Day Trips from Hillsdale

Written by Lauren Smyth

I’m a homebody by nature. I don’t care if my “home” is in the middle of town, out in the countryside, in the cornfields of Ohio, or on wheels, but I like to sleep in my own bed surrounded by my own blankets, books, cats, and plants. So, this past summer, I opted to spend most of my free time traveling locally. Here are a few of my favorite day trips I’ve taken recently that are relatively easy drives from Hillsdale, plus some longer expeditions that are perfect for holidays.

Disclaimer: This list is derived from my own explorations and isn’t meant to be exhaustive. I decline all responsibility for randomly closed restaurants or inconvenient “out of order” signs.

Jackson (30 minutes). Okay, this isn’t exactly the tourist capital of Michigan. But it’s also not far from Hillsdale, which makes it a great choice for those who don’t want to spend a day in the car. Many Hillsdalians enjoy the local Aka Sushi restaurant and Meckley’s Flavor Fruit Farm. Lesser-known activities include swimming at Vandercook Lake, dining at the Jackson County Municipal Airport, getting ice cream at the Cascades, watching a display at the planetarium, or hiking in the Dahlem Center. If you happen to visit during the summer, you can also enjoy the Cascades fountain and light show or drop by the local farmer’s market.

Ann Arbor (1.5 hours). There’s so much to do in Ann Arbor that it’s hardly worth making a condensed list, but a few of my favorites include traditional boba tea, real French macarons at Le Bon Macaron, an enormous summertime art show, the Plum Market fresh-food grocery store with delicious chipotle burritos, and the 2019 Publisher’s Weekly Bookstore of the Year winner, Literati Bookstore. If you’re looking for a specific store, especially one you’d expect to find in a large mall, it’s probably here. Ann Arbor also isn’t far from …

Milan (1.5 hours). This cute and very small town is home to a lavender farm, where you can purchase lavender-infused products or, when the season is right, pick your own purple and white flowers. Sip lavender-infused lemonade to hold off the heat. Stop by the local coffee shop for a few hours of on-the-road studying, or give a local restaurant a try.

Kalamazoo (1.5 hours). Enjoy museums, nature walks, scavenger hunts, a real-life castle, a local cider mill, and an excellent rock wall climbing gym. On your way there, stop by the WACO Kitchen at Battle Creek Executive Airport for medium-fine dining above the world’s only FAA & EASA-certified manufacturer of sport biplanes. You’ll see cool 1930s-style airplanes and great food—don’t miss the truffle fries.

Holland (2 hours). This is where you’ll find the only authentic and operational Dutch windmill in the United States. Depending on what time of year you visit, you may also see colorful tulip fields, which provide an unparalleled photographic opportunity. Explore Dutch-inspired gift shops and restaurants and stop for a tasty treat at one of the local ice creameries. You can also visit nearby Saugatuck for stunning rural beaches featuring Lake Michigan’s trademark white sand and clear water.
Muskegon (2.5 hours). This lively town on Lake Michigan is perfect for a freshwater beach getaway. Walk out on a long boardwalk to a Coast Guard-operated lighthouse, where you might catch a glimpse of a bald eagle swooping for his lunch. Rent paddleboards, kayaks, or Seadoos (if you’re over 21) to explore nearby Lake Muskegon. Grab some barbecue, tacos, or other assorted beach food at The Deck, surrounded by white sand, beach volleyball courts, and occasional live music. If you’ve got more time, head further north to climb the sand dunes at Silver Lake State Park.

If you’re ready for a longer vacation, here are a few more distant destinations that might be best suited for a weekend or a school break.

Put-In-Bay (3 hours). A real island? In … Ohio? Sign me up, if only for curiosity’s sake. When you arrive, you’ll find an adorable beach town that feels like it’s right on the ocean. Rent a golf cart for easy access to everything on the island, including beaches, nature trails, cave tours, and a 350-foot monument commemorating those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie. Yes, you can climb to the top—unless the monument has been recently struck by lightning, which was the case when I visited.
Mackinac Island (4 hours). Before you go, remember that transporting food and water to a relatively remote island is expensive, so be prepared to pay premium prices for everything you buy. During my trip, I found a bottle of water for a very un-collegiate $7. That said, visiting the island for the experience alone makes for a great getaway. You can’t drive any motorized vehicle on the island (except, interestingly, airplanes) so be prepared for plenty of walking, or rent a bicycle. Don’t forget to stop by the Grand Hotel and admire the unusually colorful decor inside ($12 for adult visitors).

Petoskey (4 hours). Full disclosure: I haven’t actually been here, but it’s on my trip bucket list. This small town is known for its beaches, where visitors can hunt for rock and fossilized coral known as Petoskey stones. I’ve heard the influx of tourists has made them incredibly difficult to find, so if you do stumble across one, consider yourself lucky. You can also visit the Historic Gaslight District, which apparently isn’t as ominous as it sounds, or enjoy hiking, biking, and beach trails.
Beaver Island (4 hours + 2 hour ferry or short flight). This isn’t the easiest location on the list to access, but if you can figure out how to get there, you’re in for a rare treat. This isolated island features a small town and lots of room for outdoor exploration. Take a driving tour and climb an old lighthouse, or get your toes wet on rocky beaches surrounded by colorful deciduous trees.

Now that you’re ready to travel, here are a few tips to keep in mind before heading out the door.

Don’t forget your National Parks pass. For those with Michigan license plates, check to see if you purchased the pass with your plates. Alternatively, you can usually buy day passes.

Don’t plan on always having cell service. Depending on your provider, some remote areas of Michigan can leave you, Google Maps, and your internet browser high and dry. If you know you’re prone to getting lost, bring a non-electronic map, download your maps in advance, or purchase a GPS device. It’s also a good idea to bring spare batteries.

Make sure the activity you want to try is in season and check age limits. Most of the trips on this list are best enjoyed in late summer or early fall. Also, some activities can only be enjoyed by those either 21+ or 25+. This is especially true for renting vehicles/equipment and booking hotel rooms.

Prepare for accidents and emergencies. Most trips go off without a hitch, but it’s always best to be ready in case something unexpected happens. Consider packing a first aid kit, extra food and water, a map, jumper cables, and roadside emergency supplies in your car before you head out. If you’re traveling in the winter, even if you aren’t planning to enjoy any outdoor activities, always bring spare cold-weather clothes that can keep you warm and dry in case your car breaks down. Make sure your insurance and license plates are all up-to-date. Notify someone not traveling with you about your planned destination, or share your GPS location with someone you trust.

If you’re heading north, watch out for bugs. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is home to a particularly vicious type of black fly that can leave you with bites that stay swollen and itchy for weeks afterward. If you plan to head north between the prime months of May and July, keep your skin fully covered and bring a bug hat to cover your face. Wear insect repellent containing DEET to deter ticks and other biting insects.
Swim carefully. Lake Michigan is known for its large underwater rocks, which often aren’t visible from the surface. One long-time Michigan resident told me that most accidents happen when people jump into the water without knowing what’s below. Don’t turn yourself into a smashed bug. Look before you leap, or better yet, don’t leap at all.

With these travel tips and a few in-state destinations to explore, you’re ready to plan a trip you and your friends won’t forget. When it’s time for a break from midterms and assignments, hit the road and have some fun!

Lauren Smyth, ’25, is an economics major and journalism minor. Outside of starting arguments in philosophy class, she enjoys curling up on a bench outdoors (sun, rain, or snow) to write novels or articles for her blog, www.laurensmythbooks.com.

Published in February 2024