Things to do

Food and drink

Farm markets, orchards, wineries and harvest festivals across the region.

The region’s orchards, farms and wineries shape many trips, especially in summer and fall. This guide describes them in general terms and does not rank or recommend individual businesses.

Places for food and drink

Where to eat is covered town by town, with breakfast spots, casual meals, sweet stops and dinners worth booking. Pick a town:

Recommended towns for food and drink

Towns an independent source (such as the DNR, the National Park Service or Pure Michigan) singles out for this. Listed by town size, not ranked.

A red pier light at the end of a channel lined with a blue railing and large rocks, under a cloudy sky.

Charlevoix & Petoskey

Charlevoix

For boaters, beachgoers and first-timers: a harbor town where three lakes meet, with a summer drawbridge, a pier lighthouse and Earl Young's stone houses.

A red pierhead lighthouse building at the end of a pier, with a few small figures walking nearby.

Southern Gateway

Grand Haven

A Lake Michigan beach city on the Grand River: a state park beach, a pier walk to two red lights, a riverfront boardwalk and free Musical Fountain shows.

A railed pier along the water under a streaked orange and purple sunset sky.

Ludington & Manistee

Ludington

A Lake Michigan harbor town for beach and lighthouse trips, with the S.S. Badger car ferry and a big dune state park just north of town.

Mackinac & Straits

Mackinac Island

A car-free island in the Straits of Mackinac. Bike or walk from a busy harbor town to an old fort and a state park that covers most of the island.

Charlevoix & Petoskey

Petoskey

A walkable bay town for stone hunting, shopping the Gaslight District and riding the Little Traverse Wheelway, with historic Bay View next door.

A weathered wooden pier extending into calm turquoise water at sunset.

Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes

Traverse City

A bayfront city at the head of Grand Traverse Bay, with a walkable Front Street downtown, bay beaches, cherry orchards and two wine peninsulas close by.