Mountain Grand Lodge & Spa
Boyne Mountain Resort · Boyne Falls
Our base. Everything is under one roof — ski-in/ski-out, pools, dining, spa — so you never have to go outside unless you want to. Rooms are comfortable but a bit dated. Worth it for the convenience alone, especially in winter.
Book at Boyne Mountain →
Edelweiss Lodge
Boyne Mountain Resort · Boyne Falls
Newer and nicer than Mountain Grand, with more of a boutique feel. The tradeoff is that it's a separate building, so you'll walk to the main lodge for dining and activities. Great choice if room quality matters more than total convenience.
Book at Boyne Mountain →
On-property dining: Overall it's resort-level, not destination-level. Everett's does a solid breakfast buffet and their Saturday stir-fry bar is a nice touch — put your name in early on weekends. 40 Acres Pub is decent for a casual dinner. Trophy Room is fine for pizza and bar food. The pub attached to Avalanche Bay is passable. Nowhere has great cocktails — all resort pricing. In winter, keep an eye out for Happy's Tacos food truck, which is actually excellent.
Boyne City — Our Go-To Town (~10 min)
Café Santé
1 Water St · Boyne City
Our top restaurant in the area, full stop. European-style bistro right on Lake Charlevoix with a terrific patio and fire ring. Wood-fired pizzas, mussels and frites, steak frites, and a great Belgian beer list. Works for everything from breakfast to a proper dinner out.
BreakfastLunchDinnerPatioLakefront
cafesante-bc.com →
Gilda's Lake Street Bakery
110 S Lake St · Boyne City
Tiny French-Breton bakery run by Gilda, who is from Brittany. Best croissants and Kouign Amann in Northern Michigan. The authentic crêpes — savory and sweet — are the move. Go early, they sell out. Open Wed–Sun mornings only.
BreakfastPastryCoffee
gildaslakestreetbakery.com →
Lake Street Market
306 S Lake St · Boyne City
Beloved local deli and market — great for grabbing a sandwich, stocking up for the day, or picking up house-baked pies and scones. The Italian sandwich has a devoted following. Also does take-and-bake options and prepared foods.
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Provisions Wine Lounge
123 Water St · Boyne City
Wine shop and lounge in one — a curated wine shop next door to a proper wine bar where you can drink in. Good for afternoon drinks and a light bite. Knowledgeable staff. Fun way to discover a bottle to take back to the room.
WineSmall PlatesAfternoon
Muskrat Distilling
121 Water St · Boyne City
Downtown distillery in a beautifully restored 1890s building that was once the city's pharmacy. Craft cocktails with a Prohibition-era sensibility. Great atmosphere — not a restaurant, but a genuinely good cocktail stop. Outside food is welcome.
CocktailsSpiritsEvening
themuskrat.com →
Walloon Lake (~15 min)
Walloon Watershed
4128 M-75 · Walloon Lake Village
Our close friends and neighbors Matt and Meghan Thatcher own this place and it shows — every detail has been thought through. The space is stunning: custom furniture, a glassed-in wine cellar, and an aesthetic that's been described as "if Ralph Lauren had a baby with northern Michigan." Artisanal small plates, a serious wine list, great cocktails, and local craft beers. The signature 1-lb pretzel and smoked whitefish spread are musts. Private dining room for up to 10. Please go and support them.
Small PlatesWineCocktailsDinner
walloonwatershed.com →
Boyne Falls — Right Off Property (~5 min)
The Whi-Ski Inn
2670 US-131 S · Boyne Falls
Smokehouse BBQ and one of the best bourbon/whiskey selections in the region, right off the Boyne Mountain entrance. This is the off-property go-to for a casual night — brisket, pulled pork, poutine, and a great atmosphere. Unpretentious and reliable. Closed Mondays.
BBQBourbonCasual
Bay Harbor & Petoskey (~25–30 min)
NOMAD
795 Front St · Bay Harbor
Waterfront small plates restaurant right on Bay Harbor Marina. Creative, globally-influenced menu that rotates regularly — pork belly bao buns, Wagyu burger, miso black cod. Great cocktails and a fun seasonal porch. A proper night-out option when you want something a bit more elevated.
