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When many Michiganders think of places to vacation in Northern Michigan, Traverse City, Charlevoix, and Petoskey are often top of mind. But Kalkaska is an up and coming underrated gem of a destination with a blossoming number of things to do. And it is extremely convenient, affordable, and beautiful to stay overnight here.
During our recent 2 night trip, we stayed at Quinn Cabin – a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom cabin ON A LAKE. Vacation doesn’t get any better than watching a sunset over a lake then retreating into a quiet, cozy cabin. How peaceful! Take me back!
Discover all the things to do in and near Kalkaska and check out our two day itinerary to help inspire your own trip up north.
~ History of Kalkaska ~
The village of Kalkaska was founded on March 10th, 1887. Around this time, people started settling and became involved in the lumber industry. Companies such as Smith Lumber employed 180 men to work at the logging camps. Then woodenware factories such as the Freeman Factory and the Kalkaska Handle Factory opened up to process wood into finished products.
In the early 1900’s, downtown Kalkaska was devastated and rebuilt after a couple fires broke out. The two worst fires were in 1908 and again in 1925. A fire in 1910 destroyed the original train depot. After being rebuilt a year later, the station was used until passenger service stopped. Then the station converted into the local history museum in 1970. Recently, the station and former lumberyard beside it were rejuvenated and converted into a community gathering spot called Railroad Square.
Well known author Ernest Hemingway once spent time in Kalkaska and even fished nearby at Rugg Pond Damn. A Michigan State Historical marker is located here to commemorate this.
During the 1970s, oil and gas were discovered in and near Kalkaska, which led to a boom for a period of time. Since then, tourism has become one of the primary economic drivers of the local economy. And with nearby Traverse City experiencing a shortage of housing, this has driven a number of homebuyers to Kalkaska.
~ Things to do in Kalkaska Map ~
~ Getaway to Kalkaska Summary ~
When: Overnight stay during late summer/early fall
Why: We wanted to return to northern Michigan but check out some towns we haven’t visited before.
Time Traveled (one way): 2 hours from Grand Rapids, 3 hours from Detroit, 2.75 hours from Kalamazoo, 2.5 hours from Lansing, 5 hours from Chicago, 6 hours from Indianapolis
Time Spent at Destination: 2 nights and 3 days
Budget: $$ – To help offset your travel cost, if you wish to book a stay at Quinn Cabin in Kalkaska, enter the discount code “EMIL” when booking to receive 10% off through the rest of 2021.
What We Did During Our Getaway to Kalkaska
On the first day of our getaway, we enjoyed brunch at Moose and Stellas near downtown Kalkaska. Following that, our son played at Chalker Park’s playground. Then we got out our bike’s and biked around downtown Kalkaska from Railroad Square and around the surrounding neighborhoods. After our bike ride, we headed over to Past to Present Emporium, a cute furniture and home décor store that features new, refurbished and handmade items.
Then we hit the road up to Mancelona to check out some roadside attractions. After these quick stops we headed to Bellaire, home to popular Michigan brewery Shorts. Once we returned back to Quinn Cabin, we settled in for the evening – bought takeout for dinner to enjoy at the Cabin, watched the sunset, skipped rocks from the dock, and once my son was asleep, enjoyed a bonfire.
During day two, after enjoying a nice breakfast prepared at the cabin, we stopped by Cherry Street Market in Kalkaska for snacks to take on the road. This place is incredible – you must make a point to visit when in Kalkaska! On our way back home, we stopped first in Williamsburg to check out the GT Butterfly House & Zoo, then grabbed lunch from Don’s Drive In in Traverse City. Another special place we visited before heading back home was the Traverse City 9/11 Memorial to pay our respects. The memorial is remarkable and another must visit.
Where We Stayed – Quinn Cabin
During our getaway to Kalkaska, we stayed overnight at the vacation rental Quinn Cabin. This two bedroom, 1 bath cozy cabin sleeps up to 5 guests, and is a great spot to vacation or take a little getaway any time of year. It is located in a quiet, private community on the east side of Log Lake.
When we pulled up to the cabin, we noticed several great features. First, there is plenty of room in the front yard to park a trailer carrying a personal watercraft, ATV, or snowmobile should you wish to bring one to use during your stay. Second, the cabin is adorable! It is a spacious one level with low ceilings for energy efficiency. Finally, the landscaping is incredible – instead of typical plants framing the front of the house, the landscaping is a pollinator friendly garden! Pretty is even prettier with a purpose behind it.
