Set within the center of three major resort towns (Petoskey, Charlevoix, and Boyne City), there are oodles of attractions and events to be found within a few miles from the door of our cottage. Whether your interest is GOLF (five acclaimed courses, each within 23 miles), NATURE (we are famous for our million dollar sunsets and pristine freshwater beaches), SHOPPING (we boast four major top grade retail districts all within 12 miles), ENTERTAINMENT (Odawa Casino Resort with gaming and live shows is 13 miles away), HISTORY (museums surround us, as do Renaissance and Victorian buildings, a variety of lighthouses, and we are located smack in the middle of Ernest Hemingway's boyhood territory), ADVENTURE (Wildwood Rush Canopy Tours with nine zip lines is just around the corner, Avalanche Bay Indoor Water Park, Boyne Mountain Ski Resort, go karts, driving ranges, Petoskey Winter Sports Park, batting cages) or LAKES AND ISLANDS, we are lucky enough to be at the center of it all.
Day trips to historical and rustic Beaver Island or to nationally famous Mackinaw Island are enjoyed by many tourists to this area. Within fifty miles lies The Headlands, one of only ten International Dark Sky Preserves in the entire USA. Ideal for star-gazing, the absence of human-made light sources gives these rare Dark Sky parks their distinction. We have one! It also happens to have 550 acres of untouched woodlands to explore, including over two miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline. A bonanza for observing unusual and endangered species of plants, and for spying birds and animals living freely within their natural habitat; a photographer's dreamland!
Our cottage is a mere four miles from beautiful Young State Park, and we have several other nature preserves nearby, all featuring expansive public beaches. Water excursions are available, including Sturgeon River trips, fishing charters, cruising Lake Michigan or Lake Charlevoix in 110' tour boats, and personal small craft (kayaks, jet skis, pontoon boats, etc.) may be rented by the hour or for a full week.
This is a biker's paradise, with 13 major bike trails leading all over the North, each approachable from our own driveway. Forest lovers are welcome to explore exquisite hiking trails that start and finish at our cottage door - no need for a motor vehicle to get you there.
Nothing can beat our breathtaking autumn colors, splashed against the bright blue skies above. Our cottage gives a stunning view of the wonders of fall hues, sitting as it does amongst the treetops.
Winter guests have the most gorgeous snow scenes to view, with skiing, snow-boarding and other winter sports readily available. Three major ski resorts (Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands, and Nubs Nob) are all close by.
Springtime brings morel mushroom hunting, and more beautiful and delicate white trillium in the woods than you will see anywhere else in the country. Feral deer live plentifully among us, and you will doubtlessly see them during your stay, tiptoeing though the property in their graceful way.
Summertime, of course, is the prime season to visit, where resort life is at its finest. SO many festivals and special events are available, nearly every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day. As a visitor you will be charmed by our small town ambiance, with our parades, fireworks, park concerts, carnivals, sporting competitions, and outdoor farm markets, all to be accompanied by sweet nibbles of Mackinaw Island fudge, ice cream cones and other tasty specialties of the vicinity.
Our closest attraction is the Horton Bay General Store, located (essentially) in our back yard. A mile and a half drive away (or closer by foot), the store is virtually unchanged from its original look when first built in 1876. It's presence within the National Register of Historic Places insures that it will remain so. Horton Bay in total is all but lost in time, kissed by the sleepy atmosphere of yesteryear.
So, if you need a rest from the accelerated pace of daily life, we invite you to come and idle away an hour or two on the large front porch of the same General Store where Ernest Hemingway paused between catching fish in nearby Horton Creek.
It may suit you to come back to a lazier, less complicated time for your next vacation. Let the breeze ruffle your furrowed brow and relax into a calm and restful respite for a spell. If, on the other hand,you crave activity and robust stimulation, we have that as well. Something for everybody here.
Whatever your preference, we invite you to stay at our cottage, which we call the Rest Nest. It will be a visit you will long cherish, of that we have no doubt!
Please, be our guest.
