Chelsea (Michigan) Voyage Tips and guide

Chelsea is a city of 4,944 people (according to the 2010 census) in Washtenaw County.

Chelsea's big claim to fame is local-boy-turned-famous-actor/writer/director Jeff Daniels, a proud Michigander who still lives in town between engagements, and who tends to showcase Michigan in his films (Escanaba in da Moonlight is set in the Upper Peninsula (UP), and Super Sucker in the fictional town of Johnson City). Daniels is also a strong supporter of local arts, and founded the Purple Rose Theatre Company as a way to feature Midwestern actors, directors, designers and playwrights. The other big name in town is the Chelsea Milling Company, home of Jiffy Mix, one of the first instant baking mixes and still a popular brand nationwide.

If you're not thrilled by movie actors or fluffy biscuits, then you can always stroll around the charming downtown area, with its quaint homes, fun shopping, and locally-famous restaurant The Common Grill, which has published two cookbooks that you'll be able to find in local bookstores.

Map of Chelsea (Michigan)

Chelsea is in southeastern Michigan, between Ann Arbor and Jackson.

• Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE), +1 734 475-9494. Door-to-door rides within Chelsea, Dexter, and the north side of Ann Arbor (connecting with the #9 AATA bus). $3-4.

• Clocktower, 310 North Main Street. The oldest and most visible landmark in Chelsea, the four-faced brick clocktower was built in 1906 as a water tower for the Glazier Stove Company. After a second fire at the factory, it was converted into a clocktower; the building has been renovated to house office and retail space. The clock chimes every quarter-hour. 
• Chelsea Milling Company, 201 W North Street, ☏ +1 734 475-1361. Tours scheduled M-F 9AM-1:30PM. Manufacturers of "Jiffy Mix" instant baking mixes.  
• 42.3175-84.018851 The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, ☏ +1 734 433-ROSE (7673). Box office open M-F 10AM-6PM; on show nights, box office open M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa noon1-9PM, Su noon-3PM. 4 plays per season, produced by emerging playwrights and cast with regional talent. Local not-for-profit professional theatre dedicated to making the theatre available for everyone, and providing opportunities for Midwestern plays, playwrights, actors, designers, directors and administrators. Also offers intensive skill-building acting and directing classes. $12.50 - 35.  
• 42.379444-84.182 Waterloo Farm Museum, 9998 Waterloo-Munith Road, ☏ +1 517 596-2254. Tours scheduled from early June to early September. Features exhibits on 19th-century farm life. Special events include Log Cabin Day in late-June, Pioneer Day in mid-October, and Christmas on the Farm in early December. On-site gift shop. Admission $3.  

• Arctic Coliseum, 501 Coliseum Drive, ☏ +1 734 433-4444. Open skate and drop-in hockey hours vary by day. 78,000-square-foot 2-ice-surface facility. 8 oversized locker rooms, hockey skill development program, hockey pro shop, pizza restaurant. Open skating $4, skate rental $3. 
• Chelsea Lanes, 1180 S Main Street, ☏ +1 734 475-8141. M W noon-10PM, Tu 3PM-10PM, The F 3PM-11PM, Sa 10AM-midnight. Laser glo bowling on Saturdays. $2.50 - $3.25 per game, shoe rental $2. 
• TreeHouse, 320 N. Main St, ☏ +1 734 475-1555. Daily 9AM-8PM. Indoor playground for kids of all ages, with a 1,200 square foot climbing structure, toddler area, and family-friendly menu choices. 

Chelsea offers residents and visitors many local events and activities to choose from on any given day. These events are listed on the Things To Do In Chelsea [1] website. The major annual events include:

• Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights, Main Street, +1 734 475-1145, [2]^{[dead link]}. Held for 11 weeks from late June through late August, on Thursday nights from 6:30PM-8:30PM. Local musicians, street performers, food vendors, downtown shops open late.
• Chelsea SummerFest, Main Street, +1 734 475-1145, [3] ^{[formerly dead link]} . Held during two days in late July. Artisans and craftspeople, live entertainment, children's activities, merchant booths, special guest appearances, specialty foods, classic cars and more.
• 42.3047-84.02691 Chelsea Community Fair (20501 Old US-12 Hwy and Old Manchester Road), ☏ +1 734 475-1270. Held during one week in late August.. Fairground rides, juried exhibits, contests, demolition derby, horse shows, wheel drive pulling. (updated Jul 2020)
• Hometown Holiday, Main Street, +1 734 475-1145, [4]^{[dead link]}. Held the first weekend in December. Tree lighting ceremony, visits with Santa, storytelling, live nativity scene, live entertainment and sing-a-longs, concerts, luminaries, light parade, crafts workshops and more.

• Chelsea Farmer's Market, Park Street. May-Oct: Sa 8AM-noon. Organic produce, handmade crafts, cut flowers, beefalo and poultry, baked goods, jam and honey, perennials and annuals, and specialty items. 
• The Garden Mill, 110 S Main St, ☏ +1 734 475-3539. Practical and whimsical gifts and supplies for both home and garden. 
• The Potting Shed, 1/2 W Middle Street, ☏ +1 734 475-8086. Tu 1PM-5PM, W-Sa 11AM-5PM, Su 1PM-4PM. 105. Antiques, vintage linens, antique furnishings, garden ware, birdhouses, handmade bath and body items, and handcrafted herbal wreaths. 
• Serendipity Paperback Books, 113 W Middle Street, ☏ +1 734 475-7148. M W-Sa, call for hours. Over 16,000 paperbacks and used books. 

• Darwin's Stained Glass Studio, 9080 Beeman Road, ☏ +1 734 475-9730, toll-free: +1-800-589-4737. Open by appointment only; please call ahead. Stained glass doors and windows, lampshades and restored slot machines. 

• LaJolla Fine Jewelry, 111 S Main Street, ☏ +1 734 475-0717. Specializing in Old World quality and contemporary custom designs. 

• The Common Grill, 112 S Main Street, +1 734 475-0470. Tu-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pizza, and main courses. Specialties include their delicious homemade rolls, seafood chowder, grilled Black Angus sirloin steak, oven-roasted chicken breast, and grilled ahi tuna salad niçoise. $10-30.
• Mike's Deli, 114 W Middle Street, +1 734 475-5980. M-Sa 10AM-7PM, Su 11AM-3PM. Deli sandwiches on Zingerman's bread, sides and salads. $2.95 - $8.45.
• Cleary's Pub, 113 S Main Street, +1 734 475-1922. M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 3:30PM-9PM. 12 draft beers, appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, pasta, chicken, meat, seafood and Southwestern main courses. Live music Friday and Saturday nights. $6 - $19.

• 42.31826-84.020721 Zou Zou's, 101 N Main St, ☏ +1 734 433-4226. M-Th 7AM-7PM, F 7AM-10PM, Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 8AM-6PM. Coffee, coffee drinks, sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries. (updated Jul 2020)

• Chelsea House Victorian Inn, 118 E Middle Street, toll-free: +1-877-618-4935. 4 guest rooms. Full breakfast (fruit crêpes plus a hot main courses). $115 - 195. 

• Ann Arbor is about 20 minutes east on I-94.
• The other towns and villages of Washtenaw County are a short drive away.

Kalamazoo ← Jackson ←

W  E

→ Dexter → Ann Arbor