Yankee Springs, Michigan Area Guidebook
Lovely Places For a Special Meal
These restaurants are places you want to go for a nice dinner. The appropriate dress code would still be casual but on the nicer side.
$$$ (2.4 miles) This is a nice restaurant at Bay Pointe Resort on Gun Lake. They often have live music. We love eating here on the patio that overlooks the lake. On the weekends you can often watch a wedding happening on the lawn or lakeside below. If you are here on the July 4th weekend, eat late and you can watch the Gun Lake fireworks (check dates. Not always on the 4th). They have great chef-prepared, food, and drinks. They have a full bar and you can get appetizers, sandwiches, salads, full entrees, and desserts. Many people come to the restaurant by boat. While it is a nicer restaurant, nice casual attire is appropriate.
18 habitants recommandent
Terrace Grille
11456 Marsh Rd$$$ (2.4 miles) This is a nice restaurant at Bay Pointe Resort on Gun Lake. They often have live music. We love eating here on the patio that overlooks the lake. On the weekends you can often watch a wedding happening on the lawn or lakeside below. If you are here on the July 4th weekend, eat late and you can watch the Gun Lake fireworks (check dates. Not always on the 4th). They have great chef-prepared, food, and drinks. They have a full bar and you can get appetizers, sandwiches, salads, full entrees, and desserts. Many people come to the restaurant by boat. While it is a nicer restaurant, nice casual attire is appropriate.
$$$ (14 miles) The Seasonal Grille is a lovely restaurant in Hastings. They have some outdoor seating. They usually have a Sunday brunch, including a Mimosa bar. If you have a group, they have a great room at the front of the restaurant that you can have for a private party. Nice bar and full entree menu. They also serve lunch.
11 habitants recommandent
Seasonal Grille
150 W State St$$$ (14 miles) The Seasonal Grille is a lovely restaurant in Hastings. They have some outdoor seating. They usually have a Sunday brunch, including a Mimosa bar. If you have a group, they have a great room at the front of the restaurant that you can have for a private party. Nice bar and full entree menu. They also serve lunch.
$$$ (11 Miles) Make sure you save room for dessert. They have a very extensive dessert menu.
22 habitants recommandent
Four Roses Cafe
663 N 10th St$$$ (11 Miles) Make sure you save room for dessert. They have a very extensive dessert menu.
Casual and Take-out Restaurants
$ (9 miles) Probably our all-time favorite place for a pizza, burger, or brisket. They have live music on most nights, Indoor and outdoor seating. Really great wood-fired pizza!!! Yummy homemade chips and dip. A full bar. It definitely has a local vibe. We have taken the grandkids for an early supper and eat outside. Closed on Mondays.
11 habitants recommandent
Yankee Bill's Wood-Fired Saloon
606 S Whitmore Rd$ (9 miles) Probably our all-time favorite place for a pizza, burger, or brisket. They have live music on most nights, Indoor and outdoor seating. Really great wood-fired pizza!!! Yummy homemade chips and dip. A full bar. It definitely has a local vibe. We have taken the grandkids for an early supper and eat outside. Closed on Mondays.
$(14 miles) This is the best diner where you can feel like a local in Hastings. We highly recommend a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate malt. Or for breakfast...they serve the real deal steak and eggs but I am partial to the buttermilk pancakes. I can usually only eat 1..it is the size of a plate.
Richie's Koffee Shop
146 W State St$(14 miles) This is the best diner where you can feel like a local in Hastings. We highly recommend a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate malt. Or for breakfast...they serve the real deal steak and eggs but I am partial to the buttermilk pancakes. I can usually only eat 1..it is the size of a plate.
$ (9 miles) Good food...Hopping place in the summertime. They have a nice outdoor seating area with a fireplace. Stop in the Nature Walk shop on the west side of the parking lot. They have great art and Yankee Springs tee-shirts.
28 habitants recommandent
Sand Bar and Grill
11368 M-179$ (9 miles) Good food...Hopping place in the summertime. They have a nice outdoor seating area with a fireplace. Stop in the Nature Walk shop on the west side of the parking lot. They have great art and Yankee Springs tee-shirts.
$$$ (12 miles) Great Blue Wagyu Steaks! They have a lot of other things too...menu has a good variety. Nice patio seating overlooking the golf course.
6 habitants recommandent
The Blue Wagyu at Yankee Springs Golf Course
12300 Bowens Mill Rd$$$ (12 miles) Great Blue Wagyu Steaks! They have a lot of other things too...menu has a good variety. Nice patio seating overlooking the golf course.
