Step Into a Storybook in Northern Michigan

Before heading out of the city, stop for breakfast at the fan-favorite local joint named The Omelette Shoppe. Known for their signature omelettes and house-made baked goods, the diner is a staple breakfast that can't be missed while in town. Order extra sandwiches to bring with you for a picnic later for lunch.

Head over to the Torch Lake region and park your car at Alden Marine & Sport, where you will rent kayaks for 1-2 hours to paddle out to the Torch Lake Sandbar.

Take a kayak through the green and blue crystal clear waters at Torch Lake, once ranked by National Geographic as the third most beautiful lake in the world. The lake is famous for its Caribbean-like waters and sandy bottoms.
After renting a kayak from Alden Marine, paddle five minutes from the launch point to the sandbar, a popular docking point to view shockingly clear waters and enjoy Northern Michigan lake life. Travelers can also splurge on boats if they'd like to spend the day on the lake, but for a quick trip, we recommend kayaking through the waters in the morning before the crowds sweep in. Pack a small lunch bag or cooler to bring with you out on the water to enjoy lunch.
Visit their website to book a kayak rental.

Take a self-guided tour to spot self-taught architect Earl Young’s Mushroom Houses, which are often referred to as gnome and hobbit houses for their storybook, mushroom-like structures made of stone and natural elements.
Starting in 1919 and continuing into the '70s, Young created over two dozen eccentric houses in Charlevoix, Michigan using limestone, stones, and boulders he found throughout Northern Michigan. Young didn't have a formal degree and never used blueprints; he designed by instinct and sought to respect the surroundings, chasing harmony between land and house.
You can view the houses with a self-guided tour map, linked here, or take a guided golf cart tour to hear a more detailed history of the houses from an expert guide. Book here for a guided tour.

Walk the grounds at Castle Farms, a Normandy-like castle dating back a hundred years. The castle is often used as an event and wedding venue for its beauty and elegant structure, but the castle boasts manicured gardens and a museum for visitors to explore. Spend your time leisurely admiring the gardens and koi pond. Peruse through the castle to learn about its history and architecture.
Note the venue is closed on Sundays and Mondays. If that is the case, you can still drive by the castle to see its exterior, but continue downtown to explore the shops and pier instead.

Drive northeast alongside the shores of the Little Traverse Bay until you reach Petoskey, the last coastal town you will visit on the trip. Petoskey is known for its resort community, Victorian architecture and homes lining the downtown streets, and one birthplace of the Michigan state stone, the Petoskey stone. Ernest Hemingway famously inhabited the Petoskey region in the summers during his early life.
Walk the lakeside streets then have dinner at Palette Bistro, a Mediterranean-style café offering views of the bay and gourmet entrees.

End your northern Michigan trip on the shores of Petoskey. Reflect on the history and culture of the Lake Michigan region, and appreciate all the views and adventures you embarked on along your long weekend journey.
If you need a hotel to stay for the night, check the available options via this link: Book Now