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Petoskey is a gorgeous tourist town on the shores of Little Traverse Bay in Northwestern Michigan, USA. Renowned for its spectacular lakeshore views year-round, abundant shopping, nearness to ski slopes, world-class golf and an undeniable small-town charm. Petoskey is annually rated as one of the best small towns in America.

Get in[edit]

Map
Map of Petoskey

By car[edit]

Petoskey lies at the crossroads of US 131 and US 31. Petoskey is located approximately 4 hours north of Detroit and 40 minutes south of the Mackinaw Bridge and is easily drivable from Detroit, Chicago, and the surrounding states.

By bike[edit]

Petoskey is connected to Alanson, Pellston, and Mackinaw City via the Petoskey to Mackinaw trail.

By plane[edit]

You can reach Petoskey via Pellston Regional Airport (30 min), Cherry Capital Airport (90 min), or a variety of other regional airports. All are serviced by Delta Air Lines.

Get around[edit]

By car[edit]

You'll most likely want to have a car to get around Petoskey. Taxi service in the Petoskey area is limited. A few of the hotels have shuttles but unless you're already driving you'll want to have a rental car. Traffic is generally pretty light but can be significantly busier in the summer. Having transportation will give you the ability to visit other places near by like Harbor Springs and Charlevoix, which are within about 20 miles of Petoskey.

On foot[edit]

When downtown, you can walk to just about everywhere.

By bike[edit]

See[edit]

A polished Petoskey stone
  • Petoskey stones. These stones are common on area beaches and are high in marine fossils. Petoskey stone (Q2079951) on Wikidata Petoskey stone on Wikipedia
  • 1 Little Traverse Historical Museum (Chesapeake and Ohio Depot). Chesapeake and Ohio Depot (Q30601428) on Wikidata Petoskey station on Wikipedia
  • 2 St. Francis Solanus Mission. The oldest building standing in Petoskey. St. Francis Solanus Mission (Q7587995) on Wikidata St. Francis Solanus Mission on Wikipedia
  • 3 Harris Gardens (North Central Michigan College). Sculpture garden in the main quad of North Central Michigan College.
  • 4 Hemmingway Statue. A statue of author Ernest Hemmingway, who often visited this area in his youth.
  • The Gaslight District. Downtown Petoskey is what makes it such a cool place. There are some great shops, fantastic restaurants, and beautiful parks just to have a little stroll.
  • Bayfront Park. Petoskey's waterfront is relatively unrivalled in the Midwest. There are some great parks and sights, waterfall, ponds, etc., along the shore of Little Traverse Bay. The waterfront can be easily walked to from downtown and ample parking is available.
  • Bay View. Built as a Methodist retreat, it is filled with gingerbread-style Victorian cottages and two quaint inns.
  • Bay Harbor. Visit this unbelievable development on the shores of Little Traverse Bay. Home to some amazing homes, a nice shopping district and great golf.

Do[edit]

  • 1 Petoskey State Park. A very popular beach during the summertime, this is the place to enjoy Lake Michigan on a hot summer day. Petoskey State Park (Q14716258) on Wikidata Petoskey State Park on Wikipedia
  • 2 Emmet County Fair.
  • 3 Winter Sports Park.
  • 4 Great Lakes Center for the Arts.
  • 5 East Park. Waterfront park.

Buy[edit]

  • 1 Old Emmet Farmer's Market.

Eat[edit]

  • Roast & Toast, 309 E Lake St. Soups, sandwiches, and coffee. Large selection of homemade sodas such as the Lucky Duck. Tin ceiling and cafe atmosphere with a patio in back.
  • 1 Palette Bistro.
  • Side Door Saloon (north of town on US 31 near Bay View).

Drink[edit]

Sleep[edit]

Sunset over Petoskey

Connect[edit]

  • 1 Petosky District Library (Petosky Public Library), 500 E Mitchell, +1-231-758-3100. M-Th 10AM-7PM, F Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM.
  • 2 Petoskey Post Office.

Go next[edit]

  • Legs Inn (they're up in Cross Village (20 minutes) but the drive along M119 is terrific).
Routes through Petoskey
ENDMackinaw City  N  S  Bay HarborTraverse City
END  N  S  KalkaskaGrand Rapids
Cross VillageHarbor Springs  N  S  END



This city travel guide to Petoskey is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.