Hotel at a Glance: The Terrace Inn

The Terrace Inn has welcomed guests since 1911. The building retains its vintage charm today, thanks to period decor in the lobby and guest rooms. The latter boast cable TV and private bathrooms stocked with eco-friendly products.

• Best spot to sit a spell: the inn's spacious front porch
• Onsite dining: Use your dining credit toward homemade Sicilian-style pizza, lake whitefish cooked on a plank, and other casual-upscale eats at The 1911 Restaurant.
• Propose a toast at the Fairview Terrace, which features a daily cocktail hour and occasional live jazz.
• Award winner: The inn won TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence in 2013; guests loved the historic character of the place and its friendly staff.

Petoskey, Michigan: Land of the Million-Dollar Sunsets

In 1873, Petoskey played host to a Grand Rapids reporter who wrote that the town's sunsets look like a million bucks. It's been known as the "land of the million dollar sunsets" ever since. For some of the best views, head to one of the parks lining the shores of Little Traverse Bay. Here you'll find sandy beaches and part of the 26-mile Little Traverse Wheelway, a paved trail that's open to bikers, walkers, and joggers. Also nearby is the Little Traverse History Museum; exhibits chronicle early life in northern Michigan and showcase some of the famous figures who've passed through the area, including Ernest Hemingway, who spent a lot of time here when he was growing up.

Petoskey's historic Gaslamp District is also worth a visit. It's lined with Victorian homes and small shops selling everything from local wines to boutique clothing to handmade jewelry. Just west of here, Bear River bisects the town. The river is good for whitewater rafting, but if you'd rather see the rushing waters from solid ground, you can set out on one of the scenic walking paths.

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