Cadillac - city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is the county seat of Wexford County

Cadillac is a city in the state of Michigan. The community has a population of approximately 10,000 within city limits, and over 40,000 within the surrounding two counties. It was established as an industrial town known as the Village of Clam Lake. The village was incorporated into a city in 1877. It changed its name to Cadillac after the 17th and 18th century French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac (the car brand is also named after him). The area became a popular tourist destination following World War II, and remains so today.

Cadillac is the gateway to northwest Michigan. Nearly a million visitors come each year to the area, to enjoy the scenic lakes and quaint small town. While popular, Cadillac is quiet and makes a great Northern Michigan destination for summer and winter recreation enthusiasts.

Understand

There are two large lakes in the Cadillac vicinity. Lake Cadillac lies entirely within the boundaries of the city; this has led to a geographically unique community, with most city commerce taking place on the east shore of the lake—the downtown—and many businesses catering to tourists located on the west shore. Locals refer to this western portion as Cadillac West. Knowing this terminology can be helpful if you plan to stay in the area.

The area north of the city limits at 13th Street is officially known as Haring Township, though residents generally consider it to be part of Cadillac; when differentiation is needed, locals will often refer to it simply as the north end. Generally speaking, Haring Township features most of the area's chain establishments: big box stores like Meijer and Walmart, chain restaurants, and fast food mainstays.

To the west of Lake Cadillac lies the larger Lake Mitchell. While both lakes offer public access, Lake Mitchell is more nearly surrounded by private residences and may be more difficult for non-homeowners to reach. The two lakes are connected by the small Clam Lake Canal which has an unusual feature: as winter approaches, the canal freezes over. But once the two lakes freeze over, the ice on the canal thaws and the canal remains unfrozen for the remainder of winter.

The residents of Cadillac and the surrounding area, like most Midwesterners, are open and friendly. If you need directions, locals will be happy to assist. Visitors are also welcome to ask for advice on where to get a tasty lunch or, if needed, a quick repair for their bicycle.

Get in

By car

Driving is the most practical means by which to visit Cadillac. The primary route, US-131, comes in from Grand Rapids. The state route MI-115 is used by visitors from the Detroit area. MI-55 comes in from Manistee and Lake Michigan, passing through Cadillac on its way to Lake Huron. Be sure to enjoy the scenery of Northern Michigan on your way to Cadillac.

By bus

Indian Trails offers bus service to Cadillac from various Michigan cities.

By plane

• Wexford County Airport (IATA: CAD), 44.275311°, -85.418925°. Accessible to private aircraft.

Get around

By car

Personal automobile is the most convenient means of getting around, with free parking available around the city. Parking downtown is convenient and plentiful, even during major events. The main street through Cadillac is called Mitchell Street, but business addresses sometimes refer to it by its highway designation of BR-131. If you ask for directions while driving in Cadillac, they'll likely involve Mitchell Street. North of Cadillac in Haring Township, the major east-west road is 34 Road, though locals seldom refer to it as anything except Boon Road. In Cadillac West, a brief portion of M-115 along the lake is occasionally referred to as Sunnyside Drive.

By bicycle

Biking is highly recommended for those staying on or near the lakes. Cadillac has a bike path along the shores of Lake Cadillac, so east-west travel between the downtown and the Cadillac West is convenient. Biking on the local streets is safe, and there are a number of nature trails in the area that provide great off-roading. Rental facilities are available at McLain Cycle and Fitness (dead link: January 2023).

On foot

Walking around the downtown area is easy and safe in the summer. As with most cities in the northern part of the country, winter conditions will vary from day to day; even sidewalks which have been shoveled clear will lead to street crossings filled with melting snow and ice, so winter footwear is advisable for walking farther than just to your parked car. Outside of the city limits, particularly in the retail-heavy Haring Township, sidewalks are not always present, and walkers may find themselves on the shoulders of a road.

By taxi

Several taxi companies operate in the city; cabs are not typically hailed from the street but rather by calling their dispatcher. Cab companies include Cadillac Taxi and All City Cab (dead link: August 2020).

By bus

The Cadillac/Wexford Transit Authority runs a demand response bus service. In the summer the Authority runs a mid-day fixed-route service. The line runs between Cadillac West and the downtown.

By boat

Cadillac surrounds Lake Cadillac and part of Lake Mitchell. The downtown is adjacent to the former, and public docks make it easy to tie up a boat and walk to shops and food.

Many of the restaurants around the lake provide docks.

Launching your own boat or renting is highly recommended. Renting a campsite at Mitchell State Park entitles you to dock your boat in the canal alongside the park.

By snowmobile

The city of Cadillac is surrounded by more than 200 miles of snowmobile trails; visitors to the area should be aware that operating snowmobiles is illegal within the city limits.

See

The downtown, which includes a number of quaint shops, a movie theatre (dead link: January 2023) and a park, is picturesque. It is popular with tourists year-round.

