If you’re staying close to home this weekend, but want something new to fill a day, there are some great day trip choices right here in southern lower Michigan. I’ve plotted out a few fun directions to take with lots of options to explore in each area. The drives are all under 90 minutes, so you can set off on your road trip after breakfast and make a day of it, being home as early as dinner time or as late as bed time.
I dug deep to find some really interesting (and some a bit wacky!) places to stop. These are not your everyday destinations, but they ought to make for some fun memories on this road trip. Have some laughs, take some walks, or really go on some cool adventures. The choice is yours, just go and have a bit of fun!
ROAD TRIP WEST TO JACKSON
THINGS TO DO:
Bike or Walk Falling Waters Trail, with a Stop at Historic Park | Jackson, Spring Arbor, Concord
Take a Self-Guided Tour (Select from Underground Railroad, Architecture, and More) | Jackson
Stroll the Grounds of the Historic Michigan State Prison/Armory Arts Village | Jackson
Rent a Bike or Walk Around at Cascade Falls Park | Jackson
Drive by one of the Oldest Continually Operating Rail Stations in the US | Jackson
Rent a Kayak or Paddleboard at Vandercook Lake | Jackson
Head to Springport Speedway | Springport
Check out the Wooden Concrete Bridges at McCourtie Park | Somerset Center
Test Your Truck or Take a Guided Offroad Tour at Bundy Hill Offroad Park | Jerome
Visit St. Joseph Church and Shrine | Cambridge
PLACES TO EAT:
Grand River Brewery | Jackson
Ironbark Brewing Co. | Jackson
Virginia Coney Island | Jackson
Rocky Top Beer & BBQ | Jackson
Jackson Popcorn Depot | Jackson
Gilbert Chocolates | Jackson
Ice Cream at The Parlour | Jackson
Beach Bar | Clark Lake
Meckley’s Flavor Fruit Farm Restaurant, Brewery, & Cidery | Cement City
Bundy Hill Diner | Jerome
The Deck Down Under | Jerome
ROAD TRIP NORTHWEST TO LANSING
THINGS TO DO:
Rivertown Adventures Kayak, Canoe, Bike & Paddleboard Rentals | Downtown Lansing
See Lansing’s Rotary Steam Clock | Downtown Lansing
See the World’s Largest Lug Nut | Downtown Lansing
Walk the Lansing River Trail | Downtown Lansing
Hit the Urban Beach at Rotary Park | Downtown Lansing
Visit the Malcolm X Homesite Marker | Lansing
Hike or Bike the Northern Tier Trail | East Lansing
Stroll MSU’s Campus & Take a Pic with Sparty | East Lansing
Go Golfing at MSU’s Forest Akers | East Lansing & Lansing
Do a Tasting at Ellison Brewery & Spirits | East Lansing
PLACES TO EAT:
The Cosmos | Downtown & East Lansing
Arcadia Brewing Smokehouse | Downtown Lansing
Midtown Brewing Company | Downtown Lansing
Bowdie’s Chop House | Downtown Lansing
Saddleback BBQ | REO Town Lansing & Okemos
Lansing Brewing Company | Lansing
People’s Kitchen | Lansing
Meat BBQ | Lansing
The Peanut Barrel | East Lansing
Punk Taco | East Lansing
Hopcat | East Lansing
MSU Dairy Store | East Lansing
Food Trucks | Click for Options & Locations
ROAD TRIP NORTH TO FLINT
THINGS TO DO:
Visit Stepping Stone Falls | Flint
Take a Drive by Flint’s Weather Ball | Flint
Relax at Bluebell Beach | Flint
Drive by and Pay Homage to the Vernor’s Mural | Flint
Catch a Movie at the Drive-In | Flint
Hit the Batting Cages at Bullpen Sports | Flint
Play (or just visit) a PGA Golf Course | Grand Blanc
Toss the Flying Disc at Goldenrod Disc Golf Course | Davison
Buy Some Yard Art at Stonecase, the Lawn Ornament Capitol | Lennon
Stroll the Grounds at Curwood Castle | Owosso
PLACES TO EAT:
Redwood Steakhouse & Brewery | Flint
Tenacity Brewing with Vehicle City Tacos | Flint
Blackstone’s Smokehouse | Flint
Flint Crepe Co. | Flint
White Horse Tavern | Flint
Italia Gardens | Flint, Grand Blanc, Davison
Oliver T’s Market & Tasting Room | Grand Blanc
Little Joe’s Tavern | Grand Blanc
Starlite Diner & Coney Shop | Burton
Lennon Cafe | Lennon
Greg & Lou’s | Owosso
