Petoskey is nestled in the rolling hills overlooking Little Traverse
Bay. The surrounding countryside is beautifull and the sunsets over
Lake Michigan are nothing less than spectacular. The area combines
small town charm with many of the advantages of a larger city.
Shopping in Petoskey is excellent. Department stores and nationally
known retailers are just the beginning. In the downtown Gaslight
District there is a wide variety of specialty shops. Many have a
local flavor while others have their origins from coast to coast.
Every summer the sidewalk sales are a favorite.
There are many cultural and educational opportunities to be found in
Petoskey. The Virginia McCune Community Arts Center has a performing
arts theater, display galleries, and studios for teaching. The McCune
Center also sponsors outdoor concerts and local art shows. On the
north side of town the Bay View Association is host to concerts,
theater, opera and dance programs. The Little Traverse Bay History
Museum, in the old railroad depot on the Petoskey waterfront, exhibits
displays of local and regional history. The Bay View Assosiation
offers adlut classes during the summer in a variety of subjects or you
can earn credit toward your degree at North Central Michigan College.
The Petoskey area has over 60 hotels, motels, inns, condos, and bed and
breakfasts. They range from historic old hotels with scenic views to
modern inns with all the amenities you would expect, including indoor
pools, saunas, and nightly entertainment. There are numerous camping
facilities in the area as well.
Outdoor activites are year round. Petoskey is just minutes away from
some of the finest skiing in the midwest and there are miles of
snowmobile trails. The many golf courses in the area offer a challenge
for every skill level. There is great fishing here as well, from
charter trips on Lake Michigan to wading the shallows of the Bear
River and everything in between. Nearby inland lakes like Crooked Lake,
Pickerell Lake, and Walloon Lake are great for fishing, boating, and
swimming.
Petoskey's parks offer a wide range of opportunities. Bayfront Park
has a full service marina facility, a historical museum, and fastpitch
softball field, and picnic area. Visitors can search the shore for
Petoskey stones or just sit back and enjoy a postcard perfect sunset.
Magnus Park provides a playground and a swimming beach for those brave
at heart. It is available for day use or overnight camping.
Between Bayfront and Magnus is Bear River Park. It is a rustic natural
park which follows the river for over a mile upstream and the fishing
is excellent. You can almost forget that it is in the middle of a city.
The Petoskey Winter Sports Park has a hill with a tow rope for sledding
or skiing. Two of the most popular features are an ice hockey rink and
a large outdoor skating rink. The Park is the focus of the Winter
Carnival which is held in February.
No matter what your interests are, no matter what the season, Petoskey
has something for everyone.
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