About Chelsea

About Chelsea MI downtown

Chelsea, Michigan is a thriving small city in southeastern Michigan with an abundance of shopping, dining, entertainment, and local activities. Over the years, Chelsea has evolved into a diverse community, embracing its agricultural heritage, maintaining an active manufacturing base, and cultivating a vibrant music and art scene.

If you are visiting Chelsea, please stop intoย The Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce office located at 222 S Main (inside the Palmer Automotive Building) for the official Community Profile magazine, maps, and a variety of resources on events and Chelsea businesses.ย  The Chelsea Area of Commerce would love to tell you about what is happening around town or even just point you in the right direction! The newly renovated Visitor and Business Resource Center is sure to have items to help you enjoy your visit, items to help you relocate to the area or resources for residents that would like to support area businesses. To view a digital version of the Community Profile, just click on the photo of the Chelsea Community Profile.


Nature and Recreation

Chelsea is a Pure Michigan Trail Town.ย  The beautiful 25,000-acre Waterloo Recreation Area is literally at Chelseaโ€™s doorstep. You can experience the beauty of Michiganโ€™s unique wilderness, wildlife and geological wonders in this protected area. There nature enthusiasts can hike, ski, or bike miles of trails, spend a sunny afternoon fishing on one of many lakes, or experience the spectacle of the migrating sandhill cranes. Golfers can choose from more than 20 lush golf courses, all within a 20-minute drive. Families can enjoy a picnic and playgrounds and Timbertown, Pierce Park or Veteranโ€™s Park. To learn more about the natural splendor of the Chelsea area and the various activities available, please visit our Recreation in Chelseaย page.


Arts, Music and Culture

A commitment to the arts is an essential part of Chelseaโ€™s vitality. Actor Jeff Daniels, an inaugural inductee in the Michigan Walk of Fame, is a founder ofย The Purple Rose Theaterย which showcases the work of nationally known playwrights, as well as the talents of equity-card actors. Theย Sculpture Walk is an annual year-long community arts project in which juried sculptures are installed at 16 locations in historic downtown for walking tours. There is art on display throughout the city - check out the Art in Chelsea.ย  Chelsea has also become the home of a vibrant music scene! Almost any night of the week you can find live music events. For more information on the Community Beat please visit our Music in Chelseaย page.


History and Architecture

The unique and lovely architecture that defines Chelsea is a treasure to be experienced. Streets, buildings, parks and businesses serve as reminders of Chelseaโ€™s long history. Recently honored as a National Register of Historic Places designation, the downtown area abounds with history wherever you turn. Whether you are looking to stroll quaint Victorian neighborhoods, view historical Main Street architecture at its best, or delve deeper into the history of small town America, Chelsea has all that and more to offer. Historical organizations such as the Chelsea Area Historical Society, Preservation Chelsea, and Chelsea Depot Association are preserving the past to educate generations and guide the future. To learn more about Chelseaโ€™s history consider taking theย Historic Walking Tour.


Business and Shopping

Chelseaโ€™s thriving shopping district offers both residents and visitors alike the pleasant ambiance of tree-lined streets and cheerful storefronts. Visitors can stroll down historic Main Street, the home of specialty shops, gift boutiques, markets, restaurants, cafes, and visitor tours at Chelsea Milling, home of JIFFY Mix. Please use theย Directoryย to find the shops or businesses that fit your needs!


Health and Wellness

Chelsea counts outstanding educational and health care among its many valuable resources. The Chelsea School Districtโ€™s excellent staff and high level of parental involvement prepare students of all ages for a bright future. St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea, nestled in a beautiful, wooded setting, provides quality healthcare, including a Health and Wellness Center, a Head Pain Program, a Womanโ€™s Health Center and ER services.


Senior Living

For more than 100 years, Chelsea has been an ideal place for seniors to enjoy their lives. Aย diverse rangeย ofย opportunities exist for seniors toย experience art and music, volunteer, and join social groups all withinย a friendly small town atmosphere. Chelseaย proudly offersย several residential communities for seniorsย including the Chelsea Retirement Community and Silver Maples of Chelsea, which bothย offer beautifulย campuses andย a range of living options. With many organizations dedicated toย providingย senior servicesย including the Chelsea Senior Center and the St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea, seniors canย stay activeย and feel comfortable knowing thatย the full spectrum of resources are available within their community.