Free
Bayfront Park
A waterfront park below downtown Petoskey, with a lighthouse pier.
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Northern Michigan
Petoskey and Harbor Springs
Two resort towns on Little Traverse Bay: Petoskey's Gaslight District and beaches full of fossil Petoskey stones, Harbor Springs's sheltered harbour, and the Tunnel of Trees road along the bluffs.
Photo: Petoskey State Park, Protopian Pickle Jar, CC BY-SA 2.0
Petoskey climbs the hills above Little Traverse Bay, with the shops of the Gaslight District just above the waterfront park. Young Ernest Hemingway spent summers nearby, and the Little Traverse History Museum tells his story.
On the beaches, hunt for Petoskey stones, fossil coral with a honeycomb pattern that shows up when wet. Across the bay, Harbor Springs is a quiet harbour town. North of it, M-119, the Tunnel of Trees, winds along the bluffs under a canopy of hardwoods.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Tunnel of Trees (M-119)
A narrow scenic road along the bluffs north of Harbor Springs.
Free
Thorne Swift Nature Preserve
Dunes, beach and cedar swamp near Harbor Springs.
Free
Little Traverse Wheelway
A paved trail along the bay between Petoskey and Harbor Springs.
Cheap
Petoskey State Park
Beaches and dunes on Little Traverse Bay, good for stone hunting.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Legs Inn
A landmark restaurant built of driftwood and stone in Cross Village, at the end of M-119.
Season Open roughly late May–late Oct (check before you go).
Cheap
Little Traverse History Museum
Local history, including Ernest Hemingway's summers, in the old depot.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
Gaslight District
Petoskey's historic shopping streets above the bay.
Free
Petoskey farmers' market
A summer market downtown.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Little Traverse History Museum
Museum admission.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Part of our Northern Michigan guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- The Tunnel of Trees is at its best with time to stop at the overlooks.
- Bay sunsets over Little Traverse are worth staying for.
- Mackinac Island's ferries are about 40 minutes north.
Nearby and worth the drive
Mackinac Islandabout 45 min · Guide ↗
No cars, just bikes and horses.
Traverse Cityabout 1 h 30 · Guide ↗Cherries, dunes and the bay.
Ready-made trips with Petoskey and Harbor Springs
Good to know
- Stones: Collecting limits apply in state parks; check before you take any stones.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Petoskey State Park, Protopian Pickle Jar, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Tunnel of Trees, M-119, Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Bay View, Michigan, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Harbor Springs, Michigan, WMrapids, CC0
Photo: Downtown Petoskey, Royalbroil, CC BY-SA 3.0