Inside Quinn Cabin
After unlocking the keyless front door, we stepped into the kitchen. While the cabin is rustic, the kitchen is modern and stocked with every kitchen gadget needed. To the right of the refrigerator is the coffee bar. Most hotels offer one type of coffee. Quinn Cabin has a variety of coffees, creamers, and prep methods – drip, keurig, French press – you have options here! And to add a little flair to the morning ritual, there’s a collection of custom made mugs to enjoy your coffee from. Just across from the kitchen is the dining area and when you look up, you’ll notice wooden beams running across the ceiling providing the cabin with a true cabin feel.
To the left of the kitchen is the master bedroom with a comfortable King sized bed. In the closet are two pack and plays.
From the kitchen, to the right is the second bedroom, with a full bed. While this room is only partial (as the wall doesn’t go the entire way up), the room fits one of the pack and plays perfectly at the foot of the bed. Our son slept here and with a white noise machine, he didn’t experience any trouble waking up. In the hall outside the second room is a record player with vinyl records and a Bluetooth speaker. Beyond the hallway is the living room, which is my favorite spot in the house. The room is inviting and exudes a feeling of coziness with its soft, pillow lined couch; rustic, wooden coffee table, and colorful fish décor.
The updated bathroom is accessible from the living room. Recently the owners redid the entire bathroom – new, tiled shower, flooring, toilet, vanity, sink, and even – an LED-lit mirror! And despite the cabin being older, the bathroom is spacious!
Outside Quinn Cabin
To get outside and enjoy the backyard of Quinn Cabin, exit through the enclosed back porch. Which, I must add is another perk of staying here. There’s a lounger couch with windows throughout the porch. It’s a great spot to relax at in the morning while drinking coffee. There’s also a bookcase with some books you may wish to enjoy during your vacation.
Out back there is a dock with access to a paddle boat, two kayaks, and a row boat. It’s possible to fish from the dock or water’s edge, however you need to bring your own fishing poles and bait with you. In the evening after our son went to bed, we built a bonfire in the firepit and watched the sunset over the lake – the perfect ending to a little getaway!
During the warmer months, there is a gas grill available to use just outside the front door. This is extra gas if needed in the shed outside.
Entertainment and Recreation at Quinn Cabin
While Quinn Cabin is close to several towns in northern Michigan, such as Traverse City, Bellaire, Elk Rapids, Gaylord and more, there is plenty of fun to have right at Quinn Cabin. Besides the paddleboat, kayaks, and row boats, there is extra room on the property if you wish to bring up your own personal small watercraft to use in the lake or snowmobile during the winter.
Underneath the coffee bar is a little recreation pantry with games, puzzles, craft supplies and some DVDs. These are perfect to have on hand in case you happen to encounter a rainy day or just wish to spend some time indoors.
Other Things to Do in Kalkaska
- National Trout Festival – During the last full weekend in April is the National Trout Festival. This festival signifies the kick off of the trout fishing season in Michigan.
- Winterfest – Held on a weekend at the end of February is Kalkaska’s Winterfest which includes dog sled races and weight pulls, a craft show, and silent auction.
- Downtown Shops– Quirky Culture, Sweet Shannon’s Candy Shop, Southern Charm
- Kalkaska County Historical Museum – temporarily closed due to COVID
- Rugg Pond Dam & Natural area – Ernest Hemingway once fished here and there is a Michigan historical marker located here.
- Seven Bridges Natural Area – Less than a mile walk but the trail is scenic with four bridges to cross and the remains of an old sawmill remain.
- A Yak or 2 Farm – Yak farm located in Mancelona, can book a tour to get closer to the animals.
- If coming in the fall, Kalkaska is a great starting point for fall color tours – I recommend the route to Bellaire from Mancelona (M-88) and to Williamsburg from Kalkaska (M-72) as both routes have a lot of hills, twists and curves and importantly trees! It is also only an hour and half away from the Tunnel of Trees.
- If visiting during winter, Kalkaska is under 30 minutes away from Schuss Mountain and Mount Mancelona for skiing and other winter recreation. It’s also only 40 minutes from East Jordan where winter water rafting is available from JV Outfitters. Staying at Quinn Cabin for your winter getaway is a wonderful option if you’re looking for a little more space and privacy in the quintessential cozy, rustic ambiance.
~ Getaway to Kalkaska Details ~
~Day One: Downtown Kalkaska, Roadside Attractions & Bellaire ~
Moose & Stella’s
Moose and Stella’s is a dog themed café in downtown Kalkaska on US 131. It’s open daily for breakfast and lunch until 3pm. It is named after the owners dogs, Moose, a bird hunting Brittney Spaniel and Stella, a Yorkie. The menu has unique and traditional breakfast and lunch staples – omelets, skillets, fancy French toast, burgers, hot dogs, and paninis. Both dine in and takeout options are available. Should you wish to dine in, there is a bar as well as booth and table service. And during the warmer months there’s outdoor seating. The vibe of the café is minimal-industrial. There are Edison bulbs for lighting with black and white photos of dogs hung over each booth.
