Opening night of the four-block street party that runs every Friday into early September. Ten or so musicians set up on the corners and in front of the shops, kids run around, and dinner downtown turns into a whole evening. This is the easy one to plan a Friday around.

Live music in the covered pavilion every Thursday all summer, rain or shine. Bring a lawn chair, wine's available there. A short drive from the village and an easy midweek reset.

The midweek spot right in the village. Happy hour from 4, live music kicking off around 6 on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Walkable if you're staying close to the water.

A morning of putting native plants in the ground for the local bees and butterflies. No experience needed, just show up. A nice low-key way to spend a few hours and meet the people who look after the lake.

Produce, baked goods, cut flowers, a musician in the background. Petoskey's market is on Howard and Michigan downtown and runs into late September.

Lakeside patio, house-smoked and wood-fired, 23 beers on tap. Lunch and dinner seven days a week, and happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3 to 6. First come, first served, so go early on a warm night.

The fine-dining room that's been on the lake since 1891. Open 5 to 9pm, and the three-course $60 menu from 5 to 6 is the move if you want the full thing without the full check. Reservations worth making.