The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Midland, Michigan Now
WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2022 • 4 min read
It’s hard to tell what’s most captivating about Midland, Michigan: its thriving arts scene, abundant natural beauty, or the mid-century moderns you’ll find dotting every city side street. And with 400 architectural gems, it starts unfolding from the moment you hit town.
Image courtesy of Great Lakes Bay CVB
1. THE SHOPPING
Downtown Midland has shopping for everyone including lifestyle goods, stylish clothing, outdoor gear, home improvement items, antiques, and more. With pedestrian-friendly walkways, you’ll love browsing these local retailers.
Shopping in Downtown Midland, Michigan
You’ll want to visit Serendipity Road, a uniquely curated gift boutique chocked full of treasures for all ages. With over 75 makers from all over Michigan, this is a “shop local” experience like no other. Elodie is a women’s boutique offering clothing, shoes, accessories, and jewelry. Over at Little Forks Outfitters you’ll find a great selection of carefully selected outdoor gear, representing the best of great brands like Patagonia, Orvis, Smartwool and Simms.
2. THE ART
Midland Center for the Arts is Mid-Michigan's landmark destination for world-class entertainment and art. The Brick Lobby allows you to transport yourself to new places and artistic dreamscapes while viewing revolving art exhibitions by both local, national and international artists.
Midland Center for the Arts in Midland, Michigan
Midland, Michigan is home to quite a few colorful murals, many of which can be viewed while just driving around town. However, if you take time to stop and take in the art, they might get a deeper insight into what makes Midland a unique place. Muralists have gotten even more creative with their canvases and what their canvases are.
The extensive artwork features local-themed elements, including references to Midland’s curling club, the Santa House, the Cathy comic, and the mammoth skeleton found nearby in the 1960s. The paintings pay homage to Midland’s recreational opportunities, mid-century modern aesthetic, and roots in chemistry. Images of local wildlife are interspersed throughout.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
Situated in downtown Midland, Aster offers a wide variety of farm to table, hyper-seasonal dishes for a gourmet, homegrown experience. With a local, seasonal menu inspired by Executive Chef Evan Sumrell’s years of working in Michelin star kitchens, Aster offers guests an intimate, delicately crafted dining experience. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying the savory Loose Seal—concocted with mezcal, blood orange, watermelon and coconut.
Aster in Midland, Michigan
Using methods of sustainable cooking, Aster specializes in simple, yet bold dishes, combining techniques and ingredients that reach far across the palate. Created with locally sourced organic ingredients—favorite dishes include Trout Crudo with ramp vinaigrette, trout roe, frisée, fennel, hemp seeds, and nasturtium, Half Chicken with deboned half chicken, creamy grits, stewed kale, caramelized onion purée, radish, and chicken jus, NY Strip with crispy potatoes, chimichurri and a side car caesar salad with buttery croutons, and cured smoked egg yolk, Tomato Tartine with heirloom tomato, pistachio, pickled shallot, basil and Boursin cheese, as well as Mushroom Risotto with maitake mushrooms, pine nuts, turnips, butternut squash, asparagus, olives, and fresh-squeezed lemon.
Take the time to indulge your sweet tooth and enjoy one of many decadent desserts such as Textures of Chocolate with chocolate ice cream, chocolate crumble, chocolate tuile, chocolate ganache, and chocolate sauce poured table side. Hungry yet?
4. THE GARDENS
Originally established in 1899, as a home for Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow and family, Dow Gardens is now a dazzling 110-acre display of annuals and perennials punctuated by distinctive bridges, an award-winning children’s garden, towering pines, and delightful water features.
Dow Gardens is comprised of an Estate Garden, Exploration Garden and Whiting Forest, which takes visitors four stories high to stroll along the nation's longest canopy walk. The walkway is the longest in the nation and overlooks 54-acres of forest, ponds, and an apple orchard.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
Many cities have landmarks or elements that distinguish them from every other city or place. Midland, Michigan is unique because of the unbelievable quality and concentration of structures that create a cohesive expression of modernism in the Midwest. Beginning in the early 1930s, Alden B. Dow, FAIA and Architect Laureate of Michigan, introduced modern architecture to Midland.
Dow’s influence goes well beyond his own designs. After WWII and the baby boom that followed, Dow’s footprint in Michigan, and Midland in particular, is large and long-lasting. He designed over 350 structures throughout the state in numerous cities including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor. In his hometown of Midland, he designed over 130 structures, with twenty on the National Register of Historic Places.
WHERE TO STAY IN MIDLAND, MICHIGAN
Located in the heart of downtown Midland, the 4-diamond H Hotel combines comfortable luxury and personalized service to create an elemental experience in a setting designed to inspire and engage you. The prime Main Street address provides the ideal setting to discover all things Midland. Inspired by Midland’s rich history in Chemistry, everyday experiences are transformed into moments of learning, creativity and reflection.
