Discover The Blue Michigan’s Thumbcoast

09/23/2024

Fall is your chance to unwind and connect with the quieter side of Michigan. Take a scenic M29/M25 road trip along the Thumbcoast to Port Crescent State Park Day-Use Area.

Visit bluewater.org for travel inspiration.

09/22/2024

It's officially Autumn, and color changes in the Thumbcoast typically occur the first or second week of October.

Here's our list of the top four places to see the beauty of the season:

🍁 M29-M25 Coastline: 140-mile trail along the St. Clair River and lower Lake Huron.

🍁 M136 Beard Hills: Lookout over the treetops and Mill Creek at Beard Rd. & Glyshaw Rd. in North Street.

🍁 Wadhams to Avoca Trail: 12-mile pedestrian trail with an overlook on the trestle bridge 60 feet above Mill Creek. Park near 8258 Imlay City Rd., Avoca. Left at the trailhead and the bridge is 3/4 of a mile.

🍁 Huron County Nature Center: Easy pedestrian trail in a nature sanctuary, open year round. 3336 Loosemore Rd., Port Austin

Photo, Black River in North Street by Nick Heacock

Discover more to ❤️🧡💛 in Michigan's Thumbcoast at bluewater.org

Pure Michigan

09/21/2024

Marine City is a welcoming and walkable town on the St. Clair River, less than an hour north of Detroit. Easily park and explore the waterfront shops and restaurants on foot. Additionally, the town boasts six waterfront parks with benches where you can relax and watch the passing freighters.

TRAVEL TIP: There is a stay-and-play option at the Inn on Water Street Marine City with Thumbcoast Live Theaters for their upcoming production of Young Frankenstein The Musical from Oct. 4 to Nov. 10, starting at $235.

Visit bluewater.org/area-info/our-communities/marine-city/ for things to do, including a digital map.

09/18/2024

There are now 23 locations in our Wet Your Whistle Challenge 🍻
Welcome The Property Farms And McCallum's Orchard to our self-guided beer, wine, and spirits tour through the Thumbcoast, just in time for a fall adventure.

Travel Tip: Try McCallum's Apple Cannon. It's not a drink, but we think you'll enjoy trying it with your drink!

ℹ️ bluewater.org/thumbcoast-beer-wine-spirits-tour-michigan

09/17/2024

Try out this next-level pottery, where every piece looks surprisingly good in the dark, no matter your skill level.

The Foundry in Downtown Port Huron offers a variety of hands-on activities, including cosmic pottery, splatter paint throwing, iris image sessions, raku, and mosaic classes. In addition, they have escape rooms and game show nights.

09/16/2024

Cycle the scenic Bridge to Bay Trail near the Blue Water Bridges in Port Huron and enjoy a delicious meal at Freighters to refuel!

Visit bridgetobay.org for maps and points of interest along this 50-mile shoreline trail.

Heart photo by Sheri Faust, Friends of the St. Clair River

09/15/2024

Football in the summer, Michigan Thumbcoast-style 💦
Watch the Lions vs. Buccaneers game at the Cabana Blue Lakefront Sports Bar + Grill, 45 miles north of Detroit on Anchor Bay.

Soak up ever bit of summer! Visit bluewater.org/dining/waterfront-dining to see a list of waterfront restaurants.

09/14/2024

Using our guide, discover the best of fall in the Thumbcoast, from vibrant shoreline colors to fall-inspired and Halloween events.

The Thumbcoast of Michigan in the fall promises a rejuvenating and unforgettable getaway that captures the heart and soul of the season. Here are six reasons to visit.

09/13/2024

Spooky season is creeping in, and Friday the 13th is just the beginning! Prepare for haunted tours, ghostly tales, and thrilling events along Michigan's Thumbcoast. Dare to join us?

Murder Mayhem Trolley Tours Sept. 21, Oct. 27, 30 - Port Huron

Adult Halloween Party, Oct. 11 - Port Sanilac

Paranormal Investigations, Oct. 19, 25 - Port Huron

Villains Cabaret, Oct. 24, 31 - Marine City

Escape From OZ, Oct. 25 - Port Huron

Rocky Horror Show, Oct. 25, 26 - Port Huron

Paranormal Investigations, Oct. 26 - Port Sanilac

Witch Walk, Oct. 26 - Caseville

The Sideshow Adult Halloween Party, Oct. 26 - St. Clair

Visit bluewater.org/events for more details.

St. Clair Hopkins House Photo by Lori Hannon

09/12/2024

Has anyone ever kayaked or swam near White Rock, the sacred Native American stone in Lake Huron? We're curious to know just how massive it is beneath the surface!

📍 White Rock Roadside Park, nine miles south of Harbor Beach

Discover more to ❤️ in Michigan's Thumbcoast at bluewater.org

09/11/2024

This tucked-away Lake Huron beach is only accessible by a hidden staircase at a popular overlook near Port Sanilac. You may have stopped here and never realized there was a beach access.

📍 Four Mile Scenic Turnout on M25, 11 miles north of Port Sanilac.

Discover more to ❤️ at bluewater.org, the official visitor's bureau of Michigan's Thumbcoast.

09/10/2024

We ❤️ the rooftop deck at the Vintage Tavern in Downtown Port Huron! The food is excellent, and it has views of freighters passing in the St. Clair River between Michigan and Canada. We recommend pairing it with a post-dinner Blue Water River Walk stroll, 51 Court St.

