Just before you reach Petoskey heading north on U.S. 31, what used to be Old Resort Township Hall appears on your left, its porch laden with old desks and wicker furniture, sailing memorabilia and summertime garden trinkets. Welcome to Joseph’s World of Art & Antiques (2680 U.S. 31 S., 231-347-0121), first stop on your antiques road trip. Beyond the brick-red porch, find a sea of dazzling lights illuminating meticulously chosen antiques and art. Chat with owner Joseph McGee if he’s in the shop—the nationally certified antiques and art appraiser knows his stuff.
Hop back in the car and head for downtown Petoskey. The only antique shop in Petoskey’s historic Gaslight District, Longton Hall Antiques (410 Rose St., 231-347-9672) specializes in Scottish and English antiques. Housed in what was once the Petoskey-area icehouse, the store has a warehouse vibe and a vast collection of wood and wicker furniture from the 19th and 20th centuries, and vintage dishware including the celebrated heirloom earthenware Flow Blue and Blue Willow.
Now, take a drive up M-119 toward Harbor Springs. Pull into the rosey-colored stucco Joie de Vie Antiques and browse rooms of French and European antiques (1901 M-119, 231-347-1400, joiedevieantiques.com). Find more European antiques in Harbor Springs at L’Esprit (220 State St., 231-526-9644, lesprit.com) and Pooter Olooms (339 State St., 231-526-6101, pooterolooms.com) where the black-and-white checkered floor and airy cream-colored plank walls serve as a soothing backdrop to high-end antiques, like a milky Napoleon III settee with espresso-colored wood trim that sits as part of a set along with two matching high-backed armchairs.
QUICK BITE: From Pooter Olooms, walk to Cornichons European Market and Deli, just down the street next to the post office. Sit in the window nook at a bistro-style table, and order up a light tuna nicoise salad or a sandwich of sweet champagne honey ham and Swiss. (248 State St., 231-242-0020, cornichonsmarket.com)