21 Amazing Experiences During A Weekend In Quaint Indian River

Indian River, a small city between Mackinaw Metropolis and Gaylord, might be known as the guts of northern Michigan. Located on the Inland Waterway is a sequence of lakes and rivers connecting Lake Huron to Crooked Lake, and the city sits between Mullett and Burt Lakes alongside its namesake: the Indian River. 

Whereas outside journey actions abound, glimpses into native historical past come by means of artwork installations, together with a totem pole close to the Indian River trailhead and the native sturgeon sculpture.

Thanks to the Indian River Space Conference and Guests Bureau for internet hosting my go to. All opinions are mine.

Issues To Do In Indian River

Indian River experiences concentrate on Michigan’s nice outside, with woods and watercraft actions.

1. Have An Journey At Large Bear Adventures

With all that Big Bear Adventures affords, you’ll be able to spend the entire day there, experiencing adventures of every type. The quickest in Michigan’s decrease peninsula, the Sturgeon River, isn’t whitewater, however you will discover it thrilling.

Rafting

Rafting offers probably the most stability, and so they provide five-person and seven-person rafts. The river does a lot of the work of propelling you downstream, however your group might want to steer round obstacles and slender passages. I used to be a first-time rafter and located this expertise enjoyable and thrilling. The journey ends at Burt Lake State Park, the place you’ll be able to picnic, swim, and play on the seaside.

Guided ATV Excursions

This two-and-a-half-hour guided ATV tour takes you thru Michigan’s pine and hardwood forests for an genuine up-north expertise. A information leads the group of their car, and also you observe in yours. With the information, you don’t want to fret about hidden hazards, getting misplaced, or mechanical points. As a substitute, they supply all the required tools for a secure but enjoyable expertise.

2. Go to DeVos Seaside Park And Veterans Pier

This township park, positioned on a big shallow cove on the mouth of Indian River and Burt Lake, is only a brief stroll from the center of downtown Indian River. It has a picnic space, pavilion, and sandy seaside. The seaside is ideal for fireworks viewing in the event you’re on the town for Independence Day.

Veterans Pier at DeVos Seaside Park is an ADA-accessible, barrier-free fishing pier. The dock is right for fishing or watching the sundown from considered one of its many benches. The pier can also be a spot for viewing the lighted boat parade throughout the Top O’ Michigan Boat Races.

3. Lease A Boat At Howe Marine

Situated on the Indian River, between Mullett and Burt Lakes, Howe Marine is within the coronary heart of the Inland Waterway. An ideal place to hire a watercraft and cruise down the Indian River to one of many lakes. After admiring their work on previous wood boats, we rented a pontoon boat and headed out on Burt Lake at sundown.

4. Discover Burt Lake State Park

Situated on the southeast nook of Burt Lake, Burt Lake State Park options 2,000 toes of sandy shoreline. The year-round 400-acre park affords 306 fashionable tenting websites and 4 restroom buildings, together with showers. A ship launch with a skid pier makes it a handy place to kick off boating and fishing. As well as, the one-mile path makes it an ideal place to hike and uncover the world.

5. Wander By way of The Nationwide Shrine At The Cross In The Woods

Folks come from around the globe to Cross in the Woods to view the Marshall Fredericks–designed sculpture known as The Man on the Cross. Constructed from Oregon Redwood, the cross is 55 toes excessive and 22 toes huge. Forged in bronze in Norway, the physique weighs 7 tons and is 28 toes lengthy, with an arms span of 21 toes.

6. Hear Inside Nature’s Megaphone

Based mostly on an Estonian artwork set up of three megaphones, Charles Dawley, with the assistance of native highschool college students, applied a Nature’s Megaphone in Banwell Nature Preserve. Contained in the megaphone, it amplifies the sounds of the forest, birds, bugs, and wind to the purpose the place barely audible sounds are simply heard.

Banwell Nature Protect is 400 acres adjoining to the Andreae Nature Protect, providing 3 miles of shoreline alongside the Pigeon River. To achieve the megaphone, I discovered it closest to park on the Andreae Nature Protect, a few 2-mile loop from the parking zone to the megaphone and again.

Finest Eating places In Indian River

The native lakes function quite a lot of fish, from whitefish and walleye to lake perch. Add to that Michigan is quantity two within the nation for its number of agricultural merchandise, and also you’re certain to seek out recent components on the menus.

