Overview
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.
9 sights · 5 things to do · 4 places to eat · 6 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Petoskey
Petoskey stones
These stones are common on area beaches and are high in marine fossils.
Little Traverse Historical Museum
St. Francis Solanus Mission
The oldest building standing in Petoskey.
Petoskey State Park
A very popular beach during the summertime, this is the place to enjoy Lake Michigan on a hot summer day.
Harris Gardens
Sculpture garden in the main quad of North Central Michigan College.
Hemmingway Statue
A statue of author Ernest Hemmingway, who often visited this area in his youth.
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 — 16 mi away. Directions
- TVC Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City — 53 mi away. Directions
- GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 175 mi away (major hub). Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Little Traverse Historical Museum, Hemmingway Statue, Winter Sports Park
- Lunch Palette Bistro
- Afternoon Harris Gardens, St. Francis Solanus Mission
- Dinner Roast & Toast
- Evening City Park Grill
Day 2
- Morning Emmet County Fair, East Park, Great Lakes Center for the Arts
- Lunch Side Door Saloon
- Afternoon Petoskey stones, Bay View
- Dinner Legs Inn
- Evening The Noggin Room
Day 3
- Morning Petoskey State Park
- Afternoon Bayfront Park
- Evening The Mitchell Street Pub
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
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
Petoskey is connected to Alanson, Pellston, and Mackinaw City via the Petoskey to Mackinaw trail.
By plane
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
By car
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
When downtown, you can walk to just about everywhere.
By bike
Go Little Traverse Wheelway
A bike path that follows the shore. You can ride Petoskey to Charlevoix or Petoskey to Harbor Springs.
See
See Little Traverse Historical Museum (Chesapeake and Ohio Depot)
See Hemmingway Statue
A statue of author Ernest Hemmingway, who often visited this area in his youth.
See 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.
See 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.
See Bay View
Built as a Methodist retreat, it is filled with gingerbread-style Victorian cottages and two quaint inns.
See 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
Do Petoskey State Park
A very popular beach during the summertime, this is the place to enjoy Lake Michigan on a hot summer day.
Buy
Shop Old Emmet Farmer's Market
Eat
Eat Roast & Toast
Soups, sandwiches, and coffee. Large selection of homemade sodas such as the Lucky Duck. Tin ceiling and cafe atmosphere with a patio in back.
Drink
Drink City Park Grill
Popular on weekends.
Drink The Noggin Room
Go for Sean Ryan.
Drink The Mitchell Street Pub
Pub food, burgers, and great beer. Don't be afraid to throw your peanut shells on the floor.
Sleep
Stay Bed and Breakfasts
Go next
Nearby
Bay Harbor
City / town · 28 listings · 4 mi away
Harbor Springs
City / town · 4 listings · 4 mi away
Charlevoix
City / town · 12 listings · 15 mi away
Gaylord
City / town · 10 listings · 28 mi away
Cheboygan
City / town · 3 listings · 30 mi away
Mackinaw City
City / town · 14 listings · 30 mi away
Beaver Island
Rural area · 30 listings · 35 mi away
St. Ignace
City / town · 3 listings · 36 mi away
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