• Courthouse Hill Historic District. Adjacent to the downtown, part of the original Village of Clam Lake. Many of the homes in the District are large, Victorian-style residences built by the lumber barons and businessmen who helped establish Cadillac more than a century ago.
• Clam Lake Canal, 44.239389°, -85.4535°. Constructed to transport logs from Lake Mitchell to the mills on the shores of Lake Cadillac. It is now used exclusively by recreation lakecraft. With the canal, the two lakes comprise approximately 3700 acres of open water.

Do

The Cadillac area is very popular with tourists who favor active recreation activities. The city surrounds Lake Cadillac and is adjacent to Lake Mitchell. There are a number of public boat ramps; there is a launch on the northwest side of Lake Cadillac, in Kenwood Park, while on the northeast end of Lake Cadillac, next to City Park and the downtown, there is another ramp.

Outdoor

• Adventure Island, 44.24203°, -85.45634°, +1 231 775-2527. 6083 E MI-115. Waterslides, mini-golf, batting cages and go-carts. Arcade activities indoors.
• Sound Garden, 44.25107°, -85.41073°. Truly unique hands-on sculpture on the shores of Lake Cadillac. Native materials, primarily silver maple, beach, and ironwood were used to make this set of sculptural instruments.
• Mitchell State Park, 6093 E MI-115, 44.23828°, -85.45477°, +1 231 775-7911. Located between the two lakes. It is home to the Carl T. Johnson Hunt and Fish Center, which documents the history of hunting and fishing in Michigan. The Center is open year-round. There is also a 2.5-mile (4.0 km) nature trail that leaves from the Hunting and Fishing Center.
• Cadillac Pathway, 44.2670°, -85.3772°. Lies east of Cadillac and is part of the Pere Marquette State Forest. The trails of the Pathway are well suited to biking, hiking and cross country skiing. Trail map.
• Manistee National Forest, 43.87605°, -85.91386°. Lies immediately to the west of Cadillac. The national forest is popular with ORVers. 2018-12-21

Golf

• Eldorado, 7839 E 46 1/2 Rd, 44.2021°, -85.4172°, +1 231 779-9977. 18-hole public golf course. The Cadillac Grill Restaurant is on site.
• Evergreen Resort (Formerly McGuire's Resort), 7880 Mackinaw Trail, 44.2246°, -85.4028°. 27-hole public golf course. Views of Lake Cadillac.
• Cadillac Country Club, 5428 E MI-55, 44.2302°, -85.4658°, +1 231 775-9442, +1 231 775-8758 (winter). Established in 1910, the Cadillac Country Club course is a 6017-yard, par 70 classic.
• Caberfae Peaks, 1 Caberfae Drive (east of Cadillac on MI-55), 44.2452°, -85.7200°, +1 231 862-3000. Nine-hole course located in the Manistee National Forest (listed rate is for 18 holes; players play the course twice) $38 weekends
• Emerald Vale, 6867 East 16 Road (north of Cadillac on US-131), 44.4109°, -85.4386°, +1 231 824-3631. Located just outside of Manton (about a ten-minute drive north from Cadillac) $45 weekends
• Lakewood on the Green (Wedgewood, Briar South), 128 Lakewood Drive (west of Cadillac on M-55, then south on 33 Road), 44.1949°, -85.4922°, +1 231 468-3344, Golf@LakewoodontheGreen.com. 18-hole layout winds through a residential neighborhood. $42 2017-02-10

Buy

• McLain Cycle, 311 N Mitchell, 44.25348°, -85.40210°, +1 231 775-6161, info-mclainscadillac@specialized.com. Bicycle sales and service.
• Toy Town, 122 S. Mitchell, 44.24947°, -85.39877°, +1 231 775-8697. Independent toy store in downtown Cadillac
• Serendipity, 101 S. Mitchell, 44.25027°, -85.39927°, +1 231 468-3241. Women's clothing and gifts
• The Sweet Shop, 111 S. Mitchell, 44.24989°, -85.39893°, +1 231 775-2201. Candy shop with homemade chocolate; famous for their "snowbirds", white chocolate and pecans.
• WarGames North, 126 N Mitchell, 44.251191°, -85.39991°, +1 231 775-2522. Gaming supplies, comic books, and collectibles.

Eat

• Hermann's European Café, 214 N Mitchell St, 44.25173°, -85.40052°, +1 231 775-9563. Selections change daily. Offers seafood and fine international cuisine.
• G & D Party Store, 223 S Mitchell St, 44.2488°, -85.3980°, +1 231 775-1229. Carry out and delivery. Locally famous for its pizza.
• Lakeside Charlie’s, 301 S Lake Mitchell Dr, 44.23535°, -85.45574°, +1 231 775-5332. American cuisine. Located in Cadillac West, on the shores of Lake Mitchell.
• House of Hunan, 505 N Mitchell St, 44.25436°, -85.40292°, +1 231 779-0988. American-style Chinese cuisine, a local favorite.
• Burke's Waterfront, 2403 Sunnyside Dr (M-115), 44.233079°, -85.450000°, +1 231 775-7555. American family restaurant. Pronounced "BURK-eez", not "BURKZ".

