Shopping

Unique Treasures Wait to be Found

Everyone knows that a trip is not complete without shopping. Exceptional designer jewelry, original nature paintings, authentic Native American crafts, polished Petoskey stones. Imagine finding unique treasures and discover the joy of shopping in Northern Michigan. Countless specialty shops line the beautifully restored streets of Petoskey or historic Mackinaw Island. Travel to a quaint Sault Ste. Marie general store. Visit a small artist's shop along a wooded trail. Northern Michigan is home to many small, privately owned stores with their own treasure chests of handmade goods unique to the area. These give a new and special meaning to "shopper's paradise."  For a complete list of "shopportunities", click here.

Shopping Districts

In certain towns, every trip around the corner leads to the discovery of a “real find.” Here are just a few of districts known for their retail shops, including: Petoskey Gaslight District. When the world begins to look the same, you discover a town that has maintained and preserved its historic character through breathtaking architecture and authentic gas lighting. Petoskey's Gaslight area hosts an array of independent shops, bookstores, dining establishments, art galleries and coffee shops. Once the packages are tucked away in the car, Waterfront Park and the non-motorized Wheelway are just few steps away - the perfect place to wind down and enjoy one of the area's million dollar sunsets.

Downtown Harbor Springs seems to have sprung from the canvas of a Norman Rockwell painting. Standing along the edge of Little Traverse Bay. the downtown incorporates nationally known stores, such as Tom’s Mom’s Cookies and American Spoon Foods with one-of-a-kind shops such as Frivolous Sal's, Tvedten Fine Art, Ceeflow Custom Woodworking, Touring Gear and NumNum’s Edible Decorations. Harbor Springs marina, historic church and nearby museum make shoppers feel as though they’re “at home” while they discover a new place to shop.

Downtown Charlevoix is the meeting place of three bodies of water—Lake Michigan, Lake Charlevoix, and Round Lake. The views are spectacular, especially for shoppers who desire Kilwin’s ice cream or chocolates, Murdick’s Famous Fudge, American Spoon Foods, and furniture, local art, or framed photographs of the area. Specialty shops and natural park areas are intermixed along the shorelines to provide places to stop and relax during the shopping experience.

Downtown Boyne City has the shoppers’ dock and River Walk, which enable boaters to join the shopping scene. Don’t miss shops such as Bali & Beyond, Boyne Country Books, Re Fur Limited, Sunburst Marine West, Deco Mecca Antiques & Art, Up the Lazy River, and Dolly's Distinctive Details. These stores, and many more, contain the kinds of keepsakes , clothing, jewelry and recreational equipment that will make a visit to downtown Boyne City a place to find keepsakes and treasures that are true to Northwest Michigan.