Honestly, most people drive right past St. Johns on US-27 without a second thought. They see the signs for the "Mint City" and maybe pull off for gas, but they're usually just power-housing it toward Mount Pleasant or the Mackinac Bridge. That's a mistake. You're missing a town that’s basically the heartbeat of mid-Michigan agriculture, with a downtown that still feels like a real community rather than a strip mall.
St. Johns isn't flashy. It doesn't have a giant casino or a theme park. What it has is a 9-acre corn maze, a bridal shop people fly across the country for, and enough mint history to make your gum-chewing habits feel like a historical tribute.
Best Things to Do in St. Johns MI for a Real Local Experience
If you're looking for the heavy hitters, you start with the dirt. This area produces more mint than almost anywhere else in the country. The St. Johns Mint Festival every August is the big one. It’s held at the City Park and County Fairgrounds, and it's not just a small-town carnival. You’ve got over 75,000 people showing up for mint-flavored everything, a massive parade with 150 entries, and basketball tournaments that get surprisingly competitive.
The Cider Mill That Everyone Knows
You can't talk about St. Johns without Uncle John’s Cider Mill. It’s an institution. It’s located in a 100-year-old former cattle barn. In the fall, it’s absolute chaos—in a good way.
💡 You might also like: Prehistoric Animals Still Alive: The Truth About Earth’s Living Fossils
You’ve got the Jumping Pillow (which is exactly what it sounds like, a giant inflatable trampoline in the ground), the "Pac Maze" corn maze, and the cider yard where they have live music and food trucks. If you go, get the apple bread. Seriously. It’s better than the donuts, and the donuts are already legendary. For the adults, their Taproom serves hard ciders and wines that they actually make on-site. It’s not just for kids.
Downtown Gems You’ll Actually Like
Most people miss the actual downtown area because it's tucked away from the main highway. Becker’s Bridal is the anchor here. It’s been around since 1934. It’s sort of a pilgrimage site for brides-to-be; they have over 2,000 gowns. Even if you aren't getting married, the history of the shop and its "Magic Room" (a mirrored room with special lighting) is a piece of Michigan lore.
Right down the street, you’ll find Oh MI Organics. It’s a chocolate shop, but they call the owner "Willy Wonka" for a reason. They make chocolates that change flavor as you eat them. They also have a huge focus on dietary needs—dairy-free, nut-free, vegan stuff that actually tastes like real candy.
✨ Don't miss: The Vemork heavy water plant: Why Hitler’s nuclear dreams actually died in Norway
For a solid meal, Ryan’s Roadhouse is the spot. It’s been a local fixture since the late 50s. They have a sign that says "Warm Beer & Lousy Food," which is obviously a joke because the place is always packed. The pot roast sandwich is the move here. Or the pizza. You can’t really go wrong.
Outdoor Breaks and Parks
If you need to walk off those donuts, St. Johns City Park is 70 acres of trails and green space. It’s got a "Fantasy Forest" wooden play structure that looks like something out of a storybook.
- The Spray Park: Great for kids in the summer (Open June through Labor Day).
- Disc Golf: They have a full course that winds through the trees.
- Winter Stuff: There’s a dedicated sledding hill and an ice rink with a warming house.
If you want something a bit more rugged, Sleepy Hollow State Park is only about 15 minutes away. It’s got 2,600 acres and a big lake for kayaking or fishing. It’s much quieter than the state parks on the Great Lakes, which makes it perfect if you actually want to hear the birds instead of someone’s Bluetooth speaker.
A Bit of History (That Isn't Boring)
The Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum is the oldest brick house in the city, built in 1860. It’s right near the courthouse. They do a Victorian Christmas that’s pretty cool, but the real draw is seeing the old doctor’s office artifacts. They also have a carriage house with historical documents that tell the story of how this place became the "Mint City."
For those into weirdly specific tech history, check out the IQhub. It’s an agricultural education center. It’s high-tech, interactive, and explains how we went from horse-drawn plows to the massive machinery you see in the fields today.
Shopping and Local Bites
- Kymora Kandles: A local candle outlet that smells incredible the second you walk in.
- Andy T’s Farm Market: This is the other "big" farm spot. They have a 30-foot "Goat Mountain" where goats walk on overhead ramps. Their sweet corn is arguably the best in Clinton County.
- St. Johns Brewing Co.: Located in a historic building downtown, it’s a great place to grab a flight and talk to locals.
The thing about St. Johns is that it doesn't try too hard. It's a farming town that happens to have some of the best fall activities in the state. Whether you're there for the Mint Festival or just a random Saturday morning at the farmers market, it feels authentic.
🔗 Read more: Christmas at the Holly Hotel: Why This Michigan Tradition Still Matters
Actionable Next Steps
If you're planning a visit, check the Uncle John's Cider Mill calendar first; they often have specific food trucks or bands that only show up on certain weekends. If you're coming for the Mint Festival, book a room at The Nordic Pineapple Bed and Breakfast well in advance—it's a stunning historic mansion and it fills up fast during festival season. Lastly, make sure to drive through the backroads of Clinton County just to see the vast mint fields; the smell in late summer is something you won't forget.