Explore Clare County Vacation Guide

Explore Where the North Begins!

Clare, Harrison, Farwell, Lake, Lake George, Leota

800-715-3550 ~ www.ClareCounty.com

STAY WITH US! Doherty Hotel 604 N. McEwan St. Clare, MI 48617 989-386-3441 800-525-4115 dohertyhotel.com

Full-service Restaurant - Cocktail Lounge Indoor Pool- Jacuzzi • Full Complimentary Breakfast Business Center Fireplace Rooms Available Truck/Trailer Parking Special Packages: Golf, Casino, Romantic Getaway, Ski, Zip Line, Hike & Bike

Lakeside Waterfront Lodging 515 E. Park St M-61, Bus US-127 Harrison, MI 48625 888-999-1145 lakesidemotel.com

Clare County’s only waterfront motel. Enjoy being right on the water with five peaceful, shady acres commanding a spectacular view of Budd Lake. Family-oriented and friendly, the Lakeside’s clean and comfortable lake view rooms are open all year. Housekeeping cottages are open May through November. All rooms and cottages are nonsmoking. Smoking is allowed outdoors. Free High Speed WiFi, Lake View Rooms, Private Grassy Beach, Pet Friendly

Leota Lodge Motel

In Leota, Michigan and 2 miles from Leota’s 55.4 mile ORV Trail. Summer fun down the Muskegon River as well!! We 2020 Muskegon Rd. have a gazebo w/ picnic table and gas grill. There is a fire pit Harrison, MI 48625 on the property and we supply the wood. Beautiful woods in our back yard where guests can have a nice quiet, peaceful 989-539-5300 leotalodge.com walk. Fish on the Muskegon River that runs through the property. State land just a few miles from us you can enjoy hiking, bird watching, hunting and more.

Lone Pine Motel

Sleep Soundly!

17 Units 1508 N. McEwan St. All King and Queen Beds–Singles or Doubles Clare, MI 48617 All Nonsmoking Rooms Kitchenettes Available 866-817-9007 lonepinemotel.com Microwave ♦ Refrigeration ♦ Cable TV In All Rooms.

Free Local Calls "FREE WIRELESS INTERNET"!!

Quality Inn - Clare 10318 S. Clare Ave. Clare, MI 48617 989-386-1111 choicehotels.com

Indoor pool & whirlpool, private jacuzzi rooms, spacious deluxe suites w/fridge & microwave, in-room coffee, expanded complimentary breakfast bar.

24-hour guest staff, WIFI, meeting room.

Located at exit 160. Semi-Parking.

AAA approved

EXPLORE CLARE COUNTY Clare County provides a variety of recreation options and natural beauty for your spring, summer, fall and winter “getaways” or extended vacation.

We are excited about all that Clare County has to offer and invite you to experience an affordable and enjoyable stay!

STAY

02 EAT

...at our many amazing food establishments

...in one of our welcoming locations

14

18 LEARN

...about our history, arts & culture and events

PLAY

...in our many beautiful and fun locations

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WWW.CLARECOUNTY.COM

Stay We invite you to stay in one of our fine accommodations.

With activites and events all year-round we know you will enjoy your visit!

YOU’LL LOVE TO STAY IN CLARE COUNTY! As soon as you arrive in our area, you will understand why so many have left the busy city life to enjoy quiet peace in our community.

Whether you are vacationing with your children, enjoying an escape with your sweetheart, golfing with friends, or are in town on business, you can be assured that our area has the room that is right for you.

CLARE CLEARLY CLARE!

Clare is your Gateway to the North!

Biking and hiking enthusiasts will welcome touring the picturesque PereMarquette Rail Trail that goes from Midland to Clare where you can follow the "Clare Gap" to the paved PMRT to Reed City!

Read more at www.clarecounty.com

The downtown district of Clare was recently listed on the National Register for Historic Places and offers shopping at its best! Many stores in the Clare area feature items from sporting goods at the renowned Jay’s Sporting Goods to Amish crafted goods.

Events Include: Clare's Irish Festival Summer Music Festival Summer Concert Series The Old 27 Motor Tour Art & Quilt Shows Taste of Clare Clare Spook-Tacular 5K Pumpkin Run/Walk Clare's Christmas Celebration.

Whitehouse Restaurant

515 Gallery

Harrison is the seat of Clare County. Outdoor and water activities play a big part in your pleasure here.

Enjoy boating and water-skiing, or a more relaxed canoe, rowboat or pontoon ride on clean, clear water.

This area offers great antiquing and distinctive shops can be found throughout the town. Visit the new Harrison City Market that is open all year to pick up fresh produce and wonderful arts and crafts.

Winter also provides the opportunity to take advantage of great downhill skiing and tubing.

