The Charlevoix center point is around 1 mile northeast of Charlevoix Municipal Airport and 11 miles west of Virtural Snow.
The best time to visit Charlevoix is between June and early September, when the weather is beautiful and warm enough to spend time outside. There are many local festivals to explore and you can spend time enjoying the outdoors in parks. August is the most expensive summer month, but you can still get good deals on your hotel room rate during the other summer months if you book early or score a last-minute deal.
February and March are the most popular months to visit Charlevoix if you want to participate in winter sports, especially on nearby Boyne Mountain. Hotels tend to be the most expensive during this time and it can be difficult to find a last-minute hotel. If you plan to visit during this time, make sure to book your travel early.
In the fall months between September and November, tourism drops as does the weather. You can expect it to snow or rain for at least seven days each month. As a result, the hotels tend to be fairly inexpensive when compared with the rest of the year. Plus, it won't be as cold as it will be during the winter, so you could participate in outdoor activities as long as you are dressed appropriately for cooler weather.
Because of the freezing temperatures, tourists are unlikely to visit Charlevoix in December. If you are looking for the most cost-effective way to travel to Charlevoix, it is a good month to travel in, as the hotel rooms will be the most affordable. However, many of the activities in Charlevoix are seasonal, so you would be more limited in what you would be able to do.
You can find a place to stay in Charlevoix for a discounted price if you know where to look. Many hotels offer AAA discounts, including the Charlevoix Inn and Weathervane Inn. You can stay at Weathervane to be close to many attractions including the Earl Young Mushroom House Tours and at least five highly-rated golf courses in the area. Weathervane recently upgraded its Wi-Fi service to high-speed internet throughout the facility.
There are also many rooms that overlook Lake Michigan, too. If you are traveling with a business or other large group, the conference room seats up to 30 people and catering service is available.
Charlevoix has many mid-range hotels that offer plenty of value for your money. If you are looking for value at an affordable price and a great experience, try Quality Inn Gaylord. It offers a combination of a good location, quality features, and an affordable price. It is located near the Otsego County Fairgrounds and Gaylord Regional Airport. The rooms have simple amenities like a desk and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. The hotel has free Wi-Fi and free local calls. There is an indoor pool and fitness center, as well as a shop/newsstand, and arcade room. Breakfast is included every day.
If you plan on staying in Charlevoix for more than a few days, consider staying in the Baymont Inn & Suites Gaylord. It is located near the fairgrounds and the Gaylord Regional Airport. The rooms have Wi-Fi, A/C, refrigerators, and microwaves. There is an indoor pool and 24-hour fitness center. Breakfast is included, and you can take advantage of the laundry service during your stay.
Charlevoix Country Inn also offers great value for the price. Many of the rooms overlook Lake Michigan. It is centrally located to many of the common attractions like craft shows and the free concerts. The rooms are decorated appropriate to the history of the house and they can give you the same feel from previous decades. The house fits 24 people and comes with amenities like housekeeping, a dishwasher, a fridge, and a balcony. The house also has a washer and dryer on site for you to use. The kitchen is fully stocked so that you can focus on your vacation rather than finding your next meal.
When you travel to Charlevoix, you'll be close enough to explore the city's top destinations. Most people come to Charlevoix in the summer to enjoy the great weather in the outdoors. In the city, you can visit Fisherman's Island State Park, Michigan Beach Park, or the Charlevoix South Pier Light Station.
If you are a fan of architecture, it is worth exploring the 27 mushroom houses that architect Earl Young created in the Charlevoix area. The houses look unusual, like the homes would belong to elves for their use in the summer. With mushroom shaped roofs and stonework, they have withstood time to become one of the most visited attractions in the area. You can even take a mushroom house tour if you'd like to try to see all of them.
It might not be possible to participate in all of the fun activities that are available in Charlevoix. No matter what you plan to do, you're sure to enjoy a relaxing weekend with some beautiful weather near the water. If you want a luxury hotel or a budget-friendly one, you can easily find the perfect hotel to meet your family's needs.
Below are reviews of the city of Charlevoix, MI from an actual visitor's perspective.
Nice hotel just a couple minutes drive to Downtown Charlevoix!
Great!
We came to Charlevoix to hear The Steel Wheels in concert at the Lavender Hill Farm.
The city is adorable and very clean. Nice shops too. We had a good lunch at Weathervane.
The city was very nice. A lot to see and do nearby. The wedding venue was spectacular. The lake park was very nice. Mushroom houses. Downtown was a good place to stop.
Cute Northern Michigan town. Lots of cute shops and downtown area. The lake looks so vibrant blue - reminds me of the Caribbean!
Charlevoix is beautiful with plenty of shopping, venues and restaurants. Pleasant, relaxing and enjoyable.
Overall Charlevoix is an upscale wealthy town with nice people.
We attended a family wedding; everything about the city and the weather was delightful.
Small walking town with great food!
Small walking town with great food!
Very friendly staff.
It's a surprisingly beautiful little city with some really good food. The people that live there love it and are very proud of it.
Charming town with cute little shops, great places to eat and stunning views and great hiking trails!
Charlevoix the beautiful! Enough said!
Quaint and friendly.
Coffee shop on the corner was very nice and delicious.