Charlevoix, MI

Population: 2,513

A fun and energetic town, Charlevoix will leave you tired and satisfied at the end of the day. Try and keep up with yourself as you dash across the small town throughout the day. Count how many times you walk over the draw bridge in the middle of town. How many times did you have to wait for it to raise and lower? That's ok, grab a seat and watch the boats go by for a bit. 

Charlevoix Outlet Bridge

This Outlet bridge raises for water traffic at the top and half of every hour from sun up to sun down. A ferry passes through the bridge as it takes you to nearby Beaver Island, another fun tourist destination in the area. The best view of the bridge comes from the park below, or at Stafford's Weathervane Restaurant where you can dine on the patio and listen to the lake front. 

Castle Farms

Castle Farms has gone through many changes over the course of its lifetime. Orginally serving as a 1600 acre dairy farm, the land employed so many people that they developed their own school system. After it closed the Farms were used as a concert venue for bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, AC/DC, and the Beach Boys. Today they are a tourist destination and are open year round for weddings in one of five reception halls that are offered to interested couples.

Dairy Grille - 1/2 Double Cheeseburger Deluxe and Mint Oreo Avalanche

A cash only grille that uses styrofoam plating has the best food in all of Charlevoix. Yes, you read that correctly. Now, there are two reasons for this. The first is the food itself; the burgers are made to order in front of your eyes and come steaming off the grille and straight into your stomach. The second reason is the price. This meal cost me $4, that's it. While it is inexpensive the food is top notch, and there is a huge selection of flavors plus toppings for you to add to your avalanche. Definitely the cherry on top to my day. 

The Dairy Grille is also a great place to meet fellow travelers. As I was finishing my dinner I met the Primak family. They had been visiting the Charlevoix area for 3 generations and now finally have a summer home of their own. The son, Jake, is finishing up high school and hoping to go into film and travel the world. Good luck, and safe travels! I remember when I was in your shoes 5 years ago. 

The Landing

Located just outside of town, you can drive the boat or your car down to the Landing for drinks. I enjoyed a Dockmaster Burger, fries, and a Landing Summer Ale 5. Their Summer Ale is brewed exclusively by Valley View Farms with local wheat. However, the spices on the fries are what stole the show for me. Had to get a second side order to go. 

Nancy and Dave, who showed me around the town for most of the day, were amazing hosts and brought me here. So next time I visit the Charlevoix area I'll have to return the favor and take them out to the Landing. 

Thanks for hosting me for the day, and I hope to see the two of you soon for some more fun on Lake Charlevoix!

Charlevoix Mushroom Houses

 Self taught builder, Earl Young, built over 2 dozen of these mushroom shaped houses using indigenous building materials. Starting in 1917 he carried on late into the 70's and many of the unique buildings can still be seen around town to this day.

Charlevoix, MI

Before I sum up this post, imagine this light house covered in a wave of ice. Every couple years the lake freezes over, and as it does the waves crashing into the pier send icy spray up and over the light house. 3 years ago a couple of men walked the 26 miles from the shore to nearby Beaver Island after the big freeze came. This story alone was enough to convince me to go back to Charlevoix someday so I can see that wave of ice or cross the frozen lake. So hopefully I've convinced you to go to Charlevoix for your first time with some stories of my own.