Our family visited right around brunch time so while I indulged in breakfast, my husband ordered lunch. Both of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals – I split my berries and cheese French toast with my son. Not only was it visually delightful, it was tasty! My husband ordered the Great Dane burger, which consisted of two 1/3 lb patties, bacon, fried onions, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and BBQ mayo. He devoured the whole burger and rated it as one of the best burgers he had.
Chalker Park
After brunch, we went to Chalker Park just a short walk from Moose & Stella’s. At the park is a large wooden playground, gazebo with picnic tables, bathrooms, and some murals. There are fun paintings all over the wooden play structure such as a dragon and ships. One painted section looks like the Kalkaska train station.
One of my favorite features at this playground is the baby and me swing. I put my son in the toddler seat and was able to swing with him in my own swing! We both had a blast!
Railroad Square
After we got our wiggles out, we biked all over Kalkaska. The first area we checked out was Railroad Square. Once an abandoned lumberyard, the downtown development authority received a grant that helped revitalize the area. It is now a community space with a food truck court, picnic tables, event space, clock tower, and the local history museum also received some updates. An active rail line continues to run through the square but fencing and landscaping has transformed the space so when trains do come through, they add to the ambiance.
A great reason to visit the area during the week is to visit Kalkaska’s Farmers Market, which is held every Tuesday from 2pm – 6pm at Railroad Square from the end of May through the end of September.
On the west side of the square is the National Trout Memorial, erected in 1966. This fountain consists of an 18 foot long brook trout. Next to the fountain is a plaque that’s part of the Michigan Hemingway Society Tour. Famed author Ernest Hemingway spent time in Kalkaska and there’s even a self guided tour around northern Michigan! Behind the fountain is the Kalkaska Historical Museum. This museum is in the former train station which was a part of the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad. Due to COVID, the museum hasn’t been open since the summer of 2019.
Downtown Kalkaska
On the southeast and southwest corners opposite Railroad Square are a couple fascinating old buildings. One is still in use as an animal feed store – the Kalkaska Feed & Supply Inc. It’s been in business for over a century and the local community raves about it. The other building is the former Sieting Hotel. Built in 1912, it was erected after the initial hotel was destroyed by fire in 1910. Two years after construction, the hotel changed ownership and became Hotel Kalkaska. Throughout much of the twentieth century, Hotel Kalkaska was a community focal point until the mid 1980s. After changing hands a couple times, the building is still unused.
Another cool old building downtown is the old State Bank building which is where the downtown development authority has offices. Back in 1951, the former Kalkaska State Bank was robbed by Raymond J. Turcotte and led the FBI and State police on a three day manhunt throughout Northern Michigan. This was the largest manhunt in the area!
Along US-131 are a number of great local shops to visit such as Quirky HQ (owned by a former Amazing Race contestant!!), Southern Charm, and Sweet Shannon’s Candy Shop.
Finally, we found a cool old mural located behind the downtown shops. The mural is of a train pulling several cars of logs and people with a scenic environment all around it. It is worth a peak if you like murals and public art!
Past to Present Emporium
Once we wrapped up our bike tour, we stopped by Past to Present Emporium southeast of the downtown area along M-72. Past to Present Emporium is a vintage, repurposed furniture and decor store that also sells and displays new, old and handmade items. The merchandising here is incredible! A recent addition to the Emporium is the she-shed, which is additional shopping space in a shipping container next to the shop. When we visited, the shed contained gardening/outdoor and Halloween/fall decor. We ended up purchasing a handful of Halloween and fall decorations here!
Past to Present Emporium is open every day except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you’re planning to visit or are near the area, keep an eye out on their Facebook page as they’re always announcing new items and events!
Roadside Attractions North of Kalkaska
After some time exploring Kalkaska, we headed north on US-131 to go to Bellaire. Along the way we passed by three interesting roadside attractions. We’re big fans of roadside attractions – we love a good quirky, quick stop! The first one is the Shoe Tree along the southbound side of 131. A lot of shoe trees have creepy, odd meanings behind them but this one is more of a prank that others fell behind and tossed their old shoes up to add to this one.
The second is Robinson’s Scenic Gardens on the northbound side, south of Mancelona. The hours here vary but you will know if it is open or closed by the large sign along the road. There are several life sized life concrete statues of animals like a lion, hippo, rhino, giraffe, and more! My son and I were instantly intrigued and he even tried to climb onto many of the animals. If you’re in the market for lawn statues, this is a great place to check out. They sell all kinds of sizes and styles, painted or unpainted.
