For everyone from the casual gourmet to the sophisticated foodie, the Petoskey Area is a diner’s paradise. In addition to the many top-notch restaurants and eateries in the region, there are also several establishments that offer farm-to-table freshness and tastes that can’t be found anywhere else. These make up the Petoskey Area Culinary Trail.
Farm markets
Several of our communities host farm markets during the summer. Get a taste of just-picked fruits and crisp locally grown vegetables while you are in town. Boyne City’s market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am to noon, while Harbor Springs’ is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9am-1pm. In Petoskey, the traditional market is open on Fridays from 8:30am-1pm, and a Summer Artisans Market only a block away features even more artisanal goods and foods. Further north, on the beautiful Tunnel of Trees, Good Hart Market Days are held on Saturdays through color season from 2pm – 5:30pm.
Can’t make it during the scheduled times? Don’t worry, there are farms you can visit directly. Bill’s Farm Market and Coveyou Scenic Farm Market in Petoskey, and Pond Hill Farm in Harbor Springs offer a selection of seasonally grown produce and flowers. South of Petoskey, Friske Orchards has been offering fruit, veggies and baked goods for more than 50 years.
Specialty Shops
There are a number of specialty shops in our towns. You can buy everything from freshly-caught whitefish to hand-cut meats, poultry and sausages to bison burgers. Symons General Store carries a wide assortment of specialty foods, and Petoskey Cheese has the town talking and learning about all that you can do with their distinctive selection of delectable cheeses.
For a different kind of taste, visit Lavender Hill Farm and try their lavender jelly, or peruse the many choices of jams and jellies at American Spoon Foods. Crooked Tree Breadworks will set you up with a fresh-baked loaf for enjoying your treats.
Speaking of treats, there are plenty of goodies to be found here. Fudge is a local favorite, and can be found at Kilwins, Alpine Chocolat Haus, Howse’s and Murdick’s in a variety of flavors. Visitors can even tour Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen to see how their delicious chocolates are made.
On those hot summer days, creamy frozen custard from the Bob-In Again is refreshing and easily accessible off the Little Traverse Wheelway. Tom’s Mom’s Cookies is also baking up some snacks you won’t soon forget. Their signature chocolate chunk cookies are a favorite. Simply Sweet By Jessica has visitors salivating over cupcakes, and tantalizing scones are selling like hotcakes at My Sister’s Bake Shop, who is also a Harbor Springs Farmers Market vendor. And in Boyne City, the new Boyne City Bakery is delighting young and old with their savory delights – and on Sundays, crepes!
Gourmet oils, morel mushrooms and other specialty foods can also be found in the area. Be sure to visit the Culinary Trail section of our website for a full list of shops.
Wineries and Breweries
After all of that deliciousness, you’re going to need something to wash it down. Never fear, our wineries and breweries are at your service. The Petoskey Area is home to an abundance of wineries and breweries, and even has tours available for those who prefer to be driven from point to point for their tastings.
Want to try something unusual? Maple Moon Family Sugarbush & Winery is the first winery of its kind to make maple wines. Maple syrup, maple sugar candy, maple ice cream and even maple root beer are also available.
There’s plenty to whet your appetite when you come for a visit. For help with your planning and accommodations, just order a copy of our Visitors Guide, or call the Visitors Bureau at 800.845.2828.
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About the author
Diane Dakins is passionate about all of the communities that comprise the Petoskey Area of Michigan: Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor and Boyne City. As assistant director of the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, she has “been there – seen that” when it comes to virtually every area attraction. She strives to create informative content that gives potential visitors the scoop on planning a northern Michigan vacation.