There are a lot of great things to do in the Charlevoix area. Because everyone enjoyed our first blog post with ideas for first-time travelers, we’ve compiled another list! If you haven’t read our first-time traveler blog, click here to read the blog. Here are twelve things you may not have known about the Charlevoix area.
Play a round of golf and disc golf Nestled between three beautiful lakes, the Charlevoix area boasts five different golf courses with a variety of challenging features and breathtaking views. Whether you’re looking for a challenging short links course of the Belvedere, municipally priced rounds at the Charlevoix Golf Club, or the awe-inspiring views of Dunmaglas, Charlevoix has it all. If you like disc golfing, head over to Mt. McSauba to try your hand at a challenging 18-hole course.
Take an Orchard Tour Northern Michigan is home to numerous orchards. Depending on when you visit, the orchards will either have lots of cherries or apples. Stop by Royal Orchard or Bolts Farm in the fall to try your luck at their yearly corn mazes. During the summer and fall, take an orchard tour at Friske Orchards. Finally, go fruit picking, it’s a blast.
Visit the Cultural Corridor The Cultural Corridor is comprised of the Charlevoix Public Library,Charlevoix Circle of Arts, and Charlevoix Historical Society. This unique collection of attractions is open to the public, offering an awesome variety of guest lectures, concerts, exhibits, classes, kid’s activities and so much more!
Sign up for a guided tour of the mushroom houses This one is a given. Earl Young’s mushroom houses are pretty cool. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Charlevoix. If you’ve taken a self-guided tour, we would highly encourage you to take a guided tour with Edith from Mushroom House Tours. Not only will you learn something new about the mushroom houses, but you’ll also have a great time! Edith is a master storyteller so you’re sure to enjoy yourself.
Try a wine tour You’ve probably heard about all the wineries in Traverse City, but have you heard of the Petoskey Wine Region? The wine region features wineries throughout Charlevoix, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Indian River. Visit their website to see all that the wine region has to offer.
Book a fishing charter For those of you that like fish, booked a fishing charter with any of Charlevoix helpful captains. Not only are these charters extremely knowledgeable about local fishing, but they will also help you catch some truly epic-sized fish!
Walk in the steps of Hemingway Ernest Hemingway spent his boyhood summers in Northern Michigan. Visit this famous author’s former stomping grounds by taking a self-guided tour. Click here for more info.
Bike the Wheelway Whether you choose to bike the entire 26.2 miles of the Wheelway or a shorter distance, this bike trail winds its way along the shores of Lake Michigan. This non-motorized trail is a favorite of ours!
Catch the Northern Lights or dark sky There’s nothing like the night sky. If you visit during the winter months or on a clear night in the summer, you may have the opportunity to see the Northern Lights. Visit during the month of August to view the Persoid Meteor shower. On most clear nights, the stars are bright and the Milky Way is fabulous.
Ride the Ironton Ferry This one is a favorite of ours! You don’t need to rent a boat to experience Lake Charlevoix. Simply take a ride on the Ironton Ferry. It’s very inexpensive to ride the ferry, enjoy water views, and check something unique off your bucket list.
Get your picture taken in front of the pie An oldy, but a goody. Charlevoix’s former record holding cherry pie plate. This quirky city feature is a fun place to stop and get a picture. It’s not every day you’re going to see a gigantic pie plate.
45th Parallel Another great picture opportunity. If you’re traveling between Charlevoix and Traverse City/Elk Rapids/Torch Lake, you will have the opportunity to see the 45th parallel sign. This is another fun item to check off your bucket list, “halfway to the equator and north pole.”
