Indoor Pool- Jacuzzi • Full Complimentary Breakfast
Business and Conference 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
Lone Pine Motel
Sleep Soundly! 17 Units
1508 N. McEwan St. Clare, MI 48617
866-817-9007
lonepinemotel.com
All King and Queen Beds–Singles or Doubles
All Nonsmoking Rooms
Kitchenettes Available
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!
...at our many amazing food establishments EAT
...about our history, arts & culture and events
...in one of our welcoming locations STAY
...in our many beautiful and fun locations PLAY
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
Clare is your Gateway to the North!
king and hiking enthusiasts will elcome touring the picturesque Perearquette Rail Trail that goes from dland to Clare where you can follow e "Clare Gap" to the paved PMRT to eed City!
The downtown district of Clare was ecently listed on the National egister for Historic Places and offers hopping at its best! Many stores in the are area feature items from sporting oods at the renowned Jay’s Sporting oods to Amish crafted goods.
Events Include:
Clare's Irish Festival
Fire in the Sky
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.
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 a 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
Events Include:
Memorial Day weekend Mud
Bog Car & Bike Show & Cruise
Fourth of July Celebration
Clare County Fair
Old 27 Motor Tour Stop
Frostbite Winter Festival
Community Christmas & Street Fair
Budd Lake
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 Pathwa 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.
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.
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
Buccilli's Pizza of Clare 1541 N. McEwan St. 989-386-7231
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
Cula Foods 1509 N. McEwan St. 989-424-6455
Doherty Hotel 604 N. McEwan St. 989-386-3441
Four Leaf Brewing 412 McEwan St. 989-424-6114
Herrick HouseMulberry Café 120 E. Fifth St. 989-386-6120
Mancino's of Clare 10348 S. Clare Ave. 989-386-6000
Ruckle's Pier 405 N. McEwan St. 989-386-9531
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
Budd Lake Steakhouse
198 E. Main St.
989-539-5500
Hang's Chinese Restaurant
711 N. 1st. St. 989-539-1210
Jackie's Airport Restaurant
4557 N. Clare Ave. 989-368-1105
Jackpine Restaurant
231 E. Main St. 989-539-6162
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
Sheri’s Diner & Pizzeria
316 Park St. 989-539-2531
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 S 989-339-580
Buccilli's Pizza of Farwell
203 E. Main St. 989-588-9919
Kathy's Pasties at Munchies
3510 W. Cadillac Dr. 989-418-6217
K's Diner 2105 W. Ludington Dr. 989-588-7220
The Nest 10 W. Main St. 89-544-4555
Lakeside Bar & GrillLake
7807 Mystic Lk. Dr. 989-544-3502
Lake RestaurantLake 8200 W, Ludington Dr. 989-544-2721
Buckhorn SaloonLake
10092 Cadillac Dr. 231-734-5599
Swiss Inn - 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.
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.
Winter Bike Trails
Snow Snake Ski & Golf has Winter Fat Bike Trails! Grab your fat tire bike and enjoy 6 miles of groomed trails.
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.
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
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
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 through the woods
Skiing, Tubing, Snowboar
Snow Snake’s 40 acres serves all leve of skiers and snowboarders, however, is especially suited for the beginner an intermediate levels. The terrain park offers unique challenges for the more advanced skiers and boarders. And th 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 groomer snow conditions at Snow Snake are much more predictable than
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!
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.
Clare Depot
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. 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.
Clare County is also home to priceless works of art from the WPA!
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, sh and killed Isaiah Leebove in the Ta 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.com
