Boyne City

Quaint town nestled on the shores of Lake Charlevoix and the Boyne River. Known for fun street music and great dining.

Boyne City (Boyne City Michigan | City of Boyne City - City of Boyne City) is a vibrant community that sits on the banks of the Boyne River and the eastern shores of glistening Lake Charlevoix, Michigan’s third-largest inland lake. The population of this award-winning community was 3,816 at the 2020 census, making it the largest city in Charlevoix County. Selected by a national jury of community development professionals and leaders in economic development and historic preservation, Boyne City was recently recognized for turning its previously industrial downtown into a thriving destination to live, work, and play. “Boyne City’s inspiring transformation serves as a model for downtowns looking to appeal to tourists while investing in the quality of life of year-round residents,” said National Main Street Center President and CEO Patrice Frey. “Boyne City Main Street has demonstrated the power of community engagement, strategic business development, and public and private partnerships to revitalize Main Street.”

This growing, bustling city has it all: music, art, fun, outdoor activities, dining, shopping, biking, skiing, and more. Harnessing its picturesque location, Boyne City has become a hub for year-round recreation for locals and tourists alike. The community has impressive access to natural resources and a sense of place thanks to a recent streetscape redevelopment project, developing a boardwalk and marina, and adding public art. Throughout the year, the city has an impressive list of events offered from the very popular Stoll the Streets, the Morel Mushroom Festival (National Morel Mushroom Festival 2023 - Petoskey Area), the Fall Harvest Festival, Evenings at the Gazebo, the famous Boyne Thunder, to one of the north’s most vibrant and popular weekly farmers markets.

Stroll the Streets (http://boynecitymainstreet.com) occurs every Friday evening during the summer from 6-9 pm. The Boyne City downtown comes alive as the town “strolls the streets,” listening to music, enjoying children’s activities, and connecting with locals and visitors. 

Boyne Thunder (https://boynethunder.com) occurs only once a summer, but it makes a splash and connects Boyne City to its’ close neighboring towns, Petoskey (Welcome to City Of Petoskey, MI), Harbor Springs (City of Harbor Springs Michigan), Bay Harbor (bayharbor.com), and Charlevoix (Visit Charlevoix, Michigan | Charlevoix the Beautiful! | Discover Northern Michigan). Since its 2004 inception, Boyne Thunder has raised and distributed over $1 million to Camp Quality(Camp Quality Michigan | Residential Charity Camp for Children (campqualityusa.org), Challenge Mountain (Home | Challenge Mountain (challengemtn.org), and Boyne City Main Street (An Award-Winning Main Street in Northern Michigan - Boyne City Main Street). The most notable, key event of Boyne Thunder is a one-of-a-kind poker run, a game of chance, not a boat race, that welcomes power boaters and their families from around the country to Boyne City for a weekend full of fun, festivities, and philanthropy!

If mountain biking and hiking are a priority for you, then you will love the town’s proximity to Avalanche Mountain Preserve (https://www.michigantrailmaps.com/member-detail/avalanche-preserve-recreation-area/) and the Boyne School Forrest Trail (https://www.tommba.org/Boyne-School-Forest-Expansion). The Avalanche Mountain Preserve is a 300-plus acre woodland located just minutes from downtown Boyne City and offers hiking and miles and miles of biking trails.

Boyne School Forrest Trail is located between Boyne City and Walloon Lake. It is a local’s favorite single-track destination because it has excellent riding that appeals to all ability levels. The trail was designed in connecting, easy-to-navigate loops. One loop is suitable for beginners, another for intermediate, and another for advanced skills. The trails are groomed for winter fat biking for all skill levels, and you’ll always find a friendly group parked at the trailhead.

For skiing, golfing, and more, look no further than the nationally known Boyne Mountain Resort (www.BoyneMountain.com). Whether you are looking for quaint lodging, world-class skiing and golfing, Avalanche Bay, the indoor water park, or the newly opened Skybridge Michigan, the longest timber-towered suspension bridge, Boyne Mountain will surely have something for everyone in your crew.

The school offerings of a community are always a great indicator of the health of a community. Boyne City Public Schools (Boyne City Public Schools) will not disappoint. With a 94% high school graduation rate in 2022 and numerous students moving on to further their education at highly esteemed colleges and universities, the opportunities are endless with a diploma from Boyne City Public Schools. The system is part of the Char-Em Intermediate School District so it does collaborate with nearby districts for additional programming. The Boyne City school system includes five schools K-12 and has a district enrollment of nearly 1400 students.