Interlochen

Interlochen is two things side by side: the Interlochen Center for the Arts, with a summer of concerts on a lakeside campus, and Interlochen State Park, with a beach, old pines and two lakes. There is not much of a town beyond them, and that is fine. Spend the day at the park and the evening at a concert; that is the trip.

Getting there and getting around

US-31 runs through the northern part of Interlochen, and J. Maddy Parkway (the former M-137) leads south from it to the arts center and the state park. By our routing estimates, the drive takes about 2 hours 35 minutes from Grand Rapids, about 4 hours 50 minutes from Detroit and about 5 hours 55 minutes from Chicago. See getting here.

The nearest airline airport is Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, which our estimate puts about 25 minutes away by car. You need a car here; the campus, the park and the places to eat are spread along the parkway and US-31.

Where to eat

Interlochen’s restaurants are a short list of casual local places. Check hours before you go, especially around concert nights.

• Bud’s. The local coffee and sandwich stop, with espresso, gourmet sandwiches and house-made ice cream in a cozy, woodsy room.
• Hofbrau. The steakhouse and American grill, in business since 1950, with a menu that runs from seafood to pizza.
• Oaky’s Tavern. Burgers, barbecue ribs and cocktails, with a patio.
• Mimi’s Taqueria. A family-owned Mexican restaurant built on fresh ingredients and traditional recipes.
• The Melody Freeze. On the arts center campus: coffee, ice cream and simple food such as pizza and nachos before a show.
• Tom’s Food Market. The grocery store for a state park picnic.

Where to stay

The village pick is the Interlochen Motel, a small motel on J. Maddy Parkway a short way from the campus, listed as open year-round. The arts center also rents rooms and cottages on campus through the Stone Hotel, and Interlochen State Park has a large campground with modern and rustic sites. For the full list, see places to stay in Interlochen. For more choice, Traverse City is a short drive away.

Our picks

A summer concert at Kresge Auditorium. The outdoor venue sits on the shore of Green Lake, and the summer lineup mixes the camp’s student orchestras with touring headliners. Most shows are ticketed and go on sale in spring, so book early if an act is your reason to go.

Les Préludes. The concert that closes every camp season in August, played by all three high school orchestras in the Interlochen Bowl. It has been free with no ticket needed; check the date.

A student concert, and the silence after. At summer student concerts, the lights come up at the end and the Interlochen Theme plays while the audience sits quietly. Hold your applause.

Interlochen State Park. Between Green Lake and Duck Lake, with a swimming beach and beach house, a playground, a boat launch and paddlesport rentals. You need a Recreation Passport on your car; see our licenses and passes guide.

The old pines. The park was created to protect a stand of virgin pine, and some of the big red and white pines still stand. Walk among them between swims.

One day

Morning at the state park: swim at the beach and rent a kayak or paddleboard. Lunch at Bud’s or a picnic from Tom’s. In the late afternoon, walk the campus, get an ice cream at the Melody Freeze and settle in at Kresge for the evening concert. Dinner at the Hofbrau if the concert is late.

With a second day, drive to Traverse City or west to Crystal Lake at Beulah.

With kids, and on a rainy day

The state park has the playground, the beach and weekly nature programs in summer. On a rainy day, check the arts center calendar, which has concerts and presentations through the year.

Best time to go

July and August are the season, when the Interlochen Arts Festival fills the calendar and the camp closes with Les Préludes in August. Book rooms early for concert weekends. In fall, student theater and music continue on campus.

Winter

The state park is quiet, and anglers fish Green and Duck lakes through the ice for smelt and pike when the ice is safe; check conditions and DNR rules first. On campus, Interlochen Arts Academy runs through the school year, with student performances in the winter months. The Interlochen Motel lists itself as open year-round and sits on a snowmobile trail.

Hours, menus and schedules change, so check with each place before you go.