Every summer we hope for better at the Terrace Inn (1911 Restaurant) in Bay View, MI--but it…read morecontinues to disappoint. The location is fabulous, set in the beautiful historic Bay View Association with that classic Northern Michigan charm and classic views. The inn has a wonderful string of history, and you can tell the new owners are pouring everything they have into it. Unfortunately, the bar drinks, menu items, and especially the service just don't deliver at a level that matches the setting or the prices. We've seen this pattern over multiple seasons. It's tough to attract and retain great seasonal staff in the area (a real challenge for many spots up here), but at this point the execution falls short of what the property deserves. Hoping the team can turn it around--we'd love to be raving fans of this local landmark.

7/3/2026 Very good service! We all had the prix fixe at $57 with a $67 bottle of Quilt Cabernet…read more Very Very good cedar plank white fish and balcony atmosphere. We Will definitely be back for the CARROT CAKE And Plank! It was one of the top 3 home made cakes that we have had!

This avid Michigan State Park fan is now hooked on Elkwood. Clean, safe, large sites with water and…read moreelectricity made our grownup kids' group fun even more fun. Large beautiful swimming pool, pavilion for gatherings while COVID distancing with electrical outlets and lights. Location made kayaking the northern lower peninsula rivers a breeze. Family friendly. Hosts Kelley and Tom went out of their way to make our stay comfortable and welcoming. Will definitely return.

First time visiting the Petoskey area over the 4th of July. We booked the Sweetheart room for two…read morenights. The property was covered in a variety of flowers and trees and had many different native birds as well. We do not have horses and there is a barn for them if you want. There are many trails in the area and one is right across the road. The owner is super friendly and knowledgeable of the area and is also a superb cook! The breakfasts were plentiful and had a good variety for any pallet. If you explore downtown Petoskey make sure you book a cruise on the ferry and explore Bay Harbor or Harbor Springs. It's only $10 round trip per person! With the current climate, once a room is booked the others are not rented out so you have the property to yourself. We will be back and stay again for sure!

Perfect evening on the water! Our large family booked two back to back tours and each group…read moreenjoyed. Wonderful tour full of history from retired teacher from harbor springs high school. Boat is beautiful and it was fun to see Harbor from the water!

The Pointer Boat, has quite a history that matches the community in which it is set: Harbor Point…read moreand Harbor Springs. The boat was originally commissioned to carry supplies, teachers, musicians and more from the main part of Harbor Springs out to the residence of Harbor point which it did until the mid 60s. The residents of Harbor Point couldn't do this themselves because it's an exclusive community. You get the gist -money and privilege. The boat ride was a little over an hour long and took us up and down the coast line with a great narration at least the parts we heard. There were 12 people on the boat which is the capacity plus the captain and first mate. Captain and first mate are great individuals but neither one of them could clearly articulate what they were trying to share on top of the wind and engine noise. At the end of the trip, we suggested they use a microphone. They said oh yeah that's a great idea we will have to consider that. Now really this boat has been in service doing this over decades and no one else has mentioned this?! I would venture to guess they are not allowed by the residents. The boat is docked behind Stafford's pier restaurant. When the restaurant is open, a drink can be purchased from their bar to enjoy while on the boat tour. Unfortunately for us, the restaurant was not open due to the lack of people to staff it. So sad! I would not say this is in any way a luxury tour. You are sitting on hardwood benches. And you need to be somewhat agile as you are stepping down four stairs that are steep from the dock to the bottom of the boat. The boat tour Is intended to provide an overview of the city and its history. I would have given it four stars if we had been able to hear the narration.

This rustic state park is one of our favorites. The scenery is gorgeous, with miles of sandy and…read morerocky beachfront, walking trails, 5-mile road for biking and spacious wooded lots and a prized few water front lots. There is firewood and ice at the check-in station which is very convenient. T h e grounds are well maintained and the vault toilet stalls are mostly clean (though can become odiferous when the park is full). It is usually the case that visitors to the rustic parks are more respectful of the quiet. We are bird watchers and always love spying the eagles and variety of other birds in the area. Close to the town of Charlevoix, there are plenty of options for sight seeing, eating and finding supplies. Beautiful area of our state.

