When I was a Central Michigan University student living in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, I never considered my college town a tourist destination. A decade later — as a travel writer and a Central Michigan alumna — I see Mt. Pleasant as precisely that.
If you visit this beloved Mid-Michigan college town, I hope you’ll enjoy the following fun things to do in Mount Pleasant, both on and off the Central Michigan University campus.
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Take this Mt. Pleasant Guide on the go!
Before introducing you to the hidden gems and best places to eat and drink in my beloved college town, I want to share that you can access this destination guide offline and with GPS navigation to each place I recommend.
To access your handy, on-the-go version of this article, you’ll first need to download the GPSmyCity app on your phone. Then, download the Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, guide.
While you are in Mt. Pleasant, you can utilize the app to navigate to points of interest, restaurants, and bars that I recommend in this article.
Want to learn more about how GPSmyCity works? I wrote this post about using the travel app, which I consider a must-have for self-guided walking tours in destinations near and far.
At the heart of this college town — Central Michigan University.
My alma mater is one of eight public research universities in Michigan, with more than 14,000 students on campus. It offers 300 academic programs across seven colleges, including a College of Medicine that opened in 2013.
Naturally, the university attracts visitors. Prospective students visit with their parents to tour the campus. Students’ families book hotel stays for freshman orientation, residence hall move-in day, and graduation. Spectators fill CMU’s athletic facilities to watch NCAA Division I sports. And, each fall, proud alumni return to town sporting Maroon and Gold for the annual Homecoming festivities.
But is Mt. Pleasant more than a college town?
With a population of about 21,000 full-time residents, Mt. Pleasant is a small city in the middle of Michigan‘s Lower Peninsula.
Its Mid-Michigan location lies about 70 miles north of the state capital, Lansing, and about 30 miles west of Midland, where Dow Chemical is headquartered.
This central location makes Mt. Pleasant perfect for a day trip, overnight stay, or weekend getaway from the state’s major cities. The drive takes about 2.5 hours from Detroit, 2 hours from Ann Arbor, 2 hours from Traverse City, and 1.5 hours from Grand Rapids.
Why visit? Mt. Pleasant is Mid-Michigan’s cultural, educational, and entertainment hub. In addition to being home to CMU, Mt. Pleasant is the Isabella County seat and the base of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation, which operates one of the region’s most prominent attractions, Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort.
Though Mt. Pleasant is small, it’s a small city with a big reach.
What are the best things to do in Mt. Pleasant?
Home to a university and a Native American reservation, Mt. Pleasant is a unique destination in the midwestern United States. This college town offers a diverse array of activities for visitors, and below are some of my favorite things to do in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan!
Attend a Concert or Comedy Show
Both the student-led CMU Program Board and Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort bring exciting entertainment to town.
During my college years in Mt. Pleasant, I attended some big-name concerts and comedy shows featuring Keith Urban, Chelsea Handler, and Jim Gaffigan, to name a few.
Float Down the Chippewa River
Go canoeing, kayaking, or tubing down the Chippewa River! You can access the river from five parks in the city — Riverside Park, Millpond Park, Nelson Park, Chipp-A-Waters Park, and Island Park.
Just outside Mt. Pleasant at Deerfield Nature Park, you’ll find even more outdoor recreation on and off the river, including hiking, camping, and disc golf.
Dine at Local Eateries
As you might expect of a college town full of students on tight budgets, Mt. Pleasant has nearly every pizza delivery, fast food, fast casual, and regional and national restaurant chain you could imagine. If you want to go that route, my favorite is Big Apple Bagels.
Among the plethora of chain eateries, you’ll find these local gems:
- The Cabin – This rustic bar was a favorite during my own college era for its cheese-stuffed breadsticks, called cabin sticks, served with marinara and ranch dressing for dipping. It’s also a solid spot for pizza in Mt. Pleasant.
- Doozie’s Ice Cream Place – Serving hand-dipped, soft-serve, and vegan ice creams, this seasonal, cash-only ice cream parlor has been a local favorite for over 40 years.
- Max & Emily’s – This casual sandwich place is a favorite breakfast and lunch spot in Mt. Pleasant’s charming downtown.
- The Brass Cafe – A true gourmet delight, this family-owned restaurant in downtown Mt. Pleasant uses local Michigan ingredients. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic date night or a family dinner following your CMU graduate’s commencement ceremony.
- Mountain Town Station – Pair one of the brewery’s craft beers with a stone-fired pizza or smash burger as you dine on the patio overlooking the train tracks.
- Los Palominos – When you are craving Mexican food in Mt. Pleasant, Los Palominos is your best bet.
Learn About Native American Culture
Plan your visit to Mt. Pleasant for the annual Saginaw Chippewa Pow Wow. For over 40 years, the powwow has celebrated Native American traditions with authentic dance, music, storytelling, art, and foods like frybread.
