Wet the stones to spot them.
- Book summer rooms early.
- Drive M-119 slowly.
- Catch the sunset.
- Bring a light jacket.
- Reserve ferry tickets ahead.
Mistakes to avoid
- Taking stones from national parkland.
- Rushing the Tunnel of Trees.
- Expecting warm water in June.
- Skipping Bay View.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Petoskey?
Stroll the Gaslight District, hunt Petoskey stones and watch the sunset.
How many days do you need?
Two to three days, a week with the region.
Where can you find Petoskey stones?
At Petoskey State Park and Magnus Park.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer and early fall.