Northern Michigan Area
Activities & Things To Do

Vacations and weekend get aways are a great time to take part in a variety of activities. In Northern Michigan, you can fill your day with everything from a picnic on the beach in the summer, to biking in the fall, to downhill skiing in the winter, to hunting for mushrooms in the spring.

This is the place to try new things! Rent a bike or a kayak, go snow tubing, attend a concert or an art fair, or play a round of golf with friends.

From dawn to dusk, it is here for you to enjoy in Northern Michigan.

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Northern Michigan Beaches & Parks
A-Maze-N-Mirrors
Mackinaw Crossings, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, 231-436-7550
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American Adventures Fun Park
2088 US 31 N, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-347-9566
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Animal Tracks
220 S Huron, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, 231-436-7044
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Arnold Line Mackinac Ferry
Waterfront, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, 800-542-8528
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Petoskey Stones
Bay View Association
US 31, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-347-6225
Boyne Arts Collective
210 Lake St, Boyne City, MI 49712, 231-582-2226
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Events in Northern Michigan
Boyne Mountain Resort
One Boyne Mountain Rd, Boyne Falls, MI 49713, 231-549-6000, 800-GO-BOYNE
Let the Zipline Adventures take your breath away! Enjoy the thrill of racing your friends and family on the side by side lines of the Twin Zip or choose the relaxed pace of the Zipline Adventure Tour. Both are all thrills, no skills activities for all ages.
Boyne Watersports
1 Water St, Boyne City, MI 49712, 231-881-6000
Busy Bodies Bounce Town
1337 Springs St, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-881-9090
Camp Daggett
3001 Church Rd, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-347-9743
Castle Farms
5052 M-66 North, Charlevoix, MI 49720, 231-237-0884
Charlevoix Chamber of Commerce
109 Mason St, Charlevoix, MI 49720, 231-547-2101
Charlevoix Circle of Arts
109 Clinton St, Charlevoix, MI 49720, 231-547-3554
Cheboygan Opera House
Downtown, Cheboygan, MI 49721, 231-627-5841
Colonial Michilimackinac
Beneath the Mackinac Bridge, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, 231-436-4100
Conservatory of Dance Charlevoix
109 Clinton St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
Conservatory of Dance Petoskey
1040 Cedar Valley Rd, Petoskey, MI 49770
Dhasaleer Events Barn
15794 Paddock Rd, Charlevoix, MI 49720, 231-675-7768
Earl Young Mushroom House Tours
Downtown, Charlevoix, MI 49720, 231-445-0770
Voted #1 "Thing To Do" on TripAdvisor and "Best of Charlevoix 2019," we offer 50 minute GEM car tours of all 28 Mushroom Houses, a.k.a Hobbit Houses/Gnome Homes, located in Charlevoix. Visit our website for booking and information or call. $20 per seat. Facebook/Instagram: Mushroom House Tours.
EUP Fishing Charters
724 Cheeseman Rd, St Ignace, MI 49781, 877-475-3474
Fort Mackinac
On the Bluff, Mackinac Island, MI 49757, 906-847-3328
Great American Adventures
2088 US 31 N, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-347-9566
Great Lakes Center for the Arts
800 Bay Harbor Dr, Bay Harbor, MI 49770, 231-439-2600
Performing arts venue with 525 seats and a mission to inspire, entertain, and educate with year-round, world-class performances, affordable ticket pricing and a robust education program.
Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra
438 E Lake St, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-487-0010
Great Lakes Eco-Adventure Center
6016 Martha St , Indian River, MI 49712, 231-881-7863
Great Lakes Glass Pumpkin Patch
Boyer Glass & Three Pines Studio, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 231-526-6359
This annual event is a colorful gathering of hundreds of glass pumpkins by artists Harry Boyer and Lynn Dinning. Harry's pumpkins will be in the patch outside Boyer Glassworks in downtown Harbor Springs and both Lynn's and Harry's pumpkins appear in the garden patch at Three Pines Studios. First Saturday in October.
Griffin Arena
3450 M 119, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 231-487-1843
Harbor Springs Downtown
Downtown, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 231-526-2104
So much to do in downtown Harbor Springs! Shopping, dining, services and more--art, clothing, linens, books, home furnishings, restaurants, coffee shop, movie theatre, waterfront, marina. Off season special activities Sunday-Thursday at restaurants.
Harbor Springs Festival of the Book
160 State St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 231-838-2725
September 23-25 in locations throughout downtown Harbor Springs. Includes keynote address, authors in conversation, readings and more. Most sessions are free, but registration is required.
Harbor Springs Ice Fest
Downtown, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 231-526-2104
Downtown Harbor Springs will be filled with ice sculptures throughout the downtown area, more than 40 of them, February 11-12, 2022.
Harbor Springs Performing Arts Center
327 E. Bluff St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 231-526-4887
This spectacular Performing Ars Center is the place to enjoy music, theatre, and special events. For upcoming cultural events go to www.harborps.org, select Performing Arts Center, click on Events Calendar; or call for a recorded message.
Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park
On Lake Huron, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, 231-436-4100
Jack Pine Lumberjack Shows
10510 W US 23, Mackinaw City, MI 49706, 231-436-5225
Jordan River Art Center
301 Main St, East Jordan, MI 49727, 231-536-2152
Just A Plain Farm
5055 Gill Rd, Carp Lake, MI 49718, 231-537-2302
Know Way Out
622 Howard St, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-881-9688
Learn Great Foods
PO Box 241, Petoskey, MI 49770, 866-240-1650
Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail
Along the Bay, Traverse City, MI 49684, 231-642-5550
Legs Inn
6425 N. Lake Shore Dr., Cross Village, MI 49749, 231-526-2281
Northern Michigan's most unique live entertainment destination. "Best Place for Live Band on Sunday" Detroit News. 100+ beers/wines.
Little Traverse Choral Society
PO Box 2417, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-547-4157
Little Traverse Civic Theatre
