In Town
Where to eat... While we may be small, Chatham and the surrounding area offer several great options for grabbing a bite to eat, some within walking distance from the Inn.
The Village Pub - 0.5 mi away 906.439.8595 Daily specials, pub fare, drinks. Tuesday-Thursday: Noon. Friday-Sunday: 9:00 Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Mama Cows - 0.75 mi away Open Seasonally May-October. 1-9 PM. Walk-up window hand dipped, soft serve ice cream, hamburgers and hotdogs.
Chatham Co-Op- 0.5 mi away 906.439.5151 Grocery & Hardware
The Snack Bar Family Restaurant - 3 mi away 906.439.5400 Breakfast and lunch Mon- Fri 7:30 am-2 pm Sat 7:30-11:00am
Limestone General Store and Gas Station- 6 mi away 906.439.1110 House made pizza and deli sandwiches open daily 8 AM-9 PM (Take out)
What to do... The Village Inn is centrally located and in easy driving distance of many UP destinations, but before you seek out adventures further out, consider some of these fantastic local options.
Rock River Falls "This wild waterfall is hidden in the Rock River Wilderness Area north of Chatham. Reaching it will require you to drive down some old logging roads and hike a mile or two along some ill defined trails, but if you are looking for a good waterfall adventure it is worth it."
Au Train Falls "Au Train Falls are located on the Au Train River just south of the Cleveland Cliffs basin on M94. The Upper Falls drop about 40’ and the lower falls around 10’. In dry years the falls are just a trickle, but in spring they flow hard. Signage making it easy to find and there is parking at the first turn for the upper falls and at the end for the lower. The walk down to the upper falls can be a bit slick so watch your footing. The lower falls are easily accessed by walking passed the gate and down the gravel road."
Laughing Whitefish Falls "Laughing Whitefish Falls is considered by many to be the most spectacular of Michigan's falls. The falls cascade through a picturesque gorge with old growth white pine and hemlock towering above. The falls can be reached by a moderate (.6 mile) hike through beech-maple forest".
Eben Ice Caves (Seasonal Dec-Thaw) "The "Rock River Canyon Ice Caves," better known as the Eben Ice Caves, form when melting snow runs over the edge of a small cliff and freezes, forming "ice caves" much like the large ice formations along Munising's Grand Island National Recreation Area and parts of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. If you were to visit here in the summer you would see little to no water running over the edge. It's the perfect combination of a slow snow melt and frigid temperatures that causes these "caves" of ice to form."
UP 200 Midnight Run The Midnight Run Sled Dog Race is an eight dog race that tallies 90 miles. The race takes place the second weekend in February with the race beginning and ending in Marquette. The midpoint of the race is at the Michigan State University Facility in Chatham (Directly across the highway from the Village Inn). The mushers will have a mandatory 5 hour layover in Chatham before they begin the second leg of the race back to Marquette. We are excited that the Midnight Run is making its way back to Chatham, and we are happy to take care of all your lodging needs!
Kayak or Canoe the Au Train River After a stop at the Au Train Falls, we highly recommend spending the afternoon floating the Au Train River. This slow moving river is a delight to both inexperienced and experienced boaters alike. Bring your own vessels, or rent from our friends at Northwoods Canoe and Kayak Rentals. Stop at the Au Train Gas Station for, in our opinion, the most authentic pasty the UP has to offer.
Hike or Ski Valley Spur Valley Spur is a favorite Alger County destination for many dedicated cross country skiers, hikers, and mountain bike enthusiasts, and is located on M-94 approximately 7 miles east of the Village Inn in the Hiawatha National Forest.
Snowmobiling The Village Inn Motel is located on Trail # 8 in Chatham, MI. Alger County receives roughly 230 inches of snow per year, and is a premier snowmobiling location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. For more information on snowmobiling in Alger County, visit the following sites: Alger County SORVA, Munising Snow, UP Snowmobiling
Our Favorite Further Out Adventures
Munising and the surrounding area is the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Grand Island National Recreational Area, Alger Underwater Preserve, and Hiawatha National Forest. Enjoy miles of Lake Superior shoreline, spectacular waterfalls, rivers and streams, hundreds of inland lakes, and amazing trails. Offering four seasons of fun, our area is sure to fit any trip plan. Our personal recommendations: (To Eat) Pictured Rocks Pizza, Eh! Burger, Miner's Pasties. (To Do) Sand Point Beach and the Marsh Walk, Munising Falls, and Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises (the best way to see Pictured Rocks)
Marquette Marquette County is a playground year-round. There is always something new to do and places to explore in every season. Bike by Harlow Lake in the spring, swim Superior in the summer, take in a color tour in the fall, and ski Marquette Mountain in the winter. Brave the elements and you will be rewarded. Our personal recommendations: (To Eat) Border Grill, Huron Mt. Bakery, Velodrome Coffee Company, Aubrey's. (To Do) Climb Sugarloaf Mountain, Walk or Drive Presque Isle Park, Throw and paint pottery at Hot Plate, Explore the shops on 3rd, Washington and Front.
