One of the best places to visit in central Michigan is the city of Mt. Pleasant, which is a thriving, dynamic hub. The city is home to the main campuses of Central Michigan University, and due to the large number of students living there, it is always bustling with intellectual, artistic, and cultural vitality. All throughout the year, there are interesting things to do here.
It's also a significant city in the history of Michigan since it combines ancient customs and traditions with a contemporary edge and attitude.
The natural splendor of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, including its lakes, rivers, forests, and vast farms, is well-known today for its abundance of wildlife. With numerous eateries, cafés, galleries, and stores, the downtown is lovely and unique. The city's surrounding student community keeps Mount Pleasant, Michigan, interesting and entertaining to visit.
This selection of the top things to do in Mount Pleasant will help you organize your trip.
1. at the Ziibiwing Center for Learning
Native American history may be found all around Michigan. The state is home to over 50,000 Native People, according to the 2020 census. One of the best venues in the nation to learn about the various tribes that have inhabited the area for a very long time is there.
The Ziibiwing Center in Mt. Pleasant is a significant location to learn about the area's tribal traditions. The Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways was established by the Saginaw Chippewa Native Tribe to inform the nearby areas about the Great Lakes' inhabitants.
The expansive center, which is over 35,000 square feet in size, is a cultural mecca for learning opportunities centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Indian legend. The institution is involved in a number of initiatives, including the preservation of tribal artifacts, the restoration of the Ojibwe language, and the upkeep of holy places.
Diba Jimooyung, the center's centerpiece exhibit, is titled "Telling Our Story," but the entire facility is devoted to recognizing and promoting the rich diversity and culture of Michigan's several indigenous tribes.
2. Explore the Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum
Families should visit Mt. Pleasant since it is a fantastic destination. It not only offers a ton of cultural and outdoor options, but it also boasts a kid-only indoor discovery museum, which is especially well-liked during the bitter Michigan winters.
There are many interactive and instructive displays at the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum for children of all ages. Visitors can learn everything there is to know about bees at the Beemazium, which is the largest display. Additional exhibitions include anything from gravity and nutrition to global culture. Another well-liked exhibit, The Luminary Lab, focuses on the study of light using a life-size Light Bright.
The Honey Money Bank is one of the newest displays. Kids are encouraged to utilize their imaginations while learning all about banking in this interactive exhibit. Youngsters can practice their math and practical skills in a fun and engaging way with the teller, learn to spot patterns at the ATM, and trade honey money.
This can be a fantastic stop if you're in Mt. Pleasant with the family to spend quality time together.
3. Visit Deerfield Nature Park to Get Outdoors
At the Deerfield Nature Park, there is always something to do, no matter the season. The park, which spans approximately 600 acres, is adored by locals of Mount Pleasant for its eight miles of hiking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing trails.
The Deerfield Nature Park Loop is one of the most well-liked hiking routes. It takes an hour to traverse the very easy three-mile course. One of the best multi-use routes, it's a favorite among bird watchers, mountain bikers, and hikers alike.
But there are many more features in the park as well. Together with the Fisher Covered Bridge and two 18-hole disc golf courses, it also features two canoe landings on the Chippewa River.
Even within the park, at one of the 10 campsites, you are permitted to camp. All year long, the basic campgrounds are accessible. Either a one-mile hike or a boat journey are required to reach the campsites. For tent camping, a hand water pump is accessible.
4. Soaring Eagle Waterpark's Splashdown
The opulent Soaring Eagle Waterpark inside the Soaring Eagle Hotel is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Mount Pleasant. The 45,000 square feet of aquatic adventure in the indoor water park is open all year. Everyone in the family can find something to appreciate there.
A wave rider, a body slide, a rock climbing wall, a lazy river, a children's play area, and even a private adult pool with a hot tub and sauna are among the park's key attractions. This is one of Mt. Pleasant's most popular tourist destinations throughout the year.
Make a weekend out of it if you feel the need to be right in the thick of the activity. Keep the fun continuing by reserving one of the 243 guest rooms or suites. An American and Italian restaurant are featured on the premises, along with a fitness center. It is one of the best hotels in Mount Pleasant and offers easy access to the water park, which is about an acre in size.
5. Visit Kelly Shorts Stadium to see a game
Football is a passion for Michiganders, and Mt. Pleasant residents are no exception. Their home field is Kelly Shorts Stadium, where they play as the Central Michigan University Chippewas. With a seating capacity of more over 30,000, the enormous stadium has been in operation for more than 40 years and is the largest on-campus stadium in the Mid-American Conference.
Since its initial opening in 1972, the stadium has undergone numerous updates and additions. In addition to serving as the Chippewas' current home, it also hosts a number of events and concerts every year. It undoubtedly serves as a hub for social interaction among people living in Mount Pleasant and the neighborhood.
