6 Best Things to Do in Bellaire, MI

By VI Staff on December 26, 2019 - Updated

Destination Bellaire

Bellaire is a small village in Antrim County, Michigan. The village has a scenic historic main street popular with tourists, with the beautiful 1905 Antrim County Courthouse. The village is surrounded by lakes and rivers. Grass River Natural Area has miles of trails through the forests and wetlands, with Grass River running through. Pontoon Boat Rentals rents comfortable pontoons for those who want to explore the surrounding Torch Lake, Clam Lake, Lake Bellaire, and Elk Lake. Torch Lake Cellars is a vinery and vineyard on the hills above Bellaire, offering great wines and spectacular views in their charming tasting room. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.

1.Grass River Natural Area

Grass River Natural Area is a 1,492-acre nature preserve near Bellaire, Michigan, in the heart of Antrim County. Grass River runs through the preserve and seven miles of well-maintained trails offer magnificent views of the river Banks and surrounding wetlands. There is a 1.5-mile long raised boardwalk that allows passage over northern fen and cedar wetlands. Grass River Natural Area is an outdoor living laboratory where visitors can explore and learn about the natural world around them. The Grass River Center offers a comfortable learning environment for school field trips, camps, public programs and more. The river is great for kayaking and enjoying nature and the trails, once frozen, are popular for skiing and snow shoeing.

6500 Alden Hwy, Bellaire, MI 49615, Phone: 231-533-8576

2.Torch Lake Cellars

Torch Lake Cellars is a family owned and operated vineyard and winery located on the hills above Bellaire, Michigan, with the wonderful view of the vineyard, Torch Lake and Lake Bellaire. Torch Lake produces a range of white and red wines, fruit wines and ciders. Wine lovers are invited to visit their charming Tasting Room, built by the owners, with a detailed mosaic floors, a rustic magnificent wood staircase, and a 25-foot cupola. The unique architecture of the tasting room and the beautiful nature around it make Torch Lake Cellars a great location for a family visit. There is even a kids’ playground in the back with the ping pong table, where kids can have fun while parents taste diverse award-winning Torch Lake Cellars wines.

5245 Clam Lake Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615, Phone: 231-377-9109

3.Little Treasures Toy and Gift

Little Treasures is a tiny, magical shop in Bellaire, Michigan, a treasure trove of toys, games, gifts and crafts. The shop was originally opened in 1993 in a small stone building in Elk Rapids, Michigan. Since it moved to downtown Bellaire, Treasures Toy & Gift became the magnet for the local kids big and small, filled to bursting with toys of all kinds, colors and sizes, new and old, classics and top sellers of today. There are plush toys, science toys, board games, card games, dice games, large-piece wooden puzzles, challenging 1000-piece puzzles, toy cars and trucks, science toys, plush toys, books, arts and crafts. If you are looking for an unique gift for someone difficult to please, you have come to the right place.

100 E Cayuga St, Bellaire, MI 49615, Phone: 231-533-6559

4.Pontoon Boat Rentals

If you are visiting the blue waters of Torch Lake and the sandbar at the lake’s south end, Pontoon Boat Rentals is there to rent you a pontoon so you can explore the lake and enjoy its magic in comfort. Pontoon Boat Rentals offer ten late models of new pontoons and Tritoon boats. They also have one 21-foot Center Counsel V Hull Boat. All pontoons and boats are located at their docks on the river in Bellaire, on the Torch Lake and at the Northaire resort on Clam Lake. The boats can accommodate from 9 to 16 passengers maximum. You can spend a day in comfort exploring Torch Lake, Clam Lake, Lake Bellaire, and Elk Lake. All pontoons and boats have stereo, changing rooms, GPS navigation, depth finders with water temperature gauges and even a Porta-Potty on board.

6340 Old Torch Lake Dr, Bellaire, MI 49615, Phone: 231-377-7777

5.Ruthann's Gourmet Bakery

Ruthann's Gourmet Bakery in Bellaire, Michigan, is run by a professional cake designer Ruthann, who has 30 years of experience supplying cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies, gourmet muffins, artisanal breads, bagels and the best wedding cakes in the area. Ruthann's only uses the finest ingredients and purchases Michigan products whenever possible. Although Ruthann’s traditional Butter Crème Frosting is her signature, she can make other frostings as well. She is famous for her intricately decorated sugar cookies, but she is by far most famous for her magnificent elaborate custom designed wedding cakes. No wedding in the area can be complete without one of Ruthann’s easily recognizable sweet creations.

105 N Bridge St Suite B, Bellaire, MI 49615, Phone: 231-350-7010

6.Short's Brewing Company

Short’s Brewing Company opened its first brewery in 2004 in the refurbished 120-year old hardware store in Bellaire, Michigan, with the hand-made molding, bar, mosaic tiles and the company logo. The brewing equipment was bought used. The seven-barrel pub brewing system came with five fermenters and five serving tanks. With best possible ingredients and some very creative beers, Short’s was up and running, and people were coming a long way to taste them. Elk Rapids brewery was added in 2008 and Brewtique was opened in 2014. The same year Short’s started producing Starcut Ciders in order to take advantage of orchards of Northern Michigan. Short’s is today one of the largest brewery in Michigan, but is still proud of producing unique hands-on high quality beers and ciders. The original gastropub now has 20 beers on tap, great food and frequent live music events.

121 N Bridge St, Bellaire, MI 49615, Phone: 231-498-2300