Kristen & Brandon
Things To Do
Petoskey
There's tons to do and see in Petoskey! Most of our weekend events will be in this town, so we recommend staying close by. The town itself is super quaint and charming, with great restaurants and neat little shops. See our other recommendations for specifics!
Bay Harbor Golf Club
This is hands down our number one pick of golf courses in Northern Michigan! There are three fabulous 9 hole courses and you can't go wrong with any of them (but the Quarry/Preserve course is without a doubt the crowd favorite)!
Chandler's A Restaurant
This is the coziest spot in Petoskey and our favorite restaurant in town! It's tucked away in a little alley and a fairly small spot, so we recommend making a reservation. If you're a Bloody Mary fan... theirs are top notch!
Crooked Tree Golf Club
Crooked Tree is a great course for all levels of golfers (if Kristen can play here... you can play here)! The views of the bay are pretty awesome too!
American Spoon
Gelato lovers... this is the spot for you! The sister store next door has some of the best jams, dips, granolas and sauces. Definitely worth stopping by!
Mammoth Distilling
A Doyle & Metzler family favorite! This distillery has it all and the staff is a bunch of fun. Stop by for a flight or a couple of Old Fashioneds... you can thank us later!
Charlevoix
Charlevoix is probably our second favorite town to kick around in, aside from Petoskey (20 min away). In addition to some cute shops, there's a great park right in the middle town that is perfect for picnics and lounging. Check out Terry's for a great dinner!
Lakefront Bike Path
Go for a ride (or walk) on the scenic Little Traverse Wheelway along Lake Michigan. The pathway goes all the way from Charlevoix to Harbor Springs and the breathtaking views will make you think you're on the west coast!
Sunset Cruise
Sit back and enjoy a late afternoon or sunset cruise around Lake Charlevoix and out to Lake Michigan. You can't beat the views on this one!
Harbor Springs
Another charming little town on the other side of the bay! Harbor Springs is a quick 15 min drive from Petoskey and offers a different perspective of Little Traverse Bay. It's small, but there are cute shops and great spots that are perfect for grabbing lunch or dinner! Ladies, check out West Main Pearls for some unique jewelry!!
Willow
This quaint little spot sits perched on historic Bay St. overlooking the beautiful waters of Little Traverse Bay in downtown Harbor Springs. It offers a modern American cuisine with farm-to-table roots. The food is exceptional, especially the filet! Seriously.... get the filet if you go. They've also got a global wine and craft cocktail bar to top it all off!
Walloon Lake Inn Restaurant
Another lake-front restaurant we love! Make reservations and ask to be outside to enjoy the lake views. This is the perfect place to enjoy golden hour with phenomenal food and a great glass of wine.
Barrel Back Restaurant
Local beers, lakefront views and live music... what more could you want? If you're looking for a casual spot with great food and drinks, this is it! Sit outside around the fireplace or cozy up around the bar, you can't go wrong here.
Petoskey Brewing
Beer lovers, this is the spot for you! Just a few minutes outside of town, the Petoskey Brewing Company has been around since 1898. A great stop on your way to Harbor Springs!
Traverse City
The heart of Traverse is the place to be! Nestled in Grand Traverse Bay, this city had tons of breweries, some really fun rooftop restaurants and plenty of wineries to keep you busy all weekend. See our winery highlights for more info! And make sure you don't miss the The Little Fleet (a diverse selection of micro restaurants housed in colorful trailers that offer everything from brick oven pizzas to Vietnamese street food).
The Boathouse Restaurant
Hands town the best restaurant in Traverse City! This is one of our all time favorites. They have an amazing seasonal menu that never disappoints and a fresh oyster bar that is delish! You'll have gorgeous views from anywhere in the restaurant and the drive along the peninsula is worth it all on it's own.
Old Mission Peninsula Wineries
Old Mission Peninsula is a wine-lovers dream! Gorgeous views and fabulous wine can be found all along this peninsula. You really can't go wrong, but below are some of our favorite stops on the wine tour: Mari Vineyards Black Star Farms Bonobo Winery Bry Estate
Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant & Brewery
If you're in Traverse, make sure this is on your list! There are three parts to the Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant & Brewery - there's a large brewery and bar that has casual, but delicious food; there's a slightly upscale restaurant and wine bar in front; and there is a large patio that overlooks Grand Traverse Bay. Pro tip... get the curry chips!
Mackinac Island
If you have a couple extra days, it's worth the trip up to Mackinac Island! This little island is only accessible by a 20 minute ferry ride and doesn't allow any motor vehicles. The best way to get around is by foot, bike rental or carriage ride. It takes about an hour to bike around the entire island, but there are lots of scenic stops along the way. Some of our favorite stops and spots are below: • Fudge Shops – Mackinac is famous for it’s fudge, be sure to make a stop in one of the fudge shops in town (Murdick’s is the most famous of them all) • Arch Rock – a great stop for scenic views • Fort Mackinac – an interesting spot for our history buffs • Great Turtle Kayak Tours – rent a kayak or paddle board to explore the island from the water • Mackinac Island Carriage Tours – a fun alternative to tour the island • The Grand Hotel – make a reservation for afternoon tea and get a taste of 1840’s Michigan