7. Vivio’s

Vivio’s serves Italian and American fare in a Northwoods cabin ambiance. Whereas my husband wolfed up the lasagna, I discovered their pizza equally tasty. Mix that with considered one of their crispy antipasto salads and house-made yeast rolls, and also you gained’t have room for his or her specialty tiramisu.

• Finest Appetizer: Artichoke and Crab Dip
• Traveler’s Alternative: Whitefish Vivio’s Model

11. Wilson’s Rivers Edge Restaurant

Wilson’s Rivers Edge Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with soups and pies made out of scratch. You gained’t stroll away hungry from their all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. A meal right here is a superb choice in the event you’re touring with the grandkids.

• Native Favourite: Nutty Camper’s Toast
• Should-Attempt Dessert: Selfmade Cherry Pie

The place To Store In Indian River

Whereas Indian River is extra of an out of doors dream than a buying mecca, they nonetheless provide some noteworthy shops you’ll need to go to.

14. Drost’s

Chocolate is a favourite deal with when visiting northern Michigan and Drost’s affords a wide array. For many years they’ve handmade their goodies and fudge behind their counter on a marble slab. Additionally they present treats like brittles, licorice, caramel corn, and taffy in the event you’re not into chocolate. Domestically-made ice cream is an ideal deal with after a scorching afternoon outside.

15. McClutchey’s

McClutchey’s is a fifth-generation division retailer certain to have that one factor you’re determined for. We left our jackets house, however the climate prediction was chilly for our night boat trip. Although we require bigger sizes, McClutchey’s had the right fleece. If buying isn’t your factor, however you want a selected merchandise, they provide comfy chairs and can carry you quite a lot of choices to attempt.

16. Chillermania

In case you’re touring with the grandkids, Chillermania is a must-see cease. A novel author-owned bookstore the place the one books bought are by the creator, Jonathon Rand. His mission is to let youngsters know they will do something if they will learn. If the group of 13-year-old ladies on a birthday journey is any indication, he’s very convincing. He affords writing lessons for the kiddos and a enjoyable expertise for everybody who visits.

Finest Motels In Indian River

You will see that numerous small, domestically owned lodging with northern Michigan attraction. Since most have only some rooms, I’ve provided many choices. Choose your keep based mostly in your pursuits, as many hook up with your favourite outside exercise.

17. Totem Lodges

Totem Lodges are seven mini-lodges with Michigan Northwoods décor, the place you’ll discover fashionable tiled showers, hammered copper sinks, and waterfall taps. The rooms embody a kitchen with a full fridge and microwave. Company can arrive late and obtain contactless check-in utilizing sensible keypad locks.

The house owners even have The Stargate Motel, so that you’ll expertise the identical pleasant service.

18. Waterway Inn

Situated within the city of Indian River, the Waterway Inn is inside strolling distance from most eating places, Burt Lake State Park, and downtown. Adjoining to the North-Central Rail Path, often known as the 720 Path to the snowmobile group, company can entry the path from the inn. 

The Waterway Inn affords 11 rooms and 5 cellular houses. Most rooms have a fuel hearth that’s excellent for a cold day. Within the evenings, you’ll discover company gathering and socializing across the fireplace pit.

19. Northwoods Lodge

Northwoods Lodge includes a northern Michigan theme, together with log furnishings and wildlife artwork. This award-winning lodge options 15 rooms that present the privateness of a motel and the quaint attraction of a mattress and breakfast. They embody a self-serve breakfast along with your keep. Conveniently positioned throughout the road from the North-Central Rail Path makes the lodge an ideal location for snowmobiling and bicycling.

20. The Landings

The Landings affords 17 models on the Indian River, and every one comes with a ship slip. Being proper on the river makes it the right place to benefit from the sundown out of your cabin’s entrance porch or on a leisurely cruise down the river.

 21. Inland Lakes Motel

Sitting at exit 313, the Inland Lakes Motel has 10 rooms and a three-bedroom home. This newly renovated motel offers a contemporary expertise with hassle-free sensible keypad locks.

Different lodging choices embody the Hometown Inn and Brentwood Lodging.

Professional Tip: You’ll discover quite a few benches alongside the waterways for these with mobility challenges or who like to take a seat and cross the time. Making it an ideal option to get pleasure from a sundown, fish, or watch the water.