March 19, 2024
Alma Michigan

Alma Michigan – 10 Alluring Things to Do in Scottish Country

We love our little town of Alma Michigan, and the nearby community of St.Louis and Ithica, Mi. The Gratiot County area is a vibrant community with lots to do and see. If you are traveling in Michigan and looking for something off the beaten path, we hope you’ll stop by and enjoy some of the great things we offer!

Featured Image – Chelseyafoster (talk) (Uploads), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Map of Things to Do and See in Alma Mi

Alma College

614 W Superior St, Alma, MI 48801

Alma College is a small liberal arts college in Alma, Michigan. It was founded in 1886. 

The school is well-known for its excellent academic offerings and dedication to community involvement. The beautiful campus of Alma College provides more than 45 undergraduate academic programs and two graduate programs leading to bachelor’s degrees in the arts, sciences, nursing, music, master’s of fine arts in creative writing, and communication information technology. In addition to academic degrees, the University offers a variety of specializations, academic institutes, and unique programs, such as the Presidential Honors Program and the Center for College and Community Engagement.

The campus also offers extracurricular activities such as student government, intramural sports teams, clubs and organizations, and more than 12 varsity sports teams.


Alma's Home For The Holidays - Alma Michigan
Alma’s Home For the Holiday’s – Courtesy Gratiot Chamber of Commerce

Leppien City Park

Surrey Rd Surrey Rd, St. Louis, MI 48880

This little riverside park is located along M-46, and it is a cute little park not to be missed. It’s an excellent stop for eating lunch and reading a book. It has one small picnic park shelter, with several other tables scattered around the grounds to make a picnic area. Nice play equipment. There are fishing docks on the Pine River. This park is well maintained, with nice grass and some old, tall shade trees. It is pretty quiet despite being near M-46. Easy access; gravel parking lot. However, there are no restrooms.

Alma Highland Festival

110 W Superior St, Alma, MI 48801

During the Spring in late May, the Alma Michigan Scottish community comes together to celebrate Alma’s rich history and heritage. With over 50 family clans invited, the annual Alma Highland Festival is a great way to celebrate heritage while having fun with your friends and family!

The festival features a variety of activities for all ages, including:

  • U.S. Open Pipe Band Championship
  • Piping and Drumming Competition
  • Great Lakes Open & Closed Regional
  • Highland Dancing Competitions
  • Country Dancing
  • Heavyweight Athletic Events
  • Border Collie Exhibition
  • Reenactment Camp & Clan Gathering
  • Highland Parade through Downtown
  • Beverage & Entertainment Tent featuring
  • CrossBow,
  • Chelsea House Orchestra
  • Arts & Crafts Show
  • Colin Grant Adams
  • Scottish Food
  • Scottish Vendors

Parade – The procession starts at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and continues from the junction of Park Avenue and Superior Street east downtown, then north on Pine Avenue to Alma High School in 2022. For your convenience, you are invited to bring a lawn chair.

Parking – Parking is plentiful around the Festival and its grounds. Each designated parking lot has handicapped parking. The official festival parking lots are situated at Alma High School, Donald L. Pavlik Middle School, and Pine Avenue Elementary School, costing $10. There will be indications. Alma offers multiple free parking lots in the downtown area. (Please keep in mind that “No Parking” and “Fire Lane” signs indicate that your car will be towed.)

Fred Meijer Heartland Trail

224 Park Ave, Alma, MI 48801

The Fred Meijer Heartland Trail is a multi-use trail that runs from the city of Alma Michigan, to Greenwood, about 42 miles. The trail starts at State Street At Riverside Park, near downtown Alma, about a third of a mile from Alma College. The trail is a paved, level pathway that can be used for walking, jogging, and biking. Rollerblading and skateboarding are also allowed on the trail. The trail is open year-round and provides opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy outdoor activities in a safe environment.


Alma Alive - Alma Michigan
Alma Alive – Courtesy Gratiot Chamber of Commerce

St Louis Farmers Market

St. Louis City Hall parking lot, 300 N Mill St, St. Louis, MI 48880

St. Louis Farmers Market is one of the best things to do in Alma Michigan. This fabulous market is open year-round and sells all sorts of fresh produce. The market has many other food vendors, including cheese shops, bakeries, and restaurants. This is a must-visit if you want an excellent place to take the kids this summer! A trip to St Louis Farmers Market will be worth your time and money spent!

