One activity I love the most is an annual day trip to a fairly local destination in the fall. However, the color this year wasn't nearly as vibrant as years past due to rain and warmer temperatures. Fortunately, frost covered the area a few nights ago and the trees in southern Michigan started to show off their autumn colors just in time for Halloween. This year, we took a day outing to downtown Chelsea, MI which is about 15 miles west of Ann Arbor. It's a picturesque little town with plenty of local history, well kept Victorian homes, truly unique shops and great places to eat. We originally planned to visit the "Jiffy" mix plant but it was closed due to Covid mandates, but here's a little tour of some of the other places we visited as we walked the downtown area.Kitty Face is by far a most unique shop filled with toys, games and vintage curiosities for kids of all ages. You'll find everything from baby clothing to shower gifts to educational fun to wall hangings and whimsical decor. Agricole Farm Stop is a clean and friendly indoor market filled with locally grown food where the community and others can enjoy a wide range of products in a farmer's market/cafe bistro atmosphere while supporting small local farmers.
The Potting Shed in downtown Chelsea MI is a must stop and browse shop for treasure hunters of all ages! This store is absolutely filled with shelves and shelves of delightfully unique inventory of home dec, gift giving and seasonal items all wonderfully displayed to make shopping a truly memorable adventure. I'll be planning a trip next Spring when I'll have several hours to spend exploring this one of a kind boutique.
You can't miss the Chelsea House Victorian Inn in Chelsea MI which is a beautifully restored historical building in downtown Chelsea, MI. This warm and welcoming Bed and Breakfast has a 5 star rating and was recently named to the National Register of Historic Places.
I hit the garden jackpot when stumbling onto this truly amazing shop! The Garden Mill in downtown Chelsea MI has garden treasures for all seasons. I'm planning another visit next spring after adding numerous items I discovered here to my garden wish list! They have everything from handcrafted novelties, wind chimes, display stands, figurines, metal curiosities and more to fill any garden indoors or out.
If you're into Victorian architecture, you can't miss the historic
Clocktower Complex (
Glazier Stove Works) and Welfare Building which is one of Chelsea's most prominent landmarks. Not far away is another historical building which is
one of the oldest standing buildings in Chelsea, dating back to 1855. Originally a hotel, the building was transformed into a feed mill in 1925 and is now the home of Chelsea Farmers Supply where pet and livestock food and accessories, lawn and garden supplies, and local handcrafted goods are sold.
If you're ever in the Ann Arbor, MI area, it's definitely a great way to spend the day in a friendly small town community you'll surely enjoy.
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