We say this all the time. One of the things we love most about Traverse City is that it makes such a great home base for exploring Northern Michigan.
There is plenty to see and do close to home, but sometimes it is fun to jump in the car and spend the day exploring another Northern Michigan town.
When our kids were small, we were always heading off on some kind of adventure. Now that Patrick and Lauren have Dyer Lake Vacation Home, Patrick is doing the same thing with his family. It has been fun watching another generation discover some of the places we have enjoyed over the years.
One of their favorite day trips is Charlevoix, a little over an hour north of Traverse City.
They love exploring the quaint downtown, walking along the water, and, of course, searching for Petoskey stones and Charlevoix stones along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Best of all, Charlevoix is close enough that you can leave Dyer Lake after breakfast, enjoy a full day of exploring, and still make it back in time for dinner and maybe even a sunset.
Heading to Charlevoix
There are so many family friendly and adult friendly things to do in Charlevoix that deciding where to start can be the hardest part.
We usually like to spend some time downtown, especially if we can time our visit to see the Charlevoix Memorial Drawbridge in action. The drawbridge is scheduled to open on the hour and half hour when a boat needs to pass through, so catching it in action can be a little hit or miss. We always try to time our downtown visit just right
The double leaf bascule bridge opened in June 1949 and carries US 31 across the Pine River Channel, which connects Round Lake with Lake Michigan. During the boating season, the bridge regularly opens to allow larger boats to travel through the channel.
Here is a fun bit of history. The current bridge is the fifth bridge to cross the channel. The first was a pedestrian bridge built in the 19th century.
There are walkways along both sides of the channel, making this a nice place to slow down and watch the boats. Follow the southern walkway toward Lake Michigan and you can make your way to the South Pier Lighthouse and the beach.
It is an easy little adventure right from downtown.
Find the Mushroom Houses
Another Charlevoix tradition for our family is driving through the neighborhoods near downtown looking for the famous Mushroom Houses. You may also hear them called Hobbit Houses, and once you see them, you will understand why.
More than 20 of these unusual homes were created by Earl Young, a self taught designer and builder who spent much of his life working in Charlevoix.
Instead of forcing his homes to fit a traditional style, Young worked with the natural landscape and the stones he found around Northern Michigan. The result is a collection of homes that look like they belong in a storybook.
Some have authentic thatched roofs. Others have roofs that seem to ripple and flow. One of our favorites is the Owl House, built with granite and featuring two large round windows that look a little like owl eyes.
Many of the homes can be found around Park Avenue, Grant Street, and Clinton Street, so it is easy to include a drive through the neighborhood while you are downtown.
Just remember that these are private homes. Enjoy the view from the street and be respectful of the people who live there.
Explore Castle Farms
If you have more time, Castle Farms is another fun stop. Be warned, though. It is pretty easy to spend much more time here than you planned.
Castle Farms was built in 1918 by Albert Loeb, who was acting president of Sears, Roebuck & Co. It began as a working dairy farm modeled after the stone barns and castles Loeb had seen in Europe.
After Loeb’s death in 1924, the property went through several different chapters.
Eventually, Castle Farms became one of Northern Michigan’s best known concert venues. Over the years, performers including Aerosmith, Heart, Bob Seger, Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard appeared there.
Today, Castle Farms is a much quieter place, but there is still plenty to explore.
Families can wander through the gardens, visit the ponds, look for gnomes in the Enchanted Forest, explore the Alphabet Garden, and tackle the hedge maze. There are also model trains running overhead and a dragon named Norm waiting to be discovered.
It is one of those places where kids and adults tend to find completely different things they enjoy.
Hit the Trails and Beaches
If your family would rather spend the day outdoors, Charlevoix has some wonderful places to explore.
Two of our favorites are Mt. McSauba Recreation Area and Fisherman’s Island State Park.
Both offer opportunities to enjoy the Lake Michigan shoreline, hike, explore, and spend some time on the beach.
Mt. McSauba is worth remembering in winter, too. The recreation area offers downhill skiing, cross country skiing, and ice skating when conditions cooperate.
Fisherman’s Island State Park is another great choice when you want to trade downtown sidewalks for woods, trails, and Lake Michigan views.
And yes, this is another good place to keep your eyes open for Petoskey stones.
Stop at Depot Beach
Depot Beach Park sits along Lake Charlevoix and is an easy stop for families.
There is a beach, playground, picnic pavilion, and restrooms, which can make it especially convenient when you are traveling with kids.
While you are there, take a few minutes to visit the historic Charlevoix Train Depot. The depot is more than 100 years old and is a nice reminder of an earlier era when visitors arrived in Northern Michigan by rail.
Save Some Time for Downtown
Before heading back to Traverse City, leave a little time for a stroll along Bridge Street.
Downtown Charlevoix has small shops, boutiques, restaurants, and plenty of places to wander. You can window shop, do some real shopping, stop for lunch, or pick up a souvenir from your day.
One of the Fancy kids’ favorite stops is Celeste Murdick’s Fudge. A Northern Michigan adventure involving fudge is usually a pretty easy sell with the kids.
If you are thinking ahead to dinner, you can also stop at John Cross Fisheries for fresh fish to bring back to Dyer Lake.
Then it is time for the easy drive back to Traverse City.
Back to Dyer Lake
That is what we enjoy so much about taking a day trip to Charlevoix.
You can spend the day hunting for stones, watching boats pass through the drawbridge, exploring Mushroom Houses, hiking along Lake Michigan, visiting a castle, shopping downtown, or simply finding a beach and enjoying the view.
Then you can head back to Dyer Lake, put your feet up, and relax after a full day of exploring.
We will be sharing more of our favorite Northern Michigan day trips, including places our family has enjoyed over the years and some new adventures Patrick and his family are discovering along the way.
Because one of the best things about staying in Traverse City is just how much of Northern Michigan you can explore from here.
👉 Plan your Northern Michigan getaway
Many guests choose to book directly with us to avoid extra platform fees and save a little on their stay. We are always happy to answer questions and help you feel comfortable with the process.
If you prefer using Airbnb, that option is available as well. We want you to book in the way that feels easiest for you.
When you are ready, you can check availability and reserve your dates below.
Book Direct & Save | Book on Airbnb
Our home has been part of our family’s story for years, and because Patrick and Lauren spend so much time here themselves, they make sure it is stocked with the same comforts and conveniences they appreciate. We hope your family creates just as many wonderful memories here as ours has.