After arriving in Bellaire, keep the first afternoon easy and walkable downtown. Start at Short’s Brewing Company for a local beer and casual Michigan fare; allow about 1½ hours and budget roughly $15–30 per person before drinks. It’s a popular stop, especially on a Friday, so expect a possible wait during the dinner rush. From there, stroll over to Bellaire Community Hall Art Center to browse its rotating local-art displays. Gallery hours can vary by exhibit and season, so check the posted hours or social media before counting on entry; 30–45 minutes is plenty.
Continue on foot or make the short drive to Richardi Park, where a relaxed walk follows the Intermediate River and gives you a pleasant first taste of Bellaire’s small-town pace. The park is best treated as an informal, low-key stop rather than a major attraction—bring water, and use the remaining daylight for photos and an unhurried loop. Downtown parking is generally straightforward, but move the car before drinking if you plan to have more than a single beer.
Finish at Mammoth Distilling in downtown Bellaire for Michigan-made spirits and cocktails. Plan on about an hour and roughly $15–30 per person, depending on pours and snacks. Friday evening is a good time to settle in here rather than rush through another activity; confirm the tasting-room hours ahead of time, since schedules can change seasonally. If you’re driving back to your lodging afterward, designate a driver—everything downtown is close, but the surrounding area is rural and rideshare availability is limited.
Leave Bellaire around 7:30–8:00 AM and drive toward Torch Lake Day Park on the lake’s eastern shore. The trip takes roughly 25–35 minutes, but arrive early: summer parking is limited, and the launch area is much more pleasant before the beach crowds build. Allow about 30 minutes to park, unload, and organize your gear; bring water shoes, sunscreen, a dry bag, and a small cooler, since shade and convenient facilities are limited right at the launch.
Spend the morning and early afternoon paddling Torch Lake, whose clear, turquoise water is especially striking in the calm hours before midday wind picks up. A three- to four-hour outing gives you time to explore without racing—paddle along the shoreline, stop for a swim, and keep an eye on changing conditions before crossing any broad stretches. If you’re renting rather than bringing kayaks, confirm the exact pickup and return window in advance; late-summer demand is high, and most operators require identification and a card deposit. Check the weather that morning and wear a properly fitted life jacket throughout.
After returning the kayaks and drying off, drive a few minutes into Alden for lunch at Torch Lake Café. Plan on about an hour and roughly $15–30 per person; it’s a good place for an unhurried meal after the paddle, though summer waits can stretch during the lunch rush. Afterward, walk over to Alden Village Marina for a relaxed 45-minute stroll around the harbor. The compact waterfront is ideal for browsing boats, taking photographs, and cooling down rather than adding another strenuous activity.
Finish at Alden Mill House, a short walk or quick drive from the marina, allowing 30–45 minutes to see the historic former mill and its riverside setting. Check the site’s seasonal access before leaving, as hours can vary in August; if the interior is closed, the surrounding waterway and village streets are still worth a brief wander. Head back to Bellaire afterward via the local roads and US-31, ideally by mid- to late afternoon so you are back before evening traffic and still have time to relax.
After arriving back in Bellaire, head first to Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area for a 1½–2-hour walk. The wooded trail system has rolling terrain rather than a flat lakeshore stroll, so wear supportive shoes and bring water; on a warm August morning, start on the shaded sections and allow extra time for the hills. Trail access is generally free, with parking at the main trailhead, and an early start is the best way to avoid heat and crowded lots.
Late morning, return downtown for the Bellaire Farmers Market, where Sunday hours can vary by season and vendor availability—check the current schedule before setting out. Plan about an hour to browse local produce, baked goods, flowers, and crafts, and bring cash as a backup even though some sellers accept cards. It is an easy walk or short drive from the trail area, and this is a good place to pick up a snack for the road rather than making the morning feel rushed.
Settle in for lunch at The Blue Pelican Inn, a relaxed historic downtown setting where you can take your time over a roughly 1–1½-hour meal. Budget about $20–35 per person, and expect service to move at a leisurely small-town pace—ideal after the hike, but worth checking Sunday hours and calling ahead if your group is larger. After lunch, finish with the Intermediate River Nature Trail, an easy hour-long riverside walk in Bellaire. Keep it unhurried: this is a pleasant final stretch for spotting birds and enjoying the water before packing up, with comfortable shoes and insect repellent useful in August.