# Mount Pleasant (Michigan)

Mount Pleasant is a city in Central Michigan.

## Get in

US-127 runs just east of the city, connecting it with Lansing to the south and Clare to the north. M-20 connects Mount Pleasant with Big Rapids to the west and Midland to the east.

## Get around

Mount Pleasant is a very walkable city for those with functioning legs, with two new pedestrian "islands" on Mission Street and High Street. Otherwise, the easiest way to get around is via car, although several taxicabs are available. Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort is three miles east of downtown.

## See

There are plenty of parks in the city or nearby. As an extension of the Chipp-A-Water Park, a portion is deemed a "natural area" and thus grows naturally without any human interference. It is used for study by environmental students at CMU. There is also a Mill Pond Park and Island Park, home to a farmer's market. Many other parks within a 20-mile diameter exist as well; these are walkable from downtown.
* 43.604722-84.7816671 Borden building (Michigan Condensed Milk Factory), 320 W. Broadway. Historic building serving as city hall. Also known as the Borden Creamery. (updated Nov 2019)
* 43.5898-84.77752 Central Michigan University. Encompasses most of the southern half of the city. (updated Nov 2019)
* 43.602431-84.7143013 Ziibiwing Center of Anishnabe Culture & Lifeways, ☏ +1 989-775-4750. (updated Feb 2020)

## Do

Mount Pleasant has four city parks on the Chippewa River: Nelson Park, Millpond Park, Island Park, and Chipp-A-Waters park. Either of these parks has access to the river, which is nice to kayak or canoe on.
* The Emerald. Designed by Jerry Matthews, the Emerald is now in its 15th season. The golf course is 6,683 yards with a 71.5 Rating and 128 Slope. Pro shop and restaurant also available.
* University Student Activity Center (located off Broomfield Road just west of East Campus Drive), ☏ +1 989 774-3686. The Student Activity Center offers an Olympic-sized swimming pool and hot tub, racquetball, basketball and volleyball courts, bowling alley, and conditioning rooms with Nautilus equipment and free weights. Guest passes are available $12 per day..
* Nelson Park, 714 W. Broadway Street. (updated Nov 2019)
* Mill Pond Park, 607 S. Adams Street. (updated Nov 2019)
* Island Park, 331 Main Street. (updated Nov 2019)
* Chipp-A-Waters park, 1403 W. High Street. (updated Nov 2019)

## Eat

Restaurants in Mt. Pleasant are more or less divided into three separate sections of town: The southern end of town, near the campus of Central Michigan University, the central downtown business district, separated from the campus by a few miles of residences, and the northern part of town, closer to the nearby Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Fast food and pizza establishments are popular near campus; smaller, more unique restaurants are downtown, and chain restaurants dominate the north end.
* Mountain Town Station, 506 W. Broadway (Downtown), ☏ +1 989 775-2337. M-Th 4-10PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su 11:30AM-9PM. American food, brewpub. $10-25.
* Camille's on the River, 506 W. Broadway (Downtown), ☏ +1 989 775-2337. M-Th 4-10PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su 11:30AM-9PM. The higher-end version of Mountain Town, with adjacent entrances. $10-25.
* The Brass Cafe and Saloon, 128 S. Main (Downtown), ☏ +1 989 772-0864. Tu-Sa 11AM-10:30PM, Su-M closed. Features a full menu restaurant, plus bar food in the saloon. Trivia at 8pm on Wednesdays. Has become one of the top two restaurants in town. $5-25.
* Pixie Restaurant, 302 N. Mission (Downtown), ☏ +1 989 772-7494. Pizza, coney dogs. Started as a drive-in; similar cuisine. Many locals swear by using foul language.
* Jon's Drive-In, 1030 S. Mission (Campus area), ☏ +1 989 773-9172. Drive-in restaurant, with inside seating available. Typical drive-in food: burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes.
* Hunan House, 2157 S. Mission (campus area), ☏ +1 989 772-7386. M-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su noon-9PM. Chinese. (updated Jun 2017)
* Shin's Korean Restaurant, 1620 S Mission St. Korean restaurant in a small strip-mall-esque area next to the Marathon gas station. Seating and carryout available. (updated Aug 2015)
* Hunter's Ale House, 4855 E Blue Grass Rd, ☏ +1 989-779-2626. M-Th 4-10PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su 11:30AM-9PM. Standard American (pizza, burgers, sandwiches, etc.) and a great rotating craft beer selection. Has two Facebook pages, and both are maintained. Brews their own beer in the former Tazeh Mediterranean restaurant. $10-25.
Mt. Pleasant has dozens of fast-food, pizza and chain restaurants. Driving down Pickard Street, which marks the informal northern edge of town, you'll encounter IHOP, Ponderosa, Applebee's, McDonald's, Culver's, Burger King, and many more. South of downtown, near campus, you'll find predominantly fast-food places like McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell and plenty of pizza places lurk just off Mission Street or near campus.

## Drink

Owing to its high concentration of college students, Mount Pleasant has many bars.
If you're staying out of downtown Mt. Pleasant, then you can visit CoCo Joes on Bluegrass Rd, or O'Kellys/Wayside, located on the corner of Mission and Broomfield.
If you're going into downtown Mt. Pleasant, you have many options, only one of which is listed below:
* Rubble's Bar, 112 W. Michigan St (downtown), ☏ +1-989-772-1132. Arguably falling into the category of "dive-bar", Rubble's is the main venue for musical performances in Gratiot County, featuring acts ranging from local to nation-wide. The atmosphere is generally gritty and delightfully personal.

## Sleep

* Baymont Inn, 5858 E Pickard (on M-20 just east of US-127), ☏ +1 989 775-5555. Closest hotel to the casino, including a complimentary casino shuttle. Deluxe continental breakfast each morning, as well as indoor pool & Jacuzzi open 24 hours for adults. Free high speed internet, & cable including HBO. Packages available. Free casino shuttle 7 days a week.
* Chippewa Motel, 5662 E Pickard, ☏ +1 989 772-1751. Near casino, located at M-20 and US-127. Complimentary coffee, bagels & muffins. In room microwave, fridge and coffee makers. High speed internet access. Close to Central Michigan University & shopping. Next to Bob Evans.
* Comfort Inn & Suites Hotel and Conference Center, 2424 S Mission (adjacent to CMU), ☏ +1 989 772-4000. Pillowtop mattresses, microwaves, and refrigerators in every room. Conference facilities, continental breakfast, pool, game room and fitness center. Bennigan’s on site.
* Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 2525 S University Park Dr (adjacent to CMU), ☏ +1 989 775-5000. Complimentary continental breakfast, indoor pool & whirlpool, free local calls. Includes fitness center, guest laundry and business center.
* Hampton Inn, 5205 E Pickard, ☏ +1 989 772-5500. Free shuttle service to the casino seven days a week. Complimentary wireless high speed internet throughout the entire hotel. Indoor pool and whirlpool. Deluxe continental breakfast.
* Quality Inn, 5500 E Pickard (M-20 & US-127), ☏ +1 989 772-7777. Complimentary breakfast, extended cable. Free long distance and high speed internet. 5 1-2 bed suites, business center, and 24-hour freshly brewed coffee.
* Sunset Shores Cottages, 942 Carroll Dr., Clare, ☏ +1 989 386-7073. Stevenson Lake is peaceful setting for a barbecue on the deck or swim from the private beach and enjoy fishing year-round. (updated Jul 2021)