Small PlatesWaterfrontDinner
nomadbayharbor.com →
Gypsy Distillery
5251 Charlevoix Ave · Petoskey
Michigan craft distillery in a converted equestrian center with a cocktail garden, outdoor area, food vendors, and a genuinely fun vibe. Home of Gypsy Vodka and Petoskey Stone Gin. The rotating cocktail menu uses locally sourced ingredients. Great summer afternoon stop. Open Wed–Sun.
SummerCocktailsOutdoor
gypsydistillery.com →
Summer Only / Special Occasions
Horton Bay General Store
5115 Boyne City Rd · Horton Bay
A genuine piece of Northern Michigan history — open since 1876, and a stop on the Hemingway Michigan tour (he was a regular here as a boy). Today it's a working general store with gourmet foods, cheese, charcuterie, wine, spirits, espresso, and snacks. Charming stop on a summer drive. Summer hours only.
Summer OnlyMarketHistoric
This area punches well above its weight for hiking. These are the trails we return to — on property and within 45 minutes.
On Property & Boyne City — Right at Home
Avalanche Preserve Our Favorite
📍 Boyne City (5 min)
2.7 mi loop
390 ft gain
~1–1.5 hrs · Moderate
Our go-to hike and the one we come back to every single time. Forest trails through maple and beech climb to a spectacular Lake Charlevoix overlook — on a clear day visibility stretches fifteen miles. Steep in spots but entirely manageable for kids. Also a top mountain biking trail, so stay alert on the way down. Great sledding hill in winter too.
AllTrails →
Cold Spring Trail to the Summit On Property
📍 Boyne Mountain (0 min)
~500 ft gain
Moderate–Strenuous
Hike straight up the Cold Spring ski run from the resort base to the summit — about 500 vertical feet. Not a blazed trail; you follow the slope. The payoff is a wide-open summit view and a walk straight back to the lodge. Hard to beat for convenience when you're already on property. The kids love the challenge.
No AllTrails listing — this is a resort ski slope used as a summer hike
Explore Nearby — 15 to 45 Minutes Out
Deadman's Hill Loop Top Day-Trip Hike
📍 ~15 min south of Boyne Falls
3.1 mi loop
456 ft gain
~1.5 hrs · Moderate
The best day-trip hike in the area. A panoramic overlook of the Jordan River Valley greets you right from the parking lot, then a forested descent past boulders and streams before a steep climb back up. Part of the North Country Trail. The name comes from Stanley Graczyk, a 21-year-old logger killed here on the morning of his wedding day in 1910 — the kids will love that story. Wide, well-maintained, and never overcrowded.
AllTrails →
Skyline Trail
📍 ~30 min (SE of Petoskey)
1.2 mi out-and-back
190 ft gain
~35 min · Moderate
A short, steep, switchback climb to a purpose-built observation deck at 1,200 feet with sweeping views of Little Traverse Bay and the Bear River Valley. Part of the North Country Trail. Rated 4.6 stars and remarkably uncrowded. One honest caveat: summer leaf cover partially blocks the bay view — best in late September through early November when the panorama fully opens up.
AllTrails →
Old Baldy & Portage Loop — Petoskey State Park Verify Open
📍 ~30 min (Petoskey)
2.0 mi loop
170 ft gain
~45 min · Easy–Moderate
Climb a sand dune to big views of Little Traverse Bay, then walk pine forest down to the Lake Michigan beach — where kids can hunt for Petoskey stones. A real crowd-pleaser for families. Entry fee required (Michigan Recreation Passport). Note: portions have been closed since April 2025 due to ice storm damage — check AllTrails for current status before going.
AllTrails →
Bear River Trail
📍 ~30 min (Petoskey)
2.4 mi
Minimal gain
~45 min · Easy
A beautiful, low-effort ravine walk along the Bear River through shaded hardwood forest with whitewater views. No summit, no views — pure forest immersion. Perfect for a casual morning, when the kids need something gentler, or as a warm-up before Petoskey's downtown. Connects to the Little Traverse Wheelway if you want to extend.