461 E Mitchell St, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-348-1850
Little Traverse Conservancy
3264 Powell Rd., Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 231-347-0991
The Little Traverse Conservancy owns and manages more than 164 nature preserves within the five-county service area (Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Mackinac, and Chippewa counties). Hike the many Conservancy trails or take part in educational hikes, walks, kayak jaunts, and more.
Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
Downtown, Mackinac Island, MI 49757, 906-847-3325
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival
Downtown, Mackinac Island, MI 49757, 800-454-5227
The Lilac Festival is a ten-day annual festival held in honor of the common lilac at Mackinac Island. The festival, which has been held since 1949, begins on the second Friday of June and concludes, on the third Sunday of June, with the horse-drawn Lilac Parade.
Mackinac Old Time Trolley
Across from Star Line Ferry, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, 231-436-5005
Mackinac Parasailing
Mackinaw City Marina, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, 231-436-7144
Mackinaw Area Historical Society Heritage Village
West of Mackinaw City, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Mackinaw Bridge Museum
230 Central Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Michigan Legacy Park
12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, MI 49683, 231-378-4963
National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods
7068 M 68, Indian River, MI 49749, 231-238-8973
Northern Lights Recreation
8865 Harbor-Petoskey Rd., Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 231-347-3100
16 automatic scoring, smoke-free lanes of bowling for ages 3 and up. Open bowling daily 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Live music every Friday and Saturday. Also 18 challenging holes of indoor mini golf. Hourly rental rate pool rooms and coin operated arcade.
Odawa Casino Resort
1760 Lears Rd, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-439-6100, 877-442-6464
Full-service casino near Little Traverse Bay featuring 1,000 exciting slot machines, over 20 table games, poker room, night club, gift shop, and three great dining options.
Oden State Fish Hatchery
US 31, Conway, MI 49722, 231-347-4689
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Beneath the Mackinac Bridge, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, 231-439-4100
Outfitter
153 E. Main St., Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 231-526-2621
Get out on the water, slopes or trails with hassle-free rentals (2 hour, day, weekly): kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, snowshoes and skis (xc, skate, telemark). Summer Kids's Kayak Camp, Trail Run Series, Monday Night Paddles. Women in the Wild outings.
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
401 E Mitchell St, Petoskey, MI 49770, 800-845-2828
The Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau provides information on lodging, events and all things fun in Petoskey, Boyne City, Bay Harbor and Harbor Springs. Come visit!
Petoskey Film Theater
1001 Emmet St, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-758-3108
Petoskey State Park
2475 M-119, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-347-2311, 800-447-2757
Camping, hiking, beaches, dunes, playgrounds, Petoskey stones--all of it and more can be found at this spectacular Michigan state park. Located at the end of Little Traverse Bay, boaters will often be found anchored off the beach as the boaters swim or search for Petoskey stones.
Petoskey Yesterday Tours
306 E Lake St, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-3300-9657
Pond Hill Farm
5581 S. Lake Shore Dr., Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 231-526-3276 (FARM)
Enjoy estate grown, award-winning wines. Offering unique tasting experience. Onsite cafe, brewery, Biergarten & market. Five miles north of Harbor Springs on M119.
Professional Captain John P. Shaw
231-347-6457
Coast Guard licensed captain available hourly, daily, or longer. Power and sail endorsed, knowledge of all local ports. Hire Capt. Shaw to pilot your boat so you can relax and enjoy the beauty of northern Michigan or entertain your guests onboard! Nautical instruction. Available to move your boat by water to any port. Boat evaluation. USCG license #820080.
Raven Hill Discovery Center
04737 Fuller Rd, East Jordan, MI 49727, 231-536-3369, 877-833-4254
Riverboat Tours
6293 River St, Alanson, MI 49706, 231-268-8530
Romanik's Ranch
10941 Weadock Rd, Levering, MI 49755, 231-627-6106
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry
On Lake Huron, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, 231-436-5023
Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry
On Lake Huron, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, 800-638-9892
Taste of Harbor Springs
On the Waterfront, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 231-526-7999
Don't miss the 27th annual Taste of Harbor Springs September 17, 2022. The big tent on the waterfront in downtown Harbor Springs will be filled with the foods of more than 25 area restaurants.
Thunder Falls Family Waterpark
Downtown, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, 231-436-6000
Todd and Brad Reed Photography
The "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed" project takes this father and son photography team all over Michigan to document the state's beauty. Follow along with their photographic adventures by watching these short videos, each about three minutes long. A unique Michigan video is posted for every week of the year.
Trapper's Creek Adventure Golf
434 Nicolet, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, 231-436-6000
Ugotta Regatta
Little Traverse Yacht Club, On Little Traverse Bay, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 231-526-7919
Every year during the last weekend of July, sailboats from across the Midwest and beyond hoist their sails to race in the Ugotta Regatta. July 29-31, 2022, watch the action from Petoskey’s Sunset Park, Petoskey State Park, or on the water.
University of Michigan Biological Station
9133 Biological Rd, Pellston, MI 49769, 231-539-8408
Ward Brothers Charter Boats
106 E Antrim, Charlevoix, MI 49720, 231-547-2371
Whichway Adventures / Motosnowbike
2019 M 119, Petoskey, MI 49770, 231-881-3500
Wildwood Rush Zipline Canopy Tour
02277 Boyne City Road, Charlevoix, MI 49712, 231-582-3400
Wings of Mackinac
Downtown, Mackinac Island, MI 49757, 906-847-9464
Zoo-de-Mack
Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, 313-821-8414



