Ithaca is a city in Central Michigan. It has a historic downtown district, some beautiful historic buildings, parks and annual events.
Understand
Ithaca is the third largest population center of Gratiot County, with 3,098 residents. Nestled in the center of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Ithaca greets visitors from all corners of the state. Ithaca serves as the county seat of Gratiot County, and is mid-point of the US-127 university corridor of Central Michigan University, Alma College, and Michigan State University.
The Ithaca Downtown Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is on Business US-127 along the former "Old 27" route. Ithaca's best known landmark is the masterfully preserved Gratiot County Courthouse, which has in its front lawn the Gratiot All Wars Memorial Monument. Just down the street you will find another beautiful landmark, the Ithaca Fire Hall, which once served as the original Village Hall.
In the summer months, visitors to Ithaca are greeted by beautiful flowers planted by area youth and community members, stretching along both sides of Business US-127 from the City Limits to downtown. Woodland Park is filled with rolling hills, mature trees, and a volunteer-built playscape, as well as a large sledding hill for winter use.
Ithaca hosts several annual events, including the Ithaca Hometown Funfest (August), Dust Off Car Show (May), Gratiot Ag Society Fair (June), Old US 27 Motor Tour (August), as well as many other seasonal events.
Get in
By car
Located on US-127 about 35 minutes north of Lansing, the city of Ithaca is easily accessible from all parts of the state of Michigan by car.
By train
The Great Lakes Central Railroad bisects Ithaca, used predominantly for freight service. However, special passenger train tours are a summer tourism attraction, transporting riders from as far south as Owosso, north to Mt. Pleasant or Cadillac and back.
By plane
The Gratiot Community Airport (IATA: AMN) is 4 miles northwest of Ithaca.
City sidewalks are very conducive to bicycle use within the city limits. The DALMAC bicycle tour takes 2,400 bicyclists through Ithaca each year on the way from East Lansing to Mackinaw City.
Get around
Ithaca is a very walkable community, especially in the downtown area. A full range of businesses and services are available within easy walking distance.
See
Do
- Woodland Park. Picnics, playground, trails. Sledding in the winter.
- Town & Country Recreation, 1091 E. Center St., +1 989-875-4217. Bowling, banquets, pizza, lunches.
- McNabb Park, 575 S. Elm St, 43.28645°, -84.61132°. Ithaca Fairgrounds.
- Hometown Cellars Winery & Brewery, 108 E. Center St., +1 989-875-6010. Wine tasting or make your own wine. New microbrewed beer!
- Gratiot Country Club, 1508 N. State Rd., +1 989-875-4612. The 18-hole course at the Gratiot Country Club features 5,552 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 70. The course rating is 66 and it has a slope rating of 113. Designed by Jim Wideman (2nd 9) in 1999, the course opened in 1931.
- Ithaca Thompson Home Public Library, 125 W. Center St., +1 989-875-4184.
Buy
- Larry's True Value Hardware, 119 E. Center St., +1 989-875-3456. Locally owned and operated, Larry's carries a full supply of goods to meet virtually every household need.
- My Sister's Closet, 147 E. Center St., +1 989-875-4096. It is packed with at least 20,000 items for the casual shopper and the serious collector. A short list of what is here would be: collectibles, vintage clothing, china, furniture, books, art (some local), gift baskets, cards, jewelry, stained glass, rugs, bird cages, prints, pots, pans, antique cameras, old, new and stuff that is blue. Fresh ground and brewed coffee, treats, truffles and candy. Linens, soaps, candles, oils, hand-made pillows, quilts and silk flowers.
- The Curious Candle & Gifts, 108 E. Center St., +1 989-875-3131. Beautiful hand-made candles, jewelry, purses, hats, etc.
- Simply Savings, 153 E. Center St., +1 989-875-4100. Offers a multitude of discounted, lightly used clothing.
Eat
- Sip n' Knit / The Mayor's Office, 142 E. Center St., +1 989-449-4444. Soups, sandwiches, wraps, salads, coffee, smoothies, etc. Quaint, laid-back atmosphere. Most days you will find the Mayor either having lunch or working behind the counter.
- Country Chef Cafe, 157 E. Center St., +1 989-875-3553. Best known for the "World's Greatest Burgers," you can't go wrong at the Country Chef for anything from breakfast to supper.
- Hearthstone Oven Bakery & Cafe, 126 S. Pine River St., +1 989-875-6836. Mennonite-owned and operated. You will find freshly baked homemade cookies, muffins, cinnamon rolls and pies. Also serves breakfast from 6:30AM - 10AM and lunch starts at 11AM and is only served til 2PM. Lunch consists of large sandwiches and paninis on their homemade bread, soups from scratch, and the casserole special of the day. Take home a frozen casserole for a quick meal at home. This is a "must stop by" place if you are in town!
- JJ Ruby's Fine Food & Spirits, 2862 N. State Rd., +1 989-875-3000. Located between Ithaca and St. Louis on Old Route 27, JJ Ruby's offers a large selection of home-cooked meals for any time of day. Also serves beer & wine, and famous fresh-baked pies.
- Chee Peng Chinese Restaurant, 161 E. Center St., +1 989-875-6325. Order from the menu or load up on the lunchtime buffet.
- Main Street Pizza, 159 E. Center St., +1 989-875-5061. Great pizza and subs
Drink
- Hometown Cellars Winery, 108 E. Center St., +1 989-875-6010. Full service winery offering over 20 varieties of quality wine for you to sample and choose from as well as wine accessories, wine racks, gift certificates and more. Or make your own wine, complete with custom labels.
- Brick Alley Pub, 121 S. Pine River St, +1 989-875-9904.
Sleep
Connect
Go next
Ithaca is "on the way" to many larger metropolitan destinations throughout the state. Following US-127 north will lead to Alma, Mt. Pleasant, and many northern Michigan communities before US-127 becomes I-75 near Grayling. I-75 continues north across the Mackinac Bridge to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, before ending in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. US-127 will take travelers south to Lansing, Jackson, and all the way to Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Several other larger metropolitan areas can easily be reached from Ithaca.