AllTrails →
On Property at Boyne Mountain
Deer Lake
On Property
Free kayaks, SUPs, and paddle boats for resort guests. Small, warm lake with a nice sandy beach — perfect for kids. Little Tiki Bar on site for the adults. One of the best free amenities on property.
SummerKids
Avalanche Bay Indoor Water Park
On Property
Can get very crowded — go right when it opens or after 6pm for the best experience. Legit waterslides. We have yearly passes which makes it more worthwhile (day passes are pricey). Great escape from summer heat or winter cold. After 4pm pricing is lower.
KidsWinterSummer
Skiing & Snowboarding
On Property
The mountain doesn't get busy until around 10:30am — get out early to beat the crowds, especially on weekends and holidays. 60 trails across 415 acres. Good mix for all abilities. Ski-in/ski-out from Mountain Grand Lodge is the play.
Winter
Zip Lining
On Property
10 lines with speeds up to 25mph. The Twin Zip is 780 feet long and 25+ feet high. Fun in both summer and winter — the winter experience is genuinely great, especially with snow on the mountain. Worth the splurge.
SummerWinter
Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing
On Property
Extensive groomed trail network through the Boyne Forest. Underrated activity — the trails are gorgeous in winter. One of the best on-property options that doesn't require buying a ski lift ticket.
Winter
Mountain Biking
On Property & Avalanche Preserve
Boyne is one of the top mountain biking destinations in the entire Lower Peninsula. Miles of professionally designed single-track trails ranging from beginner to expert. Rentals available on property. Avalanche Preserve in Boyne City is also excellent for biking.
Summer
Off Property — Day Trips & Nearby
McLean & Eakin Booksellers
307 E Lake St · Petoskey (~20 min)
One of the finest independent bookstores in the country — housed in a two-story cottage-like space with knotty pine, a fireplace, and staff who actually read. Great children's section, strong Hemingway and Michigan shelves, vinyl records, and puzzles. Perfect rainy-day destination. Open 7 days.
KidsRainy Day
mcleanandeakin.com →
Pond Hill Farm
5699 S Lake Shore Dr · Harbor Springs (~35 min)
Farm, winery, brewery, café, and all-around great family outing. Brick-oven pizza, vineyard walks with views toward Lake Michigan, a trout pond, live music in summer, and a legendary sledding hill in winter. Great pumpkin patch and Fall Fest in October. Kids love it at every age.
KidsSummerWinter
pondhill.com →
River Rafting / Kayaking — East Jordan
East Jordan (~20 min)
The Jordan River runs through gorgeous, forested terrain and is Michigan's first federally designated Wild River. Guided river trips and kayak rentals available out of East Jordan. Works in summer and surprisingly fun in fall. A great half-day outing that doesn't require a full commitment.
SummerKids
Petoskey's Gaslight District
Downtown Petoskey (~20 min)
Petoskey's downtown is genuinely one of the best in Northern Michigan — walkable, charming, with good shops and restaurants along the bay. Petoskey stones can be found on the beach at Petoskey State Park nearby. Pair with McLean & Eakin for a full afternoon.
All Seasons
Snow Slide at Boyne
On Property
The resort's dedicated snow tubing and sliding hill. Pure fun for younger kids. No skill required — just hold on. One of the less expensive on-property activities and consistently a crowd favorite with the little ones.
WinterKids
One of the underrated pleasures of a weekend up here is the Saturday morning farmers market run. Stock up for the cabin, grab coffee, and let the kids wander. These are worth building your morning around.
Farmers Markets — Weekly Summer Schedule
Boyne City Farmers Market
Veterans Memorial Park · S. Lake St · Boyne City
Our home market and the best one in the area — one of the largest in all of Northern Michigan with over 50 vendors at peak season. Local farmers, bakers, artisans, live music, and children's activities every week. Bear Creek Organic Farm is a regular vendor here. Runs year-round: Wed & Sat 8am–Noon outdoors (mid-May through mid-Oct), then Saturdays only indoors at the Pavilion through winter.
