500' to Torch Lake & Depot Park; Walk to quaint Alden; Low Spring and Fall Rates

Top rated by guests
Sunlight and trees' shadows on front of home, looking from Terrace Street
Kitchen and family eating area;  spiral staircase; view from living room
Island & Equipped kitchen: microwave, coffeemaker, gas range, blender. toaster.
Kitchen dining area - from sink area. Doors to LR, bathroom and front porch.
Another view of the kitchen area and front door to/from the porch.
review stars
9.8Outstanding
(90 Ratings)
Guests praised the historic house's excellent amenities, beautiful location near Torch Lake, and charming neighborhood. They enjoyed long walks, fishing trips, and appreciated the well-stocked and fully furnished home with detailed history and helpfu...
From real guest reviews summarized by AI
Don't miss out! Price and availability may change
9.8 / 10.0
Outstanding(90 Ratings)

House in Torch Lake, MI

6 guests · 3 bedrooms · 2 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Well priced for this locationPriced under area average
Book with confidenceWe partner with the top travel sites so you know you're getting a great deal on the perfect rental

About this house rental

Low weekly rates and discount for 28+ nights... Reduced spring and fall rates.
Walk to downtown Alden, to the historical Train Depot Park and Museum, up and around the preserve on Coy Mountain, and walk to the stunning Torch Lake shore and the nearby beach -- all from this circa 1870s historic Victorian home. Enjoy the history and our amenities in this three bedroom, two bath, two story Alden village house.

Three bedrooms (two with Queen Beds and one with 2 twin beds) and 2 bathrooms (one on the first floor and one upstairs) provide for a comfortable stay for up to 6 people. Fully equipped kitchen allows eating at home if you wish. Your at-home dining area choices include in the kitchen or on the front porch or even the original "formal" family dining room.

The exterior colors (repainted 2025) will remind you of the power and depth and beauty of Torch Lake itself. If it's been a few years since you've rented the home, welcome back to the 'new look' of our vacation home in quaint Alden.

You will be located just across from the main east-shore road along the shore of Torch Lake. Locals and visitors know what a great lake Torch is for vacationing, sightseeing, water-sports (including swimming, boating, kayaking, tubing and more). You'll be just a couple blocks and a pleasant short walk from charming downtown Alden itself and its marina, unique shops and restaurants. And you are at the foot of the 17-acre preserve that is 'Coy Mountain'.

Experience beautiful sunsets and Torch Lake views from the kitchen and living room and from the west-facing porch on its settee or porch chairs. Swim in Torch Lake and the connected Chain-of-Lakes, Boat through the lower 'Chain of Lakes' (Torch, Bellaire, Elk, Clam, Skegemog). This smoke-free home is very close to area pro golf courses, Traverse City shopping and the wineries of Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau County. Boyne, Petoskey and Harbor Springs are short, pleasant round-trip same-day excursions.

Sleeping Bear Dunes is just over an hour to the west. And famed motor-vehicle-free Mackinac Island is a great day-trip

You will be staying in what long-time locals still call 'the Chapelle' house, which in the late 1800s and early 1900s was the rooming and guest house for visitors by rail from downstate and from Chicago and Ohio. The home was even larger then, with a 2-story guest room area, connecting at what is now the French doors in the formal dining room. In fact, you'll find the postcard of the home circa 1910 in the postcard collection at the Historical Museum, just across the main road from you, toward the Lake.

The double corner lot provides room for children of all ages to play right in your yard, if you and they prefer.

Alden is just 25 minutes northeast of Traverse City and the Old Mission Peninsula (and its great wineries) and just 15 minutes southwest of Shanty Creek and Bellaire. A little further west, past Traverse City's dining and shopping pleasures, are the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula.

Alden is on the southeast shore of beautiful Torch Lake. Your boat will slip easily into and out of Torch Lake at the public launch and marina and slips in town. Then, the entire Chain-of-Lakes lie ahead of you to explore and enjoy. No boat of your own? Rentals are available at your choice of several local marinas. We can provide their contact numbers, if you wish.