• After 26 Depot, 127 W Cass, 44.24856°, -85.40040°, +1 231 468-3526. Tu-F 7AM-2PM, Sa Su 8AM-2PM, closed Monday. Located inside a former railroad depot, this non-profit restaurant benefits adults with developmental disabilities and cognitive impairment 2017-02-24
• Dockside Inn, 2404 Sunnyside Drive, 44.233367°, -85.450088°, +1 231 775-9322. W Th 4-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 10AM-6:30PM, closed M Tu. Upscale American food on the shore of Lake Cadillac. 2021-12-28
• Herradura's, 1700 S Mitchell, 44.234330°, -85.396390°, +1 231 775-4575. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-10:30PM. Mexican restaurant with full bar 2021-12-28

Drink

• Clam Lake Beer Company, 106 S Mitchell, 44.25010°, -85.39924°, +1 231 775-6150. Brewpub features 40 different beers on tap plus a full menu.
• Cadillac Party Lounge, 516 N. Mitchell, 44.25457°, -85.40287°, +1 231 775-9073. Open until 2AM. Sports bar with a full kitchen. Easily the most upscale bar in town. Well lit.
• Roaring 20s Saloon, 210 S. Mitchell (next to Cadillac 5 movie theater), 44.24900°, -85.39834°, +1 231 775-8411. Open until 2AM. Loud music, usually crowded to the rafters on ladies' night. Go there to drink, not to talk.
• Curly's, 7880 Mackinaw Trail (Inside Evergreen Resort), 44.2241°, -85.4030°, +1 231 775-9947. Open until 1AM. Free popcorn. Features karaoke some nights.
• The Pines (Cadillac West), 5992 E. M-55, 44.2337°, -85.4571°, +1 231 775-6111. Attached bowling alley and pizza restaurant. Popular with the young folks (particularly the under-21 set).
• Coz's 8-Ball Lounge, 1341 N. Mitchell, 44.26925°, -85.40652°, +1 231 775-4494. Also known as "Stopless Topless". Topless dancing. Do not bring the girlfriend or kids.

Sleep

Lodging

• Evergreen Resort (Formerly McGuire's Resort), 7880 Mackinaw Trail, 44.2236°, -85.4032°. Standard rooms with double or king beds, studio rooms with fireplaces and deluxe suites are available. Tennis courts, pool and sauna, 27 holes of golf.
• Holiday Inn Express, 7642 S US-131, 44.2270°, -85.3964°, +1 231 779-4656. 70 guest rooms and suites, indoor pool, whirlpool and fitness room.
• Econo Lodge Cadillac, 2501 Sunnyside Drive, 44.233661°, -85.450959°, +1 231 775-6700. Easy access for large vehicles in parking lot
• Hermann's Hotel, 214 N Mitchell, 44.25174°, -85.40053°, +1 231 775-9563. Seven rooms, on the second floor of Hermann's European Cafe in downtown Cadillac; more of a "destination" than a room for the night
• Caberfae Peaks Resort, Caberfae Rd, 44.2454°, -85.7198°, +1 231 862-3000. 36 guest rooms in MacKenzie Lodge, with year-round heated pool and hot tub. Ski slopes with 34 runs, rental shop, day lodge with cafeteria and bar; 9 holes of golf.
• Lake Cadillac Resort (formerly The Sands Hotel), 6319 M-115, 44.234279°, -85.451320°, +1 231 775-2407. It sits on the shore of Lake Cadillac.
• Days Inn Cadillac, 3001 E M-115, 44.242999°, -85.456741°, +1 231 775-4414. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
• Hampton Inn, 1650 S Mitchell St., 44.234913°, -85.396435°, +1 231 779-2900. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.

Camping

• Mitchell State Park, 6093 E MI-115, 44.2383°, -85.4547°. This state park lies between Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell and in fact straddles the canal connecting the two lakes. There 221 campsites, with modern toilet buildings, showers and sanitation stations. Eight campsites are wheelchair-accessible. A mini-cabin is also available for rent. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for the sites along the canal.
• Camp Cadillac, 10621 E 34 Rd, 44.2813°, -85.3662°, +1 231 775-9724. Private campground, located 3 miles (5 km) to northeast of the city. It has a number of amenities including a petting zoo, a pool and internet access.

Go next

• Traverse City is 1 hour north on M-115 and M-37.
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is 1.5 hours northwest on M-115.
• Manistee is 1 hour west on M-55.
• Grand Rapids is 1.5 hours south on US-131.