This blog post may contain affiliate links, which may reward me in the event of a sale. I use these funds to reinvest in my blog and to create more great content like this article to share with you! My visit to Charlevoix was sponsored by Visit Charlevoix, however all thoughts & opinions are my own. Disclaimer here.
Charlevoix in northwest Michigan’s lower peninsula, is a beautiful place to visit any time of year. In the summer, it is a popular destination to enjoy its state parks, inland lakes, Lake Michigan beaches, boutiques, and charming attractions. However, Charlevoix and many of its top attractions are open year round. In fact, the best time to visit may just be after the peak summer crowds disperse. My family and I spent a weekend getaway where we explored the best things to do in any season in Charlevoix.
There’s a little something for everyone in Charlevoix. If you love architecture and history, stay in or tour the Earl Young mushroom houses and explore Castle Farms. For nature and scenery lovers, visit Mt McSauba and Fisherman’s Island State Park. Finally, for the art and foodie appreciators, almost all of Charlevoix’s restaurants remain open throughout the year! Now let’s dive into the best things to do in any season in Charlevoix. I’ve also provided a wonderful weekend getaway itinerary to make your trip easy.
~The Best Things to Do All Year in Charlevoix Map ~
~ The Best Things to Do All Year in Charlevoix Summary ~
When: Long weekend away during peak fall color season
Why: My husband and I traveled to Charlevoix years ago during our first getaway we took in Michigan – which was in the dead of winter. Even years ago, Charlevoix offered a number of attractions to visit year round. While many Michiganders think of Charlevoix as a summer destination, there are so many sights and activities you can visit during the off peak travel season.
Time Traveled (1 way): 1 hour from Traverse City, almost 3 hours from Grand Rapids, 3.5 hours from Lansing & Kalamazoo,, 4.25 hours from Detroit, 6 hours from Chicago, 7 hours from Columbus, and 7 hours from Indianapolis
Time Spent at Destination: 3 days
Budget: We spent around $900 total (including gas!) for everything during our getaway to Charlevoix.
Day One: Spend Some Time with Nature
We started off our trip to Charlevoix with some time in nature. First, we enjoyed the massive playground and farmers market at Friske Farm Market. Then we headed to Royal Farms for a libation and to explore their corn maze challenge. While the corn maze is a seasonal attraction, they have something going on all year long to stop and see. As we continued to make our way towards Charlevoix, we then visited the massive and secluded Fisherman’s Island State Park. This state park runs a few miles along the Lake Michigan coast. It is a beautiful destination for all seasons to hunt for rocks, hike, or take in the natural beauty.
Finally, before checking into our hotel and grabbing dinner for the evening, we stopped at one the quirkiest roadside attractions in Northern Michigan – the giant cherry pie! It’s conveniently right off the highway into town, so it needs to be a photo opp for your next trip to Charlevoix!
Friske Farm Market
After our almost three hour drive up to Charlevoix, we were ready to let our toddler loose to wiggle and play. Friske Farm Market is the perfect first stop on the way up to Charlevoix if visiting with a family. Not only is there an expansive farmers market with all kinds of local goodies, but there is a huge outdoor play area for kids. We visited on a Friday, when wristbands to enter the bouncing pillow costs just $1. Our son loved bouncing around and meeting other kids at the playground. He also loved the sand pit with various construction toys to dig and play ‘construction zone’ with.
After we burned off some of that energy playing, we fed some goats (carry quarters!) then picked up some donuts and cider. Come hungry! There’s also a stone-fired pizza place located within the market.
Depending on when you’re visiting, there are you-pick options like strawberries, cherries and apples.
Royal Farms
And just next to Friske’s is Royal Farms – another farm market that offers a number of seasonal you-pick fruit options. Behind their farm market and bakery is a separate building that houses their winery and cider. Order a flight, sample or full glass. During the fall when we visited, we took our drinks into the corn maze! And while Royal is slightly more adult that Friske’s, children are definitely welcome! Another perk at Royal Farms is that dogs are welcome within all the outdoor areas.
Fisherman Island’s State Park
One destination I was very excited to visit was Fisherman’s Island State Park. This state park offers 5 miles of coastline! There is also a rustic campground with spots right along Lake Michigan. Even when others are present, it always feels private and secluded. The park itself is not an island. However there is an island during high water levels (like now), and other times, it is a peninsula.