Year-RoundKids
boynecityfarmersmarket.org →
Downtown Petoskey Farmers Market
Howard St (btw Mitchell & Michigan) · Petoskey
Fridays 8:30am–1pm, late May through late September. Right in the heart of Petoskey's Gaslight District — easy to pair with a McLean & Eakin visit. Excellent selection of organic produce, local meats, fresh flowers, and baked goods. Gilda's often has a crêpe shack here.
Fri May–Sept
Charlevoix Farmers Market
307 Bridge St · Charlevoix
Thursdays 8am–1pm, running since 2006. A well-curated market in a charming lakeside setting. Good excuse to explore Charlevoix's waterfront downtown. About 25 minutes from Boyne.
Thu May–Oct
charlevoixmi.gov →
Harbor Springs Farmers Market
349 E. Main St · Harbor Springs
Saturdays 9am–1pm (and Wednesdays in summer). A smaller, quieter market in one of the prettiest towns in Northern Michigan. Worth combining with a Pond Hill Farm afternoon if you're heading that direction.
Sat & Wed (Summer)
Local Farms Worth Visiting
Bear Creek Organic Farm
4012 Atkins Rd · Petoskey (~25 min)
The real deal — Petoskey's first USDA Certified Organic Farm, and Michigan's only B-Corp certified farm. Owned and run by Brian Bates and Anne Morningstar, who built this from 75 raw acres starting in 2012 into one of the region's most beloved farm destinations. The on-farm market carries their own organic microgreens, spring mix, tomatoes, herbs, potted plants, and local Michigan products. Their food truck runs on-site and the produce is seed-to-field-to-table fresh. Kids love the playground and the farm's cat mascots, Frick and Frack. Peak season July–October. They also sell through local grocers and are a regular vendor at the Boyne City Farmers Market.
Peak: July–OctKidsOrganicFood Truck
bearcreekorganicfarm.com →
An honest note: This isn't Traverse City, Old Mission, or Leelanau. The Petoskey wine region works with cold-hardy varietals that produce wines with real character but a very different profile than what you'd find on those peninsulas. Think of these as experiences as much as wine destinations — the settings, the atmosphere, and the people are the draw. Go with the right expectations and you'll have a great afternoon.
Blu Dot Farm & Vineyard
11399 Boyne City Rd · Charlevoix (~25 min)
Our top pick in the area — boutique, serious about wine, and genuinely beautiful. Tucked between the shores of Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan on a historic farm property that once reportedly sheltered circus animals during Charlevoix's Venetian Festival. Small-batch, estate-grown wines focused on dry cold-hardy varietals with real personality. Tastings are poured from a converted 1973 vintage Airstream in the vineyard — one of the more memorable tasting setups in all of Northern Michigan. Accessible by bike from downtown Charlevoix (2.5 miles). Open Thu–Sun; Mon by appointment. Worth planning around.
Dry WinesEstate GrownThu–SunBike Friendly
bludotwine.com →
Boyne Valley Vineyards
5325 US-131 N · Petoskey (~20 min)
The most fun winery in the area — and honestly one of the most fun in Northern Michigan to spend an afternoon at. Family-owned by Tom and Christi Mahaney with a barn-style tasting room, four-sided tasting bar, fireplace, and the signature feature: a treehouse deck overlooking the vineyard and adjacent 115-acre nature preserve. Live music Saturdays (and Thursdays June–Aug). Charcuterie, cheese plates, and small bites available. Dog-friendly. Snowshoeing in winter.
Live MusicKidsSummerWinter
boynevalleyvineyards.com →
Walloon Lake Winery
Walloon Lake area
Small local winery near Walloon Lake. Consistent Petoskey Wine Region participant and a natural pairing with a visit to Walloon Watershed. Worth checking their current hours and seasonal offerings before making the trip.
Seasonal
Petoskey Wine Passport
16 wineries across the region
If you're making a proper wine day of it, the Petoskey Wine Passport gets you discounted tastings at most of the 16 wineries on the regional trail. Good way to explore beyond the two or three big names. Available at participating tasting rooms.
Pro Tip
petoskey.wine →