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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Boyne City & Lake Charlevoix, Michigan
Lavender Hill Farm near Boyne City is free to explore daily in summer and peaks in July; pair it with the Ironton Ferry and Charlevoix's pier light.
3 places · updated October 17, 2026
Lake Charlevoix runs from Boyne City at its east end to the town of Charlevoix on Lake Michigan, with a South Arm crossed by the small Ironton Ferry from mid-April to mid-November. Boyne City has a lakefront farmers market and Avalanche, a 1,023-foot hill rising right behind town. Charlevoix has its drawbridge, a red pier light and the boulder-built houses of architect Earl Young, and Petoskey's stone-hunting beaches are about 20 minutes north.
Lavender Hill Farm, on Horton Bay Road north of Boyne City, was established in 2003 and covers 33 acres of lavender fields, gardens, a seven-circuit labyrinth, beehives and a century-old barn. In 2026 its summer season ran from May 6 into late October, open daily 10 to 5 with free admission, and the farm suggests a July visit for the most color. Fridays in July bring free Lavender Fest days with yoga and live music, and its farmhouse boutique and Copper Room tasting room keep later hours into fall.
The lavender farms
- Lavender Hill FarmLavender farm · Boyne City
late June or early July to mid-August, peak in July
Free self-guided visits daily 10–5 in the summer season (2026: May 6 to late October); U-cut after peak bloom in July; ticketed tours, workshops, concerts and dining events; boutique and tasting room year-round.
Best time to visit
Lavender Hill Farm recommends July: bloom can start in June and run into August, and u-cut begins after peak bloom. Its free Lavender Fest Fridays ran July 3 through 31 in 2026, with yoga from 9 to 10 a.m. and live music from 11 to 2. The farm is closed on July 4. The Boyne City Farmers Market sets up Wednesday and Saturday mornings, 8 to noon, from mid-May (2026). The Ironton Ferry runs from about mid-April to mid-November, and in October 2026 the farm's boutique stayed open until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, so an autumn weekday still works for shopping and a hike up Avalanche.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Young State Park🌳 State park · Boyne City · about 7 mi, 13 min drive
563 acres on the east end of Lake Charlevoix with a buoyed swim beach reached by an accessible walkway, 6.5 miles of trails and three campgrounds.
Michigan Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry
- Avalanche Preserve🌲 Preserve · Boyne City · about 10 mi, 18 min drive
About 300 acres on Boyne City's southwest edge, climbing 439 feet above Lake Charlevoix to a 1,023-foot summit with wide views. Almost 3 miles of trail allow hikes of 2 to 4.2 miles; the north slope was a downhill ski hill until the 1960s.
- Boyne City Farmers Market🏞️ Park · Boyne City · about 9 mi, 16 min drive
Morning market in Veterans Park on the Lake Charlevoix waterfront downtown.
Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.–noon, from mid-May (2026)
- Ironton Ferry🌉 Landmark · Charlevoix · about 16 mi, 25 min drive
A short car-ferry crossing of Lake Charlevoix's South Arm at Ironton, a shortcut between the Charlevoix side and the south shore toward Boyne City and East Jordan.
About mid-April to mid-November, 6:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Fare charged; credit cards not accepted
- Charlevoix🏘️ Town · Charlevoix · about 11 mi, 20 min drive
Lake Michigan town with a bascule drawbridge that opens every half hour in summer when boats are waiting, Earl Young's whimsical boulder-and-cedar-shake houses, and a pier walk from downtown to Lake Michigan Beach, a good place to look for Petoskey and Charlevoix stones.
- Charlevoix South Pier Light🗼 Lighthouse · Charlevoix · about 11 mi, 20 min drive
The bright red pier light at the mouth of the Pine River Channel, painted red in 2009 and now owned by the City of Charlevoix. Lighthouse Passport stamps are available at the Charlevoix Historical Society, 103 State Street.