$ (2.9 miles) Take-out or eat-in pizza place. Good pizza and other items are available. They have a cauliflower crust for anyone who is gluten-free. I believe they have Karaoke on Thursday nights. They often have fun events happening. Check out their Facebook page for specials and upcoming events.
10 habitants recommandent
Lakeside Pizzeria
11925 Marsh Rd$ (2.9 miles) Take-out or eat-in pizza place. Good pizza and other items are available. They have a cauliflower crust for anyone who is gluten-free. I believe they have Karaoke on Thursday nights. They often have fun events happening. Check out their Facebook page for specials and upcoming events.
$ (7 miles) Great Ice-cream and casual meal shop. My grandkids love to ride the horse inside but they also have a drive-through window. Really good home-made baked goods.
21 habitants recommandent
Curley Cone
12850 W M 179 Hwy$ (7 miles) Great Ice-cream and casual meal shop. My grandkids love to ride the horse inside but they also have a drive-through window. Really good home-made baked goods.
$ (12 Miles) It’s homemade...enough said. French Silk is my favorite!
19 habitants recommandent
Plainwell Ice Cream Co
621 E Bridge St$ (12 Miles) It’s homemade...enough said. French Silk is my favorite!
$ (13 miles) Mexican Connexion in Hastings. Great family made Mexican food. no liquor license. Reasonable prices. $10 for tamale dinner and most meals. outdoor seating.
131 S Jefferson St
131 South Jefferson Street$ (13 miles) Mexican Connexion in Hastings. Great family made Mexican food. no liquor license. Reasonable prices. $10 for tamale dinner and most meals. outdoor seating.
Salvino's Ristorante Sports Bar & Grille
700 W Superior St$$ (16 miles north) Great Italian food.
$$ (13 miles - Hastings) New restaurant with really great food and a nice outdoor patio.
Bunker's Smokehouse & Grille
128 South Jefferson Street$$ (13 miles - Hastings) New restaurant with really great food and a nice outdoor patio.
Wine and Beer Tasting
You will find all sorts of places to go for craft beer and several for wine tasting in this part of West Michigan. Here are a few of our favorites.
$$ (10 miles) Really nice small winery! We love their white cranberry and usually buy a case for the fall to serve with a charcuterie boards. Stop here for some wine. Sit inside to watch a game or outside and enjoy the garden. Then just down the street to Yankee Bills for a wood-grilled pizza...yum! Great date night!!
9 habitants recommandent
Glass Creek Winery / Brewery
450 N Whitmore Rd$$ (10 miles) Really nice small winery! We love their white cranberry and usually buy a case for the fall to serve with a charcuterie boards. Stop here for some wine. Sit inside to watch a game or outside and enjoy the garden. Then just down the street to Yankee Bills for a wood-grilled pizza...yum! Great date night!!
$ (15 miles) In Hastings...great food, wood-grilled pizza, brewery, great small-town vibe.
19 habitants recommandent
Walldorff Brew Pub & Bistro
105 E State St$ (15 miles) In Hastings...great food, wood-grilled pizza, brewery, great small-town vibe.
$ (38 miles) Really great hard cider. This is a great place, especially in the fall. Outdoor firepits, tables with market lights, farm animals, great hard cider, and picnic food available. Especially a great place to stop on a day trip to Saugatuck and Lake Michigan.
60 habitants recommandent
Virtue Cider
2170 62nd St$ (38 miles) Really great hard cider. This is a great place, especially in the fall. Outdoor firepits, tables with market lights, farm animals, great hard cider, and picnic food available. Especially a great place to stop on a day trip to Saugatuck and Lake Michigan.
$$ (36 miles) If you plan some time in GR, this would be a great place to visit.
176 habitants recommandent
Founders Brewing Co
235 Grandville Ave SW$$ (36 miles) If you plan some time in GR, this would be a great place to visit.
$$ (37 miles) Great craft beer; great menu; outdoor game patio
62 habitants recommandent
New Holland Brewing - The Knickerbocker
417 Bridge St NW$$ (37 miles) Great craft beer; great menu; outdoor game patio
Lake Michigan
Just head west and when you get to Lake Michigan drive up or down the coast and you will have a great adventure but for me, Saugatuck is the best for a day trip to the beach!
(43 miles) My favorite spot to visit Lake Michigan. There is a short hike through the woods to get to the beach(2/3 mile est). There is nothing like walking on a wooded trail that opens up to a beautiful sandy beach and blue waters of Lake Michigan. JUST BEAUTIFUL! if you have a portable hammock...bring it! There are several spots where you can hang it and take an afternoon nap, with nothing but the woods and the lake for your view. You will need a state park day or annual pass.
