Now that the holiday season has been gently laid to rest, you may need a weekend away for some respite. There’s no shame in the post-Christmas getaway game, so join me on a curated winter weekend in the Petoskey Area—your itinerary awaits.
Aside from selecting your winter weekend dates, the first step is deciding where to call your home away from home, and I have a few suggestions.
Accommodations
For a historical experience within a walkable downtown, there’s the Perry Hotel in Petoskey, which exudes charm and an aura of days past. With cozy rooms, Lake Michigan views, and on-site dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this well-known site is a solid choice. Plus, from now through March 31, the hotel is running a special “Winter in Petoskey” package for a two-night stay, complete with a yummy welcome bag and dining vouchers.
For a more peaceful and picturesque location, check out Crooked River Lodge on northern Michigan’s historic Inland Waterway, a short drive north of Petoskey located in Alanson. A central spot for easy exploration of Northern Michigan, Crooked River Lodge also offers on-site recreation if you want to stay put, and, like its sister location—the Perry Hotel—this establishment has a lodging deal during this time of the year.
For a resort experience, Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls offers luxury, extensive amenities, and easy access to indoor and outdoor activities for the entire family. Deemed the “ultimate playground for all seasons,” the property of Boyne Mountain Resort includes 415 skiable acres, Avalanche Bay indoor water park, SkyBridge Michigan, the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge, a full-service spa and salon, retail shopping, and bars and restaurants—what more could you ask for?
Cozy little lodge feels await at the Crooked River Lodge in Alanson sitting on the Crooked River. Photo credit: Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
Morning Meals
Returning to the itinerary, let’s begin our vacation appropriately with breakfast. If you’re not eating on-site at your hotel of choice, then consider trying Cafe Santé or Gildas’ Lake Street Bakery—both of their menus present European flair, with Cafe Santé offering a delicious Lorraine Quiche and scrumptious Vienna Pancakes and Lake Street Bakery cranking out croissants, crepes, and more until early afternoon. Over in Petoskey, Sam’s Graces Cafe provides sweet and savory brunch options with a great view of the East Mitchell Street bustle. For more of a diner atmosphere, check out The Bistro in Petoskey or Bob’s Place in Alanson, where the kitchens pride themselves on classic fare and featured specials.
Sure, you can resist the Croque Madame at Café Santé. But why would you? It’s ham and cheese enrobed in béchamel sauce. There’s an egg on top. You’ll have an out-of-body experience with the first bite. All of this will be happening with a glorious view of Lake Charlevoix.
Afternoon Activities
Having fueled up for the day, you’re now ready to explore. After a tasty breakfast, I like to do a walkabout to get my bearings. Perusing a bookstore or unique boutique or just window shopping gives my meal time to digest and sets a nice pace for the day. Even a stroll down by the lake or through the arts and culture and shopping districts of downtown Petoskey, Walloon, or Boyne City is a great option—each has fun shops full of treasures and unique gifts.
Perhaps shopping isn’t your thing, and that’s okay because Northern Michigan has a plethora of outdoor recreation to engage in, especially this time of year. If you recall from my post last month, aside from strolling the sidewalks with Yak-Trax, I’m not an adventurous winter weather gal. However, according to Top of Michigan Trails, our region is rife with trails for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hiking. Additional fresh-air options include snow tubing at Boyne Mountain Resort—which is wildly fun—and ice skating and sledding at Petoskey’s Winter Sports Park, where you’ll find a cozy warming hut for when you need to thaw. If you seek to ski, Boyne Mountain Resort, Nub’s Nob, and The Highlands have day passes and even night skiing.
A winter trail is at its peak with – you guessed it- snow! There are so many great Petoskey Area trails to explore in the winter. Photo credit: Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
Midday Meals
Once the afternoon rolls around, you may find your appetite piqued by all the walking, shopping, and fresh air, so it’s time to consider some lunch options. Two of my favorite spots for a casual sit-down experience are Side Door Saloon and Mitchell Street Pub. The whitefish sandwich at Side Door and Mitchell Street Pub’s famous white chili are my top choices any time of the year. For a couple of to-go options, the Walloon General Store and Symonds General Store offer top-notch deli sandwiches, homemade sides, and a wide variety of other specialty foods and groceries.
Post-lunch, if you need a PM caffeine hit, I’ve got some great recommendations: Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company and Beani’s Coffee Lounge, both of Boyne City, Roast & Toast in Petoskey, and, my personal favorite, North Perk Coffee, also of Petoskey. A classic North Perk Latte or Petoskey Fog from North Perk always hits the spot, and Roast & Toast’s Rob’s Chai High provides a nice boost with great flavor.
North Perk Coffee located in Downtown Petoskey is perfect for a little winter pick-me-up. Photo credit: Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
Evening Eatables & Entertainment
So much of traveling and visiting new places revolves around food; after all, we all need to eat, and dinner should never be skipped.
A favored Petoskey restaurant for large groups, families, and solo diners—City Park Grill—has a lot of history, including Hemingway and Prohibition bootlegging, and the menu offers tasty salads, filling entrees, and rotating desserts, plus the chicken noodle soup and housemade biscuits can warm anyone’s spirit. For a more intimate scene and a unique atmosphere, consider patronizing Pour Kitchen and Bar for its fantastic cocktails, excellent wine selection, and diverse meal options. Swing out to Bay Harbor for great views of Lake Michigan and a social dining experience at NOMAD. known for its small plates and extensive wine and liquor selection. Red Mesa Grill of Boyne City cooks up Latin American cuisine amidst its fun and colorful setting smack dab in the middle of downtown.
After-dinner entertainment spans from live performances at Crooked Tree Arts Center or Great Lakes Center for the Arts, live music by local musicians at different bars, karaoke at City Park Grill or Muskrat Distilling, or catching a movie at one of the area theaters. All evening activities, especially during winter, are subject to weather and day specific, so always consult websites and social media accounts for the most up-to-date event and activity information.
If you require a tasty nightcap before returning to your accommodation of choice, I suggest Muskrat Distilling of Boyne City or Malted Vinyl of Petoskey. Both are known for creative, seasonal concoctions, delicious mocktails, and engaging atmospheres that provide a nice conclusion to the day.
Neon Muskrat Distilling logo sign behind the bar at this Boyne City distillery’s tasting room.
Recap & Reflection
This post was jam-packed with many ideas and options for dining and doing in the Petoskey Area. It’s most important to remember that a weekend away doesn’t have to be busy—you don’t have to be on the go the entire time you’re away from home. If you hole up in your hotel to read or binge a show and only leave to collect sustenance as needed, that’s okay! Make sure your winter weekend getaway is what you want and need it to be, not what someone else says it “should be.” Happy relaxation wishes to you!
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!