A Summer Week in Harbor Springs, Michigan: A Family Photo Diary

Every year, my dad rents a cottage in northern Michigan. For many years, we were vacationing in Petoskey, but recently we scooted over to the neighboring town, Harbor Springs. It’s my dad, my brother’s family and my family. A small but mighty crew! We have been going every summer for 15 years so we most definitely have our favorites, our traditions, and our “must do” places to eat and things to do. It’s usually rowdy, fun, lots of “Papa’s Pancakes” for breakfast, beach days, late night “no tech” games, and the prettiest sunsets. We spend a ton of time skiing in Petoskey in the winter and some of our favorite stores and restaurants close for the snowy season, so it’s always a fun trip we look forward to in the summer when the small towns are fully opened and operational. This is mostly a photo dump so I can bring you along to all the fun that was had!

Upon arriving, I immediately needed to check out how far the beach was and this was the fantastic walk to get there! Over the river and through the woods has a different meaning in the summer.

How can you not just sit out here all day? (Well, the established residents may not have appreciated our family’s extensive time on the porch but we sure did…) We brought a few extra collapsible chairs so we all had somewhere to sit.

I popped out to an antique show and I’m kicking myself for not buying a few of these to hang in our foyer at home. A favorite antique shop I always try visit when I’m in Petoskey is Then & Now.

The first morning always calls for Little Juice, our favorite smoothie bar. (Only open during the summer months, and yes, I know my tan is wacky.) I wore these pants to town and had 3 different women stop me to ask where I got them.

Typical beach days for us. Lots of swimming, looking for Petoskey stones, jumping off the pier, reading and perhaps an ice cold beer or two. Always with the necessary beach gear.

A few days in, I ran into town to visit the local bookstore, Between the Covers, to grab a new beach read. Just an FYI, Country People by Daniel Mason is really good!

I walked by this gorgeous little flower box and wish I knew how to re-create it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a wildflower window box.

Awful view, hurts my eyes. It reminds me of the Bernard DeVoto’s quote “”This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affections glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn.”

Pond Hill Farm is the best! Gorgeous flowers, good food, great drinks and tons of kid-friendly activities. My son loved feeding the fish in the trout pond.

Downtown Harbor Springs. Adorable.

I took a walk every morning, and I really cannot complain about the view. Put on your favorite headphones with a good playlist, and you could walk for days.

We made about 14 trips to the local toy store in a one week period. What was the toy of choice? Butter squishes, ofcourse.

The sunsets never get old. Michigan, you have a prettier sparkle than most.

We had one rainy night, so naturally we went to the cutest small-town theatre to see the newly released Spider-Man. Velvet seats, a starry ceiling, and the most inexpensive popcorn I’ve had in years.

My dad turned 80 while we were there, so we got a few cute 80 year-old decorations to put up. Grilled steak and corn and then headed out for a boat-tour of the bay. I wore this adorable set for the boat ride.

View from the back of our boat tour. So much fun! If you’re in Harbor Springs and want a private tour of the bay, check out Pointer Boats.

A favorite store.

The Farmers market is always a must. We normally go up in August and in terms of prime Farmers Market timing, this is it. Peaches, corn, blueberries, cherries are always what we go for.

Another amazing find on one of my walks. I will forever wonder where this adorable little door leads.

Our last day on the beach. Tons of jumping, sandcastles and a visitor from a pretty little creature.

So long, Harbor Springs! Until we see you next summer!

PS… If you’re interested in some of my other travels, head on over to my guide to a coastal Maine trip and the best places to stay on Mackinac Island.