If summer had a postcard, it would look a lot like Northern Michigan’s Petoskey Area. Families love this corner of the state for its beautiful beaches, charming towns, and the kind of slow, unplugged days that seem harder to find lately. Whether the goal is sandcastle building, hiking, watching the sunset from a boat, or saying hello to baby animals, Petoskey delivers. The area is made up of several communities—Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne City, Bay Harbor, Alanson, and Bay View—each one with its own little personality and family-friendly summer magic. If you’ve never been, this is the summer to go. If you have? Then it’s time to go back.
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Attractions in Petoskey: What to See and Do This Summer
Sunset Cruises on Little Traverse Bay
There’s something about being on the water in the summer that makes everything feel more relaxed. the Little Traverse Bay Ferry Co. offers 90-minute sunset cruises that glide across the bay, with stops in Harbor Springs and Bay Harbor. Cruises depart from the Petoskey Marina, and snacks and drinks are available onboard. It’s a low-stress way to soak in Michigan’s famous golden-hour glow—no boat ownership required.
Beach Days at Petoskey State Park
This family-favorite beach sits on the shores of Little Traverse Bay and offers plenty of space for swimming, sandcastle building, and paddleboarding. The park includes a playground, concessions, a picnic area, volleyball courts, restrooms, and a universally accessible track chair available by reservation. There are also nearby hiking trails and dunes to explore, making it easy to turn a beach day into a full-blown nature adventure.
Lavender Hill Farm
One of the prettiest spots in Boyne City during the summer, Lavender Hill Farm bursts into color in July, when the lavender fields reach peak bloom. Families can take 30-minute golf cart tours to learn about how lavender is grown and harvested, or wander through the fields at their own pace. There’s also a summer concert series inside a renovated barn, with live music that’s perfect for dancing under the stars.
Meet the Animals at Kiwidinok Farm
Animal lovers will want to add Kiwidinok Farm to their summer itinerary. Located in Boyne City, this working farm is home to Tibetan yaks, alpacas, goats, lambs, rabbits, miniature ponies, and more. Guests can pet and feed the animals during a guided tour (advance reservations required), and it’s a guaranteed win for families with young kids.
Bike the Little Traverse Wheelway
For a two-wheeled way to explore the region, the Little Traverse Wheelway is one of the best biking trails in Michigan. This 26-mile paved trail stretches from Charlevoix to Harbor Springs and passes through Bay Harbor, Petoskey, and Bay View. It’s mostly flat and offers lots of scenic stops, with access to Petoskey State Park and prime Petoskey stone hunting. Bike rentals are available locally, and many shops offer delivery right to your accommodations.
Hike the Local Trails
Whether it’s a gentle boardwalk path to the beach or a forested route near a river, Petoskey’s hiking trails are both scenic and manageable with kids. Try Thorne Swift Nature Preserve for a 1.5-mile trail with boardwalks and lake views, or head to the Bear River Recreation Area in Petoskey for a mix of paved and rugged paths along the water. Many of these trails are part of the Little Traverse Conservancy’s network of protected lands.
Explore Bay View’s 150th Season
Bay View is a colorful Victorian-style cottage community and National Historic Landmark known for its summer programming. Families can attend public concerts, lectures, and theater events. There are also historic walking tours and nearly three miles of hiking trails in Bay View Woods. For those wanting to stay right in the heart of the action, Stafford’s Bay View Inn and The Terrace Inn are charming options.
Shay Days and the Ephraim Shay Works Museum
Opening in June 2025, the Ephraim Shay Works Museum in Harbor Springs celebrates the inventor of the Shay locomotive. With interactive STEAM-focused exhibits, the museum encourages hands-on learning about the world of railroads and innovation. Mark your calendar for Shay Days on July 25–26, when the town celebrates its railroad roots with family-friendly activities and historical fun.
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Where to Stay in Petoskey
Budget-Friendly Pick: Apple Tree Inn
Apple Tree Inn in Petoskey is a bright, clean, and centrally located hotel. It offers indoor pool access, a complimentary breakfast, and easy access to downtown Petoskey and the Little Traverse Wheelway. Rooms with balconies offer pretty views of the bay, and families appreciate the spaciousness and value.
Splurge-Worthy Stay: Inn at Bay Harbor
If this is your family’s big summer trip, the Inn at Bay Harbor is a treat. With a lakeside location, spa, pool, golf, and onsite dining, it’s the kind of resort where you can park the car and not leave all weekend. There’s even a kid-friendly s’mores station by the firepit at night and a rocky beach for stone hunting right outside the lobby.
Vacation Rentals and Inns
Bay View offers two historic inns for families who want to immerse themselves in the heart of the cottage community—Stafford’s Bay View Inn and The Terrace Inn. Both provide walkable access to summer events and trails. For more space, check out local vacation rentals in Boyne City or Harbor Springs, many of which come with lake views or access to private beaches.
A Summer to Remember in Northern Michigan
The Petoskey Area isn’t flashy, but that’s the charm. This is a place where summer unfolds slowly, where kids find Petoskey stones along the water’s edge, where families ride bikes and eat ice cream and go to sleep with sandy feet. With events happening all season long, incredible natural beauty, and that laid-back Northern Michigan pace, Petoskey is one of those places you’ll want to return to every summer.To start planning your summer trip and explore a full calendar of events, visit PetoskeyArea.com.
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