If you love collecting Michigan rocks, come to this lovely state park. You can take the short trail…read moredown to the water, where you will find rocks om the sand. The park is secluded, and we only saw about 5 others there during the duration of our stay. It appears that because this location is not so heabily populated, you can find some Charlevoix and Petoskey rocks in the water as wel as on the rock bed. You just have to know what to look for. I suggest finding a walking stick for the water. It helps guide you, and it helps you move some rocks. The next time I come here I definitely want to bring a sifter because I saw so many cute tiny ones with the rock pile. My twchnique was to pull the ones near the water down, and I found quite a bit this way. James used the stick to look in the water, where you will find medium to large rocks. Overall the secluded atmosphere is soothing and relaxing.

Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone.... Its our fourth visit to this boutique hotel on the eastern edge of…read moreWalloon Lake, it's our treat to ourselves when we need a getaway, it has all one would expect, clean rooms, attentive staff, small plate breakfast and evening hors douvre s along with dessert items after the dinner hour for those that don't need a full meal, and snacky stuff in between. And the bar is open late afternoon till .... You can't go wrong visiting, with walkable dining options available too, or just visit the general store, a block away for takeout food and full beverage options.

If you live in Michigan, and haven't stayed here during Christmas then you haven't been taking…read moreadvantage of probably one of the best vacations this state has to offer. This cozy hotel, nestled near Petosky and surrounded by many wineries, is the most fabulous boutique hotel. The outdoor trees are beautifully decorated and it makes you feel like you're in a hallmark movie. As we drove up, and parked we were met by an employee who knew our names and took our bags to our room. Felt like I was in Dubai getting VIP status service again. Our check-in was swift, and we were given a tour of the downstairs which had an amazing bar with a roaring fire, and free snacks and waters. It also had a small gym, and a game room containing a billiards table. Once we finally got to the room we were so shocked. The room was massive and absolutely breath taking. The bed was extremely comfortable, and the sheets were super soft. The highlight was the outdoor patio. We got a room on the first floor. The patio came enclosed with heaters so that you can go out and look out at the lake and not freeze. During Christmas they put a Christmas tree on each patio. Very romantic and festive. Service is, by far, the number one thing about this place. The hotels beauty is obvious, but it only goes so far if the service isn't there. We loved every minute of our stay. The bartender in the evening was the best. We sat there for hours and just chatted. He was very personable, and fun to talk to. We also wanted to use the jacuzzi, so the front desk employee went, and opened it up for us even though it was freezing outside. They also let us stay 20 minutes past the hours of operation without question. There were many more things we didn't do like snow shoeing on the lake, but they offer many things for kids, families, or outdoor enthusiasts. Overall, this was probably one of the best vacations we have had. From the service to Amenities they checked every box. If you are looking for romance, or even a family get away then this place is a must. We also took advantage of the wineries in the area. They are still open in the winter. I wish I would of snapped more photos for all to see, but I was wanted to live in the moment and not technology. This place has won many awards as a top wine hotel in the country. Just make sure you call way in advance for reservations. They book up extremely early. We booked a year in advance.

The guy running the ferry was exceptional. A great ride. We arrived early, car 1 of 4. Boarded…read morefirst, un boarded 1st. Cost $5.

A four car cable ferry that crosses Lake Charlevoix and began operating in 1876, when the operator…read moretook passengers across the lake in a rowboat. The ferry is a unique experience and you can't beat the view on a beautiful fall day. The cost is $3.00, takes about 10 minutes, and runs April through November. Check out the original fares on the sign from 1884

A really nice place that you've likely passed by for years. Quit passing by! Stop in. It's free…read more Walk the trail back to the beautiful crystal clear ponds packed with rainbow and brook trout. Bring your children. Bring your dogs on a leash (and pick up after them.) This place is a gem. https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79133_79207_81179---,00.html

This was a fun stop for our family. My boys loved the train filled with great historical…read moreinformation. We also saw a lot of large trout in the stream and checked out the information center. Check out this great stop!