Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Bellaire, MI

  • Published 2023/02/21

Bellaire is a community in Michigan and the county seat of Antrim County.

Among the many outstanding features of this delightful village is the gorgeous main street.

It is one of the most popular tourist locations, offering indoor and outdoor activities for those wishing for a great vacation.

The Grass River Natural Area, Torch Lake Cellars, and Chief Golf Course provide opportunities for fun activities.

It’s an excellent spot for a family to spend quality time together.

Keep reading to learn more about the best things to do in Bellaire, Michigan.

Walk the Pathways of the Grass River Natural Area

Trees surrounding Grass River Natural Area

Jerry Kozlowski / Shutterstock.com

The Grass River Natural Area is a 1,492-acre environmental park in Antrim County that surrounds the Grass River.

Their objective is to maintain the Grass River Natural Area, protect and conserve its watershed, and provide activities that promote environmental awareness, appreciation, and neighborhood stewardship.

Aerial view of Grass River Natural Area

Jerry Kozlowski / Shutterstock.com

Grass River Natural Area has seven miles of well-maintained pathways, featuring 1.5 miles of walkway floating over northern fen and cedar wetlands and the magnificent scenery of the Grass River.

Grass River Natural Area gives tourists an outdoor, natural laboratory to explore and discover these biological wonders.

The Grass River Center is open all year and provides a welcoming educational environment for public programs, school field trips, vacations, and other activities.

Grab a Tasty Burger at Bellaire Bar & Restaurant

Are you seeking a relaxing place to eat?

A vibrant spot to visit is Bellaire Bar & Restaurant, about a minute’s stroll from the Antrim Community Church.

This fantastic establishment boasts a welcoming environment and excellent service.

Although the restaurant is known for its delectable burgers, it also offers other dishes, including tacos, burgers, quesadillas, salads, and soups.

Treat your friends and family to a tasty burger, then when you’ve satisfied your hunger, grab a beer and relax.

This popular restaurant in Bellaire is a must-see before your vacation is done.

Set up a Picnic at Richardi Park

Are you looking for a fun activity with your family in Bellaire?

Richardi Park, just north of downtown on the Intermediate River Park, is fantastic.

There are several amenities in the park, ranging from tennis and basketball courts to a magnificent swimming beach, to guarantee that you have a good time.

You may rent a pavilion for picnics and a beautiful fishing spot.

Likewise, you can rent grills for barbecuing.

When the weather permits, the community also constructs ice rinks.

Bring your friends and family and a complete picnic basket for a great day in the park.

Check Out the Tasting Area of the Torch Lake Cellars

Torch Lake Cellars is a lovely, sophisticated family-owned vineyard nestled in the foothills of Bellaire, Michigan.

You may enjoy the beautiful sights of the vineyard and Torch Lake and the attractive surroundings.

Their long-term objective is to add activities and events to enrich the customer experience at their winery.

They aspire to produce the most outstanding grapes with passion, patience, and dedication.

If you love wine, you will enjoy your trip to this location.

It has a stunning tasting area with mosaic-tiled flooring and a rustic wood spiraling staircase up to a 62.5-cm copula.

They sell excellent wines and a selection of handcrafted hard ciders, all of which are packaged on-site.

Explore Different Toys and Crafts at Little Treasures Toy Shop

Little Treasures Toy & Gift is more than a toy store; it is a destination for youngsters and adults.

Dick Bantien founded Little Treasures in 1993 in a small, stone-faced structure in Elk Rapids, Michigan.

Dick and his wife Sue, both retired schoolteachers, recognized the importance of creative, imaginative play in a child’s healthy development.

Little Treasures has 1,000 square feet of high-quality toys, games, and crafts.

They have always searched for exceptional goods to add to their collection, whether it’s through local gift events or toy fairs.

Come by and discover what they have lined up for their customers.

Enjoy Golf at the Chief Golf Course

For years, the Chief Golf Course, dubbed “The Spirit of the North,” has operated in Bellaire, Michigan.

It’s one of the top golfing locations in Northern Michigan.

The Chief Golf Course’s spectacular shape, bunkers, and water hazards give it a challenging course for guests.

It is an 18-hole championship golf course that travels through forested hills with spectacular sunset views over Lake Bellaire.

In Golf Digest’s 2008-2009 issue, The Chief Golf Course received a 4-star rating for “best locations to play.”

From a completely stocked pro shop to membership choices to welcoming staff, the Chief has everything you need for a fantastic day on the course.

Order a Delicious Steak at the Pelican’s Nest Restaurant

You can grab the finest burger you’ve ever tasted at the Pelican’s Nest.

They begin with the best ingredients and prepare them according to the preferences of their consumers.

They’ve got you covered if you’re craving delectable seafood or delicious steak and tasty salads and sumptuous desserts.

Weather permitting, full-service bars and pleasant restaurant staff can serve you and your companions indoors and out, and they also provide live music and unique dining events all year.

So come on over to The Pelican’s Nest in Bellaire.