09/09/2024

Reasons why we ❤️ swimming Lake Huron in September/October
1. The water has warmed up all summer, and it’s warmer now than in July or August.
2. The beaches are quieter when school is back in session.
3. The popular beaches do not have parking fees after Labor Day.
4. It’s still hot outside mid-day most days.

bluewater.org/outdoor-recreation/parks-beaches

09/08/2024

Get the latest fishing conditions in the Thumbcoast for catching walleye, bass, catfish, and other species heading into fall by calling 810-984-FISH.

📍 Thomas Edison Park, Port Huron - bluewater.org/member-detail/thomas-edison-park

09/07/2024

Take a nature hike through the remnants of a ghost town where only a lone bridge remains.

This area was formerly a mining and lumbering town in the 1800s. The loop trail is 2.3 miles inside Port Crescent State Park between the Pinnebog River and Lake Huron. Look for a small parking lot next to the Dark Sky Lodge & Tavern.

Discover more things to see in the area at bluewater.org/area-info/our-communities/port-austin

Photo From Michigan with Love Blog

09/06/2024

Take advantage of these late-season narrated tours in Port Huron!

⛴ Huron Lady Cruise→ Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 29 huronlady.com

🚌 Blue Water 10¢ Trolley→ Saturdays 12-5 through Oct. 26 bwbus.com/blue-water-trolley

09/05/2024

Sunrise at Goodells County Park!

The 366-acre park is open daily all year and includes a historical village, the St Clair County Farm Museum, a farm-themed playground, and trails.

Mark your calendar for the Fall Pumpkin Fest and Corn Maze: Oct. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20. The event details and other fall events are at bluewater.org/events.

Photo by John Fleming

St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission

09/04/2024

The "fall bird migration" peak was technically at the end of summer last year. According to Central Michigan University, birds heading south peaked at 16.6 million in one night on September 8, 2023. Michigan is a perfect spot to watch because it sits between two major migration highways.

If you 🫶 birding, our shoreline is a bird-watching hot zone. BirdCast is an excellent tool for migration predictions and estimations; visit dashboard.birdcast.info/region/US-MI

09/03/2024

What TEAM are you? ↓
If you are TEAM "Bring on Fall, Where's my Pumpkin Spiced Latte," comment with 🍂🎃 and visit bluewater.org/6-reasons-to-visit-michigans-thumbcoast-in-fall/ to find seven orchards, 50+ Halloween and fall-inspired events, and the real haunts of the Thumbcoast.

If you are TEAM "Summer is Not Over, Where's the Beach," comment ⛱🍹 and visit bluewater.org/outdoor-recreation/parks-beaches/ for over 90 beaches/parks to soak in every last second of summer!

09/02/2024

Experience a breathtaking starry night at Port Crescent State Park’s Dark Sky Preserve at the tip of Michigan's Thumbcoast.

The day-use area is at 2622 Port Austin Rd., Port Austin, and it's open 24/7, 365 days a year. The best viewing will be on a cooler, clear night. Download the My Aurora Forecast app to see the northern light predictions for your location.

Port Crescent State Park Photo by Chase Gagnon

09/01/2024

Meet Sugar, the 7-foot Iron Horse!
The Blue Water River Walk blends natural beauty and artistic inspiration, adding a creative touch to the scenic St. Clair River views.

📍 51 Court St., Port Huron

Mark your calendars; the Blue Water River Walk is having a 10-year celebration on Sept. 17, 2024, at 5:30 pm, in honor of this beautiful waterfront restoration project.

bluewater.org/member-detail/blue-water-river-walk/

08/31/2024

You may have passed right by this beach and never knew it was there! We invite you to uncover our top picks of lesser-known, no-frills beaches in Michigan's Thumbcoast. Visit https://www.bluewater.org/secret-beaches-in-michigans-thumbcoast/ to see a list and map of all 12 "secret beach" locations.

08/30/2024

Your Labor Day Fun Starts Here 🎉

8/30 Shop, Rock, & Stroll - Port Huron
8/30 Music in the Park - Ira Twp.
8/30 Friday Night Village Green Music - Port Austin
8/30-8/31 Halfway There Live Theatre - Port Sanilac
8/30-9/1 Fiddler on the Roof Live Theatre - St. Clair
8/30-9/2 Rockin' in the Plaza - St. Clair
8/31 80s Party on the Plaza - Port Huron
8/31 Thumbfest - Lexington
8/31 ZOSO Led Zeppelin Experience - Lexington
8/31 Live on Stage Village Green - Port Austin
8/31 Live Music at Pak's - Port Austin
8/31 Music in the Park - Port Sanilac
8/31-9/1 Algonac Art Fair - Algonac
8/31-9/1 Art in the Park - Port Austin
9/1 Live Music at Pak's - Port Austin
9/2 Trek The Trestle - Avoca

Visit bluewater.org/events to see event details, activities, dining, shopping, and places to stay.

Photo by True Colors Creative

08/29/2024

Cruise the shore for a long weekend 🚙💨
From sandy beaches to charming waterfront towns, there’s no better way to soak up summer than cruising the Thumbcoast.

Discover more to ❤️ at bluewater.org

Take a Michigan road trip with BLUEWATER.ORG & visit 140 miles of beautiful shoreline communities along the St. Clair River & Lake Huron. Discover the Blue by the Blue Water Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau.