No one gives the small towns any credit. You drive through them on the way to something greater, like a weekend getaway. Yet those small towns have so much to offer, and they’re worth every bit of the tour, too.
If you plan to visit Battle Creek, MI, spend some time driving along 96 and experience the small towns along the way. It may even surprise you and be something to write home about. From west to east, here are 5 best towns to visit on a weekend getaway to Battle Creek, MI.
*Disclaimer: Some of the links you see may be affiliate links. All that means is if you click through and end up making a purchase, I’ll earn a commission.
Visit Galesburg, MI
Your first stop should be Galesburg, MI, where Pecos Bill, or William Rufus Shafter, was born. A Civil War soldier, he won the Medal of Honor, as well as playing a crucial role in the Spanish-American War. You can see a memorial in his honor at the center of town, along with a plaque commemorating the USS Maine, whose destruction signaled the beginning of the Spanish-American War.
While you’re in town, take a small detour to the Fort Custer State Recreation Area, which is actually located in Augusta, your next stop. The park has over 3000 acres of land and plenty of water fun, from boat rentals to lakes and fishing spots.
Visit Augusta, MI
You can see the McKay Memorial, which honors the four women who started the town’s library with just 140 books. Then you’ll drive past the Barn Theatre, a great place to catch a musical or play (2 photos). It’s actually a school for performers, but you, the public, can witness their hard work in the form of many shows over the summer season. It's the perfect place to wear your favorite casual summer dress.
For golfers, you can’t miss Stoatin Brae, the newest golf course at Gull Lake View Golf Resort. This is Michigan’s oldest golf destination, with gourmet restaurants, an award-winning spa, and other resort features if you came with a golfer but don’t want to spend time on the links.
Another highly overlooked place to visit in Augusta is the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, which is open every day of the year. Overseen by Michigan State University, the lake and trails are the perfect place to experience nature and a variety of bird species.
Visit Battle Creek, MI
When you’re ready to move on to the big city, Battle Creek’s Binder Park Zoo is a can’t miss attraction. Feed the giraffes and see the Wild Africa exhibit, among other renowned displays.
You can also see the Kingman Museum, which has free admission. It’s located within the grounds of the Leila Arboretum (also free admission, save for special events), and home to natural history, science, and planetarium exhibits.
From the big city, you can call a cab to take you to the airport if you're flying home, but we recommend one more stop before your getaway is over:
Visit Springfield, MI
Plan to spend some time enjoying a game of disc golf in Begg Park. The course has hosted the Disc Golf World Championship before, and its professional design draws enthusiastic disc golfers from all over. You can also spend time biking the Linear Park Path, a paved collection of loops that totals over 26 miles if you travel all of it.
Visit Marshall, MI
When you’re in town, you must check out Dark Horse Brewing Company, where bands like The Steel Wheels have played. Enjoy Black Ale, Boffo Brown, and Crooked Tree IPA, only some of the brews they have year-round, in the beer garden while you listen to great music (not always classic rock, sometimes a little more mellow tunes thrown in).
The more you explore the small towns around Battle Creek, the more you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of it before. From the world-class resort, the nature preserves, and the amazing attractions, the greater Battle Creek area in Michigan is a great spot for a weekend or week-long vacation.
For more from A Wild Lass check out her other blog posts.
*Disclaimer: Some of the links you see may be affiliate links. All that means is if you click through and end up making a purchase, I’ll earn a commission.