The stadium has nine opulent suites, a club bar, refreshments, and a 3,200 square foot television scoreboard among its attractions. It might be necessary to attend a Chippewas triumph at Kelly Shorts Stadium if you only attend one college football game in Michigan.
6. Investigate Chipp-A-Waters Park.
At Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Chipp-A-Waters Park offers a fantastic opportunity to spend time outside. Visitors can view some lovely animals in the park because a large portion of it is a state conservation reserve.
The 30-acre park's amenities include a playground and a walk that interprets the natural world.
The park connects five parks in Mt. Pleasant, including Mill Pond Park and Island Park, and wraps up the southern end of the GKB Riverwalk Path, which begins at Pickens Field. The park also includes access to the Chippewa River. There are playground equipment and picnic shelters in the park as well.
Snowed again in Mount Pleasant Michigan. pic.twitter.com/X1C426rawy
— Dr. Hajime Otani (@HajimeOtani) February 11, 2018
The Chipp-A-Waters Riverwalk Trail, which follows the Chippewa River, is one of the best trails in the park. Both running and strolling are permitted on the.8-mile out-and-back trail. It traverses a beautiful bridge that spans the river, providing stunning views. As the path is paved, most people can easily access it.
7. Explore Mount Pleasant's downtown area.
Mt. Pleasant's picturesque and quaint downtown may be its most endearing area. The historical center of the city is located here. Several of the historic facades that depict the tale of Mt. Pleasant's early 19th-century settlement can still be seen today.
2014 saw the addition of the Mount Pleasant Downtown Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places. There are 70 buildings in the eight-block-long neighborhood, and they range in age from the 1870s to the 1950s.
Nonetheless, despite the city's high student population, it also has a small-town, cultural feel. Main Street serves as the major thoroughfare for the city, but the entire historic district is home to more than 100 establishments, including stores, restaurants, and cafés in addition to art galleries.
Downtown Mt. Pleasant, which also houses Island and Nelson parks and is flanked by the Chippewa River, is still in the middle of nature while being the neighborhood's business hub. Farmers markets, art walks, and outdoor dining with live entertainment make downtown Mount Pleasant come alive in the summer.
8. Visit Island Park in Downtown
With so many parks and outdoor areas to select from, Mt. Pleasant has a strong connection to nature. The 50-acre Island Park is a large park not far from the center of Mount Pleasant. Island Park, which is located behind City Hall, is one of the most well-liked spots for families to go and enjoy a lovely afternoon.
Horseshoe pits, a playground, a gazebo, barbecues, a canoe dock, and the Michigan Vietnam Veterans Memorial are some of Island Park's amenities. It includes an astounding number of sports courts and fields, including six pickleball courts, two tennis courts, three softball fields, and two basketball courts. There is even outdoor exercise equipment there.
It is a popular location for get-togethers, casual pick-up games, and neighborhood athletic events. Also, because it is so close to the city's center, it is simple to stop by for a brief visit before or after dining or shopping on Main Street.
Also, it links to the close-by Mill Pond Park, increasing the amount of open land you can explore.
9. Enjoy ice skating at Martin Ice Arena
You can guess that the Martin Ice Arena is one of the most visited locations in Mount Pleasant given how much Michiganders like their winter sports. This public skating rink is part of the Isabella Community Sportsplex and is frequently used for hockey, figure skating, classes, competitions, and other activities.
However, you are not required to be a member of a team or club to use the facilities. Several times a week, the Martin Arena has public skating sessions that are free to everybody. With to the arena's year-round accessibility, you may satisfy your icy craving even in the midst of the summer, which can be a welcome change of pace.
The Morey Courts Recreation Complex, a neighborhood sports complex with indoor basketball and volleyball courts, a walking and jogging track, racquetball courts, a fitness facility, and more, located just next to the ice arena. The entire facility is accessible with a day pass, while group workout programs are extra.
10. Enjoy Mill Pond Park,
You are well aware of how close Mt. Pleasant is to beautiful natural scenery. A charming little park called Mill Pond Park is situated right in the middle of the city.
Mill Pond Park, which spans 90 acres, features picnic spots, nature paths, animals, and stunning views of the Chippewa River.
Casting a line from the fishing platform, paddling a kayak down the river, or exploring the numerous lovely walkways surrounded by indigenous plants are just a few of the top activities you can enjoy at Mill Pond Park. It's simple to spend an afternoon in nature at this metropolitan park, which is a favorite with residents and tourists.
The Mill Pond Park Loop Trail is one of the most popular paths in the park. The two-mile asphalt loop is well-liked for jogging, strolling, and hiking.
If you wish to take a few more steps, you can go to Island Park from Mill Pond Park.