Escape to Bellaire for a cozy Up North Playcation filled with glowing winter adventures, local flavors, downtown fun, and a winter wonderland waiting just for you. Bellaire is the perfect place to stay, shop, dine & play your way through a magical snowy weekend!
STAY / PLAY / FOOD / MARSHMALLOWS / FIREPIT / NIGHTLIFE / SNOW / FUN / ESPRESSO / COZY
3:00–6:00 PM — Check-In at Your LODGING PARTNER
Settle into your cozy room at one of Bellaire’s hotels, inns, or B&Bs.
6:00–7:30 PM — Dinner options in Bellaire - YOU CHOOSE!
Short's Brewing - Downtown, casual, brew pub, craft beer, gourmet deli, pizza. No reservations. ADA accessible. Nightlife.
Fireside Lounge - Downtown, 21+ only, upscale casual, lounge, full cocktail bar, great wine selection, beer, food. no reservations. ADA accessible. Nightlife.
Toonies - Downtown, casual, no reservations needed.
Chloe's Chophouse - Downtown - fine dining. Reservations call or online Chloe's Chop House ADA accessible
The Pelican's Nest - on the Chief Golf Course by Shanty Creek Resort. ADA accessible. Great burgers. No reservations needed.
The Lakeview Restaurant - at Shanty Creek Resort. ADA accessible. Great views. Reservations on Open Table. Shanty Creek Resort
Book an escape room adventure for Saturday Escape Bellaire
7:30–9:30 PM — Start Your Snow Globe Weekend with Bellaire Nightlife
Stroll downtown for: Live music, an old fashioned, cold beer, expresso martini's, hot cocoa and dessert specials. The perfect way to ease into your Playcation! You never know what type of entertainment to expect - downtown Bellaire is very local friendly and there's always something happening and friendly people to chat with.
Friday Night 1/16: Try DJ Bingo! at Fireside Lounge 7-9pm. Free to play.
Transportation tip: Bellaire does not usually have Uber or Lyft available. Everything downtown is walking distance. Shanty Creek Resort has a resort bus that will do trips downtown. See Shanty Creek for their schedule. Stonewaters Inn, Spillway Lodge, Grand Victorian, Park Street Inn are all within walking distance to downtown. Some airbnbs are within walking distance. Downtown bars typically close by 11pm on Fridays.
8:00–10:00 AM — Breakfast at one of these locations:
Toonies - full breakfast menu, casual dining. Open Saturdays 7am-2pm for breakfast & lunch. No reservations. Inside Seating. ADA accessible. Bathrooms not ADA compliant.
Ruthann's Gourmet Bakery - coffee shop and pastries, quiche, biscuits & gravy. Open Saturdays 7am-7pm. No reservations. Inside Seating. ADA accessible via side door.
10:00 AM–6:00 PM — Playcation Snow Day
Take in the snowy streets and festive window displays as you shop your way through town.
Warm up with local coffee, cocoa, or craft beverages at nearby cafes.
The Flying Pig is having an indoor sidewalk sale — don’t miss it!
Explore Bellaire’s charming downtown shops and local boutiques.
Paddles & Pedals outfitters, The Flying Pig gifts, Little Treasures Toys & Gifts, Riverside Floral & gifts, Spice & Tea Exchange and gifts, Sweet Rees Candy Shop, Shorts Mart.
Or...
Take a hike or snowshoe at Grass River Natural Area or Glacial Hills Trails. Equipment rentals available at Grass River or Mountain Bike & snow shoe rentals @ Paddles & Pedals, downtown. Fat tire biking at Glacial Hills only.
Tip: Grass River Center is open 10am-4pm and will have mostly flat trails. Check their website for equipment rental. Glacial Hills has no hours...no building, just trails with some flat and lots of hills. There are direction signs. Neither place has lighting for night.
Cross country ski at Shanty Creek Resort Equipment rentals available.
Snow tubing, skiing or boarding at Shanty Creek Resort Equipment rentals available.
12:00–3:00 PM — Lunch + Tasting Time
Warm up with hearty soups, bowls, flights, or specialty drinks at local restaurants, cafés, breweries, and distillery.
Open for lunch on Saturday:
Short's Brewing, Toonies, Chloe's Chophouse, Ruthann's Gourmet Bakery & Coffee House, Aiko Food Truck.
5:00–7:00 PM — Dinner & Drinks
Try seasonal plates, winter cocktails, or family comfort food.
Fireside Lounge - Downtown, 21+ only, upscale casual, lounge, full cocktail bar, great wine selection, beer, food. no reservations. ADA accessible. Nightlife. Great cocktails! Cocktail Lounge | Fireside Lounge
Shorts Brewing - Downtown, casual, brew pub, craft beer, gourmet deli, pizza. No reservations. ADA accessible. Nightlife. Great pizza! Bellaire Pub - Short's Brewing Company
Chloe's Chophouse - Downtown - fine dining. Reservations call or online Chloes Chop House ADA accessible. Best steak!
The Pelican's Nest - on the Chief Golf Course near Shanty Creek Resort. ADA accessible. Great burgers. The Pelican's Nest |
The Lakeview Restaurant - at Shanty Creek Resort. ADA accessible. Great views. Reservations on Open Table. Michigan Lodging - Top Northern Michigan Golf and Ski Resort : Shanty Creek Resort
7:00–10:00 PM — Saturday Night Entertainment
Choose your vibe: Live music, pub & craft beer, cozy lounge, dessert crawl. A perfect winter night out!
Great dessert spots:
Chloe's Chophouse, Toonies, The Pelican's Nest, Sweet Ree's Candy Shop
Great nightlife spots:
Fireside Lounge / Short's Brewing / Toonies (OPEN LATE ON SATURDAY NIGHT) / Ivan's at Shanty Creek
Transportation tip: Bellaire does not usually have Uber or Lyft available. Everything downtown is walking distance. Shanty Creek Resort has a resort shuttle that will do trips downtown. See Shanty Creek for their schedule. There is one late night bar open downtown Bellaire - Toonies on Saturday nights only. They keep their bar and kitchen open late - sometimes until 1am. Frequently there is karaoke and/or other entertainment.
8:00–10:00 AM — Breakfast
Stop into participating cafés for a warm breakfast before you start your day. Sunday morning is your choice of a coffee house or brunch at the pub.
Ruthann's Gourmet Bakery - coffee shop and pastries, quiche, biscuits & gravy. Open Saturdays 7am-7pm. No reservations. Inside Seating. ADA accessible via side door.
Short's Brewing serves Brunch on Sundays. Open at 11am.
Morning — Church Service Options (Optional) local Churches welcome visitors for Sunday services.
10:00 AM–1:00 PM — Final Shopping & Bellaire Browsing. Some shops do not open on Sunday.
Stores open on Sundays:
The Flying Pig, Paddles & Pedals, Sweet Ree's Candy, Tea & Spice Exchange, Little Treasures Toys
11:00 AM–1:00 PM — Open Recreation Time
Choose your own winter adventure: Skiing, Snowshoeing, Cross-country skiing, Brunch, Scenic drives, Cozy coffee shop stops. Bourbon bar & Indoor golf simulators at the Chief Pro Shop Trackman Simulator - The Chief Golf Course
Sunday Funday at: Lift Ticket Specials - Shanty Creek Resort
We hope you enjoyed your Playcation in Bellaire! So much that you'll come back and do it again! Because some places you visit, and some places feel like they've been waiting for you. Bellaire, Michigan
Check out more Playcation Weekends...And what are you waiting for? Book your Playcation today!
