It has been three years since we have stayed at the delightful Bay Mills Resort & Casino in Brimley, Michigan. We were fortunate enough to have some time to relax and unwind in the Upper Peninsula. We wanted a spot to stay that was convenient as a central point for the various day trips we wanted to do in the area. Bay Mills Resort & Casino worked perfectly! Check out the hotel and casino online.
It was a pleasure to arrive and see all the updates that have been completed at the hotel resort since our last visit. The decor is modern and stylish, with a nod to a rustic flair that is perfect for the UP. This light fixture in the lobby caught my eye right away!
In fact, the entire lobby is inviting with various sitting areas to rest and unwind.
Spotlessly clean
Our room at Bay Mills Resort & Casino was lovely and spotlessly clean. Are you like me and always give a room the once over to be sure it is clean? Check the sheets, the tub/shower, toilet….? I am slightly obsessed with the neutral but funky carpeting in the room. I’m thinking this would work awesome in parts of the new house! Isn’t it cool?
Dining options
We arrived at Bay Mills Resort & Casino later in the day after nearly a full day of driving. We were tired, and hungry. What a delight it was that the resort features 2 restaurants on site along with a “grab and go” option. We loved the fact that we could check in and relax, without having to get back into the car to drive to eat. The resort’s two restaurants are Back Bay Grill & Games and Sacy’s. We decided to eat at Back Bay Grill & Games, and were seated near the window with a fabulous view of Waishkey Bay. You can dine outside if you wish on the patio, but the sun was still pretty warm and the cool air inside felt refreshing. The restaurant features a sports theme and it was easy to watch our beloved Detroit Tigers on the many large flat screen tv’s.
We both opted for a burger, and they did not disappoint. Oh my goodness were they delicious!
We actually returned to Back Bay the following night for dinner as well. We split their large Nacho Supreme and it was humongous! We’d recommend that dish as well! You can take a peek at the Back Bay Grill & Games menu to find all sorts of yummy dishes.
Sacy’s features a buffet as well as a menu with more upscale dining. They have been awarded “Best Steaks In The Tri-County” three years running. We chose to eat the lunch buffet one day which was all you can eat salad, soup and dessert. You can view the Sacy’s menu here.
Early morning walk about
After dinner our first night we hit the comfort of the bed and slept well. Jim actually slept very well, but since I am an early riser I was up and exploring in the morning. It was pleasant to wander around the grounds of the resort outside in the morning. Birds were chirping, the wind was gently blowing and the sun was shining. I found this well placed bench and sat to admire the view of the bay. This was the perfect way to kick off my day! If you go, don’t forget the complimentary coffee that is served in the casino!
Around the area
Since Brimley is centrally located, one day we left Bay Mills Resort & Casino and took a drive north and explored the Whitefish Bay National Scenic Byway. This drive is easy and relaxing and offers spectacular views through the Hiawatha National Forest. The east end of the byway begins at the national forest boundary west of Brimley which is called Lakeshore Drive. This will change names and become Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway. The road follows the shoreline of Lake Superior for most of the time and you can stop off at various roadside stops to stretch your legs and wander. You are steps away from gorgeous secluded beaches when you leave the car, so come prepared with your beach gear if you desire to soak in some of the lake shore. We did just that, with Mr. TCC enjoying some beach metal detecting while I relaxed on a beach towel on the sand. It was perfect! The beach was not packed full of people and the shoreline goes on for a long time so there was plenty of private space.
Just outside of Brimley is the Point Iroquois Lighthouse. During the summer season, the lighthouse is open for tours. We’d recommend stopping here.
During the drive there are a few spots when the road moves further inland into the forest. At the west end of the byway is the intersection with M-123, south of Paradise. We drove into Paradise for a late lunch and then returned to Brimley.
Once we hit the road and were driving back home we both agreed we felt rejuvenated and relaxed after our stay. If you are headed to the UP and looking for a fun place to stay, be sure to check out Bay Mills!