Your boat and trailer can park off the street and on our property.

If you prefer to stay home some day or evening, prepare your dinner in the fully equipped kitchen or on the grill (charcoal provided). Then enjoy it in the dining room or as a picnic on the porch, in the backyard or in the nearby park, or up on Coy Mountain.

Quiet evenings in on the porch or watching videos or TV are also your entertainment options. Three smart TVs are provided for your at-home varied entertainment, with high-speed WiFi. (Please bring your own HDMI or other needed cables if you want to connect to you own devices).

Need to work remotely or keep up with emails? (We know many have to do that) Our High Speed internet modem is provided for your use. Free, password-secured WiFi is provided. Or you can connect by your own Ethernet cable.

Alden's and surrounding Helena Township's history may be of interest to you. Research on the area tells all that:
"Helena became famous as a summer resort area in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The principal resorts were Belden Heights at Alden (where our home is, and you will see the platting on the living room wall); Lone Tree Point and Waswagonik near Clam River; Crystal Beach Hotel on the south end of Torch Lake; and Watson's Inn at Torch River. Many beautiful homes and cottages were built on the shores of Torch and Clam Lakes. The Pere Marquette railroad officials stated that more tickets were sold from Chicago to Alden during the season than to any other point on their line in the resort area. It is still very popular and continues to grow in this respect."

Keywords: Vacation House, Summer home, Victorian home, Historic home, Alden, Torch Lake, Traverse City, Bellaire

Map of Torch Lake, MI


Ratings and reviews

9.8 / 10.0
Outstanding(90 Ratings)
review starsSummary of reviews
Guests praised the historic house's excellent amenities, beautiful location near Torch Lake, and charming neighborhood. They enjoyed long walks, fishing trips, and appreciated the well-stocked and fully furnished home with detailed history and helpful notes. Owners were kind, communicative, and thoughtful, making their stay memorable.
From real guest reviews summarized by AI
10.0 / 10.0Outstanding·May 2025
This home is perfectly set with a lovely porch and view down the hill of Torch lake. Enjoyed our walks to downtown along the water and to the few shops and coffee and small pub . Less than 10 minute walk. Nice park also that had tennis and pickleball courts with free rackets and balls supplied. Coy mountain is about 2 Minutes up the road and is a good hike for any level and maybe a 40 minute to get to the top and back. . This is a great location and includes all you need to cook or cookout . Just a short drive to many areas . Will definitely be back! Owners are very responsive and so was the property manager accommodating our late check in . This is an older home like being at your grandma's house which we loved . Perfect lake setting.
10.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Oct 2024
My sister and I had a wonderful, relaxing time. The town of Alden is so cute. Loved the shops. The house was very clean and comfortable. The owners are very nice and answered all my questions. Would stay there again if ever in the area.
10.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Aug 2024
This is a great place to stay for a quiet vacation near the water. The house is well kept and comfortable. It is centrally located between Traverse City and Charlevoix/Petoskey. Richard was gracious enough to allow to stay an extra day. This gave us an extra day of exploring which was wonderful.
8.0 / 10.0Excellent·Aug 2024
My 4 sisters and I enjoyed this vintage home in Alden. We called it "Grandma's home". We enjoyed morning walks around the neighborhood and especially liked being able to walk to the cute town of Alden. We were disappointed that there wasn't a beach nearby and futhermore we were told that there was a parasite in the lake that causes "swimmers itch". Thankfully the weather was very pleasant and we really didn't need to get into the water.

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FAQs

Is parking included with this house?

Parking is not specified as an available amenity at 500' to Torch Lake & Depot Park; Walk to quaint Alden; Low Spring and Fall Rates. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this house?

We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.

Is 500' to Torch Lake & Depot Park; Walk to quaint Alden; Low Spring and Fall Rates pet friendly?

Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"


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