Michigan's 'Small Town Feel With Big City Amenities' Is A Charming Artsy Hub With A Youthful Downtown

In Michigan, travelers willing to explore off-the-beaten-path locations can find everything from natural beauty and museums on the secret Beaver Island to the vineyard along the one-of-a-kind and luxurious Mt. Tabor Wine Trail. In between these destinations, in the middle of the Mitten State, there's another charming community perfect for a visit: Mount Pleasant. Described by Meet Mount Pleasant as having a "small town feel with big city amenities," this Michigan gem is home to a population of about 21,000, which swells to around 54,000 when Central Michigan University (CMU) students arrive on campus in the fall. 

While these students contribute to Mount Pleasant's youthful and vibrant nature, you don't have to be part of the college crowd to enjoy the area. Here, local adventures range from catching a game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium and ending the night with blackjack at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort to exploring art galleries, visiting the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum, and strolling through Deerfield Nature Park. These attractions merely scratch the surface of what Mount Pleasant has to offer, promising active explorers a deep well of activities to try in this unique city.

Before you see Mount Pleasant for yourself, consider which season is best for your visit. This Midwestern destination typically starts experiencing below-freezing temperatures in November, which can last into March and April. So, if you visit during this time, make sure to pack warm winter clothes (for this you can refer to Rick Steves' tip for packing light in winter). Travelers looking to dodge the college crowds will have the best luck visiting Mount Pleasant between mid-December and mid-January or from late May until the end of August. While students are away for summer vacation, Mount Pleasant makes good on its name with warm weather that is perfect for enjoying local farmers markets, festivals, and fairs.

The downtown district should be every traveler's first stop in Mount Pleasant. Start your day with a quick caffeine boost at Pleasant City Coffee or Ponder Coffee. Both offer indoor and outdoor seating, menus full of drinks and breakfast bites, and cozy vibes. Prefer fresh fruity drinks over coffee? Head to Pure Vitality Juice Bar and Spa, where you can grab a smoothie, take a dip in the cold plunge pool, try cryotherapy, and experience the infrared sauna. For lunch or dinner, head west on Broadway to reach Mountain Town Station for beer, wine, and a menu that ranges from pizza and pub sandwiches to steak and seafood. Jib-bob Korean Restaurant is another excellent dinner option, with dishes like bibimbap, kimchi jjigae, and bulgogi.

Between meals, dive into Mount Pleasant's art scene at downtown spots like Art Reach of Mid Michigan. This hub for creative expression holds art classes, hosts community programs, and keeps an updated calendar of events featuring highlights like "Wine & Watercolors" and "Brews & Brushes." Nearby, you can see sculptures, paintings, pottery, jewelry, and other artworks on display at Main Frame Gallery. If you'd prefer to explore the performing arts, catch a show at Mount Pleasant's Broadway Theatre. This is a non-profit venue that hosts the local Broadway Players and the Broadway Playhouse Kids. 

Before you leave Downtown Mount Pleasant, consider stopping at interesting shops like Life Unplugged or Sleepy Dog Books. Life Unplugged offers outdoorsy clothes you can wear while exploring nearby parks, while Sleepy Dog Books is a family-run bookstore that sells books for all kinds of readers. If you're traveling with kids, you'll also want to visit Mini City, a unique playscape catering to children between 12 months and 8 years old. Meanwhile, the grown-up crowd can find fun after dark at Encore, The Nightclub.

Outside Mount Pleasant's downtown center, you can discover some excellent museums. One must-see museum is the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways. Curated by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan to tell the story of their community, this museum features both permanent and rotating exhibits focused on Saginaw Chippewa culture. Open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, the center charges admission fees of less-than $10 per person. Kids under 4 get in free. 

Less than 3 miles from the Ziibiwing Center, you can continue museum-hopping at the Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum. Perfect for families traveling with kids, this attraction includes interactive exhibits about outer space, honeybees, farming, and more. Meanwhile on the CMU campus, history buffs can pursue their passion at the Museum of Cultural and Natural History. Here, exhibits showcase a fascinating collection of fossils, minerals, artifacts from Michigan's pioneer days, and other curiosities. Visit Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and plan to park on nearby Bellows Street or East Campus Drive unless you opt for a guest parking pass. Get one of these passes before your visit by contacting CMU Parking Services (further details are available on the museum website).

After checking out Mount Pleasant's museums, enjoy the great outdoors at local parks. Start at Mill Pond Park, a serene, natural escape not far from downtown. The Chippewa River contributes to this area's wetland habitats, and visitors can see it while strolling along the park's nature trails or picnicking under pavilions. About 6 miles away you can check out Deerfield Nature Park, another excellent outdoor space in Mount Pleasant. Here, you can fish, hike, canoe, bike, play disc golf, and more on 591 acres of forested land.