If you're staying at The Monarch on Lance Lake, one of the best parts about your vacation is that you're close enough to enjoy Northern Michigan's most popular destinations while returning to a peaceful waterfront retreat at the end of the day.
Petoskey is one of our favorite day trips. With charming downtown streets, incredible restaurants, wineries, beaches, shopping, and beautiful Lake Michigan views, it's easy to spend an entire day exploring.
Here's how we'd spend the perfect day in Petoskey.
Start Your Morning at The Monarch
Before heading out, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the peaceful waterfront at The Monarch.
Watch the lake wake up from the dock, enjoy breakfast on the patio, or take a quick paddle around Lance Lake before hitting the road.
The drive to Petoskey takes about 40-45 minutes, making it an easy and scenic morning trip.
Explore Downtown Petoskey's Gaslight District
The heart of Petoskey is its historic Gaslight District.
Tree-lined streets are filled with locally owned boutiques, bookstores, gift shops, art galleries, and specialty stores.
Some favorites include:
- McLean & Eakin Booksellers
- Grandpa Shorter's Gifts
- Cutler's
- North Goods
- Between the Covers
Even if shopping isn't on your agenda, the downtown area is worth exploring just for its atmosphere.
Hunt for a Petoskey Stone
You can't visit Petoskey without looking for the area's famous fossilized coral.
The best places include:
- Petoskey State Park
- Magnus Park Beach
- Bayfront Park
The best time to search is after waves have stirred the shoreline or early in the morning before other visitors arrive.
Don't forget to bring a small bucket—you might get lucky!
Enjoy Lunch Downtown
Petoskey has no shortage of excellent restaurants.
Some local favorites include:
Roast & Toast
Perfect for:
- Breakfast
- Sandwiches
- Coffee
- Casual lunches
City Park Grill
One of Petoskey's most iconic restaurants.
Known for:
- Steaks
- Burgers
- Historic atmosphere
- Excellent cocktails
Palette Bistro
Great for:
- Outdoor dining
- Flatbreads
- Seafood
- Mediterranean-inspired dishes
The Side Door Saloon
A favorite for casual food, burgers, pizza, and craft beer.
Spend the Afternoon Wine Tasting
Northern Michigan has become one of the Midwest's premier wine destinations.
A few excellent wineries near Petoskey include:
Walloon Lake Winery
Beautiful tasting room with local wines and cider.
Petoskey Farms Vineyard & Winery
Known for:
- Wine flights
- Outdoor seating
- Hard cider
- Gorgeous countryside views
Resort Pike Cidery & Winery
A fun stop offering:
- Hard cider
- Fruit wines
- Relaxed atmosphere
Crooked Vine Vineyard & Winery
A small boutique winery with a peaceful setting just outside Petoskey.
Visit Bayfront Park
If the weather is nice, don't miss Bayfront Park.
You'll find:
- Walking trails
- Marina views
- Playgrounds
- Beach access
- Incredible views of Little Traverse Bay
It's also a wonderful place to enjoy an ice cream while watching boats come and go.
Drive the Tunnel of Trees
If you have extra time, take M-119 north toward Harbor Springs.
The famous Tunnel of Trees is one of Michigan's most scenic drives, especially during the fall.
Along the way you'll discover:
- Scenic overlooks
- Small art galleries
- Local shops
- Historic churches
- Hidden beaches
Even driving a portion of the route is worth the detour.
Visit Petoskey State Park
Petoskey State Park offers:
- Sandy beaches
- Swimming
- Hiking trails
- Dunes
- Petoskey stone hunting
It's one of the area's most popular outdoor destinations for good reason.
Grab Ice Cream Before Heading Home
No Northern Michigan day trip feels complete without ice cream.
A few popular spots include:
- Kilwins
- Yummies
- JoJo's ShakeBAR (seasonal)
Enjoy your treat while walking through downtown or along the waterfront.
Return to The Monarch
After a full day exploring Petoskey, there's something special about returning to your own private waterfront cottage.
Instead of driving back to a busy hotel, you'll come home to:
- A peaceful evening on Lance Lake
- Kayaks, a row boat, and paddleboat waiting at the dock
- Fishing just steps from the cottage
- Dinner on the grill
- A game room for friendly competition
- A campfire under the stars
The best vacations balance adventure with relaxation—and The Monarch gives you both.
Make The Monarch Your Northern Michigan Home Base
One of the biggest advantages of staying at The Monarch is its location.
While many visitors choose to stay directly in busy tourist towns, you'll enjoy a quiet lakeside retreat while remaining within easy driving distance of many of Northern Michigan's best destinations.
Popular day trips include:
- Petoskey (30-35 minutes)
- Harbor Springs (45-50 minutes)
- Mackinaw City (35 - 40 minutes)
- Mackinac Island (35-40 minutes + ferry time)
- Cheboygan (30 minutes)
- Gaylord (20 minutes)
- Indian River (10 minutes)
Each day can be a new adventure, and every evening ends back on the peaceful shores of Lance Lake.
Whether you're shopping downtown, tasting local wines, searching for Petoskey stones, or simply enjoying the view along Lake Michigan, Petoskey makes for an unforgettable day trip—and The Monarch is the perfect place to call home while you explore Northern Michigan.