Year-round, you can learn about the Saginaw Chippewa tribe and other Anishinabek tribes of the Great Lakes region at the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways.
Cheer on CMU Athletes
Central Michigan competes in 16 highly competitive NCAA Division I sports.
If you want a high-energy fan experience, sit in or near the student section at a football or men’s basketball game.
Care to be dazzled by grace and athleticism? Watch the women’s gymnastics team compete.
If spectating is more about catching some rays, baseball or softball may be more your speed.
Get Active Indoors
The weather doesn’t always cooperate with our outdoor plans in the Great Lakes State. Luckily, Mt. Pleasant offers fun ways to stay active indoors.
You can go bowling at Riverwood Resort, scale the rock climbing wall at CMU’s Finch Fieldhouse, or ice skate at Martin Ice Arena.
Tee Off at a Mt. Pleasant Golf Course
Golfers will find 13 pristine courses within a 30-minute drive of Mt. Pleasant. Both Bucks Run Golf Club and Riverwood Resort offer golf and lodging packages.
Visit the Only Mountain Around
The running joke around Mt. Pleasant is that despite its name, there isn’t a mountain in sight. The closest you’ll get is Snow Snake Ski And Golf, about 26 miles away in Harrison.
You can ski, snowboard, and go snow tubing in the winter. Then, take advantage of the zip line and golf course in the summer.
Taste Local Craft Beer
The Mt. Pleasant Craft Beer Festival, held annually in June, features beers, ciders, and meads from around Michigan.
Additionally, craft beer enthusiasts can sip Mountain Town Brewing Company beers — like the Railyard Raspberry fruited wheat beer and the Freight Train Imperial IPA — at Summit Smokehouse & Tap Room.
Plus, you’ll find more local brews at Mountain Town Station and Hunter’s Ale House, where summer nights are best spent listening to live music on the patio.
Relive Your Glory Days with a College Bar Crawl
I don’t know if you can remember your nights out on the town during college. I know the details of a few of mine are a bit fuzzy. However, I know for sure that, as college students, we usually didn’t get to the bars until 11 p.m. at the earliest.
Friends, that means you have about three hours between dinner and the bars getting slammed with the barely over 21 crowd to relive your college nights with the ultimate bar crawl.
You should start at the Cabin, where you’ll consume pizza, cabin sticks, and a cocktail served in a mug the size of your face.
Then, head downtown to the Blackstone Bar for fishbowls and billiards, The Bird Bar & Grill (is the word, right?), or Rubbles Dive Bar for live music, stand-up comedy, or karaoke.
Please drink responsibly, and don’t drink and drive. Cabs are available from Affordable Taxi or by calling 989-775-7500.
Indulge in Late-Night Cravings
Upon graduating and moving to a non-college town, I realized I had taken late-night food for granted.
In most of the world, you can’t get warm, freshly baked cookies delivered to your door at 2 o’clock in the morning. But you can in Mt. Pleasant!
In fact, 3 a.m. is a standard delivery cut-off time in this college town. If that isn’t late enough, you can always eat pancakes 24/7 at IHOP.
Stroll Around Downtown Mt. Pleasant
Downtown is ideal for a quaint stroll. Grab a cup of artisanal coffee at Ponder Coffee Co, and then browse the local shops.
Meander near the Chippewa River or down Broadway Street, discovering unique art galleries and a women-owned bookstore.
Once you are hungry, stop for a cup of soup and a sandwich at Max & Emily’s or split a pizza at The Bird Bar & Grill.
Attend Central Michigan Homecoming Festivities
Finally, when its football season, there is no better time to visit Mt. Pleasant than during Central Michigan University’s Homecoming.
Even for visitors without ties to CMU, the Homecoming Parade is a sight to see. There are floats, dancers, cheerleaders, and, of course, the Marching Chips joined by the band’s alumni.
While the parade is always my favorite part of Homecoming weekend, tailgating before the football game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium is another beloved CMU tradition for students, alumni, and the local community.
Best Places to Stay in Mt. Pleasant
Though a small college town, Mount Pleasant offers a variety of lodging, including brand-name hotels, affordable motels, campgrounds, RV parks, charming bed and breakfasts, and unique vacation rentals.
Hotels Near Central Michigan University
Lodging close to Central Michigan University’s campus is somewhat limited. Therefore, I recommend booking hotel rooms for Central Michigan University graduation months in advance.
Among the hotels closest to CMU’s campus are the Courtyard Mt. Pleasant at Central Michigan University, the Fairfield Inn & Suites, and the Comfort Inn & Suites.
