Josiah & Woody
Things To Do
Petoskey Historic Gaslight District
A great area with 170+ local stores and independent restaurants, characterized by old-fashioned gas light street lamps that light up the downtown during the evenings. ~~~ Looking for something new? Try "Northern Michigan Axe Co." for the local sport: Axe throwing! You can also BYOB. (Yes, alcoholic beverages are allowed. It doesn't get more American than that!) Prefer something less... adventurous? We love "The Back Lot" for its laid back, casual atmosphere to grab a drink and a bite to eat! "Malted Vinyl" is a cool new cocktail bar in town inspired by 1950s Tokyo. Grab a mocktail or cocktail while you listen to vinyl records (you can choose what to play)! Need to recharge the batteries? Start off your day at Roast & Toast for some fresh espresso, hang out during the afternoon at Beards Brewery for a great view of Lake Michigan while you enjoy lunch, and wrap up the evening at City Park Grill, which is the restaurant Ernest Hemingway frequented when he lived in the area.
Petoskey Farms Winery & Coffeehouse
September is the harvest season for grapes, which makes it perfect to visit at least one of the 20+ wineries in the local area. We highly recommend stopping by Petoskey Farms winery, which was recently named one of the top 25 wineries in the United States and is less than five minutes from the location of the wedding ceremony and reception. Try their fantastic wine flights and coffee flights! Looking to continue the fun and stop by another great winery? Swing by "Maple Moon" next door, which is America's first and only maple winery.
Boyne Mountain
If you're up for a short drive (20 minutes from Petoskey), Boyne Mountain Resort can provide you with some great activities to keep you busy during the afternoon! Scenic chairlift rides operate during the summer/autumn and make for some amazing photos. "SkyBridge Michigan" recently opened here in 2022 and is the longest timber-towered suspension bridge in the world at 1,200 feet long. That's 2.5x the length of the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, BC! (Scared of heights? The resort also has day passes available for their spa!)
Kilwins Chocolate Factory
If you're looking for chocolates or fudge to satisfy your sweet tooth, we recommend checking out the local chocolate factory! Kilwins was started in Petoskey in 1947 and has kept its roots in town even while expanding to 150+ locations across the USA. Perfect for free fudge samples and tours where you can watch (and smell) the chocolate making process. No golden ticket required to enter the factory!
Golf Courses Galore
The Petoskey area has 17 golf courses, with some of them such as "The Heather" receiving the award of 2019 Golf Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Owners Association. September is easier to book a tee time since it's the shoulder season and some courses have deals during this timeframe.
Looking to explore more in the area?
If you want to extend your time in Northern Michigan beyond the wedding, there are amazing places nearby to explore! Here are just a few of our favorite recommendations for day trips or staying a few nights. Mackinac Island: A car-free island that will take you a step back in time with its Victorian architecture, horse-drawn carriages, and natural beauty. (45 minute drive + 15 minute ferry) Traverse City: Nicknamed "The Cherry Capital of the World" since the region is the top producer of cherries in the USA, this town has many great shops and local attractions. Sleeping Bear Dunes is also in the area, which is recognized as a U.S. National Lakeshore and has some incredible sand dunes. (1 hour + 30 minute drive) M-119 Tunnel of Trees: While we hope summer doesn't end, the maple leaves in Northern Michigan will likely begin to reflect shades of orange, yellow, and red during the month of September. Consider checking this out this stretch between Harbor Springs and Cross Village!