Discover More Things To Do...


Things to Do in Harbor Springs, Michigan -- Harbor Springs is the place to try new things! Rent a bike or a kayak, go snow tubing, attend a concert or an art fair, or play a round of golf with friends.
Things to Do in Petoskey, Michigan -- There's so much to do in Petoskey from the Bear River Valley Recreation Area, to Petoskey State Park, to biking, golfing, hiking, and more.
Charlevoix, Michigan -- Visiting Charlevoix in Northern Michigan is a fun-filled vacation with great beaches, boating, skiing, fishing and year 'round family fun.
Things to Do in Boyne City, Michigan -- Nothing is quite like Boyne City in Northern Michigan with camping, boating, skiing, year 'round outdoor activities, and of course, the morel mushroom!
Lots of Activities in Mackinaw City, Michigan -- Explore Mackinaw City in Northern Michigan for history, the International Dark Sky Park, and outdoor activities.
Things to Do on Mackinac Island, Michigan -- Take a step back in time and find lots of things to do when you visit Mackinac Island by horseback or bike--no cars allowed!
Northwest Michigan Activities & Things to Do> -- While in Northwest Michigan, visit beaches and lighthouses, antiques, art galleries, casinos and wineries and breweries, and more.
West Michigan Things to Do -- Check this site out for our largest list of West Michigan Activities.
Eastern Wisconsin Things to Do -- There are a variety of activities in Eastern Wisconsin. Visit an amusement park, take a train or trolley tour, go kayaking, go for a cruise, visit a lighthouse, check out a garden, visit Lambeau Field, home to the Green Bay Packers, and much more.