Is there anything better than Michigan in the summer? This August, we planned our yearly road trip around the state. For this year, we found ourselves around the Little Traverse Bay area. We stayed in Walloon Lake, but spent our days exploring nearby cities like Petoskey and Harbor Springs.
In this round-up, I’ll be sharing my favorite things to do in each of the cities we spent most of our time in. I hope you get a chance to check out these awesome spots. We will absolutely be coming back!
Walloon Lake Area
Barrel Back Restaurant | 4127 N M-75, Walloon Lake, MI 49796
So good we ate here twice during our stay! There’s a lot of options to choose from. The place was super fun and very kid-friendly. They give kids tokens to get something out of the treasure chest from the General Store across the street.
Boyne Recreational Rentals | (231) 549-3077
If you’re staying on Walloon or Charlevoix Lake, renting a boat can be simple and fun! We got a pontoon boat for four hours one day and this company made it very easy.
Iron Goat Coffee | 4128 M-75, Walloon Lake, MI 49796
Great little coffee shop in town. The iced coffee options were fantastic.
Sweet Tooth | Walloon Lake, MI 49796
Delicious ice cream! The inside has a ton of candy and goodies to shop, too.
Walloon Lake Inn | 4178 West Street, Walloon Lake, MI 49796
A great place to have a date night. Every evening, they have wine night from 3:00-4:30 p.m. We tested some wine while we sat and looked at Walloon Lake.
Walloon Village General Store | 4035 Renwick Ln, Unit #17, Walloon Lake, MI 49796
Super cute for souvenirs, or to grab sandwiches for the boat or beach!
Petoskey Area
The Beacon | 319 Bay Street, Petoskey, MI 49770
Pricier, but would make a great date night. We had the best appetizers and dinner here. Can’t beat the views either!
Petoskey State Park | 2475 M-119, Petoskey, MI 49770
I kid you not, the BEST state park we have ever been to in Michigan. The beaches were pristine, and the water was crystal clear. Our favorite thing to do was look for the famous Petoskey stones. We can’t wait to go back!
Harbor Springs Area
Brandy’s Harbortown | 820 Front St, Bay Harbor, MI 49770
Amazing place to eat! Very relaxed environment. Inside, there’s multiple types of “restaurants” to order from. You order, then take your food to eat outside. We tried three of the restaurants and everything was delicious.
Northern Lights Recreation | 8865 M-119, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
A great place to go on a rainy day. This center has a decent-sized arcade, bowling, and laser tag! We had a great time waiting for the sun to come out.
Pond Hill Farm | 5699 S Lake Shore Dr, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
The best pizzas we’ve ever had! Such a cute place. So much to do with the family. We had pizza, drank some of their craft beers, did a Gnome hunt, and then went to pick strawberries.
Bonus Tips Around Little Traverse Bay
- Young State Park is about 15 minutes away from Walloon Lake, on Lake Charlevoix. This was a nice little state park. Lots of areas to camp and have picnics. The beach was nice too.
- If you’re looking for a dog-friendly park, check out Mt. McSauba. Fair warning: you will need to walk some dunes to get to the beach. But the beach is gorgeous and all pet-friendly!