122 habitants recommandent
Parc d'État des Dunes de Saugatuck
6575 138th Ave(43 miles) My favorite spot to visit Lake Michigan. There is a short hike through the woods to get to the beach(2/3 mile est). There is nothing like walking on a wooded trail that opens up to a beautiful sandy beach and blue waters of Lake Michigan. JUST BEAUTIFUL! if you have a portable hammock...bring it! There are several spots where you can hang it and take an afternoon nap, with nothing but the woods and the lake for your view. You will need a state park day or annual pass.
$10 vehicle entrance fee (46 miles) Named one of the best beaches in the mid-west, Oval Beach is another nice spot in Saugatuck. There is a large parking lot that is close to the beach. On the opposite side of the parking lot, there are dunes to climb and some hiking. They have public restrooms/changing rooms and some concessions.
115 habitants recommandent
Oval Beach
690 Perryman St$10 vehicle entrance fee (46 miles) Named one of the best beaches in the mid-west, Oval Beach is another nice spot in Saugatuck. There is a large parking lot that is close to the beach. On the opposite side of the parking lot, there are dunes to climb and some hiking. They have public restrooms/changing rooms and some concessions.
Shopping
Grocery stores and some of my favorite place that are worth stopping by if you are out and about.
(8 miles) Grocery Store in Delton with nice meat, produce, deli counter.
8 habitants recommandent
Family Fare Supermarket
103 N Grove St(8 miles) Grocery Store in Delton with nice meat, produce, deli counter.
(4 miles) (new name: Town and Country Supermarket) Grocery store on Gun Lake. Closer but a bit more expensive than Family Fare. Caters to Lake visitors. Beer Cave, decent wine selection, nice deli.
13 habitants recommandent
Weick's Food Town
71 124th Ave(4 miles) (new name: Town and Country Supermarket) Grocery store on Gun Lake. Closer but a bit more expensive than Family Fare. Caters to Lake visitors. Beer Cave, decent wine selection, nice deli.
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY $$ (3 miles) If the flag is up, stop in and see Crystal in her pottery shop. If the flag isn't up, contact her through Facebook and she will open for you if she can. Beautiful pottery!
Red Clay Pottery
9233 Wildwood RdBY APPOINTMENT ONLY $$ (3 miles) If the flag is up, stop in and see Crystal in her pottery shop. If the flag isn't up, contact her through Facebook and she will open for you if she can. Beautiful pottery!
$$ (15 miles) Hastings has some great consignment and specialty stores. This one is my favorite! Really nice gifts, home decor, wine, coffee, books, etc... They have a Bed & Breakfast upstairs but the shop downstairs and a great place to visit.
Alfresco
215 S Jefferson St$$ (15 miles) Hastings has some great consignment and specialty stores. This one is my favorite! Really nice gifts, home decor, wine, coffee, books, etc... They have a Bed & Breakfast upstairs but the shop downstairs and a great place to visit.
$(9 miles) This is the nicest gift shop!!! They have wonderful things for anyone who loves nature. They are also one of the only places I have seen "Yankee Springs Recreation Area" shirts. They are on the parking lot of The Sand Bar restaurant. They have a really nice but small art fair in the fall.
Nature Walk - Studio Shop
11420 Chief Noonday Rd$(9 miles) This is the nicest gift shop!!! They have wonderful things for anyone who loves nature. They are also one of the only places I have seen "Yankee Springs Recreation Area" shirts. They are on the parking lot of The Sand Bar restaurant. They have a really nice but small art fair in the fall.
(26 miles) I don't mean to brag but I think this Tanger Outlet is one of the best! The layout is perfect for a day of shopping summer, fall, winter, or spring.
59 habitants recommandent
Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids
350 84th St SW(26 miles) I don't mean to brag but I think this Tanger Outlet is one of the best! The layout is perfect for a day of shopping summer, fall, winter, or spring.
$(21 miles) This outdoor Antique market is held on the last Sunday of each month from April - September. Show hours 8AM to 4PM Sunday. $4 per person - free parking. Happy hunting!
9 habitants recommandent
Allegan Antiques Market
150 Douglas St$(21 miles) This outdoor Antique market is held on the last Sunday of each month from April - September. Show hours 8AM to 4PM Sunday. $4 per person - free parking. Happy hunting!
$ (2 miles) The emphasis on this store is “General.” Not everything is a dollar but it is more like a “General Store.” They have a bit of everything, even produce, freezer, and refrigerator food. Kinda like a small Target.
6 habitants recommandent
Dollar General
12441 W M 179 Hwy$ (2 miles) The emphasis on this store is “General.” Not everything is a dollar but it is more like a “General Store.” They have a bit of everything, even produce, freezer, and refrigerator food. Kinda like a small Target.