Read more at www.clarecounty.com

Budd Lake

Events Include: Memorial Day weekend Mud Bog Car & Bike Show & Cruise Fourth of July Celebration Clare County Fair Old 27 Motor Tour Stop & Street Fair Frostbite Winter Festival Community Christmas

Lakeside Waterfront Lodging

Harrison City Park

MMC Sweat Shaker

Old 27 Motor Tour Stop

Farwell and Lake Farwell and Lake began as logging communities. Today they have everything from antique shops to hardware.

The Green Pine Lake Pathway, in the Au Sable State Forest, is in this area of the county.

Hunt for morel mushrooms in the spring and visit this trail during fall to take advantage of the crisp, clean air, and spectacular fall colors

Visit the Farwell Historical Museum and learn about the area’s logging past.

Read more at www.clarecounty.com

Events Include: Lumberjack Festival & Crafts in the Park Labor Day Celebration Holiday Lights Festival!

Lake Daze

Lake George and Leota Lake George and Leota share some of Michigan’s 6.84 million acres of State and National forest, with the Muskegon River running through.

Enjoy: ATV/ORV Trails Hunting Snowmobiling Canoeing Fishing

Hike through the forest and enjoy nature at its finest. Catch a glimpse of the rare Kirtland’s Warbler nesting in the jackpine stands in Winterfield Township.

Read more at www.clarecounty.com

F O O D

&

D R I N K

G U I D E

EAT HERE!

SOME OF THE BEST PLACES TO ENJOY FOOD IN CLARE COUNTY

Our restaurants, cafes, diners, and pubs are ready to serve you!

CLARE

505 Café 505 N. McEwan St. 989-424-6602

Cula Foods 1509 N. McEwan St. 989-424-6455

Mancino's of Clare 10348 S. Clare Ave. 989-386-6000

Buccilli's Pizza of Clare 1541 N. McEwan St. 989-386-7231

Doherty Hotel 604 N. McEwan St. 989-386-3441

Ruckle's Pier 405 N. McEwan St. 989-386-9531

Chee Peng - Clare 1446 N. McEwan St. 989-424-6166 China King Restaurant 406 E. Fifth St. 989-386-8486 Cops & Doughnuts 521 N. McEwan St. 989-386-2241

Four Leaf Brewing 412 McEwan St. 989-424-6114 Herrick House Mulberry Café 120 E. Fifth St. 989-386-6120 Los Jalapeños 135 N. McEwan St. 989-424-6168

The Evening Post Bar & Grill 114 W. Fourth St. 989-386-5990 Timeout Tavern 601 N. McEwan St. 989-424-6077 Whitehouse Restaurant 613 N. McEwan St. 989-386-9551

HARRISON & LEOTA

Babe's Country Kitchen 174 E. Main St. 989-630-0250

Jackie's Airport Restaurant 4557 N. Clare Ave. 989-368-1105

Budd Lake Steakhouse 198 E. Main St. 989-539-5500

Jackpine Restaurant 231 E. Main St. 989-539-6162

Hang's Chinese Restaurant 711 N. 1st. St. 989-539-1210

Mama Cillie's Pizzeria 642 N. 1st.

989-539-5600 Monte's Family Restaurant 3897 N. Clare Ave. 989-539-2262

Mr. Vetoes Pizza 6948 E. Townline Lk. Rd. 989-539-3500 Pudgy's Diner 3985 N. Clare Ave. 989-539-3957 Sheri’s Diner & Pizzeria 316 Park St. 989-539-2531 Trails End Restaurant & Pizzeria 963 N. First St. 989-630-0509 Trails End Pub - Leota 10141 N. Finley Lk. Ave. 989-539-9644

FARWELL, LAKE & LAKE GEORGE

Big R's Hogs & Dogs 1876 W. Ludington Dr. 989-544-4066 Birchwood Restaurant 2497 W. Cadillac Dr. 989-588-2061 Bond's DJ Lounge 210 W. Main St. 989-588-6704 Bonnie N Clyde's Most Wanted Pizza 111 E. Main St 989-339-5800

Buccilli's Pizza of Farwell 203 E. Main St. 989-588-9919

Lakeside Bar & Grill Lake 7807 Mystic Lk. Dr. 989-544-3502

Kathy's Pasties at Munchies 3510 W. Cadillac Dr. 989-418-6217

Lake Restaurant Lake 8200 W, Ludington Dr. 989-544-2721

K's Diner 2105 W. Ludington Dr. 989-588-7220

Buckhorn Saloon Lake 10092 Cadillac Dr. 231-734-5599

The Nest 310 W. Main St. 989-544-4555

Swiss Inn -Â Lake George 105 Park Ave. 989-588-4211

Play Golf

At one of our fun and challenging courses!

Other Area Courses

SHOP

Clare County offers shopping at a relaxed pace.