The Fields Golf Course

1508 N State Rd, Ithaca, MI 48847

If you are looking for recreational activities, maybe you want to hit the links in the Scottish tradition. The Fields Golf Course was formerly the Gratiot Country Club. The Fields Golf Course is located just north of Ithaca’s city limits. Just off US 127. Ita about 5 miles away from the city of Alma.  The Fields Golf Course offers easy highway access and is open to the public.

The Fields Golf Course clubhouse includes a pro shop where you can purchase golf gear before heading to the bar and grill for a refreshing alcoholic beverage or drink. Our bar and grill serve a limited menu of burgers, bratwurst, and hot dog baskets. The clubhouse has four flat-screen TVs for watching the latest news and sporting activities.

The Fields is located 50 minutes north of Lansing and 25 minutes south of Mount Pleasant (and Central Michigan University); it is a great place to gather friends and family.

Gratiot County Fair For Youth

701 S Lincoln Ave, Alma, MI 48801

This group organizes and presents a community-based youth fair in partnership with the Gratiot County 4-H program and FFA Chapters. Gratiot County’s premier site for livestock and horse exhibitions, 4-H meetings and programs, community activities, camper rallies, and community events. Gratiot County provides the grounds to provide safe and great display locations and facilities.

The Gratiot County Fair is held starting the last weekend of July through the first week in August. . Admission is $7 a day or $20 for the week. Other events are held at the Fair Grounds just south of downtown Alma Michigan throughout the year. Consult with their Facebook Page for the most up-to-date details. 

Apple Barrel Cider Mill

1418 E Center St, Ithaca, MI 48847

The Apple Barrel Cider Mill offers a rustically furnished shop serving fresh doughnuts daily. Beautiful hanging arrangements and seasonal fruits kick off the season. Throughout the summer, they serve fresh Michigan seasonal fruits and berries. Squash, pumpkins, mums, apple, and cider are available throughout the fall. They grow and sell famous apples such as Honeycrisp. We start pressing cider around Labor Day and keep going until the end of the year.

In 1997, the orchard planted its first apple trees at their house and began selling from their barn. Apple Hill Farm now boasts over 30 distinct apple strains and kinds, all of which are marketed through the Apple Barrel Cider Mill. The mill’s apple cider placed second in the Michigan Cider Contest held at the Devos Center in Grand Rapids in 2016. The Cider Mill is close to the US127 and Ithaca exits.

The 3one3 Boutique Hotel

313 N State St, Alma, MI 48801

Summary Review: The guestrooms at 3one3 Boutique Hotel located in Alma’s historic district were deliberately constructed with different layouts—featuring bespoke designs and well-appointed rooms inspired by the heritage of its 125-year-old structure. When visiting Alma, Mi, this is the place to stay! This five-star hotel offers exceptionally clean and spacious rooms that are inviting. All inquiries were swiftly answered, and everyone was courteous and easy to work with. This hotel is a short 20-minute drive from the Soaring Eagle Casino and an hour’s drive from the MBS International Airport.

Alma Michigan is a vibrant community with lots to do

Old 27 Motor Tour - Courtesy Gratiot Chamber Of Commerce
Old 27 Motor Tour – Courtesy Gratiot Chamber of Commerce

Alma is a vibrant community in Gratiot County with lots to do. It has a strong history and culture and offers visitors many attractions.

Alma has been named one of the best places to retire in Michigan by CNN/Money Magazine, and they’re right! Alma has an outstanding arts scene and beautiful parks like Pine River Park with its walking trails and views of the river. Plenty of festivals throughout the year, great places for fantastic dining and shopping like the historic downtown district area or Pine Lake Square Mall – and if you’re looking for even more fun things to do in Alma, Michigan, like hiking or biking, there are plenty of options available too!

Avatar Of Michaela Nolte

Michaela Nolte

Michaela is a history buff and loves to export historical markers and old buildings and seeks stories about Michigan and Great Lakes history. When she is not writing, you can find her with a good book sipping wine on the beach.

View all posts by Michaela Nolte →

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