Within Five Minutes
Favorite spots right in the area!
Cap’n Frosty’s is an absolute must for ice cream, located right around the corner from our house.
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Cap'n Frosty Ice Cream
9245 Bernice DrCap’n Frosty’s is an absolute must for ice cream, located right around the corner from our house.
The Lakelands Trail connects right outside the neighborhood and runs East-West. The 34-mile trail is flat and paved/crushed limestone for easy biking, walking, and running. If you're a gravel cyclist, it can also connect to big networks of more challenging gravel roads. Just note that there's not a lot of water on trail, so stock up!
Lakelands Trail Trailhead
0 Sarah Lea CtThe Lakelands Trail connects right outside the neighborhood and runs East-West. The 34-mile trail is flat and paved/crushed limestone for easy biking, walking, and running. If you're a gravel cyclist, it can also connect to big networks of more challenging gravel roads. Just note that there's not a lot of water on trail, so stock up!
This sports bar/restaurant is right on Zukey Lake and in warm months offers a fun rooftop deck. Or, enjoy views from inside next to the huge windows. Homey grub and a decent beer selection. Get to it with a short bike ride on the Lakelands Trail or a quick trip by car.
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Zukey Lake Tavern
5011 Girard DrThis sports bar/restaurant is right on Zukey Lake and in warm months offers a fun rooftop deck. Or, enjoy views from inside next to the huge windows. Homey grub and a decent beer selection. Get to it with a short bike ride on the Lakelands Trail or a quick trip by car.
Mimi's Diner
5589 M-36Classic diner fare with some Greek flair, just down M-36.
Rush Lake Hills Golf Course
3199 Rush Lake RdGolfing only a mile away!
Launch a boat onto Zukey Lake and connect to the area's chain of lakes. A fee applies - we recommend calling ahead!
Lakeland Marina
9653 Kress RdLaunch a boat onto Zukey Lake and connect to the area's chain of lakes. A fee applies - we recommend calling ahead!
Within 45 minutes
A little further out, but worth the trip!
A great spot to admire llamas, chickens, and goats on this beautiful little farm while shopping their farm stand. Sip on coffee and choose from one of their amazing pastries. I recommend the Ohs (delicious cream-filled donuts). The farm stand is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays only, year round.
https://whitelotusfarms.com
White Lotus farms
7217 W Liberty RdA great spot to admire llamas, chickens, and goats on this beautiful little farm while shopping their farm stand. Sip on coffee and choose from one of their amazing pastries. I recommend the Ohs (delicious cream-filled donuts). The farm stand is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays only, year round.
https://whitelotusfarms.com
It's a little bit more of a trip, but if you'll be exploring Waterloo Rec Area, a stop at this vineyard would be a good addition to your itinerary.
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Sandhill Crane Vineyards
4724 Walz RdIt's a little bit more of a trip, but if you'll be exploring Waterloo Rec Area, a stop at this vineyard would be a good addition to your itinerary.
Within 15 minutes
So much to do in such a small radius!
The Brighton Rec Area has all kinds of trails for hiking and mountain biking, an equestrian center, archery, and of course, swimming! Check out Jump Island to bounce your way into the water.
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Brighton Recreation Area
6360 Chilson RdThe Brighton Rec Area has all kinds of trails for hiking and mountain biking, an equestrian center, archery, and of course, swimming! Check out Jump Island to bounce your way into the water.
Mt Brighton Ski Area
4141 Bauer RdDownhill skiing just down the road!
Lovely metropark with trails for hiking and snowshoeing, fishing, golf, playgrounds, and groomed cross-country ski trails. Ski rental available too, and they make their own snow!
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Huron Meadows Metropark
8765 Hammel RdLovely metropark with trails for hiking and snowshoeing, fishing, golf, playgrounds, and groomed cross-country ski trails. Ski rental available too, and they make their own snow!
Another great option for visiting lakes, hiking, biking, and more. The beautiful 17.-6 mile Potawatomi Trail is a particularly great spot for a more challenging hike or mountain bike ride.
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Isifunda sase-Pinckney
8555 Silver Hill RdAnother great option for visiting lakes, hiking, biking, and more. The beautiful 17.-6 mile Potawatomi Trail is a particularly great spot for a more challenging hike or mountain bike ride.
If you're looking for another option on the water, rent canoes, kayaks, or SUPs on the Huron River here and grab some snacks while you're at it.
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NautiMI on the River
9260 Mcgregor RdIf you're looking for another option on the water, rent canoes, kayaks, or SUPs on the Huron River here and grab some snacks while you're at it.
For more fun on Portage Lake, launch your own boat at the DNR launch near here, or rent a pontoon boat for a half or full day.
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Klave's Marina
8789 Mcgregor RdFor more fun on Portage Lake, launch your own boat at the DNR launch near here, or rent a pontoon boat for a half or full day.
If you have sailing experience, rent a sailboat and explore Portage Lake. Stand-up paddleboards also available.
Portage Yacht Club
8930 Dexter-Pinckney RoadIf you have sailing experience, rent a sailboat and explore Portage Lake. Stand-up paddleboards also available.
During the fall, Dexter Cider Mill is a popular spot for cider and donuts, and you can walk off the calories on the Border-to-Border trail nearby or visit the cute downtown for shopping. But, get there early - the line can get long!
