I am looking for a relaxing B&B or inn to stay at in the Traverse City area this summer. Country Hermitage seems to fit the bill, but I'd love to hear from anyone who knows of it or has stayed there, just to be sure!

ttt

I have not been to the Country Hermitage. Where is it? I might be able to give at least an onsight into the neighborhood.
I might also recommend visiting Northport (north of TC on the Lelanau Peninsula) if you are looking for relaxation and tranquility. There are several good quality B&Bs there and the sleepy cherry farming community has a lot more to do than you may think. Let me know if you want any specifics

Thanks, JVS. The inn is located a mile north of Grand Traverse Resort, off of US 31, according to the website. It is located on a cherry farm.
I'd love to hear more about things to do there. We are thinking of going on one of the "Tall Ship" excursions and a hot air balloon ride. Otherwise, we haven't made a lot of plans. I've heard that the Mission Penninsula is a beautiful drive and has some nice restaurants.

I live north of the Traverse City area about an hour, in Petoskey, and although I have never stayed there, it is right on US 31 and looks lovely. There is plenty to do in the area, and whether you head north or south from there, you will find plenty of wonderful 4 and 5 start restaurants in both directions. If you are lucky enough to be there during cherry season (generally early July) you will love it! Also, TC hosts their week long cherry festival (if you are into parades, carnival atmosphere and concerts) the second week of July. If you dislike that stuff, stay away from Traverse during that week...you will go mad and the traffic will prevent you from going anywhere around or through there, including Mission Peninsula. North of TC is Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs...beautiful towns on the water with to-die-for sunsets and quaint shopping.....I love it here!

Dear dmkujat,

Thanks for your input. We actually plan on visiting Petoskey as a stop between Mackinac Island and TC. Since you live there, can you suggest any must-sees?
Also, you mentioned several 4/5 star restaurants in the area of the inn. Anything you care to mention by name?

Thanks for your help!

You will love Petoskey....it is a great little town, with quaint shopping in our Gaslight District and some good restaurants too.

I would suggest, just north of where you are staying at the Hermitage, either Rowe Inn or Tapawingo for dining. A little pricey, but excellent food and gourmet-ish (for up here!). You will also pass through Charlevoix on your way up to Petoskey on US-31...now beware, because they are doing some construction on US-31 between Petoskey and Charlevoix and since I commute between the two everyday, I sit in traffic about 15 minutes each way, but the route runs along the water, so it is nice. You don't mention when you are coming, but if its after July, the construction should be over with...WHEW!
Anyway, if you are in Charlevoix, there is a great new little deli on the main street, Bridge, called Scovies, or for something a little nicer and nice view of the canal, Stafford's Weathervane. They serve a nice lunch and dinner, reasonable prices and nice view. In Petoskey, my choices for consistently good food is Stafford's Bay View Inn in Bayview (which is actually a little area within Petoskey...charming late 1800's type Victorian Homes, although it was established as an old Methodist Arts Camp...a Chataqua, they still do not serve alcohol within its limits...so Bayview does not serve alcohol, though if you stay at the Inn, which is lovely, they give you wine that you are allowed to bring to dinner. I have played piano there the past three summers, and it is indeed lovely! Their Sunday Brunch is to die for!) On the water in Petoskey, is Whitecaps, now they have a great view, and I have been there quite a few times, but not recently. There food is good, but not WOW...you will be basically paying for the view and atmosphere, though dinners are in that 10.00-$25.00 range, so you decide how badly you want to stare at the bay! Also in the Gaslight District is the Perry Hotel, and they serve dinner outside in the Rose Garden...also very good! My favorite restaurant in town is the Side Door Saloon...on US-31 heading north out of town. It is a pub, but they have the best food, and great atmosphere ...I have NEVER had a bad meal there and go there quite frequently. I would suggest to you that rather than head up 31 to Mackinac, that if you have the time (like a half a day), turn left onto M-119 as you head out of Petoskey on 31 (check your map for this...) you will follow 119 into Harbor Springs which is a "can't miss" town! It is something out of a book....just lovely, upscale, large beautiful homes and some more great restaurants. THe New York I hear is wonderful....I have eaten at Staffords Pier right on the water, and have always had an excellent meal there. If you won't be there for dinner, head up 119 the scenic route up to Mackinac, and hit the Legs Inn in Cross Village...another "can't miss"! It is a cool (you'll see why) Polish restaurant built many years ago...great Polish food and atmosphere, and a view to die for of the water. The ride up 119 is called the "Tunnel of Trees" and is famous in Michigan...we bike on it quite often, and I never get tired of the beautiful homes and views of the water. Just north of Cross Village is Wilderness Park...just stop there and see the beach....gorgeous and rarely busy. Up on Mackinac Island, EVERYONE goes to the Pink Pony...good food and fun! And of course, buy the fudge...it is to die for and a tourist tradition! Hope this helps! And just a word to the wise, if you are coming in July, things will be busy on the roads....Petoskey's population swells from around 7,000 year round to about triple that in July! You will love it though...make sure you spend one evening in Petoskey watching the sunset on the water...it is breathtaking!
ENJOY!

Thank you so much for all the info on the area! We will print out this thread and use it on our trip in June.

We're even thinking about extending our stay in the TC area - we had planned only 2 days! I knew I wanted to go to Petoskey, but it sounds like Harbor Springs is wonderful, too!

Thanks again!

melh.....if you need any other info, feel free to email me directly at
[email protected]
I'd be glad to help you out any way I can!

Where are you traveling from, melh? Have you visited the dunes on the west side of Michigan yet? Some awesome ones just west of Traverse City on Lake Michigan - about a 25-minute car ride from where you are staying. Traverse City is a great central location to take it all in.
Happy Trails!
Paul

I second Paul's rec for visiting the dunes! It is so beautiful there, esp on a bright blue sky day when Lake Michigan turns 3 shades of turquoise. I highly recommend spending at least one day on the western side of the Lelanau Peninsula- the drive alone is nice.
Also- If you are staying at Hermitage, there is a great 5-star restaurant called "Windows" (the windows look out on the Traverse Bay)very close to it. My sister ate there last week and said it was incredible.