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During a recent holiday, my family and I chose to visit an area of Michigan we don’t visit too often – the Thumb! When researching where to go and stay, we saw tons of small towns along the St. Clair River and decided on a road trip to the bottom of Michigan’s thumb. In total, we spent three days in the area, but below I’ve detailed all the options of what there is to do to help you customize your own itinerary.
~ Road Trip the Bottom of Michigan’s Thumb Map ~
Towns to Visit Along the Bottom of Michigan’s Thumb
St Clair
History of St Clair
First up is the town of St Clair. Settled in 1764, the British built Fort Sinclair where the Cargill Salt Plant is today. The Fort was used for 20 years to protect British shipping routes between Fort Michilimackinac and Detroit.
The area remained relatively quiet until 1826 when Thomas Palmer purchased the land that is today St. Clair. After this time, sawmills sprang up and brick building became a prominent industry in the area thanks to the abundance of natural clay. In 1887, an underground salt deposit discovery led to the creation of the Diamond Crystal Salt Company (today owned by Cargill).
In the late 1800s, St. Clair was a destination resort town after two hotels opened offering mineral baths (which were all the rage in the early 20th century).
In the 1960s, a large scale redevelopment campaign created Palmer Park, a picturesque waterfront park and boardwalk.
Things to do in St Clair
- Start your day at Mannina’s Wine House to enjoy brunch, go wine tasting, or indulge in a wine slushie.
- After that, relax at one of the several benches at Palmer Park to watch the freighters pass by.
- Then walk along the world’s longest freshwater boardwalk.
- Learn about the town and regions history at the St. Clair Historical Museum. It’s open Tuesday mornings and Sunday afternoons in the summer. While there is no cost to visit, a donation is welcome.
- Go shopping at Riverview Plaza. This open air mall is home to several boutiques and independent restaurants like Anchor Point Bistro, Drifters Restaurant and Lounge, and War Water Brewery.
- However if you enjoy waterfront views, add lunch or dinner at The Voyageur to your trip itinerary.
Places to Stay in St Clair
- St. Clair Inn – Completely renovated in 2019, this 106 room boutique hotel is located on the St. Clair River. Built in 1926, it gained a reputation as a place to vacation and party in secret during Prohibition. If you’re looking for a luxury experience in the Thumb, the St. Clair Inn is the place to be. There are seven different dining options, from a farm to fork restaurant to a bar overlooking the St Clair River and more!
Marine City
History of Marine City
In the 1780s, settlers from New England arrived in the area after purchasing land from the Chippewa tribe. In the early 1800’s, the town was known as ‘Newport’ before its incorporation in 1865 as Marine City. Once a hub for ship building in the Great Lakes, Marine City attracted a number of Captains and Sailors to make it their home. Lumber was another thriving industry in the mid 1800’s that drew in settlers. Even as the lumber industry waned, ships manufactured in Marine City were built to transport iron ore from mines in Minnesota to Ohio.
Things to do in Marine City
- When you first arrive in Marine City, one of the first things you may notice is the Peche Island Lighthouse. This Lighthouse originally sat at the entrance of the Detroit River from Lake St Clair. After deactivation in 1982, it moved to Marine City.
- After stopping by the lighthouse, continue walking along the boardwalk to appreciate the many maritime artifacts all along the riverfront. One of my favorite things I noticed were the 8 glass mosaics depicting ships once built in Marine City.
- Next up is lunch. Enjoy a meal with a view! There are several restaurants along Water Street facing the river. Choose from options such as La Casa de Rosa for Mexican, Gar’s Lounge for traditional bar & grill, Marine City Fish Company for local fresh seafood, Anita’s Riverfront Grille for pizza and subs, or Riviera Restaurant for family friendly riverfront dining.
- After lunch, visit the various antique stores and cute small shops along Broadway and Water Streets.
- Stop into TwoRivers Winery to enjoy a wine flight or glass or take a bottle to go.
- Go swimming at Marine City Beach, which also includes a playground, bathrooms, and picnic tables, and be on the lookout for freights passing by!
- Check out the historic sites in town like Historic City Hall, Lester House, and the Marine City Museum to learn more about the town’s history. The Museum is open on the weekends from 1-4pm from June to the end of October. To tour the Lester House, reach out to the residence here to set it up.
- For dessert, grab a cupcake from Crazy Cousins Cupcakes or candy, chocolates, and ice cream from The Sweet Tooth.
- Finally, if interested in live music and theater, check out live performances as the Riverbank Theater and RiverPlace Art Pavilion.
Places to Stay in Marine City
- Inn on Water Street – Stay at this modern 25 guestroom boutique hotel located in downtown Marine City.
- The Blake House is a bed & breakfast located across the street from Marine City’s history museum and the historical Lester House.
- Heather House is a Queen Anne bed & breakfast located across the street from the St. Clair River, just north of town.
