Text: R. Collins
Bordered in the far west by Lake Isabella and bisected by several miles of the Chippewa River, which surpasses 90 miles in total, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan has become known for the beautiful natural features utilized by its golf courses and its rich community of restaurants, small businesses, art galleries, specialty shops, entertainment, and educational centers.
As a mid-state destination, Mt. Pleasant offers a central location for travelers and golfers to experience the best the area has to offer, while still being able to access other city centers like Lansing, Saginaw, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. This makes it a popular spot for avid golfers to spend quality time among friends and the natural beauty inherent to the more-than-10-golf-courses in the immediate area.
“Mt. Pleasant area golf offers a wide variety of layouts and golf for any budget. All the courses in the area are uniquely challenging and are all run by top class staff,” said Joe Conway at The Pines Golf Course at Lake Isabella.
The Pines at Lake Isabella offers its own test posed by the Mt. Pleasant landscape, surrounded by Lake Isabella and the Chippewa River. It is one that Conway deems “a challenging, but fair test for all golfers.”
“Our elevated 15th tee box provides a beautiful view of Lake Isabella and makes for a challenging tee shot. The landing area is generous, but windy days can make for some interesting tee shots,” said Conway, in reference to his favorite feature on the course.
Closer to the epicenter of Mt. Pleasant, another local destination utilizes river views and an existing architectural feature to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience among others in the area.
“I have the distinct pleasure to be locating right in downtown Mt. Pleasant. We renovated an 1800s train station into a full-service restaurant and brew pub several years ago,” said Jim Holton, owner of the Mountain Town Station Restaurant & Brew Pub.
Holton attended Central Michigan University nearby and was drawn to the area so much, he decided to make it home for himself and eventually his business, which has expanded into an attached dining space, called Camille’s Prime for an intimate and upscale steakhouse experience. Mountain Town Station offers something for any golfer walking through the door after a long round, including a full-service bar and menu filled with everything from ribs to wood-fired artisan pizzas. The restaurant even has a garden patio overlooking the Chippewa River, which also provides fresh vegetables for the restaurant seasonally.
The patio has also been recently enhanced with shade sails and more tables to support what Holton hopes is a robust summer season to make up for the losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. When getting out for a round and venturing into town to explore, he recommends taking advantage of all the business offerings downtown has to offer.
“We have a lot of chain restaurants in our community, and everyone can go to a chain; we feel they can get a little bit boring,” Holton said. “We want our golfers to come out and dine at unique locally owned restaurants.”
When searching for a place to stay in Mt. Pleasant, visitors can benefit from the casual atmosphere and good rates and service of the Baymont by Wyndham Mt. Pleasant, which is also conveniently located next to the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, a premier gaming and hospitality venue. This summer, the casino will be pulling in visitors for shows like Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert, as well as for the diverse offerings of its year-round gaming floor, spa and salon, and nine bar and dining options.
With so much to offer and many businesses eager to welcome golfers and visitors for an active summer season, Mt. Pleasant is a travel destination that is fit to enhance a renewed appreciation for the natural beauty of the outdoors. Its array of places to stay, dine, play golf, and unwind provide unique opportunities for getting out to explore one of Michigan’s best-kept travel destinations.
More to explore in Mt. Pleasant:
Pine River Country Club | 1400 W Superior St, Alma, MI
Bucks Run Golf Club | 1559 S. Chippewa Rd, Mt Pleasant, MI
Max & Emily’s Eatery | 125 E Broadway St, Mt Pleasant, MI
Pisanello’s Pizza | 110 N Main St, Mt Pleasant, MI
Super 8 by Wyndham Mt. Pleasant | 2323 S Mission St, Mt Pleasant, MI
Comfort Inn & Suites and Conference Center | 2424 S Mission St, Mt Pleasant, MI
Featured image, The Pines at Lake Isabella, courtesy of The Pines at Lake Isabella
