Best Things to Do this Winter in the Petoskey Area

Even though Northern Michigan and the Petoskey Area are well known for year-round activities and events, winter still feels synonymous with the northern half of the Mitten State. That said, as winter approaches and you begin planning trips for the final weeks of 2026 or the first quarter of 2027, here are some of the best things to do this winter in the Petoskey Area.

 

Get Outside

This suggestion may seem like it could go unsaid—if snow is flying, people will be out enjoying the magic of sparkly flurries! However, it’s probably also nice to get some activity inspiration.

In the Petoskey Area, there is no shortage of outdoor options for getting fresh air, exercise, and a healthy dose of fun. Many people come to the region from across the country and around the world to experience our slopes, trails, and frozen ponds and lakes, whether your mode of motion is a set of skis, snowshoes, a fat-tire bike, ice skates, or even a sled!

Boyne Mountain Resort, The Highlands Resort, and Nub’s Nob Ski Resort all offer exceptional hills for skiing and snowboarding, plus depending on which resort catches your eye, you’ll find opportunities to winter tube, snowshoe, cross-country ski, or hop on Sno-Go bikes or fat-tire bikes for a snowy ride. There’s also Boyne Mountain Resort’s SkyBridge Michigan—the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge—which lights up with thousands of lights during the winter season, making it a spectacular way to view the scenic Boyne Valley with an added element of festiveness.

Worth noting, Nub’s Nob has some ski lift upgrades occurring this winter sports season. The Orange Chair lift is being replaced with a fixed-grip quad lift built by Skytrac. For those of you, like me, who don’t know what all those words mean, this new lift will reduce wait times and congestion at Pintail Peak. The lift ride will be more comfortable and can accommodate an additional skier per chair—a technological advancement the Petoskey Area can get behind!

Other places to get outside during the winter months include Petoskey’s Winter Sports Park and Avalanche Mountain Preserve in Boyne City, both of which offer free access to trails, hills, and outdoor ice skating rinks.

Another special reason to get outside in the Petoskey Area is to attend the Winter Wonderland Weekend in February. This annual event features ice sculptures throughout downtown Petoskey, carving demos in Pennsylvania Park, and family-friendly activities. Be sure to visit Downtown Petoskey’s website for more details as we get closer to February!

 

Experience a Performance

For some indoor activities, I’d recommend catching a show at one of the area’s performance venues. Throughout the winter season, all three of the following establishments host concerts and other productions worth braving the cold temps for!

Great Lakes Center for the Arts (GLCFA) is a state-of-the-art performance venue in Bay Harbor, which hosts an impressive lineup of concerts, performances, film screenings, and more year-round. During the blustery winter months, it’s a great spot to hunker down and enjoy lively theatrical productions, stand-up comedians, and concerts, ranging from rock and roll to classical and every genre in between. GLCFA also offers a well-stocked bar and concessions for a pre-show sip and snack or refueling during intermission.

Crooked Tree Arts Center – Petoskey (CTAC) is known for its collaboration with the Blissfest Music Organization to host the Downtown Sound concert series in CTAC’s intimate theater space. On Friday evenings in winter, you can enjoy a lively musical performance while strolling the galleries and immersing yourself in art created by local, regional, and even national artists. Located at the topside of the downtown gaslight district in Petoskey, CTAC is within walking distance of restaurants, cocktail bars, coffee shops, and places to get sweet treats before heading to a show.

Freshwater Art Gallery & Concert Venue, in the heart of downtown Boyne City, showcases the artwork of more than 200 Michigan artists while also hosting a winter concert series that complements the gallery’s unique atmosphere. An eclectic lineup of folk, blues, and bluegrass artists and bands, this music series creates an intimate and harmonious setting where the physical art is amplified by live music, and vice versa, providing attendees with an immersive and wholly creative experience.

