Discover Alma

Alma brings together cultural offerings, public parks, and trails on land and water. This lets you shape your trip around specific interests: the offerings include performances and art, as well as the annual Highland Festival, a paved trail for non-motorized use, and a water trail.

Cultural Offerings and Events

The Oscar E. Remick Heritage Center for the Performing Arts presents music, theater, and dance performances. The center has three performing arts spaces. If you want to combine your stay with the performing arts, you can start by choosing your preferred discipline; the three areas listed here provide a concrete guide.

The 2026–27 season includes performances by Alma College students and faculty, as well as appearances by professional groups and speakers. The program thus combines contributions from the college community with professional performances and talks. If a specific event determines your travel dates, check the season schedule and plan your stay around it.

In Alma, the Flora Kirsch Beck Art Gallery complements the performing arts with a dedicated focus on art. It provides Alma College students, staff, and faculty, as well as the broader community, with an artistic setting for reflection and contemplation. Visiting exhibitions and receptions is free. It is the only professional art gallery in Gratiot County.

Alma is also the host of an annual Highland Festival. If the festival is the reason for your trip, check the specific event dates and factor them into your plans. This lets you plan your trip around this recurring event rather than focusing solely on performances or exhibitions.

Trails on Land and Water

The Fred Meijer Heartland Trail is 42 miles long and paved. It connects Alma and Greenville and is open year-round for non-motorized use. For cyclists, it is a practical way to include physical activity in your travel plans. Its length gives you an idea of the scope of a ride; the connection between two cities is another factor to consider when choosing this trail.

The Pine River Canoe Trail offers a different focus: this 30-mile water trail ends two blocks from downtown Alma. When planning, you can distinguish between a paved, non-motorized route and a trail on the water. Its endpoint near downtown is also a useful feature to consider when deciding which route suits your plans.

Parks and Riverwalk

The City of Alma’s parks are open to the public daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. These hours give you a concrete time frame if you want to include a city park visit in your day. Unlike a longer excursion, the focus here is on the daily window for visiting a park.

The Riverwalk Handicap Overlook is located west of the Alma Public Library. It offers a place to fish and relax. If you want to plan either activity, you can include this named location in your plans. Its location west of the library helps distinguish the overlook from other park areas.

Explore more destinations: Bannister

Return to the main travel overview: Gratiot County.