Recommended Mt. Pleasant accommodations
The Gingko Tree Inn – Perfect for couples on a romantic getaway, this quaint inn is steps from Island Park, the Chippewa River, and downtown shops, restaurants, and bars. Past visitors liked this historical boutique inn for its location, cleanliness, and service. Your stay includes a homemade breakfast, and your dog is welcome to stay, too.
Courtyard Mt. Pleasant at Central Michigan University – For Mt. Pleasant visitors in town for an event at Central Michigan University, the Courtyard by Marriott is my top pick. You’ll be located near campus and the main thoroughfare that connects to US 127. You can’t beat the convenience of this location if you’re attending a football game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, CMU graduation, or a prospective student tour.
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort – Removed from the hustle of campus, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort offers award-winning dining, top-notch entertainment, a beautiful 2,400-sq-ft indoor pool with 500,000 glass tiles imported from Milan, and a full-service spa. Staying at Soaring Eagle is ideal if you visit Mt. Pleasant to attend a concert or comedy show or gamble at the casino.
Browse the map below to find and book accommodations for your stay in Mt. Pleasant!
Planning to visit Mount Pleasant, Michigan?
If you plan to be in Mt. Pleasant for an event or just for a meal on your way across the state, you’ll find lodging information, more itinerary ideas, and a directory of restaurants from the Mount Pleasant Area Convention & Visitor Bureau.
You can also download this Mt. Pleasant guide to your phone to access these recommendations with GPS-guided directions.
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Editor’s Note: This post was first published on October 7, 2016, and was most recently updated on March 20, 2025.
A quintessential college town if there ever was one! The greatest experience of my life, making life-long friends and professor connections and friends I still see 30 years later! Some of the best people you will ever meet are affiliated with CMU and Mt. Pleasant! Just as the great, late broadcast hall of famer Dick Enberg said.
Central Michigan University is a charming campus that offers so much opportunity to develop as a person and leader because it’s built on so many caring people, professors and administrators who take the time and an interest in your life and future. It may be 20k students but you never feel like a number as many do in big cities and classes.
The Mt. Pleasant downtown is quaint and has just the right touch of local pubs, micro breweries, and ma and pop’s eateries. The summer and fall Chippewa River rafting is idyllic and serene. And the summer concert series downtown are fun. If you can make the August Pow Wow, you will experience one-of-a-kind Chippewa Tribe tradition; in culture, song and dance.
A lot of weekend charm walking the campus, catching lunch and a local Chippewa micro brew, meandering down the Chippewa River, and then as Gordon Lightfoot would say check out the legend of the Chippewa Tribe…
I”m a fan of college towns as they have such a great vibe and lots of culture. Mt. Pleasant sounds like a town I’d like to visit and explore, especially the beer scene and the native museum.
You have convinced me! We love Michigan and next time I’m adding in a visit to Mount Pleasant.
As we don’t really have college towns in Australia, I think I’d find it fascinating to see what one is like. Seems appropriately named, definitely looks pleasant 😉 Those cookies look amazing too by the way!
I think college towns are tons of fun! I have never been to one that I haven’t like. Now 20,000 students is a lot (at least in my view, I am from Puerto Rico where everything is small). I see why the town has so many interesting offerings.
I can feel your love for the city 😉 It is pretty centrally located, but I’ve never personally checked it out. Thanks for the tips!
I never heard about the chipper river before today. Me and my husband love to canoe and kayak. We will have to try it out next year for sure. It definitely sounds like a lot to do there. Thanks for posting this. I didnt know there was that much to do there.
Those cookies look amazing! We’re huge golfers in this family so this sounds right up my alley. I’ve always wanted to try Soaring Eagle Casino too!!
Floating down the river sounds wonderful. I’ve never ventured around that area. Sounds like there is plenty to do!
Very informative post on your alma mater. The Big Apple Bagel in Mt. Pleasant is still my favorite of all the other locations that have opened around here. Love their chocolate cheesecake muffins. The bookstore on Mission if it is still there is wonderful place to browse too. Lots of good tips on things to do and see, and thanks for the cab links too as parking is often an issue in any college town. Some day I will have to visit the Casino.
I have to correct you on the cookies – Ann Arbor has Insomnia also 🙂 they used to have a cookie TRUCK when I was an undergrad which was amazing, but then I think the U shut them down, lol. They then popped up as a brick and mortar store a few years later.
This all sounds like a fun time! I’ll confess I’ve only been to Mt. Pleasant for the casino, my parents used to take me with them and leave me in the Kids Room they had there.
Oh, I know it’s in Ann Arbor, too. Insomnia is a pretty widespread chain, but, at least in Michigan, it’s only in college towns like Ann Arbor, East Lansing, and, of course, Mt. Pleasant. My friends at Michigan and Michigan State turned me onto it way before it came to Mt. P. Sadly, it wasn’t there when I was a student. When I went back for Homecoming in 2014, I made sure to order my first-ever late-night batch!