Bellaire Bucket List: 20 Fun Things to Do in Bellaire, MI
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Why Bellaire Should Be Your Next Up North Destination
Bellaire, with its 1,200 friendly locals, swells in the summertime, turning this Northern Michigan gem into a lively hotspot. Sitting pretty on the 45th parallel, Bellaire is your go-to secret for hitting Torch Lake or any part of Michigan’s Chain of Lakes.
Main Street is a total charmer, lined with cute shops, ice cream spots, a cozy movie theater, and the legendary Short’s Brewing Company. Even the county courthouse is a stunner. Bellaire’s got that perfect mix of small-town charm and up north adventure.
Already packing your bags? Smart!
In the meantime, let me help you discover why this little town holds a special place in so many hearts.
things to do in Bellaire
Lake Day! Get Out on the Water
The Chain of Lakes Water Trail in northwest Michigan is a paddler’s paradise. This 100+ mile flatwater trail is made up of 12 lakes and interconnected rivers, including the river that runs through downtown Bellaire. And they are all fun in their own way.
Now it’s decision time: will you be going with the motorboat or paddle option for your lake day?
Paddling in Bellaire
Right in the heart of town, Richardi Park is a perfect launch spot for both beginner and advanced paddlers.
You can paddle to the Grass River Nature Center or even make your way out to Torch Lake. Paddle Antrim’s website has all the routes and launch info you need to plan kayak, canoe, and SUP adventures from Bellaire.
If kayak or SUP rentals are needed, Paddles and Pedals in downtown Bellaire will hook you up.
📷 Paddle Antrim
Pontoon Boats, Jet Skis & Ski Boat Rentals
You can also access Torch Lake by renting a boat in Bellaire and cruising down the Clam River from Clam Lake.
Where Clam River meets Torch is where you’ll find the Dockside restaurant and Dewitt Marine. It’s a popular trip and will likely take you just over an hour to reach Torch Lake from Bellaire.
| Riverside Marina 115 West Cayuga St, Bellaire, MI 49615 | Downtown Bellaire. Pontoon rentals, small boat rentals, kayak rentals, canoe rentals, fishing gear. | (231) 533-8559 |
| Dockside Torch Lake 6326 Old Torch Lake Dr, Bellaire, MI 49615 | Located on Torch Lake at the mouth of the Clam River. Pontoon & Wave Runner Rentals | (231) 377-7777 |
| Dewitt Marine Inc. 6509 Crystal Springs Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615 | Captain for hire, pontoon boat rentals, Tritoon rentals. | (231) 377-6611 |
| Northaire Pontoon Rental 204 W Cayuga St, Bellaire 7067 Crystal Springs Rd 6349 Old Torch Lake Dr | Pontoon rentals available in Downtown Bellaire, on Clam Lake, or at the mouth of the Clam River. | (231) 377-7764 |
| Bellaire Pontoon Rental 204 W Cayuga St, Bellaire, MI 49615 | Pontoon boat rentals, E bike rentals. Hourly & Daily parking rates at boat docks on Intermediate River | (231) 377-7764 |
| Butch’s Tackle & Marine 6235 Crystal Springs Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615 | Rentals for pontoon boats, speedboats, jet skis & WaveRunners, fishing boats, kayaks, towable tubes, SUP paddleboards & water carpets | (231) 377-6787 |
Twist My Arm, I’ll Shop if I Must
Oh no! Another charming Michigan Main Street packed with cute shops and goodies calling my name!
Bellaire Smokehouse – In-house smoked foods (jerky, fish, etc), fresh meat & seafood. Wine, cheese, beer. Whitefish pate.
Stop in for a Special Event
Bellaire keeps things hopping – here’s what’s going on in 2024:
Balloons Over Bellaire in late August
This laid-back two-day event is perfect for kicking back and watching hot air balloons drift over Shanty Creek Resort. Free parking and admission.
M-88 Outdoor Market Tour
This 26-mile route follows M-88 and features specials, sidewalk sales, and events from local businesses. Homeowners set up garage sales, and you’ll find pop-up tents with crafters, food vendors, farmers’ stands, bake sales, and more.
