I unfortunately cannot tell you, from a true "buyers' point of view", how this yacht club compares…read moreto others located on Great Lakes. To be extremely clear, my parents are the long-time, hard workers who earned their ability to afford the fees associated with this family vacation spot. But I hope you still see some value in my review, because sometimes a visitor's outlook can be the most powerful selling point; your children/grandchildren will love coming to visit you, not only because you are awesome parents, but because you live in a really cool place with lots of fun activities. Where to begin?
This spot.......just....speechless, hands down, I see God, beautiful. Even without currently owning a boat, our family still has the best time at the Bay Harbor Yacht Club. Located just 70 miles north of Traverse City, this well kept secret offers world class comfort and amenities.
For starters, you can enjoy their pool where many parents swim with their kids and order refreshments poolside. If you want to stay in shape during your visit, the club has a decent workout center that doesn't get too crowded. They offer instructor-guided classes such as yoga, pilates, cardio, and even (according to my mom) stretching seminars. If you like to run, the surrounding neighborhood is fun to get lost in. For avid cyclists, feel free to journey from the yacht club to the neighboring city of Charlevoix or Harbor Springs; both are about 14 miles away in opposing directions. The beautiful bicycle path was recently completed for the entire 30-mile stretch hugging Little Traverse Bay, and I guarantee you'd be hard pressed to find a more beautiful bike path anywhere else. Remember to take your camera.
If you're bored with pools, walk to their man-made sand beach and go swimming. You can also rent a kayak, paddleboat, or two-seater sailboat to go explore the bay and examine mega yachts up close. From the shore, you can comfortably lounge under an umbrella, or you may choose to build a tan along with some sand castles. There is a swing-set available for your tiny adventurers, but it might take some convincing to get them to stop hunting for tiny beach-crabs near the shore. The club also provides a food stand where you may order picnic-like nibbles like PB&J sandwiches, hotdogs, beer, juice, and sodas.
The ground level of the BHYC is where you can find the bar. They offer your typical cocktails, but they throw in a few diverse drink indulgences as well. My favorite coffee drink can be found at this bar titled the "Awesome Coffee". If you like banana's foster because of the fire element, you will enjoy this drink and how it's made.
Surrounding the bar is the banquet space that offers a cliffside view of the harbor, surrounding villages, sunset, and boats/mega yachts coming and going. I'm not sure who their chef is at the moment, but the menu is always inventive and the food is never disappointing.
Neighboring Cities:
The Village of Bay Harbor shares the same harbor as the actual yacht club and it only takes a short walk, jog, bike-ride, or tiny drive to reach. Just off of Front Street in the village is the boat ramp where you can meet with water ski and wave-runner rental companies. Just call ahead because they don't house their rentals in the harbor; they drive in and drop off. You can find many upscale fashion stores, art/restored-car galleries, wine shops, ice cream parlors, delis, high-end grocers, or restaurants. My favorite casual spot is The Knot where you will find a new standard for comparing Fish 'n Chips. You can also have your name painted onto their walls in boat-print if you try all of their 69 beers; not in one sitting of course. For breakfast, an absolute "must" is The Original Pancake House. Holy omelets, my mouth just watered thinking about their fluffy-fluffy pancakes.
Petoskey is only four miles up the road and offers your more typical amenities. It has reasonably priced grocers, liquor stores, a movie theater, Walmart, coffee shops, boutique hardware stores (LOVE), parks, the famous St. Francis Xavier Cathedral for a dose of traditional mass, and some awesome Chinese food at Hu Nan.
Harbor Springs is only a 15 mile drive from the club and viewable across Little Traverse Bay. It would be a waste not to pay a visit here on your trip. If you enjoy French architecture and gardens, art, homemade ice cream, bicycles, classic boats (the Ford Family Yacht can sometimes be seen here), make the trip over via car, boat, or bike. This city is also home to Nub's Nob offering a variety of short ski runs from bunny to black in the winter. In the city center one can find the Holy Childhood of Jesus Roman Catholic Church for a more contemporary Catholic Mass.
Atop the daily activities, Bay Harbor offers numerous annual events, activities and celebrations. You have to be a door nob to be bored. For an up to date list of events, please visit http://www.villageatbayharbor.com/events/events.aspx. Come Up North!
