Chain of Lakes & Antrim County · Town edition

Bellaire

A spirited Antrim County lumber town famous for legendary craft beer pioneers, deep cedar forests, and the torch-lit banks of the Intermediate River.

A lone walker on a long snowy country road
Why winter

Bellaire in winter is holy ground for Michigan craft beer pilgrims thanks to Short's Brewing Company, but it is also the gateway to miles of pristine snowmobile trails, Shanty Creek Resort's downhill runs, and the quiet beauty of the Chain of Lakes frozen solid under Northern Michigan snowsqualls.

Overheard in Bellaire
Short's Brewing Co. is the cultural heartbeat of Bridge Street; locals and visitors mingle freely over eccentric seasonal brews.
A random Saturday · 01

Cedar Swamps & Craft Brews

Spend the morning snowshoeing the frozen cedar wetlands at Grass River Natural Area, warm up with wine and cheese at Hello Vino on Bridge Street, and spend the evening enjoying pizza and craft beer at Short's Brewing.

A random Saturday

An empty Saturday, filled.

Or try · 02

Schuss Slopes & Shanty Lodge

Carve turns down the slopes at Schuss Mountain all afternoon, warm up by the lodge fire, and head into downtown Bellaire for dinner at The Painted Lady.

Michigan winter
Michigan winter
Make it a weekend

Stay at Shanty Creek Resort, spend Saturday skiing Schuss Mountain and exploring downtown Bellaire, and wrap up Sunday with brunch and a visit to Bee Well Meadery.

One good day

Morning snowshoe at Grass River Natural Area, lunch and craft beer at Short's Brewing, afternoon shopping on Bridge Street, and fine dining at The Painted Lady.

Eat · good tables

Tables worth scraping the windshield for.

  1. 01

    Short's Brewing Company Pub

    Iconic Craft Brewpub · $$

    The legendary mothership of Michigan craft brewing. Pub-crafted specialty pizzas, massive sandwiches, and dozens of experimental beers on tap in a vibrant, wood-clad tavern.

    121 N Bridge St, Bellaire, MI 49615 · (231) 533-5010 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    The Painted Lady

    Boutique Fine Dining · $$$

    Elegant dining right on Bridge Street serving exquisite steaks, fresh seafood, and refined American cuisine in a historic 19th-century storefront.

    114 N Bridge St, Bellaire, MI 49615 · (231) 533-5232 · Website ↗

  3. 03

    Hello Vino

    Wine Bar & Bistro · $$

    Cozy downtown wine bar serving artisanal cheese boards, small plates, and an exceptional curated selection of Michigan and international wines.

    105 S Bridge St, Bellaire, MI 49615 · (231) 459-0120 · Website ↗

The winter table

The local plate.

Eat it at Short's Brewing Company Pub

Short's Pub Specialty Pizza & Local IPA

Thick crust topped with house tomato sauce, mozzarella, locally sourced sausage, mushrooms, and green peppers, paired with a crisp, hop-forward IPA.

Field note

Schuss Mountain holds a cherished place in Michigan skiing history as a retro-classic winter playground.

Michigan winter
Photo hunt

Three things most people walk past.

Bridge Street Downtown Bellaire & Short's Pub (121 N Bridge St, Bellaire, MI 49615)

  1. The iconic painted brick storefront of Short's Brewing Company glowing under evening snow.
  2. Historic 19th-century lampposts lining Bridge Street wrapped in winter frost.
  3. The snow-draped banks of the Intermediate River flowing through downtown.
A winter tall tale · as told in Bellaire

The house built for a bride

In the 1890s a Bellaire craftsman, Henry Richardi, built an extravagant house for the woman he meant to marry. The marriage never happened, and the house sat mostly empty for years. Locals say he is still around: footsteps where nobody is walking, and a melancholy that guests notice before anyone tells them the story.

Where it comes from: the source ↗

Michigan winter
After dark · places to land

One more round, then home.

  1. 01

    Short's Brewing Company Pub

    Legendary Brewpub · $$

    The epicenter of Bellaire nightlife; lively music, friendly locals, and endless craft beer innovations.

