Harsha House Museum. | Photo by the Charlevoix Historical Society
The sight of this bustling community nestled between Lake Michigan and Round Lake is simply beautiful. The waterfront park is a jewel complete with a spectacular water fountain, and that’s just the start of the activities and attractions you’ll find in Charlevoix.
The Harsha House was built in 1891 by Charlevoix businessman Horace Harsha and was the family home. The Queen Anne style home was donated to the Historical Society by his granddaughter, Ann Harsha in 1979. Harsha House has more than 9,000 historical photos, slides and negatives and history research materials. The museum is open Thursday-Saturday during March and April, Tuesday-Saturday during May and June and September-January, and Monday-Saturday during July and August.
The Charlevoix Train Depot Museum was donated to the Charlevoix Historical Society by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pew in June of 1992. It has been restored and preserved through various fundraising events and is used as a venue for the Historical Society’s events and programs, and is also available to patron level members for private events as well as non-profit organizations.
The Charlevoix Circle of Arts is a vibrant, cultural center and presents six major visual exhibits annually. A quarterly schedule includes children’s camps, classes, and workshops in various mediums. There are also class held all year long on various art-related topics. The ever changing exhibits bring in art lovers all year long.
The gallery shop showcases and makes available for purchase original art by some of the area’s most talented artists.
Beaver Island is located 32 miles offshore of Charlevoix. It is the largest island in Lake Michigan and can be reached by boat or airplane.
Ferries run between downtown Charlevoix and Beaver Island that carry more than 40,000 passengers to the island yearly. The 13 by 6-mile island can be seen from M-119 north of Harbor Springs.
Fisherman’s Island State Park is a beautiful park with more than 2,600 acres and five miles of gorgeous Lake Michigan beach. A tiny island just off shore of the picnic area gives the park its name.
Located just south of Charlevoix, the park features a rustic campground with some of the camping sites nestled in the dunes. The park road travels through the campground to the picnic area along the beach.
Northern Michigan is home to several different museums for people of all ages which highlight the area’s businesses, history, and culture!
The majestic and historic Grand Hotel is one of the first sights visitors see as they head into the harbor on Mackinac Island.
Sailing is a special pastime that often brings friends together in Northern Michigan. And no wonder. The sailing here is wonderful.
North Central Michigan College’s Natural Area in Petoskey includes over five miles of trails that run through unique habitats.
Little Traverse Conservancy protects land and scenic areas and provides opportunities for all of us to appreciate the environment.
With woods, dunes, and frozen lakes, the trails near Charlevoix and Boyne City are the places to cross country ski from December-March.
The Harbor Springs History Museum offers a unique look at the history of the community, starting with the first Catholic missionaries.
The National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods is a 55′ x 22′ redwood cross cut from one redwood tree and with a 28′ tall bronze crucifix.
Bicyclists, walkers, and roller bladers can go from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix on the 26-mile long Little Traverse Wheelway.
This 28-mile scenic highway running between Atwood and Boyne Falls known as the Breezeway draws visitors because it is gorgeous.
With miles of scenic trails terrain and local snowmobile clubs, Northern Michigan is the place to bring the snow sleds in the winter.
Petoskey State Park is one of the premier destinations for campers and outdoor lovers and is tucked away between Petoskey and Harbor Springs.
Mackinaw City’s Heritage Village lets visitors explore life in the Straits of Mackinac as it was during the era of 1880-1917.
A visit to Northern Michigan is not complete without a walk along the Lake Michigan in search of Petoskey stones.
The Headlands, just west of Mackinaw City, is one of six International Dark Sky Parks in the U.S. and one of nine in the world.