Petoskey offers year-round outdoor fun and scenic lake views
Petoskey is a small Northern Michigan city that promotes outdoor recreation across all four seasons. It has over 1,000 acres of parkland and 8 miles of shore along Lake Michigan. Its location, on Little Traverse Bay, allows for large waterfront estates and sunset walks on the sandy beaches. There are also many local eateries and shops in Petoskey that are frequented by residents and summer tourists. “It’s just a lovely, safe, clean town,” says Stephanie Jones, associate broker and Realtor with Kidd & Leavy Real Estate, who lives in the Petoskey area. “We have a historic walkable downtown with all the charm in the world."
Scenic parks overlook the bay and connect to a 26-mile trail
Parks, recreation areas and hiking trails are a big draw to the area. "East Park is a hidden little gem,” Jones says. “It’s a small park, but it borders Bay Harbor and it overlooks Little Traverse Bay. It’s a really beautiful setting.” Petoskey State Park is known for its hundreds of feet of sugar sand beaches and calm waters. Bayfront Park doesn’t offer swimming, but it is home to the city marina and has access to the Little Traverse Wheelway. The 26-mile trail runs from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix. There are also many spots for fishing on the bay, including the Bear River Valley Recreation Area.
Victorian homes and new cottages add variety to Petoskey streets
Petoskey has various architectual styles, from Victorian homes and newly built cottages, downtown, to luxury coastal-inspired estates along the water. Many of the larger bayfront homes are in a section of Petoskey called Bay Harbor. “It’s like a country club in a suburban area with tons of amenities,” Jones says. Most smaller bungalows and ranch-style homes range from around $160,000 to $440,000. Larger, two-story properties typically start at about $450,000 and go up to $940,000. Homes over 3,000 square feet are often priced $950,000 to over $8 million. Some condos sell for approximately $200,000 to $600,000, while more luxury condos range from around $730,000 to over $2 million.
Shopping hub offers long-standing stores and new favorites
Downtown Petoskey is a shopping hub for the surrounding areas. Referred to as the Gaslight Shopping District, it has local eateries with extensive wine menus like Chandler’s. Palette Bistro has Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Bay Harbor also has restaurants along the water, like Brandy's Harbortown. “We have a handful of big box stores, but then we have so many wonderful boutique stores that have been around for many years,” Jones says. The city has more specialty grocery stores like Grain Train Natural Foods Market, as well as staples such as Aldi and Meijer.
Annual events include summer festivals and winter celebrations
Petoskey hosts a variety of annual events throughout the year, but Jones says the holidays are a particularly special time in the city. “Holiday Open House is the first Friday of December in downtown, and all the streets are blocked up,” Jones says. “Shops are open late and serve wine, appetizers or hot chocolate. It feels like walking into a Hallmark movie.” The annual Petoskey Stone Festival is a summer celebration with an arts and crafts show.
Petoskey schools offer early college and strong music programs
Public Schools of Petoskey earns an A-minus rating from Niche. Its four elementary schools range between A and B-plus ratings. Petoskey Middle receives an A-minus rating, while Petoskey High scores a B-plus. The high school partners with North Central Michigan College to offer early college and dual enrollment. It also has a successful band program. "The Petoskey Steel Drum Band travels all over the country,” Jones says. “They perform at local festivals in their red double-decker bus.” Concord Academy of Petoskey is a charter school serving kindergarten through 12th grade and earns a B.
Highway, ferry and airport access support regional travel
U.S. Highway 31 runs through the city and leads to Charlevoix and Traverse City to the south. Traffic can get heavy in the summer months because of the influx of tourists, but people can also travel the area by boat. “A lot of people don’t know that in the summertime there is a ferry that goes from Petoskey to Harbor Springs to Bay Harbor,” Jones says. Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City offers about a 40-minute flight to Chicago. The city has a hospital downtown. “McClaren Hospital sits right on the water and hospital rooms have views of the bay,” Jones says. “It’s a big reason medical workers want to work there.”
