You’ve arrived for a weekend getaway and you’re ready to explore! But, it’s downpouring with no end in sight, suddenly sleeting — or it’s just too cold out to handle! Now what?
When your itinerary includes outdoor gallivanting but Mother Nature has other plans, look to this guide for weatherproof ways to make the most of a day indoors in Midland!
Breakfast: No worries about the weather here! Begin your day cozied up at Live Oak Coffeehouse, a “warm & inspiring place of gathering” that serves delicious quiche, locally roasted coffee, and Kombucha on tap. Visit Crepes et Amis to taste a touch of Paris, or Iron Dame Baked Goods for French-inspired artisan breads & pastries, including flaky croissants. (Try the decadent Pain Au Chocolat or savory Bacon Havarti!)
Discover Café Zinc inside The H Hotel to enjoy omelets, quiche, or the Chef's Weekly Benedict by the warmth of a roaring fire. Or, relax in the cozy, intimate setting at Blu to taste elevated tapas or explore the weekend brunch buffet. Sip sustainably grown, responsibly sourced coffee at Creation Coffee, and don’t leave Grove Tea Lounge without sampling from their inventive menu of hot & iced tea lattes, alongside muffins, scones, cinnamon rolls, and more!
Mid-Morning: From the comfort of your car and in any kind of weather, experience more than 400 architectural gems on a Mid-Century Modern Midland driving tour! Simply download the free mobile app for a guide to featured tours that highlight neighborhoods & structures, with photos & information about the architects who designed them.
Lunch: Stop inside Proper Taco for Carnitas tacos and “proper” sides like Cactus Dip. Dine on St. Louis-style barbecue, smoked low & slow, at Molasses Smokehouse & Bar, or bite into wood-fired sourdough pies from Pizza Baker. Share signature sushi rolls inside Maru Sushi & Grill, or sample a fresh, deconstructed take on the dish with customizable poke bowls from Sushi Remix.
Mid-Afternoon: Make art with your own two hands at the Glaze Bar inside Space Studios, a beautiful gallery setting with a wide selection of ready-to-be-glazed, handcrafted pottery. Peruse the gallery inside Creative 360 and see if an inspirational class is available during your day indoors.
Book the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio tour to immerse yourself into an oasis of mid-century modern architecture (and catch views from the Floating Conference Room, tucked into an encompassing pond).
Late-Afternoon: Head into Downtown Midland for afternoon shopping at spots like Serendipity Road, a makers' market for unique home decor, stationery, jewelry, and more. Discover delicious scents inside Coyer Candle Co., and find all-things-kitchen & cooking at Peel 'N Pare.
Take in the aroma of fresh-baked treats inside flight-themed Aviator Cookie Company, and choose from over a dozen rotating varieties offered daily, from Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip to Oatmeal Scotchie.
Dinner: Break free from the forecast over your delicately crafted dinner inside farm-to-table gourmet restaurant Aster, or dine like family on fresh Italian at Gratzi to taste prime meats, top-catch seafood, and classic pastas. Order any of the imaginative entrees at ONe Eighteen for American comfort foods and a modern, mid-century-inspired ambiance.
Evening: Find indoor evening fun inside Code Breakers Escape & Puzzle Rooms, or see if catching a performance at Midland Center for the Arts is possible while you’re in town (and grab a drink at the on-site Pendulum Lounge).
Belly up at Midland Brewing Company to sample brews crafted in honor of regional history, including Copper Harbor Ale and Isle Royal Cream Ale. Spend time inside Whichcraft Taproom to experience more than 80 varieties of craft brews, along with wine, cider, and mead, that are all Michigan-made!
Bring in the night at Three Bridges Distillery & Taproom — a distillery, brewery, and winery in one — and try the frothy Blue Jasmine Fizz or a Smoked Rye Whiskey Old Fashioned! Or, settle in at Oxygen Lounge for an upscale, yet comfortable setting and the ultimate place to unwind, no matter the weather.
Looking to linger indoors a little longer? Step into Brinstar, open late-night, and experience a "beercade" — part arcade, part bar & grill! Play classics from Pac-Man to Galaga and bite into delicious burgers & fresh-cut fries, alongside your choice from 12 brews on tap.
Explore the country’s longest canopy walk and 110 acres of botanical gardens, bike a 30-mile stretch of scenic rail trail, or sip under the stars at an open-air beer garden — and enjoy every moment of your vacation in Midland, Michigan!
Read More +With natural wonder and downtown cityscapes, relaxed comforts and upscale splurges, you'll find your vacation in Midland to be a beautiful blend of it all.
Read More +By: Jen W. O'Deay | Updates: Go Great Lakes Bay | Jen is a Saginaw native and owner of Feel These Words, an independent copywriting studio & home to the free "5 Day Website MiniBoost". Jen specializes in writing that connects, delivered through website copy, branded content articles, and WingWoman writing services. You'll find Jen camping with her family, laughing, and at feelthesewords.com