Petoskey, Michigan

The charming little resort town of Petoskey sits on the banks of Lake Michigan’s sparkling Little Traverse Bay at the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Bordered by rivers and thick forests, it’s a place that infuses even the most citified soul with a sense of adventure.

In the touristy downtown Gaslight District, shops boast colorful awnings and flowerboxes. Cozy cafes offer tasty dishes. Bookstores do a brisk business. In fact, more than 170 businesses call this historic area home.

Outdoor recreation reigns supreme in this area, from hiking through the Little Traverse Conservancy’s nature preserves and snowshoeing on Boyne Mountain to boating on the Bay. Little Traverse Wheelway is a 26-mile-long bicycle pathway along the water. A nice park sits next to the marina.

Yet a bit of culture is here, too. The Crooked Tree Arts Center has music, art, dance and theatre classes, and the Little Traverse Historical Society provides a unique look into the area’s history. Events include the C.S. Lewis Literature Festival, the Chocoholic Frolic, the Ghost Walk and many more.

Housing stock includes cottages and Victorians near downtown, luxury waterfront homes tucked along the Bay and mid-century ranch ramblers farther inland.