Overview
Mount Pleasant is a city in Central Michigan.
3 sights · 6 things to do · 8 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Mount Pleasant
Borden building
Historic building serving as city hall. Also known as the Borden Creamery.
Central Michigan University
Encompasses most of the southern half of the city.
Ziibiwing Center of Anishnabe Culture & Lifeways
The Emerald
Designed by Jerry Matthews, the Emerald is now in its 15th season. The golf course is 6,683 yards with a 71.5 Rating and 128 Slope. Pro shop and restaurant also available.
University Student Activity Center
The Student Activity Center offers an Olympic-sized swimming pool and hot tub, racquetball, basketball and volleyball courts, bowling alley, and conditioning rooms with Nautilus equipment and free weights.
Nelson Park
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Apr and May. (climate data from nearby Grand Rapids)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MBS MBS International Airport, Freeland — 35 mi away. Directions
- LAN Capital Region International Airport, Lansing — 57 mi away. Directions
- GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 62 mi away (major hub). Directions
US-127 runs just east of the city, connecting it with Lansing to the south and Clare to the north. M-20 connects Mount Pleasant with Big Rapids to the west and Midland to the east.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Borden building, Ziibiwing Center of Anishnabe Culture & Lifeways, University Student Activity Center
- Lunch Mountain Town Station
- Afternoon Mill Pond Park, Chipp-A-Waters park
- Dinner Camille's on the River
- Evening Rubble's Bar
Day 2
- Morning Central Michigan University, The Emerald
- Lunch The Brass Cafe and Saloon
- Afternoon Nelson Park, Island Park
- Dinner Pixie Restaurant
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Restaurants in Mt. Pleasant are more or less divided into three separate sections of town: The southern end of town, near the campus of Central Michigan University, the central downtown business district, separated from the campus by a few miles of residences, and the northern part of town, closer to the nearby Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Fast food and pizza establishments are popular near campus; smaller, more unique restaurants are downtown, and chain restaurants dominate the north end.
Mt. Pleasant has dozens of fast-food, pizza and chain restaurants. Driving down Pickard Street, which marks the informal northern edge of town, you'll encounter IHOP, Ponderosa, Applebee's, McDonald's, Culver's, Burger King, and many more. South of downtown, near campus, you'll find predominantly fast-food places like McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell and plenty of pizza places lurk just off Mission Street or near campus.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
US-127 runs just east of the city, connecting it with Lansing to the south and Clare to the north. M-20 connects Mount Pleasant with Big Rapids to the west and Midland to the east.
Get around
Mount Pleasant is a very walkable city for those with functioning legs, with two new pedestrian "islands" on Mission Street and High Street. Otherwise, the easiest way to get around is via car, although several taxicabs are available. Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort is three miles east of downtown.
See
There are plenty of parks in the city or nearby. As an extension of the Chipp-A-Water Park, a portion is deemed a "natural area" and thus grows naturally without any human interference. It is used for study by environmental students at CMU. There is also a Mill Pond Park and Island Park, home to a farmer's market. Many other parks within a 20-mile diameter exist as well; these are walkable from downtown.
See Borden building (Michigan Condensed Milk Factory)
Historic building serving as city hall. Also known as the Borden Creamery.
Do
Mount Pleasant has four city parks on the Chippewa River: Nelson Park, Millpond Park, Island Park, and Chipp-A-Waters park. Either of these parks has access to the river, which is nice to kayak or canoe on.
Do The Emerald
Designed by Jerry Matthews, the Emerald is now in its 15th season. The golf course is 6,683 yards with a 71.5 Rating and 128 Slope. Pro shop and restaurant also available.
Do University Student Activity Center
The Student Activity Center offers an Olympic-sized swimming pool and hot tub, racquetball, basketball and volleyball courts, bowling alley, and conditioning rooms with Nautilus equipment and free weights.
Do Nelson Park
Do Mill Pond Park
Do Island Park
Do Chipp-A-Waters park
Eat
Restaurants in Mt. Pleasant are more or less divided into three separate sections of town: The southern end of town, near the campus of Central Michigan University, the central downtown business district, separated from the campus by a few miles of residences, and the northern part of town, closer to the nearby Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Fast food and pizza establishments are popular near campus; smaller, more unique restaurants are downtown, and chain restaurants dominate the north end.
Eat Mountain Town Station
American food, brewpub.
Eat Camille's on the River
The higher-end version of Mountain Town, with adjacent entrances.
Eat The Brass Cafe and Saloon
Features a full menu restaurant, plus bar food in the saloon. Trivia at 8pm on Wednesdays. Has become one of the top two restaurants in town.
Eat Pixie Restaurant
Pizza, coney dogs. Started as a drive-in; similar cuisine. Many locals swear by using foul language.
Eat Jon's Drive-In
Drive-in restaurant, with inside seating available. Typical drive-in food: burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes.
Eat Shin's Korean Restaurant
Korean restaurant in a small strip-mall-esque area next to the Marathon gas station. Seating and carryout available.
Eat Hunter's Ale House
Standard American (pizza, burgers, sandwiches, etc.) and a great rotating craft beer selection. Has two Facebook pages, and both are maintained. Brews their own beer in the former Tazeh Mediterranean restaurant.
Mt. Pleasant has dozens of fast-food, pizza and chain restaurants. Driving down Pickard Street, which marks the informal northern edge of town, you'll encounter IHOP, Ponderosa, Applebee's, McDonald's, Culver's, Burger King, and many more. South of downtown, near campus, you'll find predominantly fast-food places like McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell and plenty of pizza places lurk just off Mission Street or near campus.
Drink
Owing to its high concentration of college students, Mount Pleasant has many bars.
If you're staying out of downtown Mt. Pleasant, then you can visit O'Kellys/Wayside, located on the corner of Mission and Broomfield.
If you're going into downtown Mt. Pleasant, you have many options, only one of which is listed below:
Drink Rubble's Bar
Arguably falling into the category of "dive-bar", Rubble's is the main venue for musical performances in Gratiot County, featuring acts ranging from local to nation-wide. The atmosphere is generally gritty and delightfully personal.
Sleep
Stay Baymont Inn
Closest hotel to the casino, including a complimentary casino shuttle. Deluxe continental breakfast each morning, as well as indoor pool & Jacuzzi open 24 hours for adults. Free high speed internet, & cable including HBO. Packages available. Free casino shuttle 7 days a week.
Stay Chippewa Motel
Near casino, located at M-20 and US-127. Complimentary coffee, bagels & muffins. In room microwave, fridge and coffee makers. High speed internet access. Close to Central Michigan University & shopping. Next to Bob Evans.
Stay Comfort Inn & Suites Hotel and Conference Center
Pillowtop mattresses, microwaves, and refrigerators in every room. Conference facilities, continental breakfast, pool, game room and fitness center. Bennigan’s on site.
Stay Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
Complimentary continental breakfast, indoor pool & whirlpool, free local calls. Includes fitness center, guest laundry and business center.
Stay Hampton Inn
Free shuttle service to the casino seven days a week. Complimentary wireless high speed internet throughout the entire hotel. Indoor pool and whirlpool. Deluxe continental breakfast.
Nearby
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