Fisherman’s Island is an attraction you can never get bored of because it’s just so big! During our stop, we drove as far in as we could until we hit a dead end. Then we walked the small trail to the beach. This is a great spot to visit with little ones in the summer because there is a small, shallow creek that flows out to Lake Michigan. Another noticeable feature is the abundance of rocks and stones on the beach here. If you’re into hunting for Petoskey stones, this is a great park to easily find some. If you’re traveling with a dog, note the beach is not dog friendly, but the hiking trails are.
World’s Largest Cherry Pie Pan
If you’ve never visited Charlevoix before, you need to stop for a photo opp in front of the world’s first largest cherry pie! Back in 1976, Dave Phillips who owned the Grey Gables Inn decided to bake the world’s largest cherry pie as a way to drum up some attention for his business and celebrate the US’ bicentennial. The pie served over 10,000 pieces and used mostly Michigan sourced ingredients. The local cement company helped build the oven to bake it. Even the health department signed off on the pie! After it was baked, the pie weighed 17,420 pounds. Then in 1987, Traverse City took the record from Charlevoix. Sadly, even Traverse City lost this record in 1990 when the town of Oliver in British Columbia, Canada set the new, current record of 37,700 pounds.
Day Two: Appreciate the Arts and Culture
After checking into our gorgeous, Earl Young designed hotel, we agreed day two would be focused on appreciating the local arts and culture of Charlevoix. The day began with filling up on continental breakfast at the Weathervane Terrace Inn before heading a block away to go on the GEM Car Mushroom house tour, which is something everyone needs to do when visiting Charlevoix! The 26 mushroom houses are such a unique sight to see and make Charlevoix a special – even magical town to explore!
Following the tour, we visited the Charlevoix Circle of Arts to appreciate the local art scene. And this is where we learned about some other charming places we had to experience in Charlevoix – like the fairy door scavenger hunt through town! Pick up a map from the Circle of Arts to participate. Then, my family and I stopped for photo opps at the wooden cut outs throughout town. We also enjoyed Hoop Skirt Alley, which had jumbo games like a chess board and jenga.
After a delicious lunch at the people pleasing diner The Villager Pub, we hopped in the car to explore the Raven Hill Discovery Center in East Jordan. This indoor and outdoor museum contains interactive exhibits for all ages, interests and abilities.
Heading back towards Charlevoix, we stopped at the historic Depot Beach Park to enjoy the beautiful day and read about the depots interesting history before going to dinner at the Earl Young designed Stafford’s Weathervane Restaurant. Rounding out our day of art, history and culture, we joined the locals during a seasonal lantern lit walk through the trails of Mt. McSauba at sunset.
GEM Car Tour of the Mushroom Houses
Charlevoix architect Earl A. Young designed whimsical homes and buildings in his hometown between 1918 through the early 1950s. The homes he built look like hobbit homes or mushrooms. Young was inspired by nature and the resources around him with no two homes or buildings designed in the same way.
One fantastic way to see each of Earl Young’s 26 homes is by hopping on a GEM Car Mushroom House tour. The tours operate all year long and take off every hour on the hour between 10am and 4pm. Edith runs the tours and is a Charlevoix local who has a unique and personal perspective of the mushroom houses. There are even opportunities to stop and get pictures!
Tours cost $25 per person. If traveling with kids, kids 6 and under are free if sitting on a lap. The tours start at 106 Park Avenue in downtown Charlevoix. There is a parking lot just next to it that’s free to park in. Feel free to book online or in person, but note, in person booking is subject to availability.
Going on this tour was one of my favorite things we did in Charlevoix. It is one thing to go on a walk around Boulder Park or drive past these unique houses. But it’s another to get an in depth story regarding how it was built, for who, and why that really makes these tours so special.
Another unique story we learned on the tour was about the ‘Great Wall of Charlevoix.’ Earl Young designed a property with a fence that ran from Lake Michigan all the way around the property. Eventually ,the land was subdivided and sold off but the wall remains! The design of the wall was inspired by Lake Michigan and its waves.
