November can be a finicky month—the fall colors of autumn have faded and the rush of holiday spirit has yet to arrive. There are years when the temperatures are unseasonably warm and those when skiers are hitting the slopes soon after Thanksgiving. Fortunately, the Petoskey area offers a variety of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed, without too much concern about the weather.
1. Petoskey Stone Hunting
It is widely believed that mid-spring, after the ice has melted along Little Traverse Bay, is a prime time for hunting for the illusive Petoskey Stone—which was officially named Michigan’s state stone on June 28, 1965. Yet, November can also be a lucrative time to search for these chunks of ancient, fossilized coral as waves are often churning up the bed of the bay and spitting rocks along the shoreline. Hotspots for rockhounds are Petoskey State Park off M-119 between Petoskey and Harbor Springs (recreation passport required for entry), Magnus City Park Beach in downtown Petoskey, and at any of the roadside parks along US-31 and the Little Traverse Wheelway between Petoskey and Charlevoix.
2. Discover Petoskey’s Hemingway
Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway spent the first 22 summers of his life in northern Michigan and descendants still own the private family cottage on Walloon Lake. In downtown Petoskey, you can travel through time in Ernie’s footsteps and learn a bit more about his time here. A self-guided walking tour has been established by the Michigan Hemingway Society with over 10 Petoskey sites including the Carnegie Library, City Park Grill, and Little Traverse History Museum. Be sure to check out the sculpture in Pennsylvania Park (as well as the one in downtown Walloon Lake) which are both popular selfie spots.
Mural just next to Flowers from Sky’s the Limit and The Back Lot Petoskey. Photo credit to Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau.
3. Go on a Sculpture & Mural Walk
Other area sculptures include the statue of Chief Petosega—for which Petoskey was named—overlooking the bay next to Stafford’s Perry Hotel and a sculpture in the river in downtown Boyne City dedicated the town’s rich lumbering history. A growing number of art displays can also be found throughout the Petoskey area showcasing the creativity of locals and visitors alike. The newest is the colorful underwater scene that was added to the pedestrian tunnel connecting downtown to Bayfront Park, officially dedicated on October 18. Designed by Kevin “Scraps” Burdick, it is the first project completed by the City of Petoskey Public Art Commission in partnership with the Crooked Tree Arts Center. A handful of other murals can be found around town including on the side of Flowers from Sky’s the Limit and Grandpa Shorter’s.
4. Gaze at the Stars
A handful of celestial events are coming up in November and the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Mackinaw City provides the perfect setting to check them out. This year has been prime for the viewing of the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) so if the numbers are right, this is the place to take in the show—just be sure to observe proper viewing etiquette so as to not disrupt others. Also coming up this month is the Taurids Meteor Shower (November 4-5) and the full Beaver Moon (November 15).
5. Take in a Round of Disc Golf
This growing sport started back in the 1960s, but really took off the following decade with the first course in Michigan opening in 1980. The sport is played by throwing a weighted frisbee from a tee box, down a fairway to a specially designed chain basket. Much like regular golf, the distances vary with obstacles and hazards, like doglegs, along the way. There are also changes in elevation and terrain. The goal is ultimately the same—to from start to finish in the fewest number of strokes (throws vs. swings). Locally, disc golf courses can be found at Kiwanis Park on Arbor Street in Harbor Springs, at Camp Petosega in Alanson, at Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls and the Avalanche Preserve Recreation Area in Boyne City.
6. Hit the Trails
Snowshoeing is a popular winter activity, but what if there is little or no snow? Hiking through the woods is still a great way to burn calories and check out the natural surroundings. Sometimes these trails can be found near local wineries and breweries…which is a bonus! Pond Hill Farm in Harbor Springs is the ultimate year-round agritourism destination and the 1.4-mile Farm Loop Trail is just one of the options to explore. From that central loop, other trails can be found which traverse the countryside. Even dogs are welcome here! Boyne Valley Vineyards, on US-131 south of Petoskey, provides access to the moderate trails that meander through the 113-acre Postel Nature Preserve—one of the many sites maintained by the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy. Rudbeckia Winery & Burnt Marshmallow Brewstillery, on Lake Grove Road in Petoskey, is situated on the former Foltz Dairy farm. Visitors are invited to hike up a hill on the property for panoramic views of Lake Michigan to the north and Walloon Lake to the south or head out on the property’s trails to hike, cross-country ski or snowshoe—depending on the conditions. The Little Traverse Conservancy also offers countless trail options throughout northern Michigan including sites on Beaver Island and in the Upper Peninsula. Be sure to also check out these other unique trail options in the Petoskey area.
About the Author: Dianna Stampfler is the president of Promote Michigan, founded in 2024. She has been researching the state’s historic lighthouses for more than 25 years and is the author of the best-selling books “Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses” and “Death & Lighthouses on the Great Lakes.”