 

Grab a Yummy Drink

It’s always fun to make a pit stop while exploring a new place to grab a tasty drink, whether warm or on the rocks. Blustery winds and falling snow always make me want to warm up with a hot chocolate or an expertly crafted latte; however, a creative cocktail is also pretty good at taking the chill off your bones!

For a merry pause in your itinerary, try inventive cocktails and mocktails at Malted Vinyl or Front Bar in Petoskey—the former also has a massive vinyl collection for you to select tunes from, and the latter houses Wise Guys Hoagies, whose sandwiches are equally massive and delicious.

Heading south on US31, you’ll come across Muskrat Distilling in Boyne City and the Iglu Bar at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls (it’s a short walk from SkyBridge Michigan!). At Muskrat Distilling, they’ve put a modern spin on pre-Prohibition-era cocktails and have rotating, seasonal drink and snack menus. A popular spot for locals and area visitors alike, this cocktail bar hosts regular events, like a monthly boozy book club, seasonal events with DJs, karaoke, and more—it’s a fun time no matter what’s going on.

The Iglu Bar is a snow fort-style establishment with plenty of flair, comfort, and hand-carved details. Open to all ages, Iglu Bar offers a unique experience that lasts only as long as the winter weather does! The Iglu Bar is slated to reopen in January 2027, and this time it’s expanding from two domes to three, increasing capacity to serve more than 100 guests at a time on a first-come, first-served basis. A few more things to know about this seasonal structure built by master ice carvers: there’s fireside seating outside, a ski pass or SkyBridge Michigan ticket is required for access, the establishment is cashless, and the interior temp is chilly, so dress in layers!

Now, when it comes to great coffee and warm drinks, the Petoskey Area is home to many coffee shops. In Petoskey, you’ll find Roast & Toast, North Perk Coffee, Finetuned Coffee, and The Grove, all in the walkable downtown, each with its own unique vibe. Iron Goat Coffee in Walloon Lake is a cute coffee spot you’ll find on your way to Boyne City and beyond, and stopping here gives you an excuse to check out Walloon Lake’s other retail establishments. Boyne City’s Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company is another favorite that delivers top-notch beverages in the downtown district. And the newest coffee shop in the Petoskey Area—Crooked River Coffee in Alanson—is an adorable, recently renovated historic structure you can’t miss; it’s pink!

 

 

Treat Yourself

Sometimes when the dark, cold days roll in, it’s nice to treat yourself to something special, especially when you’re enjoying a winter getaway or long weekend up north.

As an avid reader, I suggest popping into any one of the Petoskey Area’s bookstores to find your next read or addition to your TBR stack. McLean & Eakin Booksellers of Petoskey is a must-visit, as is their used bookstore, The Archives. At both shops, you can browse in peace or chat with one of the passionate, knowledgeable booksellers who have excellent taste. Over in Harbor Springs, Between the Covers is a great shop filled with books for readers of all ages and preferences—they’ll hook you up. Then back in Boyne City, Dust & Blush Romance Bookshop is an adorable store that focuses on all things romance and literary, plus there’s a mocktail bar in the back to help with hydration or energy boosts! Dust & Blush also hosts regular in-store events, such as paint & sips, book bedazzling, yoga, movie screenings, and more!

If an activity sounds more your speed, consider checking out Sweetwater Floral’s terrarium bar to create your own mini ecosystem full of greenery during a time of year when green is in short supply. Or treat yourself to a massage or facial at The Spa at Boyne Mountain or Intuitive Esthetics of Petoskey—both spas know how to work the chill out of your bones and melt your tight muscles.

All in all, there are so many things to do in the Petoskey Area during the winter months. I’ve listed some of the things that I think are best, but you may find your own favorites while exploring this cozy part of Michigan!

 

About the Author: Alex Dailey is a long-time Northern Michigan resident who happily calls Petoskey home. When she isn’t at her computer writing and editing, you can find her taste-testing craft cocktails, patronizing downtown shops (especially bookstores), and participating in as many local literary events as possible. She looks forward to sharing her Petoskey Area favorites with you!