Charlevoix Circle of Arts
The Charlevoix Circle of Arts was established in 2008 to promote local art in Charlevoix. It is open year round and features rotating exhibits, classes and events for all ages. It is free to the public to tour. To help support local artists, pop in to check out the gift shop to carry home a unique souvenir!
While we visited, we learned of the Fairy Door scavenger hunt in town for our son to do. They even provided a map and list of doors to check off as we explored.
Raven Hill Discovery Center
The Raven Hill Discovery Center is one of Michigan’s coolest museums. Part science museum, part history museum, and part art museum, Raven Hill has something for everyone to enjoy!
There are indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits. Indoors there is a room of animals to learn about and interact with. There is also a large common area with over a dozen stations sectioned off based on age group. My toddler son stuck to the front of the room where there were a couple marble runs and musical instruments to play. But in the back there is a giant magnet table, electricity generating stations based on movement, dark room & more! Also indoors is one of the Smithsonian’s Main Street exhibits which showcases the history of work & industry in the northern Michigan area.
Outdoors, there are several other exhibits to see such as the musical garden, treehouse in the woods, exploring beyond the Jurassic park walk, and my favorite, the Ancient World. The Ancient World (which you can drive through) brings history books to life by recreating many historically significant structures from civilizations around the world.
Make sure to check out their website to be aware of events and classes they offer!
Admission to Raven Hill is $10 a person. It’s open year round, however in the cooler months, it’s open on the weekends only between 12pm and 4pm.
It’s big so make sure to wear comfy shoes & plan to spend about 2-3 hours here to take advantage of all there is to see.
Depot Beach Park
Depot Beach is a swimmable beach right on Lake Charlevoix. Nearby is the historic train depot, which was built in 1892 and still stands! Even the paint colors of the depot were studied to replicate the original paint color! After passenger trains stopped coming to Charlevoix in 1962, the building changed hands a couple of times. Today it’s part of the Charlevoix historic society.
Also at Depot Beach is a playground, swing set, benches, restrooms, parking lot, and picnic tables to use.
Mt. McSauba
Mt McSauba offers panoramic Lake Michigan views. Within its 28 acres, there are skiing/snowboarding/sledding hills during winter, and an 18 hole disc golf course in summer. There are also multiple trails with access to the lake.
When we visited in the fall, the city hosted a “not so spooky” Halloween themed lantern walk. In the winter, they repeat these lantern walks (minus the Halloween them), which is a magical way to experience the trails. Many of the trails have side trails out to various Lake Michigan overlooks to take advantage of.
In the winter, Mt. McSauba turns into a proper ski/snowboard and sledding hill with four tow ropes up to the top. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are also available throughout the trails when there is snow.
Day Three: Tour a Castle
During our final day in Charlevoix, we decided to try breakfast in town. While Smoke on the Water is a popular breakfast and lunch spot, it often involves a wait as there are only a couple of tables inside. So we opted to eat at My Grandmother’s Table nearby the drawbridge, which had delicious breakfast food and latte options.
After filling up our stomachs, we visited the impressive and historic Castle Farms before starting our journey downstate. While many ‘castles’ these days are kitschy tourist traps, Castle Farms is over a century old with a storied history!
Castle Farms was originally built in 1918 as a model dairy farm by the acting President of Sears. Its design was inspired by the French castles found in Normandy. Over the years, this castle has donned many hats including being a popular concert venue in the 70s-90s (have you been to any concerts here?)!
Today Castle Farms is a popular wedding venue but also is a museum offering both guided and self guided tours for $15 per person. Within the castles grounds, there are a number of sights to pique a variety of interests.
Some of our favorite sights here included:
- Seeing the Norm the dragon statue (once an ArtPrize piece!)
- Feeding the friendly ducks – Make sure to bring quarters and pick up the tokens in the gift shop when you’re paying for entrance.
- Watching the largest garden railroad in Michigan, which has over 2500 feet of tracks.
- Playing in the hedge maze which includes a climbable tower with a slide.
- Wandering through the butterfly garden.
- Exploring the Enchanted Forest.
- And enjoying a beverage at the 1918 Cellars with wine, hard cider and non alcoholic options.
Restaurants to Dine at in Charlevoix
Being an historic resort destination, Charlevoix has a history of keeping up with the times on popular and trending cuisine and restaurant styles. Within Charlevoix, you’ll find a mix of cuisine types with a great vibe!
