Things To Do
Bay Pointe Bar & Grille
Bay Pointe Bar & Grille is an award-winning farm to table restaurant. Named for its lakefront location with panoramic island and garden views, Bay Pointe Bar & Grille features a fresh, locally-sourced and seasonal menu, extensive wine selection, handcrafted cocktails and exceptional personalized service. Located directly across the street from Bay Pointe Woods inside the Bay Pointe Inn.
Pontoon and Kayak Rentals
Bay Pointe Inn offers pontoon rentals to guests through local family-owned marinas. Reservations can be made starting in February 2024. Pontoons are $375/day (subject to change based on availability/boat type) and a gas surcharge may apply. The pontoon rental rate includes a full day rental from morning until sunset. The pontoon will be ready at Bay Pointe's dock between 9:00am and 10:00am. If you are interested in booking a pontoon, contact any of Bay Pointe's Guest Service Agents at 1-888-GUN-LAKE or via email to info@baypointeinn.com to make your reservations. Located directly across the street from Bay Pointe Woods.
Yankee Springs Recreation Area
Yankee Springs Recreation Area features bogs, marshes, lakes, and streams over 5,200 acres. Nine lakes are located within the park boundaries providing fishing and water sports of all kinds. Hiking and biking trails are available. A modern campground is located at Gun Lake, as well as rustic camping at Deep Lake. Located 4.8 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
Gun Lake Casino
Gun Lake Casino is a premier gaming and entertainment destination. The casino features 2,500 state-of-the-art slot machines, 47 table games, a modern sportsbook, and keno, as well as live music entertainment. High-quality dining amenities include Shkodé Chophouse with a contemporary take on American cuisine, CBK inspired by the brewery culture in Michigan, 131 Sportsbar & Lounge with over 1,000 square feet of viewing surface for panoramic views of live events, and Harvest Buffet featuring fresh ingredients, cooked to order. Gun Lake Casino is owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi. Located 10.3 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
SW's Donut Mill
Sweetwater's Donut Mill is a Kalamazoo favorite, and there is conveniently a location directly next door to the Comfort Inn! We highly recommend the chocolate or red velvet cake donuts. Located 14.1 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
Dog & The Bank
Dog & The Bank is a modern American restaurant that focuses on fresh, local & seasonal fare. Styled in an intimate setting with an interactive kitchen & full bar that includes specialty cocktails, wine, and craft beer. This restaurant is owned by the same couple that owns another one of our favorite restaurants, Bird Dog in Mattawan, MI. Located 0.8 miles from the Comfort Inn and 13.5 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
Plainwell Riverwalk
A picturesque walk along the Kalamazoo River in quaint downtown Plainwell. The Plainwell Riverwalk connects Hicks Park, Fannie Pell Park, the Bandshell, and Sherwood Park via wood boardwalks, concrete walkways, and the Trestle Bridge crossing the Kalamazoo River. During the summer, we have rented kayaks from nearby Plainwell Kayak Co. Located 0.9 miles from the Comfort Inn and 13.6 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
Plainwell Ice Cream Co
Southwest Michigan's best ice cream! Located 1.2 miles from the Comfort Inn and 13.1 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
Old Mill Brewpub & Grill
Old Mill Brewpub & Grill is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Built in 1869, this four story building was once the largest buckwheat flour mill in the country. This full service restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating and daily specials, and also crafts its own draft beer. Located 1.2 miles from the Comfort Inn and 13 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids
The Tanger Outlets are the most popular place to shop in the Grand Rapids area, featuring hundreds of brand names and designer outlets. Located 23.9 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
Bell's Eccentric Cafe
In a moment of foreshadowing early in our relationship, Tim introduced Megan to Oberon in Iowa City back in December 2013. Bell's Brewing is a Kalamazoo staple and the Eccentric Cafe has been one of our favorite Kalamazoo hangouts since 2014. With 20+ draught options (including cafe exclusives), a full-service restaurant, a beautiful Beer Garden, comfortable patio, and a state-of-the-art music venue, Bell’s Eccentric Café is the premier craft beer destination in Michigan. Located 32.5 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum
