Things to Do

Make a Weekend of It

If you're traveling to Northern Michigan for our wedding, we hope you'll give yourself a little time to enjoy the area while you're here.

July is one of the best times to be Up North, and Charlevoix makes a wonderful home base for exploring the lakes, beaches, small towns, trails, and everything else the region has to offer. Whether you have a few hours to fill before the wedding or you're staying for several days, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your time here.

We've gathered a few of our recommendations below, from places close to the wedding to destinations that make for a great day trip.

In & Around Charlevoix

Downtown Charlevoix

Start close to home. Downtown Charlevoix sits between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix and is an easy place to spend an afternoon wandering through local shops, restaurants, parks, and waterfront areas.

Take a walk along the lake, grab an ice cream, explore the shops, or find a spot to sit and enjoy the view. Charlevoix is also home to the famous Mushroom Houses, a collection of distinctive homes designed by local architect Earl Young.

The Beaches

Summer in Northern Michigan wouldn't be complete without some time on the water. Charlevoix offers access to both Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix, with beaches and waterfront areas throughout the community.

Bring a swimsuit, find a sunny spot, and enjoy one of the best parts of being in Northern Michigan in July.

Lavender Hill Farm

If you're looking for something a little more picturesque, Lavender Hill Farm is located in the Charlevoix countryside and is home to expansive lavender fields. It's particularly beautiful in the summer when the fields are in bloom.

And, perhaps fittingly, we think the lavender fields are especially appropriate for a wedding weekend with a certain color palette.

Castle Farms

Yes, you can actually visit the place where we're getting married!

Castle Farms is a historic property built between 1916 and 1919, with extensive gardens, paths, collections, historic exhibits, an enchanted forest, and an outdoor model railroad. Seasonal guided tours and narrated tram rides are also offered.

If you have time before or after the wedding weekend, it's worth taking a little time to explore the property beyond the parts you'll see during the celebration.

Petoskey & Harbor Springs

Just a short drive from Charlevoix, the communities around Little Traverse Bay are some of our favorite places to explore in Northern Michigan.

Petoskey

Downtown Petoskey is a great place to spend an afternoon. The historic Gaslight District is filled with independent shops, galleries, restaurants, and places to grab a drink or something sweet. Bayfront Park and the Petoskey waterfront are also within easy reach of downtown.

Don't leave without keeping an eye out for Petoskey stones along the shoreline. They're the official state stone of Michigan and one of the area's most popular treasures to hunt for.

Petoskey State Park

If you're looking for a classic Northern Michigan beach day, Petoskey State Park is a great option. The park sits along Little Traverse Bay and offers a sandy beach, dunes, hiking trails, and opportunities to search for Petoskey stones.

Harbor Springs

Harbor Springs offers another charming downtown to explore, with shops, restaurants, waterfront views, and access to the surrounding Little Traverse Bay area.

For those who want to spend more time outdoors, the Little Traverse Wheelway connects Charlevoix, Bay Harbor, Petoskey, and Harbor Springs with a paved trail along the shoreline. It's a beautiful option for walking, biking, or simply exploring the area at a slower pace.

Boyne City

Located along Lake Charlevoix, Boyne City is another great option for a relaxed afternoon or day trip.

Spend some time downtown, explore the waterfront, grab something to eat, or enjoy the lake. Young State Park, just outside of Boyne City, offers a sandy beach and hiking trails along Lake Charlevoix.

It's a good choice if you'd rather spend the day near the water without going too far from Charlevoix.

Mackinac Island

Make a Day of It

If you've never been to Mackinac Island, this is the destination we'd especially encourage you to consider adding to your trip.

Once you arrive by ferry, cars aren't part of the experience. Instead, you can explore the island by bicycle, on foot, or by horse-drawn carriage. The island offers historic sites, scenic trails, beaches, shops, restaurants, and, of course, plenty of fudge.

More than 80% of Mackinac Island is part of Mackinac Island State Park, with landmarks including Arch Rock and Fort Holmes, along with more than 70 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

A trip to Mackinac Island requires a little more planning than some of the other destinations on this list, but if you have an extra day, it can make for a memorable Northern Michigan adventure.

Tip: Check ferry schedules and parking information before you go, particularly during the busy summer season.

Traverse City

For a Little More City

If you're looking for a change of pace, head south to Traverse City.

Traverse City offers a combination of Lake Michigan beaches, restaurants, shopping, breweries, wineries, and outdoor activities. The area is also a gateway to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, making it a good choice if you're interested in combining a day in town with some time outdoors.

Sleeping Bear Dunes

If you make the trip to Traverse City, consider continuing west to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

The park is known for its massive sand dunes, Lake Michigan beaches, hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail also offers a paved route for walking and biking.

It's a little farther from Charlevoix than the other destinations on this page, but for anyone staying several days, it's well worth considering.

However You Spend Your Time...

We hope you enjoy Northern Michigan as much as we do. Whether you spend the weekend exploring every town you can find or simply find a beach, grab an ice cream, and slow down for a while, we're happy you're here.

And if you discover a favorite place of your own while you're visiting, you'll have to let us know.

Welcome to Northern Michigan. We're glad you're here.