Right Here
Downtown Boyne City
12-minute walk from the house. Flat route on residential sidewalks the whole way. Almost everything you need is in a three-block stretch on Lake Street and Water Street.
Fridays, Mid-June through Labor Day, 6 to 9 PM
Stroll the Streets
Downtown shuts down for 8 to 12 live bands on corners and stages, a magician, kids' activities, food vendors, and open patios. Running since 2004. If your stay includes a Friday night in season, just walk to town. boynechamber.com/stroll-the-streets
Wednesdays and Saturdays (May through October), 8 AM to Noon
Farmers Market
One of the best in northern Michigan. Outdoor market at Veterans Park, 207 N Lake St. Moves indoors in winter (Saturdays only, Boyne City Pavilion). boynecityfarmersmarket.org
Social District
Downtown Boyne City is a Michigan Social District. Buy a drink from any participating bar, keep it in the logoed cup, and walk around. Noon to 10 PM daily.
Where to Eat
Restaurants
Most of these are within a 12-minute walk. Our personal picks are marked.
Our top pick in town and a staple of Boyne City. European Bistro with views of Lake Charlevoix. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Live music, bar, and good service.
Boyne City institution. Latin American flavors: Mexican, Caribbean, South American. Best tequila selection in northern Michigan, scratch margaritas. Great for groups, and good service.
Beloved breakfast and lunch spot right on the water. Creative egg dishes, fresh sandwiches, warm local vibe. Gets busy on weekend mornings — arrive early or expect a short wait.
Casual waterfront American grill. Good burgers, fresh fish, laid-back patio.
Classic bar and grill over the Boyne River. Burgers, pizza, fish and chips. Late-night hours Thu to Sat.
Authentic Mexican bar and grill downtown. Tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, solid cocktail program.
Family-owned Chinese and Thai, 21 years in Boyne City. Takeout only. Known for egg rolls and General's Chicken. Mon to Sat, 4 to 8:30 PM.
Get Some Drinks
Bars, Breweries & Distilleries
Boyne City's craft brewery with full kitchen. House-brewed beers. A go-to after a day on the trails. Closed Mondays.
40 rotating handles of craft beer, creative cocktails, solid food menu. Live music.
26 craft beers on tap, full bar, pub menu, and one of the best outdoor patios in town. Open daily from 11 AM.
Genuine craft distillery and cocktail-only bar. House-made spirits, creative cocktails, intimate space. Limited food menu. No beer on tap. Darts in back with quaint outdoor seating — weather permitting.
4,000+ bottles, certified sommelier, 400+ beers, upscale small plates and seafood. Leave the kids at home. Tue to Sat, 3 to 9 PM. No reservations.
Nearby
Worth the Drive
Favorites 10–30 minutes out that are worth building a meal around.
Boyne Falls (10 min)
Classic northern Michigan diner on US-131. If breakfast diners are your thing, you'll love Betty's. Cash only. Mon–Fri, 7 AM–2 PM.
Northern Michigan's best BBQ smokehouse, right at the Boyne Mountain entrance. Smoked brisket, ribs, chicken — done right — with a serious bourbon bar. Fireplace, live music on weekends. Open daily from 11 AM.
Lakeside lunch and dinner overlooking Deer Lake at Boyne Mountain Resort. More upscale, fresh seafood, flatbreads, with expansive outdoor seating. Can handle groups well, and it's a great spot for kids to run around. Pair it with a sunset cruise on the Miss Donna. Reservations recommended. Seasonal — verify hours before visiting.
Toward Charlevoix
Casual fine dining Italian on the road toward Charlevoix. Handmade pastas, wood-fired dishes, warm intimate room. Worth a reservation on weekends.
Walloon Lake Village (10 min)
Ernest Hemingway's boyhood summer spot. Three excellent restaurants within steps of each other: Walloon Lake Inn (finest dining in the area, reservations required), Barrel Back (wood-fired rotisserie and pizza on the water), and Walloon Watershed (upscale cocktail bar and dining room).
Farther Out
A northern Michigan summer classic. Park on the near side, walk onto the historic Ironton Ferry (free for pedestrians, operating since 1876), take the 8-minute ride across the South Arm, walk to the restaurant. Perch, lobster rolls, outdoor seating over the water. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day only — check before visiting.
Bites & Sweets
Coffee, Sweets & Quick Bites
Genuine French bakery. Croissants, Breton crepes, European pastries. Perfect slow morning start.
Small-batch roaster with cafe. Specialty espresso, teas, smoothies, light food.
Best deli in town. Old-world sandwiches, homemade soups, specialty groceries. Tue to Sat, 10 AM to 6 PM. Closed Sun and Mon.
Northern Michigan institution since 1976. Hand-tossed pizzas. Delivers. The easy call for a night in.
A northern Michigan vacation institution. Mackinac Island fudge made fresh in-store, super-premium ice cream, and handmade chocolates right on Water Street. Hours vary seasonally.
