Skip to main content
A house with a grey roof and a white garage door.

10 Things To Do in Lapeer, MI and beyond!

Lapeer is home to more than the county’s oldest courthouse. There are many local businesses offering unique shopping, dining, and entertainment for the thousands of people who call Lapeer home. Our office team here at Rolling Hills Apartments is local, and we pride ourselves on being part of the thriving community in Lapeer. Below are our recommendations for places to enjoy a delicious meal or a fun weekend excursion in Lapeer.


Top 5 Restaurants in Lapeer



Going out to eat can be a break from routine or a special treat. No matter what flavors you crave, Lapeer has a local restaurant that caters to your tastes! Check out the popular restaurants below when you need a night off from cooking or want to make special memories.
Fried shrimp with a side of dipping sauce.

E.G. Nick’s

Many restaurants only stay in business for a handful of years. E.G. Nick’s has become an intergenerational powerhouse, serving up convenient and tasty meals for more than 40 years! This family-owned restaurant offers pastas, salads, sandwiches, burgers, BBQ, and even pizza, including a gluten-free pizza crust option.

A trip to E.G. Nick’s wouldn’t be complete without their hand-rolled breadsticks served with most entrees, but you need to be careful not to fill up on bread! The portions here are quite large, so bring your appetite. Their BBQ ribs have a dedicated local following. A full bar and robust dessert menu help round out their menu!

A plate of fried spring rolls on a wooden board with tomatoes in the background.

KRAVE

Have you ever gone to a breakfast place and been heartbroken by the need to choose one type of pancake? If so, Krave has the solution: a pancake flight. You can choose three of their unique and flavorful pancakes to try. From bacon and carrot cake to German chocolate and cannoli, there are enough unique options to keep you coming back again and again. Don’t overlook their incredible Monte Cristo waffles either!

The lunch and dinner menu is equally expansive! From salads and sandwiches to a half-dozen types of loaded fries, including poutine and truffle, there are options for even the pickiest eater at Krave. Their Reuben egg rolls are fusion food at its finest, and Dilly flatbread is a must-try for pickle lovers! There are also seasonal specials that offer a chance to try something new every time you visit, and they offer free kids' meals every day.

A plate of food with a piece of meat and vegetables.

Sam’s Coney Island & Family Restaurant

Looking for an incredible chili dog or other comfort foods? Sam’s Coney Island and Family Restaurant is one of your best options! Their namesake is their Flint-style coney dog topped with a dry-style beef chili, yellow mustard, and onion. They’ve been serving up coneys since 1976 and have a dedicated local following. They also offer Detroit-style dogs if people prefer more traditional chili sauce.

Their burgers and coneys are well-loved, but their breakfast menu is often what brings in new customers! They typically have daily specials that include pancakes and often at least one of their savory breakfast options, such as the country omelet. Many people also love their no-frills fish and chips with large serving sizes and can’t-miss fish batter.

A close up of a hot dog with toppings.

Kin Thai Cuisine

Kin Thai has established itself as the best Thai restaurant in the area, and for good reason! The menu is expansive, the ingredients are fresh, and there is even outdoor seating in the warmer seasons. Customers have their pick of noodle dishes, curries, seafood, soups, and stir-fry dishes. You don’t need to love spicy food to find something you’ll enjoy on their menu. The drunken noodles and Pad Thai are both excellent options for those who prefer milder dishes.

There are savory flavors aplenty, such as their Chiang Mai duck and an assortment of stir-fry dishes where you choose the flavor profile and pick your own protein source. Those craving something sweet will enjoy their unique Apple Salad, which has minced chicken and shrimp, apples, cashews, coconut flakes, onions, and a special sweet dressing. Cut through the heat of a spicy dish with a creamy Thai iced tea or Thai iced coffee, which you'll probably find yourself craving later!

A plate of fried chicken wings and two red chili peppers.

Tilted Axis Brewing Company

Tilted Axis Brewing Company has the distinction of being the first local brewery in Lapeer since Prohibition! Not only do they brew seasonal and standard ales, lagers, ciders, and meads, but they also have a distillery! They make vodka, gin, agave spirits, and bourbon whiskey, which allows them to craft incredible cocktails for themed events. For example, during "A Day of Magic and Mixology," they served up creative concoctions such as the Gold Snitch Fizz, Wizard's Fire Whiskey, Gillywater Elixir, and the Red Howler. Their usual menu boasts multiple kinds of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Their kitchen is now the Lapeer Pizza Company, which offers pies on hand-tossed crusts, large salads, calzones, strombolis, and oven-baked hoagies. For those counting carbs, the high-protein pizza bowl could be a great alternative to a traditional pizza. For those who want a standard pizza, the options are endless. They offer five sauces and a variety of fresh toppings to build your own. Their specialty pizzas include common options, such as Hawaiian, Supreme, and BBQ Chicken, as well as their pickle pizza. Eat in and enjoy a brew, or order takeout to devour at home!

