Bay Harbor Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Shop, and Explore

You may think, passing by the Highway 31 entrance to Bay Harbor on Petoskey’s west side, that the landscape beyond of towering condos and magnificent bayside views is just for residents. Well, you’d be wrong! A plethora of Bay Harbor amenities are available for residents and the public alike. If you mostly stick to downtown Petoskey during your visits, or if this is your first time in our northern paradise, take the short trip into Bay Harbor and see what residents get to experience every day. Let’s take a tour of the many entertainment options available to Bay Harbor visitors. Remember, some shops are only open seasonally, so check their hours for more info.

Dinner, drinks, and a view

We featured breakfast and lunch all-star Maple + Batter in our most recent brunch blog, and we’re back at it again. It’s the perfect spot to get perpetual breakfast, with a menu featuring towers of pancakes, overstuffed omelettes, savory breakfast tacos, biscuits and gravy, and a personal fave, truffle avocado toast. So is Sagamore Room at the Inn at Bay Harbor.  During the summer months, you can enjoy a bountiful breakfast buffet, or choose from luscious menu items like cinnamon swirl French toast and smoked salmon eggs benedict. Don’t forget to snag a Michigan bloody Mary skewered with vegetables and regionally-beloved Plath’s bacon—you’re worth it. For a quick lunch break, you can choose from a few options without leaving Bay Harbor. The Inn Café at the Inn at Bay Harbor has ready-made salads, sandwiches, and soups, along with a selection of hot or iced coffees, teas, and other beverages. Salvatore’s Market & Oven can make you a freshly-baked pizza pie, a 6” or 12” grinder (with meat and veggie options), breadsticks, wings, and fries, while also offering adult beverages, desserts, snacks, supplies, and gifts. Think Italian deli meets small grocer. For a lunch or dinner you can linger over, try one of the newest additions to Bay Harbor: Brandy’s Harbortown. It’s actually four food trucks in one location overlooking the water. Brandy’s Kitchen serves burgers, sandwiches, and nachos, while Fresh Catch offers their famous lobster rolls and other seafood dishes. For heart-healthy options, seek out Heirloom’s grain and vegetable bowls, or hit up the Wings and Beer counter for more decadent options. “Brandy’s Harbortown has a casual, party vibe,” said Laura Morrison, co-owner of Brandy’s, Maple + Batter, and NOMAD. “We’re inviting people to boat on over, relax, and enjoy the live music we’ll have every night of the week starting in mid-May.” Vintage Chophouse and Wine Bar boasts a prime lunch and dinner service with waterfront seating available during the summer months. You could choose something simple, like a turkey club, French dip, or reuben for lunch, or go all out during dinner on a premium ribeye, New York strip, or duck breast. Another luxurious dinner option is NOMAD, featured in one of our many area restaurant guides, if you’re a fan of small plates to be shared among friends. The menu changes with the season, but options have included Portuguese mussels, saffron spaghettini, butter scallops, and flank steak and grits. Would you like something to drink with that? Sip Wine Shop offers fine wine by the glass, bottle, or case, so you can find your bliss in store or take it with you. “We have a lot of high-end wines you can’t find elsewhere in northern Michigan, and a great selection of wine from around the world. It’s a very relaxed, welcoming place to relax and enjoy wine and small bites with friends,” said Sip’s store manager, Josh Kingsbury. Mammoth Distilling, featured in our spirits guide, has opened a year-round tasting room in Bay Harbor: a cozy, welcoming space with outdoor seating featuring inventive cocktails made from their Michigan-distilled products, with plenty of alcohol-free options. General manager Kassi Bartz noted that Mammoth is often host to special after-hours events, with the Bay Harbor location as a popular destination.

Let’s go shopping

The shopping district of Bay Harbor is like a miniature downtown village. Mens on Main, conceived by two brothers whose family is heavily involved in the fashion industry, carries resort lifestyle wear for men who want to look stylish while maximizing relaxation. Rebecca’s Ladies Fashions & Accessories offers timeless womenswear classics from brands like Clara Sunwoo and Frank Lyman Design, along with personalized wardrobe advice and a fashion show option. For handcrafted jewelry and candles, footwear, accessories, and vacation fashions, try Sadie Rose Boutique and pick up some gifts for loved ones back home. Tulips Little Popup Shop started its life on the shores of Walloon Lake before migrating to Bay Harbor about seven years ago. Owner Kristi Tyler likes to say that a grandmother who passes through the door of her womenswear shop will be able to find something for herself, her daughter, and her granddaughter. “Bay Harbor is a wonderful place to be,” Tyler said. “It’s such a fun environment with all the stores and restaurants so close to each other, it’s got a great vibe.” Fancy a yacht to fulfill your boating dreams? With slips available and the rich blue waters of Lake Michigan calling, why not? Both Lake Michigan Yacht Sales and Walstrom Marine, both overlooking the marina, can help you select the right boat and gear for your needs. Walstrom salesman Hi Stover noted that customers at the Bay Harbor location can have their boats serviced, docked, fueled, and stored at the Harbor Springs facility. “We sell premium brands: Tiara, Pursuit, Chris-Craft, SeaRay, Regal, and others,” Stover explained. “One of the best events in our area is Father’s Day weekend Bay Harbor Boat Show, with 70 to 80 boats from dealers throughout the Midwest.” For fine furnishing, try Chatham House Lifestyle Gallery. They’re a full-service interior design firm offering a luxury, personalized design experience. Clients provide the vision, and Chatham House takes care of the rest. Miss your exercise routine while you’re on vacation? C Pilates will help you stay fit and active with private and group classes, postural therapy, and assisted stretching. For another way to feel your best, Ilaria Hair Studio can prepare you for a scenic wedding against the backdrop of the bay or an evening dinner at the yacht club.

