One of my favorite things to do is visit cute downtown villages in Michigan. They have  old school charm, friendly people, and unique small shops. Downtown Lake Orion was so fun to explore on a Sunday date. It’s a quaint spot that reminds me of Northern Michigan without the 4/5 hour drive.

My husband and I visited a few stores, had some bbq, and enjoyed our little adventure of walking down Broadway and Flint Street. The downtown has a coffee shop, florist, several restaurants, natural grocery, music venue and creamery, resale store, running shoe shop, and fun storefronts to walk by and pop in.

Our first stop was the Green Hippo– a cute store with a large kids section of awesome toys, promoting that screen-free life. It’s owned by a former teacher, and you can tell she knows her kids toys. The front of the shop has local products and Michigan-themed gifts. It’s the perfect place to find a hostess, new home, or holiday gift. The staff was so helpful and knowledgeable if you want small shop assistance that you will not get in a big box store.

I stopped into Elixir, a women’s boutique with a great selection of trendy, cute, and fuzzy clothes. It’s no secret that this fall and winter, the wubbier the better. If you’re wondering what wubby is, it’s a type of fleece that is extra soft and cuddly and they have a few options along with a whole wall of super soft blanket scarves and lots of apparel to check out.

After my husband and I shopped around for a bit, we went to Lockhart’s BBQ. The staff was so friendly and helpful, and the food was amazing – we were served house made pickles within minutes of being seated. Clearly they know the way to my heart (and it’s pickles). Next, fried green beans with a spicy aoili dipping sauce…I’ll just leave it at that (i.e. you need to try them). I ordered a bbq chicken salad and my husband had a pulled chicken sandwich. Everything look incredible and was delicious. I also loved the selection of craft beer and local cider. Within Lockhart’s BBQ there is a second floor that would be an ideal location for a small party- think showers, office parties, or rehearsal dinners. It has exposed brick, a separate bar, and in the warmer months, a rooftop. Lockhart’s was the perfect way to cap off a Sunday stroll through Lake Orion.

If you’re looking for a fun little town to explore, head to Lake Orion. I loved the atmosphere, friendly people, and fun places to explore. I can’t wait to head back in the summer and take advantage of that lake life (only a few miles from home!), and sit outside at one of the cute restaurants. But there is so much planned this winter, too – I’ve listed out all the events coming up! If you have any questions, leave a comment or send me an email.