8 days in Petoskey, Saugatuck & Empire Itinerary

Petoskey is a city and coastal resort community in the U.S. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Petoskey: Mackinaw City (Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse & Colonial Michilimackinac), Traverse City (Old Mission Lighthouse, Beer Tastings & Tours, & more) and Mackinac Bridge (in Saint Ignace). And it doesn't end there: explore the landscape on two wheels at Little Traverse Wheelway, wander the streets of Historic Gaslight District, admire the majestic nature at Petoskey State Park, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Cross In The Woods National Shrine.

To see where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Petoskey trip planner .

New York City to Petoskey is an approximately 7-hour combination of flight and bus. You can also drive; or take a bus. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from New York City in August; daily highs in Petoskey reach 75°F and lows reach 58°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) so you can go by car to Saugatuck.

Saugatuck is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. Start off your visit on the 14th (Wed): stroll around Windmill Island Gardens, look for gifts at American Spoon, then don't miss a visit to Butler Street, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Oval Beach. On the 15th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get in on the family fun at Nelis' Dutch Village and then enjoy the sand and surf at Holland State Park Beach.

For maps, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Saugatuck route maker site .

Traveling by car from Petoskey to Saugatuck takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or do a combination of bus and train. In August, daily temperatures in Saugatuck can reach 80°F, while at night they dip to 60°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Thu) so you can drive to Empire.

Empire is a village in Leelanau County in the U.S. Start off your visit on the 16th (Fri): visit a coastal fixture at Point Betsie Lighthouse, then kick back and relax at Lake Michigan Beach Park, and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: hike along Empire Bluff Trail, admire all the interesting features of Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, and then indulge your thirst for a good beer at Lake Ann Brewing Company.

To find traveler tips, maps, ratings, and tourist information, use the Empire attractions planning app .

You can drive from Saugatuck to Empire in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of train, bus, and taxi. When traveling from Saugatuck in August, plan for a bit cooler days in Empire, with highs around 75°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 58°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Sat) early enough to travel back home.