Bay Harbor Lodging

While perusing the Bay Harbor shopping district, you may notice vacation rentals perched atop the stores. They’re owned by Village Suites Bay Harbor, a boutique collection that offers suites, penthouses, and vacation homes, many of them with water views. Village Suites offers full-service kitchens, cozy fireplaces and living spaces, and use of an Olympic-sized pool and fitness center. “This place is special because you have great proximity to all of the villages amenities,” said Craig Stolzenfels, Village Suite’s general manager. “You can take a fishing charter trip, walk 50 yards down to our beach, take advantage of the Swim Club with rental cabanas, or take a short drive to three amazing golf courses.” The Inn at Bay Harbor provides luxury rooms and suites, and cottages for larger groups featuring full kitchens, gas fireplaces, and private laundry. Not to mention some of the perks of lodging at the inn, like a private beach for guests, a heated outdoor pool, and a hot tub with stunning Lake Michigan views. Take a full-body wellness journey at the spa, and don’t forget that several of Bay Harbor’s dining options are located at the Inn.

Unparalleled Recreation

When you’re in Bay Harbor, you’re more connected to the rest of northern Michigan than you may realize. The Little Traverse Bay Ferry Company cruises the azure waters of the Little Traverse Bay between Bay Harbor, Petoskey, and Harbor Springs. Bay cruises are an area tradition you can read more about in our story on the company’s colorful history. Consider making family memories by chartering a fishing trip. Charter companies in the Bay Harbor area include Northern Exposure Charters, Plumber’s Helper Charter Service, and RodZilla Charters. You’ll need a fishing license, which is very inexpensive for short-term fishing trips. And if you’re just looking to enjoy the sunshine and water instead of a fishing expedition, check out their cruise options. “We catch salmon and trout, and cisco in the early season,” said Don Mapes, RodZilla Charters owner. “For us, the main focus is kids and families. I always tell people that what we’re doing is creating memories; the fish are secondary.” Bay Harbor Yacht Club is a Distinguished Emerald Award winning member-owned club overlooking the Bay Harbor Marina and Little Traverse Bay. Amenities include a wellness center with over 7,500 square feet of space, fitness classes, virtual golf courses, spa services, sports courts, an aquatics center, a private sand beach, fine dining and drink options, and a kid’s club. If you fancy a round or five of golf, Bay Harbor can indulge you with three unique courses within the community proper at Bay Harbor Golf Club: The Links, The Quarry, and The Preserve. Right across the street from Bay Harbor is the world-class Crooked Tree Golf Club, if you just can’t get enough of your favorite sport.  

Arts & Culture

The Great Lakes Center for the Arts, with visiting musicians and performers, as well as educational opportunities like the Dorothy Gerber Strings Program, is the cultural heart of Bay Harbor. Grammy-nominated artists, comedians, legendary directors, and local musicians can be found on their stage. Get your tickets early, since some events do sell out. Bay Harbor arts aren’t just something you can witness; you can also take them home. Two galleries in Bay Harbor are waiting to introduce you to one-of-a-kind artistic treasures. Torch Lake Gallery, featured in our review of regional art galleries, offers the stunning work of Alexander Kippe, a photographer and member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Amy Moglia Heuerman, also featured in our gallery guide, travels between Naples, FL, and Bay Harbor, offering a diverse palette of vital, often colorful and impressionistic paintings. There’s so much more to Bay Harbor than meets the eye. Whether you’re looking for a special event, like their hot air balloon display or classic car show, or just a day of dining and shopping, a visit to the area will introduce you to a hidden gem of beauty and luxury.   About the Author: Jen DeMoss is a newcomer to the Petoskey area and loves northern Michigan. You can catch her paddling a canoe, hiking a trail, or swimming in Lake Michigan as often as the weather cooperates. She’d love to help you make the most of your time in this paradise she now calls home.