- Petoskey State Park🌳 State park · Petoskey · about 14 mi, 22 min drive
A mile of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline popular for Petoskey stone hunting, plus the half-mile Old Baldy Trail to a dune-top observation deck and the 1-mile Portage Trail. Leashed dogs may use the shore south of the swim beach.
Michigan Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry
- Little Traverse History Museum🏛️ Museum · Petoskey · about 12 mi, 20 min drive
Local history museum in Petoskey's old railroad depot on the waterfront, with exhibits on the people, places and events of the Little Traverse Bay area.
Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
$5; members and children free
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Horton Bay General Store & InnGeneral store · Boyne City
1876 general store at Horton Bay, a few minutes from the lavender fields, with coffee, sandwiches, ice cream and picnic boxes.
- Gildas' Lake Street BakeryBakery · Boyne City
French-style bakery on Lake Street making crepes, croissants and brioche for breakfast and lunch.
- Café SantéRestaurant · Boyne City
European-style bistro by the water with a patio, wood-fired pizza, mussels and pasta.
- Lake Charlevoix Coffee CompanyCafé or coffee shop · Boyne City
Downtown Boyne City coffee shop serving freshly roasted coffee for breakfast and lunch.
- Horton Creek InnInn or B&B · Charlevoix
Bed and breakfast on Boyne City Road, on the way between the lavender farm and Charlevoix.
- Dutch Oven BakeryBakery · Alanson
Scratch bakery in Alanson since 1933, known for its cinnamon bread and doughnuts.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMLavender Hill Farm
Walk the fields, gardens and labyrinth; on a July Friday, stay for the free live music from 11 to 2. About two hours.
- 12:15 PMHorton Bay General Store · about 5 min drive
Lunch: a sandwich or picnic box and an ice cream, about an hour.
- 1:30 PMCharlevoix · about 15 min drive
Walk downtown and out the pier to Lake Michigan Beach and the red South Pier Light, look for Earl Young's houses and watch the drawbridge, about 90 minutes.
- 3:15 PMIronton Ferry · about 12 min drive
Ride across the South Arm (bring cash for the fare); a few minutes on the water.
- 4:00 PMAvalanche Preserve · about 25 min drive
Climb to the overlook above Boyne City and Lake Charlevoix, about an hour.
- 5:15 PMYoung State Park · about 10 min drive
Cool off at the buoyed swim beach, about an hour.
- 6:45 PMCafe Sante · about 10 min drive
Dinner on the patio by the water in Boyne City.
Tips
- Lavender Hill Farm is a pet-free property; only licensed ADA service animals are allowed, not emotional-support or companion animals.
- Bring cash for the Ironton Ferry, which does not take credit cards.
- Lavender Hill Farm closes on July 4, and ticketed classes and events are separate from free general admission.
- Pick up a Lighthouse Passport stamp for the South Pier Light at the Charlevoix Historical Society, 103 State Street; call 231-547-0373 for hours.
- At Petoskey State Park, dogs belong on the shore south of the swim beach unless it is posted closed for piping plovers.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
Is Lavender Hill Farm free to visit?
Yes. During the summer season general admission is free and no ticket is needed to explore; classes, workshops and some events are ticketed.
When is the lavender best at Lavender Hill Farm?
The farm recommends July. Bloom can start in June and last into August, and u-cut opens after peak bloom.
Can I bring my dog to Lavender Hill Farm?
No. The farm is pet-free; only licensed ADA service animals are allowed.
What are Lavender Fest Fridays?
Free Friday events in July (July 3–31 in 2026) with yoga from 9 to 10 a.m. and live music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
When does the Ironton Ferry run?
From about mid-April to mid-November, 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. It does not accept credit cards.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
Open the Passport🏡 Own a farm, café or inn here?
Add your listing for free so travelers find you, or become a Featured sponsor to sit at the top of this guide, on the Passport map and in the event calendars.
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