Saturday, June 15, 2024
| Date | Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, May 25 | Petoskey Stone Festival | 10 AM – 3 PM | Barnes Park |
| Saturday, June 15 | M88 Outdoor Market Tour | 9 AM – 3 PM | 26 miles of M88, Mancelona to Eastport |
| Thursday, June 27 | Music in the Street | 6 – 9 PM | Downtown Bellaire |
| Wednesday, July 3 | Shanty Creek Fireworks Display | 9 – 11 PM | Over Lake Bellaire |
| Thursday, July 11 | Music in the Street | 6 – 9 PM | Downtown Bellaire |
| Thursday, July 25 | Music in the Street | 6 – 9 PM | Downtown Bellaire |
| Thursday, August 8 | Music in the Street | 6 – 9 PM | Downtown Bellaire |
| Thursday, August 15 | Music in the Street | 6 – 9 PM | Downtown Bellaire |
| Th – Sa, August 16 | 37th Annual Rubber Ducky Festival | 10 AM | Downtown Bellaire |
| Saturday, August 17 | 37th Annual Rubber Ducky Parade | 3 PM | Downtown Bellaire |
| late August | Balloons Over Bellaire | TBD | Shanty Creek |
| Saturday, October 5 | 26th Flannel Festival | 10 AM – ? | Downtown Bellaire |
| Saturday, November 2 | Holiday Gift Fair | 10 AM – ? | Shanty Creek Resort Grand Ballroom |
| Saturday, December 7 | Bellaire’s Light Up the Night | 10 AM – ? | Downtown Bellaire |
Make Time for Short’s Brewery
Short’s Brewery has hit cult classic status around here. Known for its solid beer, great food, and awesome vibe, it’s a must-visit. Expect to wait for a table, but trust us, it’s worth it.
Those folks working up an appetite at Glacial Hills know the reward at Short’s is going to be sweet. With indoor and outdoor seating, live music, and twinkly lights, it’s the perfect spot. Don’t miss the pizza—the IPAs won’t disappoint either.
Grab a Bite. And a Drink
- Fireside Lounge – Wine, cocktails, charcuterie, and sushi on Thursdays. Live Music.
- Bee Well Meadery Tasting Room – try mead! (pictured)
- Torch Lake Cellars – Winery & vineyard
- Mammoth Distilling – Hello, cocktails
- Dockside, Torch Lake – You can dock your boat here and eat at this Torch Lake icon. (pictured)
- Toonie’s Fish & Steak House – Great Lakes Whitefish, burgers & more
- Clam Shack at DeWitt Marine – Boating convenience store located at Dewitt Marine on Clam River
- Ruthann’s Gourmet Bakery & Coffehouse – Cupcakes, cookies, bagels, coffee & more (pictured)
- M88 Morning Grind for that cuppa in the morning
- Corner Bistro – French-inspired small plates and classic cocktails, in an intimate setting. Bar, bistro, front porch
- Ruthies Dairy & Chicken Twist (pictured)
- The Lunch Box – Mom and Pop…good home cooking!
Friday is for the Farmers Market
Visit the Bellaire Farmers Market every Friday from 8 AM to Noon at the Community Center, 102 Maple St, Bellaire MI.
Open from Memorial Day through October, it’s the perfect place to find fresh, local produce and more.
Find Fun at the Movies, Bowling Alley or Escape Room
Bellaire Theatre – features new releases and blockbuster hits for all ages in a downtown location.
Escape Bellaire – Themed rooms available for groups ranging from 2-8 people to solve puzzles and escape the room.
Bellaire Lanes & Games – Family entertainment center with bowling alley, games, food & drinks! Arcade, laser tag, cornhole, horseshoes & more.
📷 Bellaire Movie Theater
Play Disc Golf and Hang at Torch Lake Cellars
13 holes!
Check out the 13-hole disc golf course at Torch Lake Cellars.
The first hole is on the east side of the tasting room—just follow the signs around the course. While the tasting room is closed on Sundays, the course remains open. Details
Mountain Bike Must
Hit the 32 miles of singletrack trails at Glacial Hills Pathway for epic views of Lake Bellaire.