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Dexter Cider Mill
3685 Central StDuring the fall, Dexter Cider Mill is a popular spot for cider and donuts, and you can walk off the calories on the Border-to-Border trail nearby or visit the cute downtown for shopping. But, get there early - the line can get long!
Water, golfing, biking, running - this park has it all. The path through this park links to the Border-to-Border Trail which takes you through Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti if you're feeling particularly adventurous.
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Hudson Mills Metropark
8801 North Territorial RoadWater, golfing, biking, running - this park has it all. The path through this park links to the Border-to-Border Trail which takes you through Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti if you're feeling particularly adventurous.
Whitmore Lake is another big, beautiful lake, and you can rent boats here to explore its shores.
Mac's Marina Inc
9876 Main StWhitmore Lake is another big, beautiful lake, and you can rent boats here to explore its shores.
This sprawling park just off the Lakelands Trail has acres of grass, playgrounds, disc golf, and even a model airplane flying field.
Manly W. Bennett Park
10405 Merrill RdThis sprawling park just off the Lakelands Trail has acres of grass, playgrounds, disc golf, and even a model airplane flying field.
Nearby towns
Some of our favorite towns to visit.
Brighton is often known for its outlet malls and sprawling shopping areas, but it has a cute downtown with restaurants, a theater, coffee shops, and more, all near Bright Mill Pond. We especially like La Marsa for Mediterranean food. Tell them it's your first time there, and you might get some free baklava!
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Brighton
Brighton is often known for its outlet malls and sprawling shopping areas, but it has a cute downtown with restaurants, a theater, coffee shops, and more, all near Bright Mill Pond. We especially like La Marsa for Mediterranean food. Tell them it's your first time there, and you might get some free baklava!
Just a short drive away, Dexter is a lovely stop for local shopping, a stop for a craft beer, or a pastry at Dexter Bakery. Mill Creek Park is a gateway to the Hudson Mills Metropark along the water for short or long walks, biking, or rollerblading.
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Dexter
Just a short drive away, Dexter is a lovely stop for local shopping, a stop for a craft beer, or a pastry at Dexter Bakery. Mill Creek Park is a gateway to the Hudson Mills Metropark along the water for short or long walks, biking, or rollerblading.
Howell's cute downtown has a lot to offer, especially if you like coffee. Uptown Coffee and Black Iron Coffee Roasters are both quite good. Just a few miles out of town, explore the Livingston Antique Outlet to search for vintage treasures.
Howell
Howell's cute downtown has a lot to offer, especially if you like coffee. Uptown Coffee and Black Iron Coffee Roasters are both quite good. Just a few miles out of town, explore the Livingston Antique Outlet to search for vintage treasures.
Tell your friends you've been to Hell and back - and you can do it in under 30 minutes! Hell, Michigan embraces its name with some highly Instagrammable photo opportunities. There's not much to town, but you can definitely pick up some souvenirs, play miniature golf, or grab a bite at the diner.
Hell
Tell your friends you've been to Hell and back - and you can do it in under 30 minutes! Hell, Michigan embraces its name with some highly Instagrammable photo opportunities. There's not much to town, but you can definitely pick up some souvenirs, play miniature golf, or grab a bite at the diner.
Chelsea is perhaps best known as home of Jiffy Mix, but it also has lots of great restaurants, shopping, and beautiful neighborhoods to explore.
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Chelsea
Chelsea is perhaps best known as home of Jiffy Mix, but it also has lots of great restaurants, shopping, and beautiful neighborhoods to explore.
Within 30 minutes
The recreation areas abound, and Pinckney Rec area blurs into the Waterloo Recreation Area, with its myriad bodies of water and trails. Get a taste of the 36-mile Waterloo-Pinckney Trail with a day hike!
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Waterloo State Recreation Area
16345 McClure RoadThe recreation areas abound, and Pinckney Rec area blurs into the Waterloo Recreation Area, with its myriad bodies of water and trails. Get a taste of the 36-mile Waterloo-Pinckney Trail with a day hike!
Island Lake is another beautiful area not far away, but it's especially known for its mountain bike trails
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Island Lake State Recreation Area
6301 Kensington RdIsland Lake is another beautiful area not far away, but it's especially known for its mountain bike trails
If you're a mountain biker, these trails are not to be missed. For fun, easy flow, circle the Green Loop, to up your challenge, check out Big Kame and Winn, and for some rock hopping, head to Sugar. Groomed and open for fat biking in winter as weather permits.
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DTE Energy Foundation Trail
17819 Stockbridge Chelsea RdIf you're a mountain biker, these trails are not to be missed. For fun, easy flow, circle the Green Loop, to up your challenge, check out Big Kame and Winn, and for some rock hopping, head to Sugar. Groomed and open for fat biking in winter as weather permits.
This relatively new farm stand in Chelsea features local, fresh goods, including produce, pre-made meals, and pastries. Grab an espresso while you're there, and enjoy a view of the historic Jiffy Mix headquarters across the street!
Agricole
118 N Main StThis relatively new farm stand in Chelsea features local, fresh goods, including produce, pre-made meals, and pastries. Grab an espresso while you're there, and enjoy a view of the historic Jiffy Mix headquarters across the street!
This charming cafe offers coffees, sandwiches, and is especially known for its crepes.
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Zou Zou's
101 N Main StThis charming cafe offers coffees, sandwiches, and is especially known for its crepes.