Meet the Thumb: Things to do in Lapeer, MI!



For those who love to golf, our location next to Rolling Hills Golf Club is especially convenient. Lapeer is also home to the Lapeer Dragway, which hosts thrilling races! There are plenty of other things to do in Lapeer, especially on weekends. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite local destinations for adventures below!
Two women are walking in a gallery, one of them is holding a white object.

The PIX Theatre is one of the most important cultural institutions in Lapeer! Many community theatres are small, but not all of them are as intimate as PIX Theatre. This venue has a large stage, which makes it perfect for plays and musicals. The venue also shows classic films occasionally or has mixed performances, where the screen augments live acting. There’s plenty of parking and a small concession stand.

There are also community art classes available, where people can learn skills ranging from oil painting to basic acting. Despite being popular with the local community, PIX shows often have tickets available the day of, allowing people to walk in off the street and enjoy a show. The PIX Theater is inside Gallery 194, and this venue has become a staple for those who want to enjoy theatre or take community courses that focus on arts and personal enrichment.

A woman is looking at clothes on a rack in a room with two potted plants.

Looking for a little excitement with a group or a fun way to develop new skills? Consider an axe throwing session at Axecadia! You can reserve time in advance (which is recommended on Fridays and Saturdays in particular). Groups as small as two are welcome, although Axecadia does host larger groups and allows for a full facility rental. There are snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for sale at their concession stand in case you work up an appetite.

Axe throwing isn’t the only activity here. You can also try your skills on their more than 40 retro arcade machines and pinball machines. From Skee-ball to classic video games, there’s something for everyone in this well-equipped arcade. Every Tuesday, they host a pinball tournament, which only charges a $1 entry fee, plus the cost of game tokens. Axecadia is a great place to spend time with friends or to meet new people!

A sign in front of a church provides information about the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church.

For those who don't have the time for an 18-hole round of golf at Rolling Hills Golf Club, Lake Nepessing Golfland might be a perfect little getaway. They have mini golf (also known as putt-putt golf), go-karts, and a driving range in one convenient location. The 18-hole mini golf course is one of the largest in Michigan. It's also challenging enough to make even seasoned pros assess the course carefully before teeing off.

For those who need to work on their distance game, there's a driving range that has heat and covered tees, making it accessible no matter the weather. There are also six instructors on staff who can help golfers improve their game. If the weather really is too miserable for outdoor practice, the indoor golf simulator is a perfect solution. Visitors who want something a little more thrilling may enjoy the go-karts. Lake Nepessing Golfland truly has something for everyone and is a popular weekend getaway in Lapeer.

A woman is running in a park.

For many people, bowling is synonymous with all-ages fun. For others, league night might be when they make a little time for themselves. Bowling at Gerlach’s Bowling Center is a great way to spend a Friday night with friends or to meet new people who also enjoy the sport. This local bowling alley has served the community since 1919!

Gerlach’s offers open bowling for people of all ages and skill levels. They rent by the lane by the hour, and each rental includes shoes and the use of a house ball for up to six bowlers. There are also league nights and local tournaments hosted here for those who are more competitive. The bar and grill inside is the perfect place to grab a snack between games or after a lane rental ends. They have an impressive assortment of craft beers, many of which are brewed right here in Michigan. The grill serves up many comfort food staples, such as soft pretzels, burgers, and onion rings.

A brown and white cow with a black nose and ears is staring at the camera.

Roller skating combines physical activity and fun music with nostalgia, making it a great way to spend an evening with friends or family. L.A.S.E.R. Skating Center has traditional quad skates, in-line skates (roller blades), and speed skates for rent. They host open skate times on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. They also host special events and parties.

Visitors can enjoy gliding over hardwood floors to pumping music under colorful lights. They can also take a break from the excitement to check out the arcade! From Skee-ball to newer touch-screen games, like Fruit Ninja, they have plenty of fun options. Like most traditional roller rinks, L.A.S.E.R. Skating Center has a concession stand serving up standard snacks, and they have catering for those who book parties here. The next time you want to get out and be active, consider heading to L.A.S.E.R. Skating Center!

Testimonials