Springtime in Northern Michigan is special. It’s the season of rebirth and renewal. Leaves are unfurling, trillium and morel mushrooms are popping up, and the towns are throwing open their doors to usher in the fresh air and visitors. Each town and city is unique, and if you’re seeking a new place to while away a long weekend, consider posting up in Boyne City, a lively town on the shores of Lake Charlevoix. Here are some of this town’s must-sees and must-dos.
Must See: Niches & Nature
One cool aspect about visiting a small town is that its shopping district is usually filled with unique shops and niche boutiques, and Boyne City is no different. Scattered up and down Water Street and Lake Street, you’ll find the following shops that are worth a visit.
Forgotten Treasures Consignment is a higher-end resale shop featuring clothing and shoes for men, women, and children, plus a funky array of housewares, antiques, and collectibles. If you enjoy the hunt of thrifting and seeking out treasures, this is a good place for you.
52 Up North Weekends includes Michigan-made items and gifts, clothing, home décor, games, notebooks, jewelry, candles, lotions, and more. You’ll easily find fun Northern Michigan merch and cute gifts for friends back home here.
Lake Street Market is ideal for the foodie in you as it offers gourmet sandwiches and soups, pizza, hand-cut steaks, artisanal food items, wines and microbrews, spices, and even gift baskets. Grab a bite and last-minute specialty ingredients to ramp up your meals.
Freshwater Art Gallery is all about promoting local and regional artists and even showcasing musical art! During the off-season, this untraditional gallery hosts a soul-stirring concert series set with an artful backdrop.
For nature lovers, during the spring season, the trails and shorelines are your friends, as the gorgeous waters are still too icy for wading, diving, boating, and the like. In downtown Boyne City, the Boyne River flows through park areas with boardwalk viewing and fishing opportunities. Young State Park, which sits on Lake Charlevoix’s eastern shore, has over 500 acres of diverse terrain and 6.5 miles of trails to trek. Also, within the State Park, you’ll find access to the Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail, a non-motorized trail for walking and biking that links Boyne City to Charlevoix. This trail also connects to the Little Traverse Wheelway, which takes riders and walkers to Petoskey and Harbor Springs, all of which make for great day-trip outings.
Muskrat Distilling’s Becky Houser mixes up The Curse of Karens with vodka, cran-raz shrub, lemon, and more in the downtown Boyne City tasting room.
Must Do: Market, Muskrat & Morel Fest
For fun activities, check out Market at the Pavilion, the year-round farmers market in the heart of Boyne City’s downtown district at Veterans Park Pavilion. During the summer season—mid-May through mid-October—this farmers market takes place from 8:00 AM to Noon, Wednesdays and Saturdays, with local farmers, bakers, artists, and entrepreneurs providing exceptional products for cooking or gifting. Live music fills the downtown air beginning at 10:00 AM, showcasing the area’s talented musicians.
Not far from Veterans Park, you’ll find Muskrat Distilling, a fun lounge and bar with an inventive and tasty rotating menu of seasonal cocktails and a newly implemented food menu!
I highly recommend Muskrat’s classic Gin & Tonic or any of the spritzes (these change based on the season), but two of my favorites are the gin-based Violence and the strawberry vodka-based De Leon. These last two may not be listed on the main drink menu, but the talented bartenders are very familiar with both recipes and can no doubt mix them up anytime.
Every Friday, starting at 8:00 PM, the bar features live music to give you a taste of the Northern Michigan sound. If you haven’t noticed, Boyne City and Northern Michigan love highlighting and promoting its local artists.
Then, every first Monday of the month, Muskrat Distilling hosts Lit with Literature, its very own boozy book club that discusses books of the fantasy, romantasy, and sci-fi genres with book-themed drinks. It’s a place all readers are welcome, so consider stopping in for a drink and a chat!
Now, if you find yourself in Boyne City the weekend of May 15–18, you’ll be happier than a truffle pig running amok in the forest because that weekend marks the 65th Annual National Morel Mushroom Festival. Each May, hundreds of mushroom hunters, lovers, and aficionados from all around the world flock to Boyne City to enjoy these savory morsels. This beloved festival includes morel tastings, a national competitive hunt, a seminar, an arts & crafts show, live performances, carnival rides, and more. It’s a great event for all ages!
Places to Eat: Divine Dining
It’s always fun to experience local cuisine when visiting a new place, and Boyne City is home to several establishments that I readily recommend.
First up is Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company. An open and airy layout with windows that allow sunshine to pour in, this coffee shop is attached to Lake Street Pub but has its own entrance. Grab a seat for a cozy in-house experience, take your drink to go and walk around downtown, or find a spot to sit on Lake Charlevoix’s shore or the banks of the Boyne River.
For breakfast, lunch, or a snack, stop in Gildas’ Lake Street Bakery, a few storefronts before Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company. Hailing from northern France, in the western part of the Brittany region, Gildas has brought his culinary expertise to Northern Michigan, and his creations are to die for—figuratively and poetically, of course. The croissants, pain au chocolats, and crêpes—sweet and savory—are superb, and the menu includes additional baked goods, soups, and sandwiches to pick from as well.
Cafe Santé offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner and a stunning view of Lake Charlevoix from its indoor and outdoor seating. Featuring European classics like wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, escargot, pasta dishes, and Boeuf Bourguignon, there’s something for everyone here. My suggestions include the Steak & Frites, Quiche Lorraine, or Vienna Pancakes—they’re tried and true and never disappoint.
Last but not least is Provisions Lounge. An excellent spot for small plates, entrees, and adult beverages, the atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and contemporary, with an upscale vibe and live music on select evenings. With a menu touching on various culinary cultures, Provisions Lounge offers pasta, flatbread pizzas, seafood, and the locally loved parmesan truffle fries and lounge burger, both of which are delicious. There’s also a Provisions Deli where you can snag exquisite sandwiches and soups for lunch—the Italian Sub is ever so tasty and packed with protein to keep you going while you explore the area!
There you have it—what to see, do, and try in Boyne City this spring. And remember: Boyne City is an ideal location because it’s close to Walloon Lake, Boyne Falls, East Jordan, and Charlevoix—all areas with distinct downtowns and features worth exploring while you’re in the area.
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!