Day One:
Meet + Mingle
Live Oak Coffeehouse | @travelingmichigan

Breakfast: Meet Midtown Midland for starters, when you begin your day like locals do at Live Oak Coffeehouse. Come for the kombucha on tap, locally roasted specialty coffee, and Traditional (or Crustless) Quiche. Return multiple more times while in Midland to feel welcomed at this “warm & inspiring place of gathering”.

Ride On: Rent wheels from Ray’s Bike Shop, right Downtown, and pedal the Pere Marquette Rail Trail for up to 30 naturally gorgeous miles, including a loop around Chippewa Nature Center. Or, stop by Ray's other Midland location within City Forest to explore a 520-acre mecca of mountain biking trails and beautiful scenery.

Venture Out: At Chippewa Nature Center, you'll discover a 1,200-acre haven of woodlands, wetlands, and rivers, with 19 miles of trails for hiking. Admission is free, and the serenity of the Pine River Overlook and Observation Tower are unforgettable!

Drop In: Rent single or tandem, sit-in or sit-on kayaks from Ike’s Mobile Kayak Rentals. Take a guided tour or an on-your-own paddle, whichever floats your boat! Nor'East Outdoors offers pre-set trips on the Chippewa River, too, with high-quality kayaks and paddleboards to choose from.

Lunch: Dip Downtown to grab some lunch. Try Proper Taco for house-made sauces, corn tortillas, the Oaxaca or Carnitas Tacos, and sides like Cactus Dip. Bite into the crispy, flavorful crust of a wood-fired sourdough pie from Pizza Baker, or order up at Amazing Deli for 25 fresh specialty sandwich options to choose from.

Chippewa River in Midland | @keeley.kenny

Linger a Little: Spend some time walking around Downtown, stopping in & out of shops like Serendipity Road, Coyer Candle Co., Prim Sage, or Peel 'N Pare. Grab adventure gear at Little Forks Outfitters, scratch-baked treats from Aviator Cookie Company and French macarons from O'Macaron, or enjoy a down-to-earth wine tasting experience inside Grape Beginnings Winery, all within a few walkable blocks.

Artistic Adventures: Midland is home to the Alden B. Dow Home & Studio, and touring this architectural masterpiece is not to be missed! Spend approximately 1 ½ hours in one of the most important structures in 20th Century American design, described by visitors to “delight, entertain, and surprise, even after repeated visits”.

Visit Space Studios, an architecturally unique facility situated on five acres of rural property on the outskirts of Midland. Inside, you’ll find The Glaze Bar and a wide selection of ready-to-be-painted pottery. Get creative here and make a beautiful souvenir from your weekend in Midland!

Dinner: Dine on regional Italian cuisine at Gratzi, and taste fresh pasta, Neapolitan-style pizza, prime meats, and top-catch seafood (even Alfredo da Tavola tossed table-side in a giant wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano). Or, sample meats smoked low & slow at Molasses Smokehouse & Bar, and discover the key ingredient of all St. Louis-style barbecue — molasses.

Game On: Take in a Great Lakes Loons Friday-night game at Dow Diamond! A High-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the LA Dodgers, the Loons play 70 home games and you’re sure to have a ball at one!

Dow Diamond welcomes 5,200 to two indoor fireplaces, two outdoor fire pits, and more than 24 concession stands. Look for MI Micro Brews, The Wing Wagon, and Sausage Shack!

After the game, pop by Larkin Beer Garden’s outdoor shipping container bar and enjoy the laid-back feel, live musicians, plentiful brews, and a rotating lineup of food trucks throughout the season!

Seize the Night: Toast to the start of your fabulous weekend at Midland Brewing Company, and raise your pints of Three Mile Marker Hefeweizen while lounging fireside on the lawns of the outdoor Red Keg Beer Garden.

Or, end your first evening at Downtown's Three Bridges Distillery & Taproom — a distillery, brewery, and winery in one! Order the frothy Blue Jasmine Fizz, a cocktail collaboration with local Grove Tea Lounge, or try the double dry-hopped Hazy IPA!

Day Two:
On the Edge
Cafe Zinc | @placeswithb

Breakfast: Indulge right at the top of your day! Enjoy Crêpes et Amis (and their Good Morning Paris crêpe with brown sugar and smoked ham) or dine at Café Zinc to savor European-style breads and pastries — all made fresh daily by an in-house French pastry chef.

Fresh Fun: Stay Downtown to spend some time marveling at The Tridge, Midland’s iconic three-legged pedestrian bridge! Built over the confluence of two rivers, each leg of The Tridge spans 180ft and links recreation areas to Downtown.