Handmade chocolates, homemade ice cream, fudge, truffles, and the famous chocolate-covered potato chips. Grab something and walk across to Sunset Park at the mouth of the Boyne River and catch the sunset. Hours vary seasonally.
Takeout and delivery pizza right on Water Street. Good for a casual night in when you don't want to cook. Mon–Wed & Sun 11 AM–8 PM, Thu–Sat 11 AM–9 PM.
Reliable sandwich chain right downtown. Useful for a quick lunch or building sandwiches before a day trip. Daily 9 AM–9 PM.
Stock Up
Groceries and Provisions
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Family Fare 5 min drive
Full-service grocery. Bakery, deli, drive-through pharmacy. Everything for a week-long stay. 231.582.6654 · 430 N Lake St
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Grain Train Natural Foods
Community-owned co-op. Organic produce, bulk foods, local products. 231.459.4522 · 104 S Park St
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Boyne Provisions
Beer, wine, spirits, deli, snacks, gifts. Part bottle shop, part market. 127 Water St · provisionsbc.com
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Dollar General
Pantry staples, paper goods, basics. Open daily 8 AM to 9 PM. 418 N Lake St · 231.497.1305
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Meijer 20 min drive
Larger superstore in Petoskey for a bigger stock-up run.
Get Outside
Outdoor Recreation
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Peninsula Park Beach 5 min walk
Closest beach from the house. Sandy Lake Charlevoix shoreline with playground, splash pad, picnic area, and restrooms. Walk down Pleasant Ave at the end of Terrace Street.
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Young State Park Beach 10 min drive Host Pick
Wide sandy beach on eastern Lake Charlevoix with swimming zone and 6.5 miles of hiking trails through 563 acres. Requires Michigan Recreation Passport or day fee. Also accessible by bike via the Boyne City to Charlevoix trail. 2280 Boyne City-Charlevoix Rd
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Whiting Park Beach & Campground 10 min drive
About 500 feet of Lake Charlevoix waterfront, with half designated as a swimming area (no lifeguards). Playgrounds, grilling stations, restrooms, and universally accessible facilities. The other half is dog-friendly with boat anchoring. 5820 Lakeshore Rd
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Avalanche Preserve 10 min walk
Best trail system in Boyne City. 8.6 miles of interconnected trails, stunning Lake Charlevoix views from the hilltop, manageable 462-step ascent. Hiking, trail running, mountain biking. In winter: skating, sledding, snowshoeing, fat tire biking. 1129 Wilson St · trail maps on AllTrails and Trailforks
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Boyne Valley Trail
Paved non-motorized trail, Boyne City to Boyne Falls, ~6 miles one way. Flat, easy, great for families.
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Boyne River Nature Trail
Peaceful flat trail following the Boyne River through town. Easy for all fitness levels.
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Young State Park Trails 10 min drive
6.5 miles of wooded trails through rolling hills, lowland terrain, and cedar swamp. Part of the same park as the beach.
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Avalanche Preserve Mountain Biking
8.6 miles of professionally designed trails for all skill levels. One of the best MTB destinations in northern Michigan. tommba.org
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Boyne River — In-Town Paddle
Calm, flat paddle through town. Beginners welcome. Ends near downtown Boyne City.
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Little Traverse Wheelway 20 min drive
26-mile paved trail, Charlevoix to Harbor Springs. Some of the most scenic biking in Michigan, running 10 to 50 feet above Little Traverse Bay. trailscouncil.org
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Jordan River Kayaking 15 min drive
National Wild and Scenic River. Canoe, kayak, raft, and tube rentals with shuttles from Jordan Valley Outfitters. 311 N Lake St, East Jordan · 231.536.0006 · jvoutfitters.com
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Boyne Mountain 10 min drive
Year-round destination. Skiing and snowboarding in winter. SkyBridge Michigan, Avalanche Bay indoor waterpark, championship golf, and Deer Lake beach in summer. boyne.com
Day Trips
Day Trips
Historic Gaslight District, one of the best downtowns in northern Michigan. Petoskey stone hunting on the beaches. Little Traverse Wheelway access for a 26-mile paved trail ride to Harbor Springs.
The working bascule drawbridge goes up every 30 minutes in summer for boat traffic. Earl Young mushroom houses are a must-see. Lake Michigan beach, Castle Farms. Little Traverse Wheelway access.
Ernest Hemingway's boyhood summer spot on the lake. A charming, walkable village with three excellent restaurants — the Walloon Lake Inn, Barrel Back, and Walloon Watershed — all within steps of each other. See Dining above for details.
Jordan River kayaking and the Jordan River National Fish Hatchery (free, educational tours). Beautiful in fall.
Northern Michigan's four-season resort, practically in the backyard. In winter: 415 skiable acres, 65 trails, 10 lifts — one of the best ski destinations in the Midwest. In summer: two championship golf courses, SkyBridge Michigan (a must-see suspension bridge), ziplines, mountain biking, Avalanche Bay Waterpark, and Deer Lake boat cruises. Dining ranges from the lakeside Beach House to the lively Forty Acres Tavern. Worth a half-day any time of year.