The Air Zoo is an aviation museum and indoor amusement park next to the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport. The Air Zoo holds many historical and rare aircraft, including the world’s only remaining SR-71B Blackbird and XP-55 Ascender. Voted the "Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners" and "Best Place to Spend a Day with Your Family" two years in a row, the Air Zoo features many amusement park-style rides, Full-Motion Flight Simulators, a newly upgraded RealD 3D/4D Missions Theater, Magic Planet and Paratrooper Jump, as well as historical exhibits and educational activities. Located 38.5 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
Founders Brewing Co
Michigan is ranked fourth in the country for breweries. Founders is a Grand Rapids favorite! Overlooking the classic brewhouse, the Grand Rapids taproom serves as a testing ground for the brewer. On any given day you’ll find many beers on tap that are only available at the taproom. The taproom is a laid-back former trucking depot that was modeled after a German beer hall, complete with a patio and beer garden. Tours of the brewery are available. Located 34.1 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
Donkey Taqueria
One of our favorite restaurants in Grand Rapids. Donkey is Michigan's award winning taqueria and tequila bar in the heart of Grand Rapids' historic Wealthy Street Business District. Donkey serves only 100% blue agave tequila and makes all of its chips, guacamole, and tortillas in house daily. We recommend the taco de papas verde, taco de bruselas, and the spicy cauliflower burrito seco. Located 34.7 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
Grand Rapids Public Museum
The Grand Rapids Public Museum hosts three full floors of core exhibits with a focus on science, history, and culture, as well as various traveling exhibits throughout the year, a 1928 Spillman Carousel for visitors to ride, and the newly updated Chaffee Planetarium. Located 34.7 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum brings American history to life for students of all ages. Diverse exhibits illustrate our nation's history and government. Programs, tours, and historical performances add another dimension to the Museum's educational offerings. The Cabinet Room replica, an interactive media experience, lets the visitor become an advisor to Gerald Ford as he makes some of the most important decisions he faced while President. An Oval Office replica allows guests to eavesdrop on a typical day in President Ford's life. Located 34.8 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
John Ball Zoo
This boutique Zoo packs 2,000 animals, spectacular views, hands-on animal experiences, rides, and the only funicular in the Midwest into a hilly scenic 14-acres. An impressive animal collection features lions, tigers and bears along with chimpanzees, penguins, lemurs, reptiles, and more. The Zoo offers a 400-foot zipline ride and a 4-story ropes course. The Zoo is nestled in a large park with plenty of picnic areas. Located 35.8 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Saugatuck Dunes State Park is home to 2.5 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline, coastal dunes, forested areas, 13 miles of trails and the 300-acre Patty Birkholz Natural Area. Four trails take visitors over rolling terrain and sandy trails to Lake Michigan. The .75-mile, one-way Beach Trail (yellow markers) is the shortest route. The Felt Estate and the Shore Acres Township Park are located adjacent to the park and feature a 2-mile mountain bike trail, a disc golf course, and other complementary outdoor recreation opportunities. Located 41.1 miles from Bay Pointe Woods.
Downtown Saugatuck
Saugatuck is one of the most popular beach towns in West Michigan. Known as Michigan's Art Coast, Saugatuck was awarded Best Beach Town 2020 by Midwest Living Magazine. Saugatuck offers visitors a vibrant, walkable downtown area. Art lovers can find many galleries and studios to explore. The charming downtown is filled with unique boutiques and art galleries for excellent shopping, pubs and restaurants featuring farm-to-table cuisine, and beautiful gardens. Located approximately 41.7 miles from Bay Pointe Woods. The drive from Shelbyville to Saugatuck is also ideal for leaf-peeping.
Oval Beach
Celebrated around the world for its beautiful sweep of Lake Michigan shoreline and backdrop of rolling dunes, this is the main beach in Saugatuck. Its impressive list of awards include Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 25 Beaches in the World, National Geographic Traveler’s Top Freshwater Beaches in the USA, and MTV’s Top 5 Beaches in the USA. Located 44.3 miles from Bay Pointe Woods. The drive from Shelbyville to Saugatuck is also ideal for leaf-peeping.