Feel like kicking off your water shoes and tasting some fine
dining? You’ll find that just up the road at Walloon Lake Inn.
Originally named Fern Cottage, the quaint country inn was a
Victorian-age favorite, close to the steamer dock and boasting
$1.50 daily rates in 1908. Unlike other waterside resorts, it
survived the century, rolling with renovations to become, for a
time, a bed and breakfast, French restaurant and even culinary
school. Today, it’s a unique upscale eatery where Chef Randy
Hopkins crafts inspired dishes like crab pancakes, Thai-style
whitefish, a to-die-for Wagyu NY strip, and more — all
against a super sunset backdrop accompanied by nightly music.Swim and stay awhile
In fairness, some of Walloon Lake Village’s glory should
go to what made the hamlet famous in the first place — its
water. Though by no means petite, the 4,270-acre lake is
known to be a touch warmer than most nearby lakes and
stupefyingly clear, sometimes at depths of 30 feet.
“The lake is just pristine,” Jacobs says. “It’s like, let’s just fill up
a glass of water and drink it. I can’t believe how clear the water is.”
That water is swimming with walleye, northern pike,
perch, bass and trout. But if you’re more interested in wetting
your swimsuit than wetting a line, jump in at Walloon Lake
Beach (next to Tommy’s), now outfitted with a gazebo,
benches, a picnic area and an ice rink in the winter. Live
music and outdoor movies — viewable by boat or beach
towel — light up the park on many summer evenings. The
venerable Walloon Village General Store and Deli, standing
since the late 1800s and just across the street, will make the
day-to-night beach party possible. Stock up on sunscreen,
local beer and wines, sammies, sweatshirts and one esteemed
tradition: Fat cinnamon rolls, fresh from the oven.
If you can, make a week or even weekend of it; Borisch’s
boutique Hotel Walloon will more than make it worth your
while. One of only 18 Michigan hotels awarded four-diamond
status by AAA, Hotel Walloon exudes high-end elegance in
the coziest kind of way. In any season, you can sip espresso
by the fireplace in the gorgeous living-room-like lobby,champagne in the 15-person outdoor Jacuzzi tub overlooking
the lake, or a beer on the hotel’s private beach.
But whenever you go, hope young Matt Stark is backing
the lobby’s private bar: “He’s a mixologist, a pro at what he’s
doing,” Jacobs says of the affable cocktail wunderkind, adding
that the hotel sends out a survey to every guest, then posts
particularly glowing staff reviews received. “There’s a lot of
Matt Stark on that wall,” he says.Partake in favorite pastimes
Shopping is right-sized in Walloon Lake Village. You’ll find
plentiful wares at Vintage Mercantile antiques; scads of candy,
fudge and ice cream at the aptly named Sweet Tooth; and (in
summer only) art, jewelry and other goodies for sale inside the
red-roofed cottage kiosks across from Walloon Lake Beach. But
if you make Walloon your headquarters, you’re minutes from
the boutique-lined streets of Petoskey and Harbor Springs,
and less than an hour from Mackinac Island and Traverse City.
Shopping not your style? Hit the village shuffleboard
courts, hoops, volleyball net and playground at the village
park, or head out a few miles to find nearby hiking and
mountain biking trails, wineries and craft breweries.
Walloon Lake Winery, Rudbeckia Farms Winery and Burnt
Marshmallow Brewing, Mackinac Trail Winery, and Maple
Moon Sugarbush and Winery are each just minutes away.
In some ways, today’s Walloon hasn’t changed a bit from
its early glory days. The glacier-made lake is as clear as it
was when Victorian women in long white cotton dresses
gathered to watch their children splash in wool swimsuits
on the shore. Pleasure boating — albeit with motors, sails
and paddles — continues to be a favorite pastime. And old
family cottages, the Hemingways’ Windermere among them,
still stand proudly, ready to welcome kin home.
But what has changed in recent years is marvelous: A
village reborn, an economy rising, a sanctuary for friends
and family intact. And if you can make the time to wander
down to its storied shores, you just might hear the sound
POP-UP SHOP PHOTO BY SCOTT BLACKWELL; BARREL BACK PHOTO BY LEKLEK BLUE; AERIAL PHOTO BY CHARLES DAWLEY; BOAT PHOTO COURTESY OF PETOSKEY AREA VISITORS BUREAUof what Walloon is once again: Spectacular. ★Boat leaving Walloon docks
Aerial view of Walloon
Barrel Back Restaurant Lake VillageSummer pop-up shopsLAKELANDBOATING.COM | MAY 2018 Shoreleave_Walloon_MAY18.indd 25 5/23/18 11:19 AM