Whether you’re a resident or just passing through, you’ll have a fantastic time!

Go on a Hike at Cedar River Natural Area

If you’re looking for something exciting and entertaining during your vacation, go hiking.

One of Bellaire’s hidden jewels is the Cedar River Natural Area.

Trails meander into an indigenous swamp conifer forest area and upland woodland in this attractive hiking region.

You can see the riparian trees along the banks of the magnificent Cedar River.

The Craven Park Campground, which is just a short distance from the Fairground Trailhead, is the most popular attraction in the region.

Additionally, the natural environment blooms with wildflowers in the spring, making for an intriguing destination to hike.

Create Memorable Boating Experiences at Dewitt Marine

Dewitt Marine has operated as Northern Michigan’s comprehensive, full-service marina since 1949.

Dewitt Marine, situated at the head of Clam River on Torch Lake, is your one-stop shop for all your boating requirements.

Their purpose is to listen and lead you through the benefits and support you through every step of the process, whether buying a boat, maintaining a boat, storing a boat, or selling your own.

Dewitt Marine can make your Northern Michigan boating excursion a memorable experience by providing boat rentals, servicing, repair, and new and used boat sales.

Fill up your boat with gas for your day on the lake and stock up on snacks, beverages, and sunscreen.

Taste Butter Crème at Ruthann’s Gourmet Bakery

Ruthann’s Gourmet Bakery is one of this little town’s most famous bakeries.

Ruthann is the owner, designer, and executive pastry chef of Ruthann’s Gourmet Bakery in Bellaire, Michigan.

She enjoys displaying her baking and decorating expertise.

If you’re searching for a stunning wedding cake. In that case, she’ll work with you to develop designs that inspire and satisfy your particular demands, from her trade secret signature Butter Crème to fondant-covered confectionery wonders.

Cookie art, cakes, muffins, bread, bagels, and beautiful cupcakes are among the bakery’s specialties.

A trip to Ruthann’s Gourmet Bakery is a must-do on any holiday.

Play Arcade Games in Bellaire Lanes & Games

Are you looking for adventure?

Bellaire Lanes & Games features an eight-lane bowling alley, an arcade, laser tag, outdoor activities, a terrace, and a complete bar and restaurant.

Bellaire Lanes & Games, completely refurbished and reopened in December 2016, is now a renowned family entertainment facility.

Their outdoor entertainment area, including horseshoe pits plus bean bags, is their newest seasonal feature.

Signature pizzas, calzones, wings, pasta, and many more foods and snacks are available on their menu.

Come by Bellaire Lanes & Games and enjoy food and beverages on their new patio!

Bring Home a Customized Labelled Drink at Mammoth Distilling

The third facility of Mammoth Distilling is at 109 N Bridge St in Bellaire, Michigan.

Mammoth spirits are carved from Northern Michigan’s glacial lakes and hills, and each batch reflects the unique, ancient essence of the ingredients used.

Enjoy creative cocktails created with their locally distilled spirits and take-home bottles of vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, bourbon, and rye.

Mammoth Distilling also offers music, trivia, and private event space.

In Mammoth Distilling, you may create your unique bourbon or rye mix from their brick house’s hundreds of severely aged barrels.

Bring home a one-of-a-kind mix to amaze your friends by adding a customized label right to your bottle!

Take a Sporting Trail at Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area

If you visit Bellaire in the winter, Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area is a great place to stay.

Glacial Hills has something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner looking to try something different or a seasoned trail runner.

Miles of hiking, mountain biking, and winter sports trails await visitors at Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area.

Hiking and photography are accessible in the attractive lush woodlands and gorgeous vast pastures.

If you’re looking for a more intense workout, travel west to the more extensive network of trails.

The Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area’s great biological variety attests to its statewide significance.

Discover why the Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area is one of the Midwest’s most popular trail attractions!

Treat Yourself with Famous Smoked Meat at Bellaire Smokehouse

Bellaire Smokehouse & Meat Market is a high-end market that specializes in smoked and fresh meats and seafood.

In October of 1998, Tim and Karen Watters opened the Bellaire Smokehouse.

Tim developed a cement smoker to use a wood fire to give an authentic smoked product.

They transformed a piece of the two-car garage into a store and the back porch into a prep space to start small.

Smoked trout, double smoked bacon, rib eye steak, raw jumbo shrimp, and various other dishes are among the popular choices at Bellaire Smokehouse.

Visit their market.

They’d be pleased to assist you in selecting the best cut of meat, smoked fish, and cheese to complement your next exceptional dining experience and craft beer and wine.

Unwind at the Chain O’ Lakes Campground

Although Bellaire is a tiny town, it is not lacking in fun and amusement.

If you’re looking for a fun place to take your family, Chain O’ Lakes Campground is one of Bellaire’s most excellent places to visit.

Staying in camp-in cabins with porches and an outdoor fireplace will provide you6 with peace.

As you navigate the waves, take in the beautiful sights.

You may hire a kayak and go on an exciting excursion across the beautiful tree-lined canals.

