Tip of the Thumb Winter Weekend Getaway Itinerary

Updated

A Thumb Weekend Getaway is typical for Michiganders, but most visitors enjoy the beauty of the Thumbcoast of Michigan during the warm summer. While soaking in the sun on the sandy shorelines is a dream, we also like to visit summer destinations in the off-season. Read along and find out how to enjoy the Tip of the Thumb during the colder seasons.

driftwood covered in ice on a shoreline

Friday Night Arrival

We had the best intentions of trying out the All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry at Bird Creek Farms, but work and Mother Nature had other plans. Work ran late, and a late-season winter weather event moved in. While Port Austin didn’t get much snow, the drive there was snowy and slower than usual. We arrived too late for dinner and headed straight to our motel for the night. If you can get there earlier, try the fish fry; just make sure to call ahead for reservations, as they suggest on their website.

Bed in a hotel room
Cozy beds after a long snowy drive

The Beachcomber Motel and Apartments provided excellent communication beginning on Friday morning. They texted to let us know they were ready for our arrival. That simple communication helped to settle any questions we might have had about our reservation status. We were genuinely delighted. In addition, that little text gave us a simple way to communicate our later-than-expected arrival time. The check-in and out were both very smooth. Our keys were in our room awaiting our arrival, and when we checked out, we left the keys in the room and replied to the original text. It was effortless, and although we didn’t physically see anyone, the texts were friendly and helpful.

motel on the edge of a Lake Huron Beach

When we arrived, it was dark and late. We quickly checked the room, which was updated, bright, and cheerful and had everything we needed. We settled in for the night and left the rest of our planning for the morning.

Saturday Explorations

We had a leisurely morning in the room and did some planning over our coffee. We had a loose itinerary planned for the weekend, but you never know what your trip will bring, so it is best to be flexible. The weather in Port Austin was very windy and cold during our trip. We decided to drive the scenic route to Grindstone City for an early lunch at Days on the Lake and see what the Flat Rock is that pops up on Google Maps in that area.

Old Grindstone leaning on rocks along the shoreline

Grindstone City

The scenic route is the main drive at the tip of the Thumb and is just north of M25, the highway that follows the Thumb coast. Pointe Aux Barques Road runs between Port Austin and Grindstone City. It was a pretty short drive and somewhat scenic. We saw a herd of deer that had woken up in a field along the road but hadn’t gotten out of “bed” yet. They were all lying down but looking around with their heads up.

Man sitting at a table in a diner looking out of a window with a view to a harbor and lake

We found Days on the Lake without a problem. Our order was taken by one half of the husband and wife team who own and operate the business and prepared by the other. We chatted with them and learned much about their business and Grindstone City. The conversation was eye-opening and very pleasant. Our food was outstanding. I had a bowl of soup and fried green beans, and Gerret had a burger and fries. That homemade soup was very, very delicious. If you are up that way, stop for a tasty lunch with a view. The restaurant has a lovely view of Lake Huron. Days on the Lake also has cabins for rent if you want to stay in the area.

After lunch, we drove a very short distance to park at the pier and walk out to see what the Flat Rock is all about. We stopped on a rocky outcrop that acts as a breakwater for the little harbor in Grindstone City. A stack of old grindstones sits on the site, and many more are strewn around the area. We didn’t see anything in particular that looked like it would be THE flat rock, and the people who live there aren’t sure what the name refers to, but the view was beautiful and worth the windy chilly walk out to the end.

Impromptu Drive

As we drove back to Port Austin, we saw a sign for a boat launch about a third of the way back. We followed the signs and drove north to Eagle Bay Kayak DNR Launch. It was a delightful little spot on Lake Huron. We would love to go back and enjoy the small beach and explore a bit in better weather. We were still chilled from that icy wind, looking for Flat Rock. The DNR Kayak Launch would be a great place for a picnic. You could grab your lunch from Days on the Lake and head here for a lovely, quiet afternoon. Bring your Kayaks for some paddling!

