Whether you’re a tourist Up North or running errands in your own hometown, when nature calls, finding a potty that you’d want to use can be a challenge.  Sure, restaurants have ‘em.  Try explaining that you don’t want a table, you just want to use the facilities.  Parks have potties that may or may not have been cleaned this week, and that will probably be locked from Halloween to Memorial Day.  Lots of retail shops have signs on the door warning “No Public Restrooms.” 

Libraries are the solution.  Trust me, they are the most reliable source of clean, well-lit, accessible public bathrooms in most Up North tourist towns.  Besides, librarians are the nicest people in the world, and they will cheerfully welcome you and the kids who are dancing on one foot looking worried.  The library is the very first place you should think of.   Here are some great ones:

Elk Rapids – 300 Isle of Pines (next to the marina)
Open M-Th 10-8; F-Sat 10-4; closed Sunday

This is one of the most charming libraries you’ll ever explore.  After you’ve used the restrooms, you can turn your attention to the cozy children’s reading room, the pretty porch with the great views of the harbor, paperbacks that you can borrow indefinitely, and public computer access.  The garden club maintains a lovely perennial garden in front, and just at the bottom of the hill there are extensive walkways and boardwalks that wind through the marina area, along the Elk River, past more garden club wonders and through Veterans Memorial Park.  There are accessible fishing platforms, benches, and pretty views of the bay, the river, and a bunch of chatty ducks.     

Central Lake – 7900 Maple Street (turn off Main Street just across from the Lamplight Inn)
Open M,Tu,Th,F 10-6; W 10-8; Sa 10-3; closed Sunday

This is an attractive place with lots of programs for children and adults – and nice restrooms too!  You can check your email, take the kids to a story hour, and if you’re around over the winter, check out the monthly movie night.  At the Friendly Book Cottage next door you can buy very reasonably priced used books from one of the nice volunteers from the Friends of the Library.  There are many children’s books and an impressive collection of Michigan authors and titles.

Charlevoix – Grant Street between Clinton and Mason (2 blocks west of Bridge Street, 2 blocks south of the bridge)
Open M-Th 10-8; F-Sat 10-5; closed Sunday

What a gorgeous place.  Think Frank Lloyd Wright if he’d had any idea how to make things comfortable as well as beautiful.  Besides the lovely restrooms you’ll find WiFi access and public computers, and an extensive Michigan collection.

Boyne City – 201 E. Main Street
Open M-Th 9-8; F 9-5; Sat 9-1; Sun 1-5

The Boyne District Library goes beyond “ADA-accessible” amenities.  It is truly welcoming to people of all ages and abilities, and offers a wide range of community programming.  Try the monthly Family Game Night, the twice-monthly movie series, Yu-gi-oh tournaments for anime fans, and story hours for little ones.  The collections include genealogy materials, a large children’s section, and broadband internet service.

Traverse Area District Library – 600 Woodmere (south of 8th Street, along the Boardman River)
Open M-Th 9-9; F-Sat 9-6; Sun 12-5

TADL is a great spot.  Post-potty, check out the revolving displays in the lobby.  You might find Native American quillwork, contemporary jewelry, landscape photos, antique quilts, old prints – anything connected to regional arts, culture or environment.  There are paperbacks for indefinite loan, WiFi and public computer access, a host of children’s programs, movie showings, concerts – even a gift shop.  Outside, there is a delightful children’s garden.   The library is adjacent to an accessible boardwalk along the Boardman River, and to the TART Trail (runner, walker, cyclist, wheeler, and stroller-pusher accessible).