Great Golf
There are several golf courses nearby. Mullenhurst is basically in our backyard, behind the woods. We often play a quick nine here early in the morning or after dinner in the evenings.
$ (2 miles) Shorter but a challenging course. Good for walking or riding. Most days you don't need a tee-time.
9 habitants recommandent
Mullenhurst Golf Course
9877 Mullen Rd$ (2 miles) Shorter but a challenging course. Good for walking or riding. Most days you don't need a tee-time.
$$$ (20 miles) Beautiful course for 18 holes or more! Grassy, windblown holes, forested terrain, and dramatic elevation changes.
6 habitants recommandent
Stonehedge Golf Club
15530 M-89$$$ (20 miles) Beautiful course for 18 holes or more! Grassy, windblown holes, forested terrain, and dramatic elevation changes.
Yankee Springs Golf Course
12300 Bowens Mill Rd$$ (12 miles) Nice course and restaurant.
Outdoor Adventures
For any of the parks in the Yankee Springs Recreation Area, you will a day or annual pass for your car. You can pick one up at the Yankee Springs Gun Lake Campground. The cost is minimal.
Yankee Spring's unique beauty and landscape lend the park's 5,200 acres to many forms of recreation, such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, cross-country skiing, swimming and much more. While the park encompasses this area, including the Fish lake, that is across the street, the park office is 10 miles north. You will need a Michigan state park daily or annual pass to enter most areas of the park. You can purchase a pass at the Yankee Springs Gun Lake Campground entrance or at the Ranger station that is 1/4 mile west of the campground.
44 habitants recommandent
Parc d'État de la zone de loisirs de Yankee Springs
2104 Briggs Road SouthYankee Spring's unique beauty and landscape lend the park's 5,200 acres to many forms of recreation, such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, cross-country skiing, swimming and much more. While the park encompasses this area, including the Fish lake, that is across the street, the park office is 10 miles north. You will need a Michigan state park daily or annual pass to enter most areas of the park. You can purchase a pass at the Yankee Springs Gun Lake Campground entrance or at the Ranger station that is 1/4 mile west of the campground.
$$ (25 miles) This is a great smaller zoo with several opportunities to feed the animals. A safari bus ride is included in the admission price. They don't sell food but often have a food truck on site. They have a nice gift shop. They breed animals for other zoos so there are usually plenty of opportunities to see babies. The animals are closer to you than at a traditional zoo. They have giraffes; camels; kangaroos; alligators and other reptiles; zebras; antelope; water buffalo; goats; lemer; several different birds, etc... They do not have larger animals, i.e., lions; tigers; elephants. You need to have cash to purchase animal feed ($5 a cup for lettuce and carrots; $1 or so for parakeet sticks. They do have an ATM machine on site. Go first thing in the morning when the animals are really hungry. Always a great time! There is also a dairy farm down the street where you can feed the baby cows.
20 habitants recommandent
Parc animalier sauvage Boulder Ridge: Ouvert pour la saison
8313 Pratt Lake Ave SE$$ (25 miles) This is a great smaller zoo with several opportunities to feed the animals. A safari bus ride is included in the admission price. They don't sell food but often have a food truck on site. They have a nice gift shop. They breed animals for other zoos so there are usually plenty of opportunities to see babies. The animals are closer to you than at a traditional zoo. They have giraffes; camels; kangaroos; alligators and other reptiles; zebras; antelope; water buffalo; goats; lemer; several different birds, etc... They do not have larger animals, i.e., lions; tigers; elephants. You need to have cash to purchase animal feed ($5 a cup for lettuce and carrots; $1 or so for parakeet sticks. They do have an ATM machine on site. Go first thing in the morning when the animals are really hungry. Always a great time! There is also a dairy farm down the street where you can feed the baby cows.
$ (4 miles) Hall Lake is a great place to pick up the North Country National Scenic Trail. There is a great 2-mile loop trail. You can also take a shorter, easy walk to the lake and back. To hike the trail, park at the Long Lake Outdoor Center parking area. We also take my dad here to fish and park at the parking off of Gun Lake Road. My dad is 94 and can't walk much anymore. You can pull up right to the water's edge and it is an easy way he can get out the car, in to a chair and enjoy one of his favorite pastimes. This spot is also a great place to put in a kayak or canoe. The lake is small enough to easily boat around and still see the shoreline. Although this is a natural lake, we have see kids swimming at the boat drop off. Aside from this small sandy area, the lake is natural.