Jax Northside Food & Spirits is a popular everyday spot for locals located (as the name suggests) on the north side of town. There are three area’s to eat here – on the enclosed patio, in the restaurant, or in the bar area. The bar area is reserved for those age 12 and up. So if you’re traveling without kids and want a more grown up atmosphere, check that section out! The menu serves a number of popular American entrees and appetizers, and there is a salad bar.
The Villager Pub is also a great everyday, low key option for popular American dishes like burgers and sandwiches. Open for over four decades, The Villager Pub had 2 sections – one with a huge bar with TV’s and a jukebox. The second half is more restaurant style, but both sides contain historic memorabilia and trinkets to look at. Meals are quite affordable, which is a great perk in downtown Charlevoix. The Villager does not have its own parking lot so find a spot on the street or in one of the downtown lots.
Stafford’s The Weathervane Restaurant was built at the site of Charlevoix’s former grist mill. When the former mill went up for sale, Earl Young jumped at the chance to purchase the building on this site! While building its centerpiece fireplace, he used a prized boulder found and hid for over 2 decades. This glacial boulder is in the shape of Michigans Lower Peninsula. Today, diners can enjoy this gorgeous keystone gracing the hearth of The Weathervane Restaurant as they enjoy a delicious dinner! During the warmer months, diners may also take advantage of outdoor seating to enjoy views of boats gliding through the channel.
My Grandmother’s Table is where we stopped at for breakfast on our last day. Upon entering, we were immediately impressed by the classic, massive mural along the north wall. The mural depicts a bygone late 19th century bakery scene. Come up to the counter to place your order before sitting down. There are a number of hot breakfast options like omelettes and burritos, but also homemade breakfast pastries for grab and go. My Grandmother’s Table also offers a variety of hot and cold lattes in a large number of flavor varieties. The food and drinks tasted amazing! And we loved how welcoming the atmosphere is here!
Best Hotel to Stay at in Charlevoix
While visiting Charlevoix, we stayed at The Weathervane Terrace Inn & Suites, which is a dream come true! The Weathervane was designed and built by Earl Young. If you’re visiting Charlevoix to appreciate Earl Young’s work, you need to add a stay at the Weathervane to your list. He also designed the Hotel Earl right across the street, however The Weathervane is the larger of the two.
After checking in, I immediately sought out the fireplace in the breakfast room. I’ve read about it, including that it was exposed to the elements for over two years after construction. Finally funding to build the breakfast room was secured and the fireplace enclosed. But that just goes to show how quality Earl Young’s designs are.
My family and I stayed at the Tower Suites, which was incredibly beautiful! For the same price as an Airbnb, you get two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen and the most incredible balcony I’ve ever seen. The balcony extends from the first bedroom on the left side of the suite all the way around to the opposite side of the building to the right. The balcony offers panoramic views looking out over downtown Charlevoix, Young’s restaurant Stafford’s The Weathervane Restaurant, and the Round Lake Channel.
It was phenomenal spending the mornings sipping coffee overlooking the channel, watching the drawbridge go up as the Beaver Island Ferry sailed off to bring visitors and residents alike there.
My son’s favorite spot within the suite was the nook located in the sitting room. It was the perfect place to start every morning snuggling and end each day reading together before bedtime.
From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, there is a pool located just in front of the breakfast room to take advantage of. However, throughout the whole year there is also a hot tub. We visited after checking in on our first night and it is phenomenal. It’s at the top of the back building of rooms with windows overlooking the hotel grounds. A dip in the Weathervane’s hot tub is the perfect place to unwind after a day exploring Charlevoix!
Why You Should Plan an Off Season Getaway to Charlevoix
As history has it, Charlevoix since the late 1800’s has always been a popular summer travel destination. But travel in Northern Michigan is no longer limited to just what can be done in the summer. Fall, with its gorgeous foliage and winding country roads is growing in popularity. Travelers are embracing winter by visiting places not just to go skiing – but to go biking, hiking, or fight cabin fever with a getaway. And spring is also a beautiful, under appreciated travel season as the trees blossom and flowers bloom.
Take advantage of off season prices at hotels and less of a worry about lines, crowds, and wait times by booking an off season getaway to Charlevoix!
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from Michigan with Love,
Jackie