Flowy, challenging, and one heck of a ride—all year long.
Just minutes from downtown Bellaire, this 750-acre trail system is perfect for biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and wildlife spotting.
It’s said to be one of the Midwest’s top trail spots – think you’ll agree?
So Many Golf Courses!
Several courses are located right here in Bellaire,
Bellaire Centennial Golf Course
5 Courses at Shanty Creek Resort
Take a Hike at the Grass River Nature Preserve
Explore the Grass River Natural Area at 6500 Alden Highway, Bellaire. This 1,492-acre preserve features floating boardwalks, including 1.5 miles traversing northern fen and cedar wetlands, along with streams and swamps perfect for wildlife spotting. With seven miles of well-maintained trails, it’s time to download a map and wander the winding paths yourself.
Weekly Wildflower Walk: Every Tuesday, May-August at 10:30 am. Free to attend; donations welcome.
Art on Thursdays: Join a naturalist on select Thursdays at 1:00 pm for a nature art program. Explore painting, sketching, journaling, clay, and more for $10 per person. June 20, July 18, August 1, 15, 2024 – 1:00pm (2 hrs)
Hunt for Petoskey Stones & Charlevoix Stones
Search for Petoskey Stones – and Charlevoix Stones along the shores of Lake Michigan at Barnes Park.
This rocky beach is best explored after it’s been tossed by a storm.
📷 Charlevoix Stone at Barnes Park in Antrim County
Stay the Night
Whether you’re into charming B&Bs or sprawling resorts, Bellaire’s got you covered with some awesome spots to crash for the night.
PS – the Stonewater Inn makes a great Romantic Getaway. And if you’re looking for the latest and greatest, you’ve gotta check out the new Spillway Lodges.
Spillway Lodges
Northern Michigan’s newest boutique resort, in the heart of Bellaire, is the perfect fusion between an Airbnb and private resort. Book your stay and let yourself in. Sweet amenities and rooms big enough for a family, you’re just steps away from Short’s Brewery in Bellaire.
Hot tubs, sauna, cold plunge, rooftop decks, fire pits, and more.
Shanty Creek Resort LakeView Hotel
This four-season resort in Northern MI is spread across a whopping 5,000 acres, with almost 400 guest rooms, suites, condos, and homes available at various price points. With golf, great skiing, alpine tubing, and snowboarding, it’s a smart place to stay if you like to be active. Indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs. Located in the historic town of Bellaire.
Stone Waters Inn
Up North small-town charm combined with remodeled rooms add to the romance of Stone Waters Inn. The B&B is situated on a river and is also right downtown, so you can walk to the local shops and brewery (Short’s is amazing) or just lounge waterside.
This B&B is in downtown Bellaire, a cute small town Up North that happens to be really close to fantastic year-round mountain biking and downhill skiing.
| Chain O’Lakes Campground 7231 S M 88 Hwy, Bellaire, MI 49615 | Staying at the Chain O’Lakes Campground puts you near the Grass River Natural area and downtown Bellaire. Located near Lake Bellaire and Clam Lake, this campground is seven miles from Torch Lake. Full hookup RV sites, tent sites, and cabins. |
| Craven Park Campground 3737 S. Derenzy Road Bellaire, MI 49615 | 231-533-8213 |
| Northaire Resort 7067 Crystal Springs Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615 | Their cottage & cabins are located along the south shores of Clam Lake/Torch Lake in Antrim County. They also rent pontoon boats on Torch Lake. 231-377-7764 |
| Susie’s All Seasons Motel 109 S. Division Bellaire, MI 49615 | 231-533-8323 |
| Grand Victorian Bed & Breakfast 7296 S. M-88 Hwy Bellaire, MI 49615 | 231-533-6111 |
| Applesauce Inn Bed & Breakfast 7296 S. M-88 Hwy Bellaire, MI 49615 | 231-533-6448 |
Map of Bellaire
What’s Your Favorite thing to do in Bellaire?
