Harsha House Museum. | Photo by the Charlevoix Historical Society
Activities & Attractions in Charlevoix
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.
Here’s a sampling of the many activities and attractions Charlevoix has to offer:
Charlevoix’s History Museums
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.
Charlevoix Circle of Arts
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
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
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.
Destinations Up North
More Activities & Attractions in Northern Michigan

Searching for Petoskey Stones in Northern Michigan
A visit to Northern Michigan is not complete without a walk along the Lake Michigan in search of Petoskey stones.

Cross Country Ski Trails
Just a short drive from Harbor Springs or Petoskey are more than a dozen Northern Michigan cross country ski trails in Emmet County.


The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island
The majestic and historic Grand Hotel is one of the first sights visitors see as they head into the harbor on Mackinac Island.



Ski Resorts in Northern Michigan
The many ski resorts in Northern Michigan have winter activities for the entire family including sledding, sleigh rides, tubing, and more.


Thorne Swift Nature Preserve in Harbor Springs
Wildlife sanctuary Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is located 3 1/2 miles north of Harbor Springs, between Lower Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.


Cross Country Skiing in Charlevoix & Boyne City
With woods, dunes, and frozen lakes, the trails near Charlevoix and Boyne City are the places to cross country ski from December-March.


Cheboygan Opera House
The elegantly restored Cheboygan Opera House is an acoustically superb, Victorian theatre that presents entertainment of many genres.


Saint Ignatius Catholic Church at Good Hart
Travel along the Tunnel of Trees in Northern Michigan and you will pass through Good Hart and see historic Saint Ignatius Catholic Church.


Up North Snowmobiling
With miles of scenic trails terrain and local snowmobile clubs, Northern Michigan is the place to bring the snow sleds in the winter.


North Central Michigan College’s Natural Area
North Central Michigan College’s Natural Area in Petoskey includes over five miles of trails that run through unique habitats.


The Mackinac Bridge in Northern Michigan
The Mackinac Bridge is the 10th largest suspension bridge (over water) in the world and connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula.


Sledding and Ice Skating in Northern Michigan
Get the sleds and the skates out, put on the cold weather clothes, and enjoy sledding and ice skating in Northern Michigan.


Colonial Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City
The history of the fur trade in Northern Michigan is captured at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.


M-119 Tunnel of Trees
Take a beautiful color tour as you travel under a tunnel of colorful trees along M-119 from Harbor Springs to Cross Village.


Heritage Village Celebrates Mackinaw’s History
Mackinaw City’s Heritage Village lets visitors explore life in the Straits of Mackinac as it was during the era of 1880-1917.