Top Tips for a Petoskey Area Spring Break

It’s hard to believe, but spring break is fast approaching. And even though Northern Michigan still has its snow blanket wrapped around slumbering flora and ice of various depths covering much of our freshwater, our region is ripe with activities if you, like I, don’t feel like purchasing hiked-up flights to sunny climes.

Northern Michigan is a brief road trip north for Southern Michiganders and residents of neighboring states. Chicagoans may want to view Lake Michigan from a different vantage point, or perhaps families in Indiana or Ohio feel like heading north for some great outdoor adventures. And maybe my fellow locals feel like staying put for the week off from school and need a friendly reminder of the fun things to do in their own backyard. Regardless of where you call home, here’s my hot take on what to do during spring break in the Petoskey Area.

 

Where To Stay

First and foremost—if you’re visiting the area—you and yours will need a place to rest your heads at day’s end, and there are several options to pick from depending on personal preferences. To be in the midst of Petoskey’s quaint downtown, The Perry Hotel is a historic establishment that overlooks the Little Traverse Bay and is within walking distance of restaurants, coffee shops, and fun boutiques to explore. On the opposite end of town, you’ll find Holiday Inn Express and Odawa Hotel near grocery stores, restaurants, and big-box shopping.

For a more off-on-its-own experience, there’s the Inn at Bay Harbor, Boyne Mountain Resort, and Crooked River Lodge in Alanson. And, as with most cities and towns, there are great vacation rentals and condos to consider if you want that home-away-from-home feeling.

 

What To Do Indoors

Spring weather in Northern Michigan can be slightly unpredictable (actually, it’s always unpredictable), and this is the time of year when it pays to layer. Plan on bringing a warm coat, a light jacket, boots, some T-shirts, and maybe even a bathing suit (just not for outdoor use), so you’re ready for anything!

A beloved part of Boyne Mountain Resort, aside from the ski hills, is Avalanche Bay, the year-round indoor waterpark for all ages. There are waterslides to zoom down, a Lazy River to float through, and hot tubs to relax in—energy levels range from wild to kicked-back in this aquatic-based zone. Full-day, evening, and multi-day passes are available, plus group rates, and there’s even a Splash and Stay deal that offers discounted rates online for those booking rooms at Boyne Mountain Resort. There’s also an arcade on-site featuring 50 of the best games around.

Speaking of arcades, Northern Lights Recreation, located on M-119, also houses a fun array of games, bowling lanes, an immersive, multi-level state-of-the-art laser tag arena, and dining. Another completely immersive experience is Know Way Out, Petoskey’s Escape Room, which features themed rooms such as The Abandoned Circus, Medieval Mayhem, the Mad Hatter’s Asylum, and The Eyeland—assemble a courageous team and choose your destination carefully!

Sometimes, a more relaxed outing is in order, and to fill that desire, I suggest a visit to an independent bookstore, like McLean & Eakin of Petoskey or Between the Covers of Harbor Springs. Both literary-focused establishments are right downtown in their respective towns and present patrons with a warm, welcoming atmosphere—trust me, you could spend a chunk of time reading synopses, getting employee recommendations, and adding to your must-buy pile.

Local libraries are also great places to explore and hang out when you have downtime. Find a spot to read or borrow a book (you can get temporary library cards)—there’s nothing like getting lost in a good story, especially when you don’t have any other obligations (like school) to get in the way! Aside from reading, local libraries also host engaging programming free of charge for all ages.

During the week of March 24–28, Petoskey District Library is hosting Teen Spring Staycation Week, which is open to all teens and tweens, regardless of residency. Craft activities and snacks will be provided daily, with teen-selected movies and Nintendo Switch gaming available on select days.

For children up to the age of 5, Petoskey District Library also offers Storytime on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 11–11:30 a.m., to nurture a love of reading and build early literacy skills through stories, songs, and rhymes. Boyne City Library also hosts a weekly Storytime for ages 3–5 on Tuesdays, from 10:30–11:30 a.m., featuring songs, fingerplays, stories, and more.

A staple of the indoor activity sector is cinematic experiences, and both the Petoskey Cinema and The Lyric Theatre bring films of all genres to the area. If a night out or a spontaneous matinee fits into your docket, just make sure you save room for popcorn.

 

What To Do Outdoors

Engaging with nature is a BIG part of the Northern Michigan experience, so, of course, I’m including some fun outdoor highlights. Depending on the weather, you might be able to sneak in some of the season’s last sessions of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or sledding.

Petoskey’s Winter Sports Park is an option for sledding and possibly ice skating, but consult the City of Petoskey’s website first to see if the rinks are open. The Petoskey Area is chock-full of trails for walking and hiking, with Top of Michigan Trails being an excellent resource for finding a trail near you that offers appropriate terrain for your trail excursion. The Offield Family Viewlands Working Forest Reserve in Harbor Springs is a repurposed golf course that offers winding paths, stunning views, a newly constructed reflection labyrinth, and new trails for biking and hiking. But note that there are some steep stretches of trails.

If biking is in your wheelhouse, know that Boyne Mountain Resort does offer Fat Tire Snow Biking, but only for young adults and adults. A family-friendly activity available during all seasons, weather permitting, is experiencing SkyBridge Michigan, also at Boyne Mountain Resort. From March 17 through April 4, you can cross the 1,200-foot-long, 118-foot-high pedestrian bridge daily, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Just know that running, rough-housing, backflips, and the like are not permitted on the scenic bridge.

Here’s a caveat: If you’re in town around mid-March, which is admittedly earlier than the typical spring break, there are some end-of-ski-season celebrations worth checking out, including Mardi Gras at Nub’s Nob, Ring in the Spring at The Highlands, and Carnival Weekend at Boyne Mountain Resort. All three last-hurrah events occur over the weekend of March 14–16.

 

Break For Snacks

Now, no vacation would be complete without special treats, so here are some establishments I suggest patronizing.

Snickerdoodlz, on the south end of Petoskey, is your stop for frozen yogurt, bubble tea, and acai bowls. Petoskey Pretzel serves sweet and savory warm pretzels with a variety of dipping sauce choices—my personal recommendation is the classic salted pretzel with nacho cheese. Pistachio, a new pastry shop in downtown Petoskey, bakes delicacies like French macarons, mini pies, cupcakes, cannolis, and more!

For chocolate, fudge, caramel, ice cream, etc., there are Kilwins establishments in Petoskey, Boyne City, and Harbor Springs. The Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen at 1050 Bay View Road, aka U.S. 31 in Petoskey, also offers self-guided chocolate tours during regular business hours—it’s an experience adjacent to visiting Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory without the danger unless you’re at risk of sampling too many ice cream flavors (I suggest trying the trademarked Kilwins Tracks.).

Then, if Northern Michigan is still in the chilly clutches of winter, North Perk Coffee, Roast & Toast, or The Grove are favored spots for popping in to warm up with hot caffeinated and decaffeinated beverages, including teas and hot chocolates. North Perk Coffee’s Cacao Latte is a new favorite of mine, and Rob’s Chai High at Roast & Toast is a classic, while The Spriggan smoothie at The Grove is *chef’s kiss*.

With so many activity and dining suggestions, I may have overwhelmed you, so just let the information sink in as you plan your trek north for a spring break close to home. I promise not to be offended if you disagree with my opinions—to each their own!

 

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!