Discover the beauty of Northern Michigan at Sun Outdoors Petoskey Bay Harbor

If you’re planning a trip to northern Michigan and looking for the perfect place to stay with beautiful views, peaceful vibes, and amazing amenities the whole family will love - I have just the spot for you! In addition to spacious RV lots, Sun Outdoors Petoskey Bay Harbor offers premium one and two bedroom cottages with all the comforts of home including a full kitchen and bath. As someone who loves the vibes and amenities that come with staying at an RV resort, but doesn't own their own rig, the cottages were an ideal option for our family and allowed us to experience all that Northern Michigan has to offer at a great value. 

Disclaimer: Our trip was planned in partnership with Sun Outdoors. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The cottage we stayed in sleeps four adults and two children with a twin bunk room, a queen size bed, and a loft with a full size bed. The living area was also a nice size with a couch and dining table and the added space on the deck and picnic table in the lawn out front was great to enjoy meals together. My daughter still sleeps in a travel crib and we had enough room to set that up comfortably. Each of the cottages also has two parking spots directly in front the unit. The resort itself was beautifully landscaped and we loved waking up and enjoying coffee on the deck in the mornings before walking around the grounds. 

Sun Outdoors Petoskey Bay Harbor offers so many amazing amenities for guests you may never want to leave. We loved spending our evenings swimming in the hot tub and temperature-controlled pool. There are also plenty of ways to stay active with a putting green, pickle ball and basketball courts, and a fitness center. The lodge offers access to a game room, pool table, and a movie theater. 

When you stay at Sun Outdoors you’re also just a short drive from downtown Petoskey and Charlevoix and about 30 minutes from Harbor Springs making it the ideal location for exploring the best shopping, restaurants and attractions in the area.

Below are some of our favorite eats and adventures from our recent trip: 

• Pond Hill Farm - This farm market is so fun to visit all year round but it was my first time going in the summer and the flower filled gardens alone made it worth it. There is so much here to see and do here you can definitely make a full afternoon of it. For kids there is a nature playground, farm animals, human foosball and volleyball courts, a basketball shooting game and a gnome house hunt through the woods. Adults can hike on miles of trails, enjoy live music, or sip on wine and beer in the tasting room. 
• Sturgeon River Pottery - We passed this shop on our drive out to Sun Outdoors and knew we had to come back. They offer a huge selection of pottery, garden decor, furniture, Petoskey Stones, and hand-crafted gifts. 
• Coveyou Scenic Market - This roadside stop in Michigan may not look like much but it is definitely worth the stop! It is a charming farm market with so many locally sourced goods. There is everything here from fresh produce and flowers, to jams, pickles and sauces, as well as body care and speciality gifts. You’ll also find well known northern Michigan brands like American Spoon and Cherry Republic. There is a large selection of flowers in the garden center and you can’t miss their multi level patio with stunning views of the river valley.
• ​The Back Lot - If you're looking for a fun and casual spot to eat with something that is sure to please everyone's taste buds, this is a great option. It's a food truck lot with everything from pizza and tacos to gourmet grilled cheese and ice cream. Seating is all first come first serve and they have a full bar with a large selection of local brews on tap. 
• Petoskey Pretzel Company - I walked past this small shop on my way to Bayfront Park and there was a line out the door so I knew I had to see what it was all about. As the name implies, they serve delicious hand-thrown soft pretzels and dipping sauces. I tried the classic with cheese and garlic parmesan with marinara. 
• Little Juice - The cutest coffee and juice shop in downtown Harbor Springs. I had a Pink Pony smoothie which was delicious. They also have açaí bowls if you're looking for more of a brunch vibe. The interior is beautifully designed and there is both indoor and outdoor seating available.
• Tom's Moms Cookies - A true northern Michigan staple. There is always a line down the sidewalk here and for good reason. They serve the best homemade cookies with rotating flavors. You can order by the single cookie or by the dozen. The line moves fast so don't let it deter you from enjoying this sweet treat. 
• Brandy's Harbortown - Located right along the marina with great views of all the boats. It feels a bit like food hall or food truck vibe as there are four different menus you can choose from depending on the vibe you’re looking for. There was a wings and beer menu, fresh catch which had fish and lobster rolls, Brandy’s Kitchen with classic handhelds and burgers and Heirloom with grain bowls. They also had a really good cocktail menu which you can order from the main bar.
• Horton Bay General Store - Just up the road from Lake Charlevoix with a past that dates back to 1876 when it served as the town’s general store for the influx of workers and families at the local sawmill. Today, it still holds much of the original charm with shelves stocked with local makers and artisans. You can enjoy coffee, ice cream and deli sandwiches. They also have a small seating area in the back of the store as well as a beer garden on the outdoor patio. 

If you do own an RV, the resort offers spacious pull-in sites with full hookups (30- and 50-amp service) and concrete pads that can accommodate up to 55 feet with plenty of room for slide-outs. Other features include WiFi, picnic table and a fire pit. Sun Outdoors Petoskey Bay Harbor season runs April 25 to October 31 so don’t wait to book your trip in order to experience the best fall colors in Michigan!