Discover Things to Do

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Essentials & Snacks
Carp Lake General Store offer groceries, snacks, beverages, and other everyday items for a convenient stay.

Dining & Nightlife
Clyde’s Place and Harbor Lights Grille both offer casual bites like burgers and pizza in a laid-back setting—just note that while Clyde’s serves drinks, Harbor Lights keeps it alcohol-free

Nearby Restaurants
Mackinaw City and Petoskey, just a short drive away, offer a wider variety of dining options with scenic lakeside views.

Grocery Delivery
Instacart delivers from Meijer, ALDI, and other major retailers directly to your door.

Boat Rentals and Market

Chubbs Marina & Market offers boat and snowmobile rentals, plus essentials like live bait, tackle, snacks, beer, propane exchange, fuel, marine supplies, hardware, and oil.

Just a 20 minute drive to Mackinaw City, a historic gems, with bridge views, watery fun, and  a charming downtown.

Colonial Michilimackinac (Fort Michilimackinac State Park) – Wander reconstructed 18th‑century buildings, catch cannon and musket demos, plus costumed interpreters tripadvisor.com+5en.wikipedia.org+5mackinacparks.com+5.
 

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse – A decommissioned 1892 light station turned museum perched at the bridge base en.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2michigan.org+2.

Mighty Mackinac Bridge – The awe‑inspiring suspension bridge linking Michigan’s peninsulas, spanning over 5 miles tripadvisor.com+8en.wikipedia.org+8mackinawcity.com+8.
 

Straits Shipwreck Preserve – Adventure seekers can book dives to explore sunken ships beneath the straits michigan.org+13en.wikipedia.org+13mackinawcity.com+13.

Headlands International Dark Sky Park – Hike, bike, stargaze, and maybe spot a bald eagle—all under pitch‑dark skies en.wikipedia.org+1mackinawcity.com+1.
 

Water Sports & Beaches – Kayaking, paddleboarding or lounging on sandy shores like Headlands Beach and Wilderness State Park brookwalsh.com+1theguardian.com+1.

Downtown Mackinaw City – Stroll boutique‑lined streets, grab fudge, and hit vintage gift shops britannica.com+14mackinawcity.com+14brookwalsh.com+14.
 

Jack Pine Lumberjack Show – Catch timber‑sport theatrics with timber‑chopping demos and hearty laughs theguardian.com+3mackinawcity.com+3kayak.com+3.
 

Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum – Tour a retired Coast Guard icebreaker and dive into maritime history vrbo.com+2mackinawcity.com+2mackinawcity.com+2.

Ferry to Mackinac Island – Just minutes out—electric‑only transport, biking, quaint shops, and Victorian charm pureparadiseresort.com+5mackinawcity.net+5vogue.com+5.
 

Trolley Tours – Kick back and take in town history with Old‑Time Trolley guided rides mackinawcity.com.
 

Ironworker Festival – If they visit in summer, this off‑beat event includes riveting competitions and daring tower climbs mackinawcity.net.
 

 Just a 15-minute ferry ride from Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island offers a charming, car-free escape filled with history, nature, and nostalgia.

Since 1898, motor vehicles have been banned—explore the island by foot, bike, horse, or carriage along the scenic 8-mile M‑185 loop en.wikipedia.org+4vogue.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4.

Fort Mackinac: A restored 18th-century military fort nestled in the state park .
 

Mackinac Island State Park: Covers ~80% of the island, featuring historic buildings, limestone caves, and natural trails en.wikipedia.org+7en.wikipedia.org+7en.wikipedia.org+7.
 

Perimeter Path: Bike or stroll the car-free M‑185 for lakeside vistas.
 

Carriage Tours: Horse-drawn tours offer relaxed island history.
 

Arch Rock & Trails: Hike interior paths to see landmarks like Arch Rock and Skull Cave distance-cities.com+4uptravel.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4vogue.com.

Downtown is lined with Victorian shops, artisan boutiques, and legendary fudge purveyors. Don’t miss the fudge-makers in action vogue.com.

Tour the world-famous Grand Hotel, boasting the world’s longest porch.
 

Just under an hour drive,  Petoskey combines lakeside relaxation, historic charm, and a rich dining  scene.

Historic Gaslight District: Victorian‑era downtown—boutiques, cafés, art galleries—full of old-time charm tripadvisor.com+1petoskeydowntown.com+1.