If you're visiting May - October, head to the Midland Area Farmers Market and spend your Saturday stocking up for a picnic! Gather artisan goods and fresh market finds at one of the largest farmers markets in the state, or grab eats to-go from the on-site food trucks.

Lunch: Head to Dow Gardens to picnic amidst 110 acres of botanical gardens, dotted by mature trees, rippling water features, and colorful flowers (with more than 35,000 annuals in spring and summer alone). Spread your blanket on rolling hills of grass by The Pines Home (and consider touring this historic gem while you’re here).

Dow Gardens is also home to Whiting Forest — which, in turn, is home to the longest canopy walk in the nation! Fully accessible for all ages and abilities, experience all 1,400 feet — and three unique viewing platforms, including a glass floor overlooking an orchard 40 feet below! Grab a cup of locally roasted coffee from Whiting Forest Café to sip on, and simply enjoy.

Aster | @astermichigan

Dinner: Experience ONe Eighteen, an American tavern with mid-century modern styling, a seasonal menu, Chef’s Premium Selections, and classic cocktails. Or, taste farm-to-table gourmet — from Branzino to Coq Au Vin — at Aster. Savor farm steak with bone marrow butter or mussels with coconut curry and end your meal with a delicately crafted cocktail.

Good Evening: Time it right, and you might be in town to catch a performance at Midland Center for the Arts! From concerts and comedy to Broadway productions, MCFTA is a sure bet for a memorable evening — and the on-site Pendulum Lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail before or after the show!

Into the Night: Wind up at Whichcraft Taproom and select from more than 80 varieties of Michigan-made craft brews, ciders, and meads (more than 40 on tap). Or, cozy up at Oxygen Lounge inside The H Hotel for a nightcap in a luxurious, intimate ambiance.

You could also spend your evening in the warm glow of the city streets (at a picnic table, or by an outdoor fireplace) thanks to The Commons Pedestrian Plaza & Refreshment Area. Here, cocktails and brews can be openly enjoyed outdoors, and The Commons Live Music Series gets all of Downtown dancing!

Looking to stretch your fun even further? Step into Brinstar (open late-night on Fridays & Saturdays) for classic arcade games, specialty burgers, and a selection of 12 beers on tap. Play Pac-Man, Galaga, Duck Hunt, and more — and aim for a new high-score on the Game Leader Board!

Alden B. Dow Home & Studio | @aldenbdow
Day Three:
Make It Happen
Grove Tea Lounge | @grovetealounge

Breakfast or Brunch: Depending on what time you arrive at Grove Tea Lounge, enjoy made-in-house pastries or Avocado Toast for breakfast, or a Hot Granny Sandwich (turkey, bacon, Granny Smith apple, and balsamic onion jam, served on ciabatta) for brunch. Sip hot or iced loose-leaf tea, kombucha on tap, or a latte with house-made (vanilla, lavender, honey, hazelnut…) syrup.

Or, get your morning boost from a cup of specialty grade, sustainably grown, and locally roasted Creation Coffee. Pair your java with a cinnamon roll (served warm), frittatas, or a house-baked bagel.

Head Over the Hill: Dahlia Hill, that is, to experience (April – November) eight terraces blooming with more than 300 varieties and 3,000 gorgeous dahlias! Enjoy the garden sculpture and Charles Breed’s working studio and museum on-premise.

Maru Sushi & Grill | @jennmsu

See Mid-Century: If time allows, take a self-guided tour to see any number of 400+ incredible mid-century modern structures dotted throughout Midland, using the Mid-Century Modern Midland mobile app!

Lunch: Order up (and plan to share) signature sushi rolls, sashimi, and nigiri at Maru Sushi & Grill — a chef-driven restaurant known for using only the finest fish, vegetables, sushi rice, and scratch-made sauces. Unsure what to order? Try the one-of-a-kind Chef Roll for a unique and flavorful experience!

On Your Way Out: Save time for a visit to Crazy Vines Winery in nearby Sanford. A small-town winery and tasting room with a cozy atmosphere and comfortable seating, sample quality wines, hard ciders, and charcuterie to help decide what you'll take back home with you!

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Author
Jen W. O'Deay + Go Great Lakes Bay

By: Jen W. O'Deay | Updates: Go Great Lakes Bay | Jen is a Saginaw native and owner of Feel These Words, an independent copywriting studio & home to the free "5 Day Website MiniBoost". Jen specializes in writing that connects, delivered through website copy, branded content articles, and WingWoman writing services. You'll find Jen camping with her family, laughing, and at feelthesewords.com