Where to eat... While we may be small, Chatham and the surrounding area offer several great options for grabbing a bite to eat, some within walking distance from the Inn.
The Village Pub - 0.5 mi away 906.439.8595 Daily specials, pub fare, drinks. Tuesday-Thursday: Noon. Friday-Sunday: 9:00 Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Mama Cows - 0.75 mi away Open Seasonally May-October. 1-9 PM. Walk-up window hand dipped, soft serve ice cream, hamburgers and hotdogs.
Chatham Co-Op- 0.5 mi away 906.439.5151 Grocery & Hardware
The Snack Bar Family Restaurant - 3 mi away 906.439.5400 Breakfast and lunch Mon- Fri 7:30 am-2 pm Sat 7:30-11:00am
Limestone General Store and Gas Station- 6 mi away 906.439.1110 House made pizza and deli sandwiches open daily 8 AM-9 PM (Take out)
What to do... The Village Inn is centrally located and in easy driving distance of many UP destinations, but before you seek out adventures further out, consider some of these fantastic local options.
Rock River Falls "This wild waterfall is hidden in the Rock River Wilderness Area north of Chatham. Reaching it will require you to drive down some old logging roads and hike a mile or two along some ill defined trails, but if you are looking for a good waterfall adventure it is worth it."
Au Train Falls "Au Train Falls are located on the Au Train River just south of the Cleveland Cliffs basin on M94. The Upper Falls drop about 40’ and the lower falls around 10’. In dry years the falls are just a trickle, but in spring they flow hard. Signage making it easy to find and there is parking at the first turn for the upper falls and at the end for the lower. The walk down to the upper falls can be a bit slick so watch your footing. The lower falls are easily accessed by walking passed the gate and down the gravel road."
Laughing Whitefish Falls "Laughing Whitefish Falls is considered by many to be the most spectacular of Michigan's falls. The falls cascade through a picturesque gorge with old growth white pine and hemlock towering above. The falls can be reached by a moderate (.6 mile) hike through beech-maple forest".
Eben Ice Caves (Seasonal Dec-Thaw) "The "Rock River Canyon Ice Caves," better known as the Eben Ice Caves, form when melting snow runs over the edge of a small cliff and freezes, forming "ice caves" much like the large ice formations along Munising's Grand Island National Recreation Area and parts of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. If you were to visit here in the summer you would see little to no water running over the edge. It's the perfect combination of a slow snow melt and frigid temperatures that causes these "caves" of ice to form."
UP 200 Midnight Run The Midnight Run Sled Dog Race is an eight dog race that tallies 90 miles. The race takes place the second weekend in February with the race beginning and ending in Marquette. The midpoint of the race is at the Michigan State University Facility in Chatham (Directly across the highway from the Village Inn). The mushers will have a mandatory 5 hour layover in Chatham before they begin the second leg of the race back to Marquette. We are excited that the Midnight Run is making its way back to Chatham, and we are happy to take care of all your lodging needs!
Kayak or Canoe the Au Train River After a stop at the Au Train Falls, we highly recommend spending the afternoon floating the Au Train River. This slow moving river is a delight to both inexperienced and experienced boaters alike. Bring your own vessels, or rent from our friends at Northwoods Canoe and Kayak Rentals. Stop at the Au Train Gas Station for, in our opinion, the most authentic pasty the UP has to offer.
Hike or Ski Valley Spur Valley Spur is a favorite Alger County destination for many dedicated cross country skiers, hikers, and mountain bike enthusiasts, and is located on M-94 approximately 7 miles east of the Village Inn in the Hiawatha National Forest.
Snowmobiling The Village Inn Motel is located on Trail # 8 in Chatham, MI. Alger County receives roughly 230 inches of snow per year, and is a premier snowmobiling location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. For more information on snowmobiling in Alger County, visit the following sites: Alger County SORVA, Munising Snow, UP Snowmobiling
Our Favorite Further Out Adventures
Munising and the surrounding area is the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Grand Island National Recreational Area, Alger Underwater Preserve, and Hiawatha National Forest. Enjoy miles of Lake Superior shoreline, spectacular waterfalls, rivers and streams, hundreds of inland lakes, and amazing trails. Offering four seasons of fun, our area is sure to fit any trip plan. Our personal recommendations: (To Eat) Pictured Rocks Pizza, Eh! Burger, Miner's Pasties. (To Do) Sand Point Beach and the Marsh Walk, Munising Falls, and Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises (the best way to see Pictured Rocks)
Marquette Marquette County is a playground year-round. There is always something new to do and places to explore in every season. Bike by Harlow Lake in the spring, swim Superior in the summer, take in a color tour in the fall, and ski Marquette Mountain in the winter. Brave the elements and you will be rewarded. Our personal recommendations: (To Eat) Border Grill, Huron Mt. Bakery, Velodrome Coffee Company, Aubrey's. (To Do) Climb Sugarloaf Mountain, Walk or Drive Presque Isle Park, Throw and paint pottery at Hot Plate, Explore the shops on 3rd, Washington and Front.