Chain O’ Lakes Campground has a pavilion available for reunions, gatherings, or other events.

Taste Local Brews at Bee Well Mead & Cider

Relax and take your family and friends out for drinks at Bee Well Mead & Cider on North Bridge Street.

Sibling tandem Chris and Jeremy VanSice started making uniquely crafted brews in 2014 which all started from a simple hobby.

They also won several Michigan Mead Cup and Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition awards.

Some of their award-winning original brews include Spy vs Citra, Over The Hill, North Cider, King’s Cherry, Antrim Apple Pie, and Famly Tree.

Drop by the tasting room and try out 20 rotating cider and mead taps, sodas, and snacks.

They’re also a family-friendly establishment, so you can bring your kids along for some soda pops and have fun with arcade games.

Some of their best taps on the list include the colonial-style Thirteen Cider, the local apple, Michigan plum, and honey blend Comfortably Plum Cider, and North Cider, made from 100% McIntosh Apples.

Enjoy drinks and wonderful company at Bee Well Mead & Cider.

Visit the Bellaire Area Historical Society and Museum

To know more about local history,take time to visitBellaire Area Historical Society and Museum.

The museum is located on North Bridge Street and is open from Tuesday to Saturday.

You’ll see displays that present Bellaire’s rich history along with civil war artifacts on exhibit.

Discover the town’s progress over the decades based on old publications and copies of Antrim County Atlases.

Browse through the antique items and get to know their significance during a specific period, or take a look at the records of early settlers and residents that have been part of the town’s developments.

You might be surprised about what you can learn at the Bellaire Area Historical Society and Museum.

Enjoy Water Activities at Bellaire’s Lakes

Waters of a lake at Bellaire

Zeinab A / Shutterstock.com

With abundant water resources, there are plenty of water activities you can enjoy with Bellaire’s Lakes.

Fish for a fresh catch at the Chain-O-Lakes, a 75-mile of connecting waterway with an abundant supply of trout and salmon.

Kayaking and boating are also favorite water activities at Chain-O-Lakes.

Likewise, the scenic Torch Lake and Elk Lake are popular destinations for boaters and fishermen.

You can also cast a few lines on Lake Skegemog, one of the town’s public lakes open for fishing.

If you want something relaxing and laidback, you can take a splash on Torch Lake’s sandbar area, too.

Enjoy the sceneries and leisure activities at Bellaire’s Lakes.

Have a Fun Time at the Harvest Festival

One of Downtown Bellaire’s exciting annual celebrations is theHarvest Festival.

Join the festivities every October with events that your family will surely enjoy.

Check out the cool scarecrow designs at Scarecrows Extravaganza, or get yourself prepped in costumes for the Halloween Dress Up.

You can also catch the Arts and Crafts Show and the Best Dressed Pet Parade with cute pets all dressed for the occasion.

The Bellaire Historical Museum also hosts free admission during the festival to let visitors know more about local facts and history.

There’s live music entertainment to keep you on your feet and food trucks lined up with plenty of foods to satisfy your taste buds.

Other attractions you can catch at the Harvest Festival include the fun-filled Pie Eating Contests and the Oktoberfest Celebrations.

Stay at The Inn at Breezy Hill Farm

Book your family’s accommodation at The Inn at Breezy Hill Farmlocated onPark Street.

The inn welcomes you to its warm and charming 1879 American Gothic-style home surrounded by rows of old maple trees, the perfect country setting to relax and unwind.

Formerly known as Bellaire B+B, it still maintains its old-fashion charm while giving its guests genuine service and excellent amenities.

All rooms provide a relaxing space with designs that include the Victorian East Lake Room, the British Colonial-themed Empire Room, Emma’s Room decorated in English cottage style, and a Boho-inspired Vintage Room.

Enjoy their in-house food service, an array of breakfast options, and complimentary drinks upon arrival, plus snack baskets and nibble boards available for purchase.

You can also rent the whole house and access all nine rooms if you’re around a group of 19 people.

If you want to go sightseeing, the inn sits nearby Elk Rapids, Charlevoix, Traverse City, and Torch Lake.

You can also stroll the grounds and drop by to see the bright annual and perennial gardens, or even see some wildlife wandering around.

Likewise, you can enjoy some quiet time while sitting on the comfortable porches with a glass of wine or reading books at the library beside the warm fireplace.

Enjoy your stay at The Inn at Breezy Hill Farm.

Final Thoughts

Summer activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing provide spectacular trips through some of Michigan’s most beautiful tourist destinations in Bellaire.

Snowmobile routes, sledding areas, and Shanty Creek’s ski slopes give plenty of entertainment in the winter, while golf returns in the spring when the climate warms up.

Bellaire offers a variety of accommodations as well, including resorts, parks, and campsites.

Visit their toy stores, game centers, wine cellars, as well as fantastic places to dine and drink.

Don’t skip out on a fun day with friends and family at this tourist attraction.

Discover More of Antrim County, MI

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