Algonac
History of Algonac
The next stop on our road trip is to Algonac – birthplace of modern power and recreational boating. Settled by Angus MacDonald and John Martin from Canada and New York in 1805, Algonac experienced a later development than St Clair and Marine City. The area’s early economy was primarily driven by agriculture.
From 1922 to the 1970s, Chris-Craft manufactured speedboats right in Algonac. Its founder, Chris Smith, designed and manufactured speedboats marketed to the middle class. Gar Woods, well known speedboat racer, businessman, and inventor also called Algonac home.
To learn more abut Algonac’s history, there are two history museum’s in town – the Algonac Community Museum and Algonac-Clay Maritime Museum. Both museum’s are open 1-4pm during the weekends May to October and 6-8pm Wednesdays June through August.
Things to do in Algonac
- Walk the half mile boardwalk along the St. Clair River. There are several sculptures and monuments along the boardwalk depicting historical figures that contributed to Algonac’s growth.
- Camp, relax at the beach, or enjoy the trails at Alongac State Park.
- Enjoy a bite to eat at Catch 22 Bistro or On the Rocks Tiki Bar.
Places to Stay in Algonac
Unless you find an Airbnb or VRBO to stay at in Algonac, the only option is to camp at Algonac State Park. Compared to many campgrounds, Algonac is a year round camp site so feel free to come camping here in the winter if you don’t mind the cold!
Pearl Beach/Clay Township/Harsens Island
History of Harsens Island/Pearl Beach
After the Treaty of Paris in 1783 that ended the American Revolutionary War, Harsens Island became disputed territory. Settlers did not know if the island was located in the United States or Canada. Many people living in the area wishing to remain British subjects moved to Harsens Island at the time. After the War of 1812, surveyors from the US and Britain settled the border issue. In 1822, both surveyors agreed Harsens Island was located in the United States.
Harsens Island received its name from Jacob Harsen who purchased the island from the Walpole Island First Nation tribe. Like many early Michiganders, Jacob Harsen emigrated to Michigan from New York.
Things to do on Harsens Island
To discover how to spend the perfect day on Harsens Island, check out my day trip guide here! Harsens Island is a unique destination to stop at during a road trip to the bottom of Michigan’s thumb.
Places to Stay on Harsens Island
- The Harsens Island Getaway Resort – Rooms start at around $115/night and the resort offers a number of recreational opportunities such as canoeing, snorkeling, hot tub, sauna, and a fitness center.
- Maple Leaf Bed & Breakfast – Stay in an historic former boat house. Enjoy free breakfast and amazing views of the Canadian shore and frequent passing freighter ships from your window.
- South Channel Bed & Breakfast – Relax at this b&b where you can enjoy views of the freighters passing offshore.
New Baltimore
History of New Baltimore
By 1796, French hunters and fur trappers moved into the area that is New Baltimore. Once they settled down, they started to farm along the lake.
Then in the 1840s, Alfred Ashley purchased 60 acres of land and created the Village of Ashley. He founded several businesses including saw mills, ship yards, and more. In 1867, the town’s name changed to New Baltimore. Around that time, New Baltimore became a port known for the manufacture and export of agricultural products, brooms, coffins, barrels, and building materials.
In the early 20th century, New Baltimore also became known as a year round resort community with an opera house, salt baths, hotels, and more. To this day, New Baltimore is a popular spot for people to visit for the day or weekend to enjoy time on Lake St Clair.
Things to do in New Baltimore
- Start your day at the New Baltimore Farmers Market held on Washington and Main Streets every Sunday between 9 and 2pm.
- After that, visit Walter & Mary Burke Park which is home to one of the coolest sights in New Baltimore – Michigan’s tallest flagpole. The flagpole towers at 160 feet and is seen when driving into town on Washington Ave. Also at this park is a playground, beach, picnic pavilion, and pier to walk out onto Lake St Clair.
- Once you finish at the beach, visit Washington Street Wine House to sample wine and bring home a wine related gift or bottle to remember your trip!
- Up and down Washington Ave are several cute boutiques to shop at like Celtic Sisters Candles and On the Bay Boutique.
- For lunch, there are several great options. Wooden Valve serves up Mexican cuisine with craft beer and bourbon, Fin’s offers casual dining, Little Camille’s by the Bay serves pizza, pasta and burgers, while The Little Mustard Seed is a café serving smoothies, coffee, salads, paninis and pizza.
- Another great sight in New Baltimore is the Conn Artist Studio which sells fine art and offers art classes.
- Before you go – visit Lil Sweet Boutique to enjoy ice cream, cookies, and candies.
Places to Stay in New Baltimore
Stay at the Pink House Bed & Breakfast. This Victorian home sleeps up to 7 people and is just across the street from the public beach with views overlooking Lake St. Clair. If you don’t want to stay the night, consider visiting for traditional English tea! Reservations for tea and scones are available on their website here between 9am and 3pm Tuesday through Saturday.
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Have you spent any time in these small towns along the bottom of Michigan’s thumb?
from Michigan with Love,
Jackie
