Text: R. Collins // Photography: Riverwood Resort
The Riverwood Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan is just down the road from Central Michigan University and nestled about a bend of the Chippewa River. Its ideal location and natural landscape make it a serene yet invigorating setting for travelers enjoying spotless summer days, as well as cool fall breezes with bright, falling leaves. The resort is also family-owned and operated and, as of last spring, it added The Pines at Lake Isabella to its golf course repertoire. The quaint resort offers eight villas that can host a total of 32 people, and breakfast and dinner are provided on-site each day of a visitor’s stay. There’s a picturesque championship golf course designed by Bruce Mathews III on-site, but this year-round resort is also one of four in the state to offer golf and bowling.
“My parents met at CMU and then got married and bought Riverwood in 1960. My dad just turned 89 years old and is still involved with the business. We all love the golf business, and we have 24 lanes of bowling, too, which we’ve had for a while. It’s great, because it helps our employees have an all-year round job,” said Terri Sommerville, manager of Riverwood Resort.
Whether you’re looking to cozy up among the 24 bowling lanes with warm snacks and libations, get serious in a bowling league, or party it up during Friday night glow bowling, there’s plenty of options for Mt. Pleasant visitors, including all-inclusive bowling packages. Or, if spring and summer golf are preferred, the resort now offers 32 holes of golf between its two course properties, and several golf packages in addition. Sommerville noted that last season amid pandemic welcomed many new golfers to the game, and that they returned this summer as well to grow their skills at the resort’s flagship, championship course.
“The experience here is great; visitors can park their car and walk to the restaurant and golf shop and they can play our beautiful golf course on-site. It’s 18 holes and the Chippewa river runs through it, with some mature, beautiful trees and hills rolling through,” Sommerville said.
Generally, Sommerville noted, visitors are attracted to the Mt. Pleasant area because of its proximity to all other major locations in Michigan and its relaxed, small-town feel. Despite the intimacy, the area also holds big amenities like the sports-centered Central Michigan University and Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, as well as a downtown area offering a multitude of dining and shopping options. For more information about the resort and its year-round offerings, visit riverwoodresort.com, and to discover Mt. Pleasant, visit meetmtp.com.
More to explore in Mt. Pleasant:
Pixie Restaurant |302 N. Mission St
A midcentury diner serving classic burger joint fare in a retro setting.
The Jump Station | 2422 East Broomfield Rd
An indoor trampoline park with dodge ball, bounce houses, and a foam pit.
