Discover Charlevoix

Charlevoix combines beaches on Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan with a downtown area full of parks, restaurants, arts offerings and attractions. It also features distinctive architecture, a museum with changing exhibitions and recreational activities ranging from beach visits to golf. Families can choose between a day by the water, a stroll through downtown and cultural discoveries.

Beaches and discoveries by the water

Ferry Beach on Lake Charlevoix is family-friendly and offers a shallow swimming area, a playground and a large sandy beach. These features give families several ways to spend the day at the beach: time in the shallow water, playing or relaxing on the sandy beach.

At Lake Michigan Beach, a different discovery takes center stage: searching for Petoskey and Charlevoix stones is highlighted as an activity. The beach can be reached from downtown along the pier. The South Pier Lighthouse also draws attention to the water: it overlooks Lake Michigan and the Pine River Channel. These places offer different ways to engage with the lakes and their surroundings.

Downtown life at East Park

Parks, restaurants, arts offerings and attractions are within walking distance of downtown. The Charlevoix Farmers Market takes place at East Park on Thursdays. The Charlevoix City Marina, with 77 slips, is also located at the foot of East Park.

Another striking sight is the Charlevoix drawbridge: during the summer months, it rises every 30 minutes when boats are present. Families may enjoy planning around a bridge opening as an activity in its own right, while keeping this condition in mind.

Architecture and culture

The Museum at Harsha House is located at 103 State Street in downtown Charlevoix, Michigan, and features changing exhibitions year-round. The Harsha House Museum includes three rooms from the Victorian era. The museum visit therefore focuses on both changing exhibition themes and rooms from a specific historical period.

For architecture enthusiasts, Earl Young’s Mushroom Houses are another attraction in Charlevoix; tours are available. Castle Farms offers a different way to explore architectural history: visitors can discover historic architecture, landscaped grounds and unique attractions there. Castle Farms welcomes visitors year-round. Guided and self-guided tours highlight architecture, exhibitions and historic rooms. The collections also include historical exhibits and artifacts.

Active outings and choosing the right location

Golf is another possible interest: Charlevoix Golf Club is a nine-hole course with a par of 36. It was designed jointly by Herbert James Tweedie and Scottish architect Willie Watson. The course size and par provide golfers with specific details to help decide whether this activity suits their stay.

When looking for a vacation rental, you can first consider which experiences you want to shape your stay. If parks, restaurants, arts offerings and attractions are important to you, their accessibility on foot from downtown is a useful factor when choosing a location. Beach days, stone hunting, museum visits, architecture and golf offer other distinct focuses.

For other vacation destinations, you can also visit the pages for Boyne Falls, Beaver Island.

For the broader travel overview: Charlevoix County.