    121 N Bridge St, Bellaire, MI 49615 · (231) 533-5010 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    The Sneakers Pub at Shanty Creek

    Resort Sports Lounge · $$

    Slope-side pub at Schuss Mountain / Shanty Creek serving drinks and hearty pub grub after hitting the slopes.

    5780 Shanty Creek Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615 · (231) 533-7000 · Website ↗

A brighter cup
In the pictureA brighter cupTwo tumblers for the drink you make back at the room.From the General Store →
Coffee & breakfast · start here

Thaw here.

  1. 01

    Mugs Party Store & Coffee

    Coffee & breakfast

    Friendly local stop for hot coffee and breakfast treats before heading out onto the trails.

    202 E Cayuga St, Bellaire, MI 49615 · (231) 533-8751 · Website ↗

Outside · ways out the door

Boots on. Out the door.

  1. 01

    Downhill Skiing & Snow Tubing at Schuss Mountain (Shanty Creek)

    Outside

    43 downhill slopes, terrain parks, an alpine tubing park, and extensive night skiing.

    Schuss Mountain, 5780 Shanty Creek Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    Cross-Country Skiing the Grass River Natural Area

    Outside

    Quiet, pristine boardwalks and woodland trails winding through cedar swamps and frozen wetlands along the Grass River.

    1155 N Gisela Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615 · Website ↗

  3. 03

    Schuss Mountain Snow Sports Rental Shop

    Rent the gear

    Downhill skis, snowboards, snowshoes, and cross-country ski packages

    5780 Shanty Creek Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615 · Website ↗

Quiet Season scarf
In the pictureQuiet Season scarfLong enough to wrap twice and still blow sideways off the Bellaire shore.From the General Store →
Michigan winter
Field note

Snowshoeing the frozen cedar boardwalks at Grass River after a fresh overnight powder drop.

Local customs
  • Snowshoeing the frozen cedar boardwalks at Grass River after a fresh overnight powder drop.
  • Grass River Natural Area in winter offers absolute silence, broken only by the occasional chickadee or falling snow clump.
  • Schuss Mountain holds a cherished place in Michigan skiing history as a retro-classic winter playground.
Local custom

Ordering a 'Local's Light' or experimental IPA at Short's while discussing weekend snowmobile trail conditions.

On the calendar · 2026–27

Dates worth the drive.

Circle it

Typically late winter / spring craft celebrations

Short's Anni Party (Winter / Spring Release Events)

Legendary gatherings celebrating the anniversary of Northern Michigan's craft beer pioneers with rare beer tappings and live music.

Organizer ↗

Circle it

Late November / December weekends

Bellaire Harvest & Holiday Fest

Organizer ↗

Dates come from organizers and change. Check before you drive.

Michigan winter
Michigan winter
  1. 01

    Shanty Creek Resort

    Four-Season Resort & Village · $$$

    Extensive resort property encompassing Summit Village and Schuss Mountain, offering downhill skiing, snow tubing, cross-country trails, and comfortable lodge rooms.

    5780 Shanty Creek Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615 · (231) 533-7000 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    Bellaire Inn

    Classic Village Motel · $$

    Clean, convenient lodging within walking distance of downtown Bellaire and Short's Brewing.

    402 E Cayuga St, Bellaire, MI 49615 · (231) 533-8550 · Website ↗

Stay · places to wake up

A warm bed at the end of it.

Nobody’s Going Out tea
In the pictureNobody’s Going Out teaLoose-leaf, for the evening the group chat agrees to stay in.From the General Store →
Bring a little Bellaire homeThe deer beanieStandard issue for a walk to the bakery at seven below.Have a look ↗
We checked

grassriver.org · shantycreek.com · shortsbrewing.com · thepaintedladybellaire.com

Good to know: Short's Brewing is extremely popular; arrive early on winter Saturday evenings to secure a table in the main taproom.

Reviewed October 2026. Hours, prices and dates move; call ahead in January and February.