Petoskey is known for its beautiful Victorian architecture, historic Gaslight Shopping District, and also gives its name to the unique Petoskey Stones found along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It acts as a gateway to the scenic drives and outdoor activities available at Petoskey State Park and the nearby Little Traverse Wheelway.
Petoskey is located around on the western side of the Lower Michigan 'mitten' on the shores of Little Traverse Bay just under 40 miles southwest of Mackinaw City. The shore highway leads southwest to Traverse City, slightly under 70 miles away.
Located in Emmet County, Petoskey is the largest settlement and the administrative county seat. It has a population of nearly 6000 inhabitants.
Petoskey in northern Michigan
The Petoskey area includes Harbor Springs on the northern shore of Little Traverse Bay, as well as nearby Bay View and Bay Harbor, plus Boyne City a little further to the south.
Those who want to take a connecting flight to Detroit or Minneapolis have a number of options in northern Michigan. Chippewa County International Airport in the Upper Peninsula offers both Detroit Metro and Minneapolis-St. Paul as destinations, while Cherry Capital Airport near Traverse City has the largest number of airlines, connecting to Chicago and Detroit.
Distance to Pellston Regional Airport: 20 miles
Distance to Cherry Capital Airport (Traverse City): 66 miles
Distance to Chippewa County International Airport (Sault Ste Marie): 77 miles
Distance to Alpena County Regional Airport: 91 miles
Those looking to drive from a major international airport will find that Detroit Metro Airport (274 miles) is the closest option.
The US-31 highway connects Petoskey northwards towards Pellston Regional Airport and Mackinaw City and continues west and south along the shore of Lake Michigan towards Traverse City.
US-131 heads directly south from Petoskey and eventually passes Cadillac and Grand Rapids.
There are regular daily bus services to Detroit, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo which stop at Petoskey. The services start at St Ignace on Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
A summer ferry service operates between Petoskey and the towns of Harbor Springs and Bay Harbor. Cruises around Little Traverse Bay are also available.
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Originally, the Petoskey area was occupied by the Ottawa Indians along the lakeshore. The town was known as Bear River when the first missionaries arrived, with the first missionary reaching the area in 1852. It was later renamed Petoskey, a name honoring the Ottawa chief Pe-to-se-ga.
This area was also the site of St. Francis Solanus Indian Mission, established in 1859, which still stands today.
The introduction of rail links led to tourism from cities further south, such as Grand Rapids. The first train of sightseers experienced the sun going down over Little Traverse Bay, with a reporter describing it as a 'million dollar sunset'. That quote was turned into a marketing slogan still used today.
Petoskey Area video overview
The number of tourists to the area led to the development of specialist shops on Petoskey Street, which is now known as the historic 'Gaslight District'.
Petoskey is also noted for its high concentration of ancient fossil coral, known as Petoskey stones, which are designated as the state stone of Michigan. Searching for a Petoskey stone on the beaches of the Petoskey area is a popular recreational pastime for visitors.
The Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau is located on East Mitchell Street in downtown Petoskey and is open weekdays.
Petoskey's Gaslight District has been a center for shopping and dining for over a century. The historic district features 'gaslight'-style street lamps and a good selection of independent retailers and specialist stores.
The former Pere Marquette Train Station, built in 1892, is home to the Little Traverse History Museum. Passenger train service stopped in the 1960s and the station building fell into disrepair. It was finally acquired by the Little Traverse Historical Society and became a museum in 1971.
Access to Bayfront Park from downtown Petoskey
The museum is located in Bayfront Park and is open during the summer months. It hosts several historical collections, including one dedicated to the author Ernest Hemingway, who spent his summers and the winter of 1919-1920 in Petoskey.
The Little Traverse Wheelway is a bike trail which follows much of the route of a historic route from the end of the 19th century. It runs for 26 miles between Charlevoix and Harbor Springs with some spectacular views over the water.
Petoskey State Park is located about five miles to the east of Petoskey. It has a mile-long sandy beach and offers both hiking and biking trails. In winter both snowshoe and cross-country skiing routes are available.
This part of northern Michigan has good access to a number of downhill ski areas. Nubs Nob ski resort and The Highlands (formerly Boyne Highlands) are both located just north of Harbor Springs on the northern side of Little Traverse Bay.
Boyne Mountain ski resort is located about 17 miles to the south of Petoskey near the small town of Boyne Falls.
More information about the skiing is available here: Best Ski Resorts in Michigan
Often considered the "Cherry Capital of the World," Traverse City is not only famous for its annual National Cherry Festival but also for its vineyards and culinary scene. Its proximity to both Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay makes it a prime location for water activities.
Nestled near the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Glen Arbor provides access to some of Michigan's most breathtaking natural beauty. The area offers miles of sandy beaches, clear waters, and the opportunity to explore the dunes themselves.
Home to the Ludington State Park, which is considered one of Michigan's best state parks. The park's lighthouse, hiking trails, and canoeing opportunities make it a favorite for nature enthusiasts. Ludington is the port for the SS Badger car ferry that connects Michigan with Wisconsin across Lake Michigan.
Saugatuck boasts a charming downtown with unique shops, galleries, and restaurants. Oval Beach is often rated as one of the best beaches in the United States, and Saugatuck's location along the Art Coast of Michigan provides visitors with a blend of cultural and natural attractions.
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau : petoskeyarea.com
Little Traverse Historical Museum : www.petoskeymuseum.org
Downtown Petoskey : www.petoskeydowntown.com