Overview
Bay Harbor is a small community in the Mackinac Area of Northern Michigan.
3 sights · 3 things to do · 6 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bay Harbor
Village at Bay Harbor
Escape for a few hours to a contemporary place with an eclectic blend of shops and eateries. A four seasons village with premier annual events throughout the year including Ice & Spice Festival, Vintage Car & Boa…
Bay Harbor Lake Marina
Named as one of the “Top 10 Ports” in North America by Motorboating Magazine. Floating docks are designed to accommodate boats ranging in size from 20 to 200 feet in length. Premier events include In Water Boat Show in J…
Bay Harbor Equestrian Club
Everything that a horseman could want: lessons for all ages, exciting shows and clinics with world-renowned trainers, a 42,000 square foot stable and indoor arena, an outdoor track and training area and the personal atte…
The Spa at The Inn at Bay Harbor
Bay Harbor Golf Club
Crooked Tree Golf Club
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 81°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Sep. (climate data from nearby Traverse City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PLN Pellston Regional Airport of Emmet County Airport, Pellston — 18 mi away. Directions
- TVC Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City — 51 mi away. Directions
- GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 173 mi away (major hub). Directions
Bay Harbor is off US-31, between Petoskey and Charlevoix on five miles of Lake Michigan Shoreline. Approximately 10 minutes from Petoskey and 15 minutes from Charlevoix.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Village at Bay Harbor, Bay Harbor Equestrian Club
- Lunch Sagamore's Dining Room
- Afternoon Bay Harbor Golf Club
- Dinner The Inn Cafe
- Evening The South American Grille & Wine Bar
Day 2
- Morning Bay Harbor Lake Marina, The Spa at The Inn at Bay Harbor
- Lunch Original Pancake House
- Afternoon Crooked Tree Golf Club
- Dinner Galley Gourmet
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Get in
Bay Harbor is off US-31, between Petoskey and Charlevoix on five miles of Lake Michigan Shoreline. Approximately 10 minutes from Petoskey and 15 minutes from Charlevoix.
Get around
There are private neighborhoods within the community that are gated, but other areas that are open to the public. Ride your bike here on the Little Traverse Wheelway which is a 23 mile non-motorized path from Charlevoix to Harbor Springs. You can also drive here and park and walk to several of the amenities. Bay Harbor is also the largest per capita user of GEM (Global Electric Motor) vehicles in the world. The 300 GEM cars at Bay Harbor saving our atmosphere from an estimated 450 tons of carbon emissions annually.
See
See Village at Bay Harbor
Escape for a few hours to a contemporary place with an eclectic blend of shops and eateries. A four seasons village with premier annual events throughout the year including Ice & Spice Festival, Vintage Car & Boat Festival and Bay Harbor Art Fair.
See Bay Harbor Lake Marina
Named as one of the “Top 10 Ports” in North America by Motorboating Magazine. Floating docks are designed to accommodate boats ranging in size from 20 to 200 feet in length. Premier events include In Water Boat Show in June and Bay Harbor Fishing Tournament in September.
See Bay Harbor Equestrian Club
Everything that a horseman could want: lessons for all ages, exciting shows and clinics with world-renowned trainers, a 42,000 square foot stable and indoor arena, an outdoor track and training area and the personal attention that you and your horse deserve all in a breathtaking setting.
Do
- Shop, Eat, Enjoy...Like Nowhere Else in the Village at Bay Harbor. Open 7 days a week.
- "Go To an Event": Bay Harbor has many premier events that are held throughout the year. Contact Marketing Coordinator, Michelle Culver at 231-439-2000 to hear what is going on in Bay Harbor for 2009!
- "Rent a Boat" from the Lake Marina from Lake Michigan Yacht Sales. Contact 231-439-2675 for information
- Go Charter Fishing" - Two fishing charters docked at Bay Harbor Lake Marina, two fishing trips daily during the season. Enjoy trips with "Plumbers Helper" or "Gail Force Charters"
- "Get Married" in several unique and beautiful venues in Bay Harbor. Contact Group Sales Coordinator, Megan Nickerson at 231-439-2000.
- Enroll in a clinic, or take horse lessons at the Bay Harbor Equestrian Club. Contact Jakki Baltzer at 231-439-7100 for information.
- Get Stylish" at ilaria Hair Studio, providing clients with sophisticated styling and unparalleled customer service.
Do The Spa at The Inn at Bay Harbor
Do Crooked Tree Golf Club
Buy
Shop Boyne Country Clothiers
Shop Bay Harbor Signature Store
Casual apparel featuring the logo and spirit of Bay Harbor with proceeds benefiting the Bay Harbor Foundation
Shop J. Phillips
A women's boutique featuring the latest trends and classic designs. Clothing, jewelry and accessories.
Shop Lake Michigan Yacht Sales
A fully stocked ship's store for all your boating needs, also featuring new boat sales from Riviera Yachts, Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts and Larson Boats.
Shop Northern Sole
Featuring footwear for the whole family, from casual to elegant and everything in between. Offering a line of men's clothing from Tommy Hilfiger, LaCoste, Polo by Ralph Lauren.
Shop Propellers by Walstrom Marine
Famous name nautical fashions and gifts to accent your marine lifestyle.
Shop Walstrom Marine Yacht Sales
Featuring Hattaras, Tiara, Pursuit and Chris Craft Yacht Sales, new and pre-owned.
Shop Rocking Horse Toy Co.
Unique toys and gifts for all ages including kites, games, crafts and collectibles.
Shop BLOOM, unique floral creations
Floral creations for every occasion and season. You will also find unique gifts along with home and garden decor, jewelry and art.
Eat
Eat Original Pancake House
Fantasy breakfasts and now serving lunch!
Eat Galley Gourmet
Portable meals with culinary treats and a large selection of fine wines.
Eat KNOT Just A Bar
A local watering hole with a casual menu of hamburgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads including lunches and dinners.
Eat cava
A Symons Family dining establishment offering contemporary global cuisine.
Drink
Knot Just A Bar cava
Drink The South American Grille & Wine Bar
Sleep
Stay Bay Harbor Resort & Marina:
Nearby
Petoskey
City / town · 34 listings · 4 mi away
Harbor Springs
City / town · 4 listings · 5 mi away
Charlevoix
City / town · 12 listings · 12 mi away
Gaylord
City / town · 10 listings · 29 mi away
Beaver Island
Rural area · 30 listings · 32 mi away
Mackinaw City
City / town · 14 listings · 33 mi away
Cheboygan
City / town · 3 listings · 33 mi away
St. Ignace
City / town · 3 listings · 38 mi away
My experience
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