Let’s Go Visit Cadillac Michigan
An Easy Winter Getaway from Chicago
Cadillac, Michigan, is the perfect Midwest winter getaway with friends! The town is only four hours from Chicago and full of outdoor activities, boutique shopping, wonderful food, and amazing people.
Coyote Crossing Resort in Cadillac, Michigan
Our weekend was spent exploring the whole area, and we started at Coyote Crossing Resort. Tucked away in Manistee National Forest, the resort is full of endless outdoor activities and is a warm stop for those out on the more than 300 miles of direct-access snowmobile trails in the area. Enjoy your stay in one of their cozy cabins and take in the wintery views from your front steps. Owners Pete and Julie Finch have created a memorable getaway no matter what time of year. And with affordable accommodations and home-cooked dinner options like award-winning chili at the Up North Bar & Restaurant on site, you can’t go wrong.
If you enjoy downhill skiing, Coyote Crossing is a stone’s throw from Caberfae Peaks. Celebrating its 85th season this year, Caberfae is one of the first ski resorts in the Midwest and the closest big ski resort in Michigan to Chicago. Home to over 30 ski runs on three peaks that reach 485 vertical feet, the resort also boasts ski lessons and various programs that cater to groups of all sizes and experience levels. Needless to say, if you love to ski, there is something for you there.
For non-skiers in your group, Caberfae also rents snowshoes and cross-country skis, with access to the 10-mile MacKenzie Trail from the resort’s base. Trails are groomed on a regular basis by area volunteers and cross-country ski enthusiasts.
We enjoyed meeting resort guests at the firepits and ski-up bar and practicing the subtle art of après-ski, a French term for anything and everything that goes on at the resort at the end of your day on the slopes. There is even on-site lodging and an outdoor heated pool and hot tub.
One of the highlights of our weekend was a guided rafting trip down the Pine River courtesy of Pine River Paddle Sports. The quiet raft tour is the perfect opportunity to see wildlife in their natural habitat along the snowy shoreline. Owners Jake and Alaney Miltner will even bring along their sweet dog Hoxey upon request.
Following all of our outdoor adventures, we headed to downtown Cadillac full of one-of-a-kind shops, from cute boutiques to vintage stores. We stopped at Charming North, offering a mix of hand-crafted and vintage goods – what a wonderful shop! Don’t miss Serendipity for cute and fashionable clothing and gifts. We found some great pieces to bring home. Horizon Books is another can’t-miss stop. With a full coffee bar and wonderful staff, you can stock up on books to read in front of the fire. And we were so happy to find The Sweet Shop, Cadillac's original handmade candy shop – with three generations of experience making fudge, premium chocolates and caramel, we were in heaven.
After a day of shopping, grab drinks and dinner at Clam Lake Beer Company for a well-deserved break. They have hands-down one of the best draft beer lists in the state, and their wood-fired pizzas are tasty. Order the Chicken and Pickle Pizza – it was one of our food highlights. For more delightful eats, check out Primos BBQ located inside Willow Market & Meats. The lunch specials are amazing, and you’ll love French Dip Fridays! Behind Willow Market is a new event space, The Greenhouse. There is always something fun happening there, from live music to Trivia Night.
For a great breakfast or lunch spot, visit After 26 Depot and meet its amazing workers and staff. Its mission of working with adults with developmental disabilities and cognitive impairments is such a wonderful story that is a testament to the entire Cadillac community. We ordered the grilled cheese and tomato soup – the perfect lunch for a chilly day.
If you're looking for a fun-filled winter weekend with your friends or family, Cadillac, Michigan, is the spot for you. This charming town has everything you need for a break from the daily grind. For information on the resorts above or more details of my trip to Cadillac, follow me at Let’s Go with Catie Keogh on Instagram or contact the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau.
