coming in about 2 weeks- have reservations for 2 nights in Mackinac City and 2 in Traverse City- will I be sorry if I don't stay one of those nights in Petoskey area?
dmkujat and repunzil seem to know that area well- hopefully one or both of you will respond

If you are staying two nights in Mackinaw City, you can easily visit Petoskey without spending the night. I think it's about 30 miles. The Gaslight District in Petoskey is great for shopping and restaurants. If you are going to be in Mackinaw City first, you could visit Petoskey on your way to Traverse City. Petoskey is about 60 miles North of Traverse City.

We spent Memorial Day weekend in Traverse City and went to Petoskey (and Charlevoix) for the day.

Have fun! It's a beautiful area - we go every year.

I would skip one night in Mackinaw City and stay in Petoskey instead. Mackinaw City is like one big generic strip mall - lots of stores, hotels and restaurants (many chains). Petoskey, and the surrounding area, has a lot more character. Stafford's is one of the better hotels in the area. Be sure to visit Charlevoix, Boyne City & Harbor Springs while you're there too.

Not sure of where to stay, but can I recommend a great place to eat? We ate at Mitchell St. Pub in the gas light district. Their food was great and the French onion soup was top notch! That area is so beautiful We passed thru there while on our honeymoon 14 years ago. We did stay a few nights in Traverse City.

I hope I know the area well, I live in TC and am sort of paid to know about it.

It's only a two hour drive from MC to TC you could do both nights in MC and not have to worry about unpacking an extra night and just drive to Petoskey, which is only a half hour away, or drop a night in MC and stay in P. MC is very different from the island, mostly souvenir shops, not much character.

Sounds like you'll be in TC during the Cherry Fest, where are you staying?

Oh, and I agree check out Harbor Springs, it looks like something out a Norman Rockwell painting. Boyne City IMNSHO doesn't offer much.

If you have time, check out the Legs Inn in Cross Village! http://www.legsinn.com/ It's an interesting place and the food is good.

rapunzil- I recognized you (on the phone last week) from your recommendations of room at Chantal- I'm staying at the Sands- that was about the only place available-could have gotten a room for one night at Bayview Inn on Mackinaw Island- can't make up our minds if we want to spend $85 more than Mackinaw city motel (we're booked 2 nights at the Clarion)

Nothing but a generic stip mall? What about Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Fort Michilimackinac, the marina, Mackinaw Theatre, Conkling Heritage Park concerts, Mill Creek Historic State Park, Laser light show, Wilderness State Park, Mackinac Bridge, and (starting next week) the 290' retired USCGC Mackinaw?

Chain Restaurants in Mackinaw City? Have you even been there? There are hardly any of the chains in Mackinaw. Petoskey has many times more chain restaurants

Keith

Yes, Keith, I have been there many times. The places you mentioned are all great, but the main downtown area of Mackinaw City is full of brightly-lit hotels & not-so-good restaurants. I vowed I would never stay there again after my last visit a few years ago - I just wasn't all that impressed. When I go to Mackinac Island, I prefer staying in St. Ignace instead. It just seems... well, less gawdy, IMO.

And yes, Petoskey does have chains too, but the downtown area and the beautiful old homes give it much more character.

Rsfred - let us know how your trip goes, and enjoy as many cities as you can between the bridge and TC!

rsfred - duh! Now I remember!

I think you'll enjoy the Sands, it is a small mom & pop, but for being on the water, their rates are hard to beat and they are on a very nice stretch of beach!

Strongly recommend that in traveling between MC and Petoskey you do take in Cross Village and drive 119 down through Good Hart to Harbor Springs. It's a really scenic drive.