Coffee and Laundry?

When we returned to Port Austin, we stopped at Green Clean Bean, a combination laundromat and coffee shop. We ordered a Latte and an Italian Soda and settled in for some reading, but instead had a long and fascinating talk with Dean, the owner and operator of the business. A few other customers came and grabbed some to-go drinks while we chatted, and he would get up right away and take care of them. He was friendly and took his time with each person. He treated each customer like they were the most important person. It was inspiring to watch him work his coffee magic. One of the workers in the shop is his young and friendly standard poodle, Whiskey, who was very friendly but not too forward.

dog sitting next to a patron at a coffee shop

Art and Nature

After our coffee break, we took a drive using the art tour brochure for 53 North Barn Art installations. We had a great time and saw much more than art on our drive. There was a field filled with hundreds of swans! We saw several hawks and falcons, and one flew along the road with us. One of the roads between the bars was particularly windy and beautiful. The barns themselves were impressive, and we enjoyed that they were all so different. If you are in the Port Austin area any time of the year, this is a great way to spend some time. It would be an incredible drive in the summer, too. After our drive, we took a short road that ended at Lake Huron and got out for another shoreline walk in the cold wind.

barn in a field shaped so that a two story sliver of the light and sky show through

Dinner in Ubly

The local recommendation for dinner sent us to Angelina’s in Ubly. Just a leisurely 20-minute drive to the south, Angelina’s is very busy on Saturday nights, but we got there just before the rush, and there was no wait. By the time we left, many people were waiting for tables. The pizza was outstanding, and the beers were tasty as well. The atmosphere was fun and interesting, with many different taxidermy animals around the room. Our drive home was just around dusk, and the DEER were EVERYWHERE. We saw hundreds and hundreds of them. The drive was a little slower as we watched for the deer, and a few crossed in front of us. We returned to the Beachcomber in time to see an absolutely stunning sunset and then enjoyed a movie in our room before turning in for the night.

bright orange and pink sunset over a lake
such a beautiful sunset just as we arrived back at the Beachcomber

Sunday Finds and Farewells

We spent Sunday morning packing and saying farewell to Glenn, the owner, who was hard at work updating some of the rooms. We had a great stay, and he suggested a trip back in the summer to enjoy the pool. That sounds like a great idea! Based on more local recommendations, we headed to breakfast at Buck’s Port Hope Diner. Buck’s is a charming little restaurant with a brisk breakfast business. Buck’s is a multi-generational family-owned business with friendly owners and staff, even at the busiest time on a Sunday morning. The whole establishment overflows with friendly joy and outstanding food! Buck’s had the absolute BEST hashbrowns I have ever had!

One last Adventure

After our delicious meal at Buck’s, we drove to the Kernan Memorial Nature Sanctuary. We had quite an adventure. The trails are rustic, and we were glad it was such a cold weekend so that the mucky trails were frozen and easier to navigate than if the weather had been warmer. There were a few obstacles, such as a small stream that you cross on a line of rocks and large trees lying lengthwise along the trail that you walk on top of as a bridge across muckier parts. The trail ends at Lake Huron in a small sheltered cove. There was ice and snow on the shoreline, so it was hard to tell where one ended, and the other began, but we explored the shoreline and came upon a sizeable teepee-style pile of sticks at the end of a little peninsula. The nature trail is an out-and-back trail, so be mindful that the obstacles you encounter on the way in, you will be facing again on the way out. We enjoyed our trek and look forward to returning in the warmer season.

Overall, we had a delightful time exploring the tip of the Thumb in the beautiful state of Michigan. You can use this itinerary to plan your Thumb weekend getaway. If you are considering visiting, we urge you to take the plunge. You will have a great time!

More Michigan Day Trips and Weekend Getaways:

Check out our Tips for Booking Hotel Rooms before you venture out.