Stroll throughout quaint shops in historic downtowns for special finds. And visit one of our charming cities to find everything you are looking for.

From gifts and antiques to sporting goods, and Amish crafted items, you are sure to find just what you are looking for.

NATURE ECO TOURISM IS ALIVE AND WELL IN CLARE COUNTY!

STATS:

ACRES OF STATE & FOREST LAND....63,000 LAKES & RIVERS....................... 86 TRAILS.......................................6 ACRES OF OPEN WATER...3,900 MILES RIVERS & STREAMS...330

Clare County is an outdoor paradise!

Clare County is a favorite of hunters. You’ll find whitetail deer, turkey, bear, partridge, squirrel and quail in our forests and meadows.

Fishing opportunities abound in the many lakes and rivers located throughout the county.

Hiking, Biking & Walking Trails A great way to experience nature in Clare County is by hiking the local and state pathways. Hikers often encounter a wide variety of wildlife within a short distance and can visit their many habitats such as lakes, fields, woodlands and wetlands.

Spring and Fall Color Trails Clare County's slogan is "Where The North Begins" and most of our county is undeveloped wooded lands that turn into an explosion of color during spring and autumn.The route is all primary roads and will be wellworth the journey.

ORV and Snowmobile Trails Access to Michigan’s extensive Off-Road Vehicle trails can be found in northern Clare County.

The Leota ORV trailhead is a Michigan DNR managed trailhead that provides access to over 55 miles of ORV trails for larger ORV’s and hundreds of miles of trails that can be accessed by quads or smaller traditional ORV’s. In addition, the Fur Farm snowmobile trail starts just north of the city of Harrison and joins up with the Leota Trail.

For more off-road excitement visit Snow Snake's Rocks & Valleys Off-Road Park.

Winter Bike Trails Snow Snake Ski & Golf has Winter Fat Bike Trails! Grab your fat tire bike and enjoy 6 miles of groomed trails.

MID MICHIGAN COLLEGE TRAILS

Mid Michigan College's Harrison Campus sits on 560 acres of beautiful, wooded land. This trail system is open all year long for walking, running, biking, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing. visit www.midmich.edu

PERE MARQUETTE RAIL-TRAIL The paved trail currently begins in Midland, MI and continues west through downtown Clare and on to Reed City

More Trail Maps at www.trails.clarecounty.com

Experience...

Friendly smiling people Bike the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail Watch as a deer peeks out of the woods while you golf Annual Fourth of July Celebrations Gaze into the clear night sky Listen to songbirds with the rising sun Swim at Wilson State Park Beach Have a picnic at one of many parks Wade in the clear, refreshing lakes Watch for lightning bugs on a warm summer evening Relax listening to a free summer concert in the park Feel warm sand between your toes Shop the popular Jay’s Sporting Goods Stroll through the Garden Tour

Roast marshmallows on a summer night Float down a sparkling river Historic Ideal Theatre in Clare Tour the Art Alley in downtown Clare Forget stress while walking a quiet country trail Find morel mushrooms on a quiet trek through the woods Enjoy fresh baked goods from the world-famous Cops & Doughnuts Natural fireworks display of spring and fall colors Go barefoot through the summer grass Bird Watching in the quiet forests Find Treasures at the City Market in Harrison Breathe the aroma of lilacs in the spring Shop in quaint stores and charming specialty shops Reflect at the Veterans Freedom Park

Skiing, Tubing, Snowboarding Snow Snake’s 40 acres serves all levels of skiers and snowboarders, however, it is especially suited for the beginner and intermediate levels. The terrain park offers unique challenges for the more advanced skiers and boarders. And their tubing hill offers fast paced thrills and spills for all ages to enjoy, without the need of expensive equipment and training. Great family fun! If the weather is cold, the skiing, boarding, and tubing are always good. With over forty snow making machines and two groomers, snow conditions at Snow Snake are much more predictable than the weather!

Zip Line Tour Central Michigan’s newest adventure! Soar through the trees on TEN unique and exciting zip lines – including the newest TWIN ZIP! Call Snow Snake to make your reservations at 989-539-6583

Amish Clare County is home to a large community of Amish, with roots going back to the original founders from Switzerland. Several Amish-run businesses are open selling everything from funiture to lumber. Offered for purchase along the roadsides when weather permits, are baked goods and produce from their farms.

The Yoders and their friends hold a large quilt auction and craft show each spring and late summer.

Farm Markets & Orchards Farm & Arts Markets in Farwell and Harrison serve up fresh and local: • Michigan grown fruits and vegetables • Hand-made arts and crafts • Plants and flowers • Eggs and baked goods • Honey, maple syrup, jams & jellies Just east of Harrison on M-61 is The Fruitful Orchard & Cider Mill and The Merry Hearted Cidery where you can enjoy freshly-picked apples and warm doughnuts while watching as they press apple cider.

