Escape to Bellaire for a cozy Valentine’s Playcation filled with winter romance, local flavors, charming downtown moments, and a snowy Up North backdrop made for love. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or a fun weekend with friends, Bellaire is the perfect place to stay, shop, dine, and fall in love with winter all over again.
STAY / PLAY / FOOD / LOVE / FIREPIT / NIGHTLIFE / CHOCOLATE / FUN / ESPRESSO / COZY
⭐ FRIDAY — ARRIVE & UNWIND
Check-In at Your Lodging Partner
Settle into your cozy room at one of Bellaire’s hotels, inns, or B&Bs.
Take a leisurely winter stroll through downtown to browse local shops and pick up a Valentine’s treat or two.
Dinner Date Night at a local restaurant featuring Valentine’s specials, craft cocktails, or wine pairings.
Friday Night Dinner options - You Choose
Book an escape room adventure for Saturday Escape Bellaire
Post-dinner drinks by the fire or live music at a local brewery, distillery or cocktail lounge
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.
End the night with a moonlit walk or stargazing on your way back to your lodging —Up North winters set the mood
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 (usually every hour until midnight). 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.
⭐ SATURDAY — PLAY, INDULGE & EXPLORE
Sleep in, then enjoy coffee, pastries, and sweet Valentine’s treats from a downtown café...
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.
The Blue Pelican Inn - Central Lake. Serves full breakfast Saturdays & Sundays. No reservations. Inside Seating. ADA accessible.
Optional: Snowy morning walk, fat-tire biking, or cross-country skiing on nearby trails
LATE MORNING / AFTERNOON -
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.
Warm up with lunch at a local favorite—comfort food highly encouraged
Open for lunch on Saturday: Short's Brewing, Toonies, Chloe's Chophouse, Ruthann's Gourmet Bakery & Coffee House, Torch Lake Cafe, Aiko Food Truck.
AFTERNOON
Stroll through Bellaire’s walkable downtown and enjoy some local shopping.
Shop Local Love: Explore boutiques, gift shops, and galleries for unique Valentine’s finds
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.
Optional spa time, sauna, or hot tub soak back at your lodging
EVENING — Valentine’s Night Out
Special prix-fixe dinner, themed menu, or wine & dessert pairing
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
Torch Lake Cafe - Eastport (20 minute drive - north end of Torch Lake) - curated cuisine, live music and a great time. Reservations not necessary. ADA accessible. www.torchlakecafe.com
Finish the night with dessert, drinks and live music —or a movie night in with takeout and local sweets
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, Torch Lake Cafe
Great nightlife spots:
Live Band at Ivan's at Shanty Creek Resort / Fireside Lounge / Short's Brewing / Toonies / Torch Lake Cafe
Fireside Lounge has Eric Jaqua playing in the lounge 6:30-9:30pm. High energy, funky sounds! Enjoy a chocolate martini and be fascinated by Eric's talent. No reservations necessary. Walk in lounge. Seating & standing room always available. 21+ over. Parking on street. ADA accessible.
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 bus schedule (usually every hour until midnight). 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.
Breakfast
Stop into participating cafés for a warm breakfast before you start your day. Two options open on Sunday morning for breakfast.
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.
The Blue Pelican Inn - Central Lake. Serves full breakfast Saturdays & Sundays. No reservations. Inside Seating. ADA accessible.
Church Service Options (Optional) local Churches welcome visitors for Sunday services.
Final shopping stop for gifts, treats, or souvenirs. Some shops do not open on Sunday.
Stores open on Sundays:
The Flying Pig, Paddles & Pedals, Sweet Ree's Candy, Spice & Tea Exchange, Little Treasures Toys & Gifts
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
Head home relaxed, refreshed, and already planning your next Bellaire escape
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!