Hall Lake
$ (4 miles) Hall Lake is a great place to pick up the North Country National Scenic Trail. There is a great 2-mile loop trail. You can also take a shorter, easy walk to the lake and back. To hike the trail, park at the Long Lake Outdoor Center parking area. We also take my dad here to fish and park at the parking off of Gun Lake Road. My dad is 94 and can't walk much anymore. You can pull up right to the water's edge and it is an easy way he can get out the car, in to a chair and enjoy one of his favorite pastimes. This spot is also a great place to put in a kayak or canoe. The lake is small enough to easily boat around and still see the shoreline. Although this is a natural lake, we have see kids swimming at the boat drop off. Aside from this small sandy area, the lake is natural.
$ (7 miles) At the Yankee Springs Gun Lake Campground, there is a nice beach and a good place to walk. You can purchase a Michigan State Park Annual or Day pass at the entrance of the campground to enjoy all of the parks in the Yankee Springs area.
Gun Lake boat ramp
3198 State Park Dr$ (7 miles) At the Yankee Springs Gun Lake Campground, there is a nice beach and a good place to walk. You can purchase a Michigan State Park Annual or Day pass at the entrance of the campground to enjoy all of the parks in the Yankee Springs area.
$$$ (5 miles) Nice pontoon boats to rent. We like to pack a picnic and rent one for a Wednesday late afternoon/evening and head over to Bay Pointe for their Gun Lake Live concerts. You can also pull up to the public dock at Pronto Pup/Froggy's/Lakeside Pizza to get some food to go.
8 habitants recommandent
Gun Lake Marina
2422 Patterson Rd$$$ (5 miles) Nice pontoon boats to rent. We like to pack a picnic and rent one for a Wednesday late afternoon/evening and head over to Bay Pointe for their Gun Lake Live concerts. You can also pull up to the public dock at Pronto Pup/Froggy's/Lakeside Pizza to get some food to go.
(4 miles) There are several places in the area to pick up the North Country National Scenic Trail. One of our favorite spots is at the former site of the Yankee Springs Stagecoach stop on Norris. Just past the Yankee Springs Bible Church and Cemetary, you will see a drive on both sides of Norris. These are trailheads for the NCNST. The trail on the west side of Norris will lead you into one of our favorite pine forests.
North Country Trail
(4 miles) There are several places in the area to pick up the North Country National Scenic Trail. One of our favorite spots is at the former site of the Yankee Springs Stagecoach stop on Norris. Just past the Yankee Springs Bible Church and Cemetary, you will see a drive on both sides of Norris. These are trailheads for the NCNST. The trail on the west side of Norris will lead you into one of our favorite pine forests.
$$ (14 miles) Head to Hastings and rent a tube or kayak to spend a day on the river. Always a great time!
6 habitants recommandent
U-Rent-Em Canoe Livery
805 W Apple St$$ (14 miles) Head to Hastings and rent a tube or kayak to spend a day on the river. Always a great time!
$ (12 miles) Noted drag-racing strip founded in 1962 now features a renovated track for modern events.
8 habitants recommandent
US 131 Motorsports Park
1249 12th St$ (12 miles) Noted drag-racing strip founded in 1962 now features a renovated track for modern events.
$(12 miles) Great family owned farm to pick blueberries (as easy as picking grapes) apples, peaches, raspberries. Closed Sundays.
Brookside Farms
1475 116th Ave$(12 miles) Great family owned farm to pick blueberries (as easy as picking grapes) apples, peaches, raspberries. Closed Sundays.
$$$ (35 min north) Craig's Cruisers. Outdoor park is open in September 2020. Outdoor activities include go-cart tracks, putt-putt golf. Chick-fil-A is next door.
5730 Clyde Park Ave SW
5730 Clyde Park Avenue Southwest$$$ (35 min north) Craig's Cruisers. Outdoor park is open in September 2020. Outdoor activities include go-cart tracks, putt-putt golf. Chick-fil-A is next door.
On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we always cut our Christmas tree at Badger Christmas Tree farm. They have great trees! With watering, ours always stay fresh from the end of November until January. They also have nice garland, wreaths, horse-drawn wagons to take you to the trees, hot chocolate, and donuts. I have seen Santa there on the weekends. He sits in front of a red vintage pick-up truck, which makes a really nice photo opp. One of my favorite days of the year.
Badger Country Christmas Trees
1553 115th AveOn the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we always cut our Christmas tree at Badger Christmas Tree farm. They have great trees! With watering, ours always stay fresh from the end of November until January. They also have nice garland, wreaths, horse-drawn wagons to take you to the trees, hot chocolate, and donuts. I have seen Santa there on the weekends. He sits in front of a red vintage pick-up truck, which makes a really nice photo opp. One of my favorite days of the year.