Finally, north of Mancelona is the former ghost town Wetzell. In 1881 people moved to Wetzell when a sawmill and factory were built using the towns lumber. But by 1909, lumber was no longer as abundant and the factories shut down. People soon left for other areas. Today Wetzell is a small intersection with a couple houses and historic marker.
Bellaire
Thirty minutes drive from Kalkaska is the small but charming town of Bellaire. Soft Parade was the first craft beer I drank after I returned from living in Kenya so a visit to Shorts Brewery has always been on my bucket list.
While in Bellaire, we not only enjoyed a beer at Shorts, we checked out Ricardi Park, and walked around the downtown area, which is home to many adorable shops. There are also a variety of different places to drink at – Mammoth Distilling for liquor, Bee Well Mead & Cider for well, Mead & Cider, and Hello Vino for wine. Ricardi Park has a great playground area along with a beach to swim at during the summer and connects to a public bike and walking trail that runs through the center of town.
~Day Two: Williamsburg & Biking Around Traverse City~
Cherry Street Market
Once we checked out from Quinn Cabin, we visited Cherry Street Market for snacks and other goodies to bring home. Pro tip: Carry a cooler and ice packs – this came in very handy!
Cherry Street Market is open daily from 8am to 8pm from May through December. This market sells only the freshest produce – most of it sourced locally, local snacks, baked goods, deli meats and cheese, and Northwoods Soda (made in Williamsburg, MI). Next to all the food is a plant and giftshop selling seasonal flowers and plants, garden and yard decor, and locally made and designed home decorations. We picked up all kinds of snacks and food to bring back home with us – drinks, trail mix, muffins, produce to cook with during the week, and even a cute Kalkaska wall sign to remember our time here!
GT Butterfly House & Bug Zoo
Before heading back home, we visited a couple other attractions nearby Kalkaska. First, we headed to Williamsburg to tour the Butterfly House and Bug Zoo. The zoo is open seasonally from early spring through early October for self guided tours. Entrance costs $10 for adults, $6 for kids age 4-12, and free for 3 and under.
Our favorite part of the zoo was the butterfly room which contained multiple varieties of tropical butterflies. We noticed a lot of blue morpho butterflies – big blue butterflies that seemed to fly together in pairs and danced around us. The garden is a beautiful area filled with tropical plants, flowers, and a water feature. There are also lots of spots that are perfect for photo opportunities. Don’t miss the viewing area where you may catch a ‘baby’ butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.
Once finished in the butterfly house, we were checked over to ensure a butterfly didn’t hitch a ride on us before entering the next portion of the zoo. In the next room is a live honeybee hive, a variety of tarantulas, frogs, and an axolotls. Admission allows you to go back around the zoo as many times as you’d like.
Outside of the zoo is a food truck selling ice cream and snacks. On the food truck is a butterfly wings painting for photo opportunities.
Don’s Drive In & the State Park Beach
Next up was lunch! We ate at Don’s Drive In. In the past, drive in’s have been a success with our son. It keeps him contained yet he can get out of his car seat and move around until food comes. When food is there, he settles down in our lap and goes to town on his food. The food at Don’s is the typical drive in foods – burgers, chicken tenders, milkshakes and the like. While my husband and I ordered a burger basket with chocolate shakes, we ordered a kids meal chicken tender basket for our son. The classic car box the kids meal comes in is so cool! My son wanted to play with it like it was a toy car after he finished his meal. The burgers were exactly what we craved and the perfect thing to eat for a little road trip back home.
Stop two in Traverse City was a quick stop at the Traverse City State Park Beach to stretch our legs. And of course, say hello to some very friendly ducks!
Traverse City 9/11 Memorial Park
The last stop on our getaway up north was to pay our respects at Traverse City’s 9/11 Memorial Park. In April 2011, a 3,100 lb former floor support beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center was transported to where it now sits behind the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department’s Administration Office. The beam leans 10 degrees towards downtown New York City. There is a winding brick path from the parking lot to the beam with 4 informational posts showing a picture with the time when each of the four airplanes crashed into the Twin Towers, Pentagon or field in Pennsylvania. The park was moving to visit, especially since we visited shortly after the twentieth anniversary of the attacks.
~~~
There is much to explore in northwestern Michigan! Spending a weekend away at Quinn Cabin or enjoying a getaway to Kalkaska is a great idea if you’re looking for a cozy fall or winter getaway. When booking your stay, use code EMIL to receive 10% off your booking through December 2021.
Have you spent anytime in northwestern Michigan? Which towns did you visit?
from Michigan with Love,
Jackie
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