Food and Beverage

Chandler’s: Intimate New American cuisine—don’t miss the wine cellar seating and creative cocktails followthepiper.com+3petoskeydowntown.com+3petoskeydowntown.com+3.

City Park Grill: Classic American grill with historic bar and live music reddit.com+2tripadvisor.com+2petoskeydowntown.com+2.

The Back Lot: A lively outdoor hub featuring rotating food trucks—tacos, philly cheesesteaks, fish & chips, wood-fired pizzas, desserts and more followthepiper.com.

Petoskey Brewing Co., Beards Brewery, Mackinaw Trail Winery: Local craft beers and wines in cozy, community-driven taprooms en.wikipedia.org+8petoskeydowntown.com+8petoskeychamber.com+8.

Little Traverse Wheelway: 26-mile paved trail for biking, walking, and scenic views along the bay hearthsidegrove.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3michigan.gov+3.

Petoskey State Park (~3 mi NE): Sandy beach, dunes like “Old Baldy,” hiking trails, and prime Petoskey stone collecting brookwalsh.com+2michigan.gov+2en.wikipedia.org+2.

Just under an hour drive, Harbor Springs, blends scenic beauty, rich history, cultural charm, and seasonal fun—from beach days and scenic drives to galleries, lighthouses, and historic homes.

Tunnel of Trees (M‑119 Scenic Drive) – A legendary 22‑mile stretch famed for breathtaking lake views, especially through colors in spring or fall.

Main Street Boutiques & Art Galleries – Browse unique shops like Hanni Gallery, Little Traverse Tileworks, and Ivy Harbor Springs northernmichiganguides.com+6petoskeyarea.com+6otisharborsprings.com+6.downtownharborsprings.com+14cityofharborsprings.com+14brookwalsh.com+14.

Golfing – Play a round at premier courses like Harbor Point or The Highlands otisharborsprings.com+2brookwalsh.com+2northernmichiganguides.com+2.

Little Traverse Wheelway – A paved 26‑mile rail‑to‑trail perfect for biking, hiking, or cross‑country skiing along the bay northernmichiganguides.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2brookwalsh.com+2.

Zorn Park Beach – In-town sandy beach with calm waters ideal for families holidayvacationrental.com+3otisharborsprings.com+3brookwalsh.com+3.

Little Traverse Lighthouse – A classic red‑brick lighthouse marking the harbor entrance—picture‑perfect ourmidland.com+9en.wikipedia.org+9en.wikipedia.org+9.

Summer: Waterfront concerts, art fairs, sailing, kayaking, waterfront dining expedia.com+15northernmichiganguides.com+15downtownharborsprings.com+15.
 

Fall: Drive the Tunnel of Trees amid brilliant foliage, attend the Pumpkin Festival brookwalsh.com+8otisharborsprings.com+8tripadvisor.com+8.
 

About a 25 minute drive to Cheboygan a cozy, nature-filled hub with waterfront charm and fascinating history.

Cheboygan River Walk & Gordon Turner Park: Scenic riverfront strolls, boat watching, and the historic Crib Light—an iconic octagonal lighthouse at the river mouth cheboygan.com+7michigan.org+7brookwalsh.com+7en.wikipedia.org+1michigan.org+1.
 

Cheboygan Bascule Bridge: A mechanically fascinating, historic drawbridge over the Cheboygan River en.wikipedia.org.
 

Cruise the Inland Waterway: Kayak, boat, or fish along the stretch connecting Cheboygan to Mullett and Burt lakes michigan.org.

Cheboygan State Park: Hiking, mountain biking, beach access, fishing, cross‑country skiing, and paddlesports rentals tripadvisor.com+5michigan.gov+5michigan.org+5.

Historic Lighthouse Tour: Visit the Cheboygan Crib Light and learn about Great Lakes navigation cheboygan.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4michigan.org+4.

Downtown Main Street: Home decor, bookshops, sweet treats (like Kilwin’s), and riverside dining michigan.org.
 

Eat & Sip: Grab river views and brews at Cheboygan Brewing or Pier M33, then enjoy local bar nights and live performances michigan.org.
 

Local Events: Weekly live music, wine nights, quilt shows, and monthly “Music on Main” concerts keep the small town lively cheboygan.com.
 

Golf Courses: Play at nearby Cheboygan Golf & Country Club or scenic Mullett Lake Country Club cheboygan.com+2michigan.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2.