Also east of Clare on Beaverton Road is The Wild Pumpkin pumpkin patch!

ECO TOUR

FOUR GREAT THINGS TO SEE WHILE TOURING CLARE COUNTY

1

FIND THE ELUSIVE KIRTLAND'S WARBLER IN NORTHWEST CLARE COUNTY

2

ENJOY SPRING COLOR TOURS FOLLOWING OUR MAP

3

WATCH THE BREEZE MOVE FALL LEAVES

4

SIT QUIETLY WHILE WILDLIFE PEAKS OUT OF THE WOODS

More Eco Tours at www.clarecounty.com

History In 1840, the Michigan State Legislature named the county Kaykakee after a Sauk Indian Chief. In 1843, the county’s name was changed to “Clare” by an Irish surveyor after his native “County Clare” in Ireland.

Established in Michigan’s lumbering era, Clare County began with logging towns and have retained much of that essence.

Because of this history it was home to the first successful logging railroad, the Lake George & Muskegon RR.

The Clare Union Depot, which was built in 1895, has a unique design with its “Queen Ann” architectural style that has two separate wings—one to accommodate each of two railroad lines. It is the only known one of its kind in Michigan, and one of the few remaining in the country.

Depot original painting by Terry Dickinson for the MMCC Foundation’s – A Northern Tradition

Clare Depot

The depot was moved two blocks and restored and now houses a visitor center, railroad museum, gift shop and the Clare County Arts Council.

Quilt Block Trail The Clare County Quilt Block Trail brings together the rich heritage of quilting, farming, and community engagement. The trail involves various sizes of quilt blocks placed on area barns, public buildings, businesses, fences, and houses in the Clare County area. Take time to explore this trail while visiting our area. For more information about this trail please visit the Clare County Arts Council Web at www.clarecountyartscouncil.info

Arts & Culture An exciting arts and cultural scene is important to Clare County’s exceptional quality-of-life.

The Art Alley in downtown Clare and the Bike Art in Harrison are two great additions to the arts and culture scene. Also, the 515 Gallery in downtown Clare hosts exhibits from local and national artists.

Stained glass windows at the Pere Marquestte District Library

Clare County is also home to priceless works of art from the WPA!

WPA Mural in th Clare Post O e ffice

cil un o C ts Ar ty n u Co are l C

Art Alle yM ura l

WPA Murals in the Clare Middle School Auditorium

PURPLE GANG The Purple Gang was a notorious group of mostly young Jewish men that controlled a large portion of Michigan, from U.S. 31 to the eastern border of the state.

The most infamous happening at the Doherty Hotel was on May 14, 1938 when Central Michigan oil promoter, Carl Jack Livingston, shot and killed Isaiah Leebove in the Tap Room of the hotel. Mr. Leebove was an attorney with ties to the infamous Purple Gang. The home he built is located just north of downtown Clare. This home and property is being renovated as an urban barn venue called Tobacco Ranch.

HISTORIC BARNS While touring Clare County, look for historical barns with round roofs. The countryside is being refreshed with freshly renovated barns through the efforts of organizations such as Michigan Barn Preservation Network and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Pictured is the 2004 BARN AGAIN Farm Heritage Award winner on the centennial farm of Leo J. Fitzpatrick.

Veterans Freedom Park Clare County is proud to hold this Park that honors our nation’s heroes. Located in Harrison, it is designed to educate the public on the continued sacrifices that our service men and women give for our freedom. Flags fly over the Park for all branches of the military along with the POW MIA and United States flags.

Museums & Landmarks Clare County contains many exciting points of historical interest. Visit the museums in Farwell and at Dover Rd. (south of Clare). Or tour historic sites on the Historic Landmark Tour.

Recently, the downtown district of Clare was listed on the National Register for Historic Places.

Events

Just some of the many fun events held throughout Clare County!

Visit www.clarecounty.comÂ

Fostbite Winter Festival - Harrison Clare's Irish Festival Rust Shaker Mountain Bike Race -MMC Yoder's Quilt Auction & Craft Show - Clare Car & Motorcycle Show - Harrison Mud Bog - Harrison Summer Concert Series - Clare Budd Lake Fishing Derby 20 Lakes Antique Engine & Tractor Show City Wide Yard Sales - Clare Summer Music Festival - Clare Sweat Shaker Race - MMC Lumberjack Festival - Farwell Clare County Fair - Harrison Old 27 Motor Tour - Clare & Harrison Harrison Street Fair Taste of Clare Clare Spook-Tacular & Pumpkin Run Holiday Lights Festival Community Christmas Celebrations

Explore

Clare County Where the the North North Begins Begins Where

Clare, Harrison, Farwell, Lake, Lake George, Leota

800-715-3550 ~ www.ClareCounty.com Commodity Code 80140264