St. Clair: The storybook Michigan town with a surprising world record
St. Clair, Michigan, not only exudes charm and offers plenty of adventures, but it also boasts an impressive world record.
As a lifelong resident of Michigan, I am sometimes guilty of taking all of the natural wonders and beauty our state has to offer for granted. Growing up within an hour of gorgeous coasts and fresh water shorelines that I can visit anytime can spoil a girl.
But during a recent trip I made to the east coast of Michigan for my daughter’s soccer game, I was struck by the dazzling beauty of the town where the game was held. The entire town seemed to be set directly on the water, and everywhere you looked, you were greeted with boats, endless blue waters, and picturesque shops and houses perched on the shore. I did some quick research on the town and was surprised to discover that the small town of St. Clair, Michigan, boasts an impressive world record for having the world’s longest freshwater boardwalk. Imagine that!
The largest freshwater boardwalk in the world
That’s right—the largest freshwater boardwalk in the entire world is right here in Michigan. I mean, I guess that record shouldn’t come as that big of a surprise, considering that Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the entire world. (Fun fact: the largest freshwater lake by volume is actually in Serbia, Russia.)
Regardless, the record is a fascinating one, and the town of St. Clair is proud of their mark on the world’s map. The town’s official website boasts that St. Clair is home to the world’s longest freshwater boardwalk, located at Palmer Park. Palmer Park is nestled on the shores of the St. Clair River, a 40.5-mile-long river that serves as part of the international boundary between Canada and the U.S. The river connects Lake Huron to Lake Erie, making it a key shipping channel, which is why a stroll along the river will certainly net you some views of freighters going by.
Passing freighters are such a central sight from the park and boardwalk that the town invites visitors and residents to visit the grassy park, filled with shade trees, to enjoy the views. Palmer Park is located at N. Riverside Ave, St. Clair, MI 48079. The park is free to visit, free to park, and the boardwalk is also free for anyone looking to stroll and take in the sights and sounds of the St. Clair River.
“Many benches line the boardwalk, but feel free to bring your own chairs or spread out a blanket and watch passing freighters,” the site states. “The crystal blue water is sure to refresh tired spirits.”
Visiting St. Clair, Michigan
The boardwalk and Palmer Park are conveniently located in downtown St. Clair, adjacent to a shopping and dining district, making it a wonderful place to spend a summer afternoon, visit for an evening to catch the sunset, or escape to for a weekend getaway. You can even walk directly to downtown from Palmer Park, so it’s a great way to stroll and check out St. Clair.
There are plenty of places to stay, eat, and enjoy, so we have included some examples of what to do when you visit the world’s largest freshwater boardwalk. The city of St. Clair boasts:
- 12 parks and waterways
- 21 restaurants and bars
- 3 marinas and campgrounds
- 27 shops and boutiques
- And of course, 1 word-record boardwalk
There is also a lively and frequently updated community calendar of events, so you can see what’s happening in the town before you visit. On the day of our visit, for instance, we were able to enjoy free live music in the park, yoga classes, and open karaoke.
I recommend visiting St. Clair’s adventure page to explore all the activities, recreation, and entertainment St. Clair has to offer. We’ve also included some suggestions.
What to do in St. Clair
Aside from walking the boardwalk (a must-do!), if you’re visiting St. Clair, here are some other suggestions for what to do and enjoy during your stay.
The Imagination Station Playground
Located at 795 N. Carney, St. Clair, MI 48079 in Greig Park, this community volunteer playground is a must-visit if you have young kids. It features a 70-foot zip line, a mural wall climb, treehouses, and an inclusive merry-go-round—the only one of its kind in Michigan.
Grieg Park
Along with the playground, Grieg Park also boasts 36 acres of additional fun, including sand volleyball, roller hockey rink, basketball courts, picnic shelter, paved pathways, nature trails, skate/bike park, BMX pump track, and inspiring artwork.
I also highly recommend the 1.5-mile nature trail in the park, which is family-friendly and the perfect place for an after-dinner stroll.
Langell Shipyard Walk
Learn more about St. Clair’s history as a shipping center with a self-guided, ¼ mile walk that takes you through the harbor and educates you on each ship with markers. The tour highlights shipbuilder Simon Langell’s role in St. Clair’s early days of wooden shipbuilding. Langell came to St. Clair in 1860 to build wooden freighters for the growing Great Lakes shipping industry, and by 1900, he had constructed 30 boats ranging from 40 to 269 feet long. Data and stories of 17 of those boats are shared on the walking tour.
Pizza in the park
There are countless pizza places, including small businesses and chains like Jet’s and Hungry Howies, in St. Clair to pick up a pie and enjoy outdoors by the water, which is what our family did. (Feeding five kids these days is no easy task!)
We went with Buscemi’s pizza, which offers Detroit-style pizza and calzones that were crowd-pleasers. (I also liked that you can order online!) After you’re done eating, stretch your legs in the parks with a free sculpture or public art walking tour.
Hunt for fairies in the harbor
One quaint thing the younger kids and family can delight in is hunting for fairies in the Marina. The boat harbor hosts whimsical fairy doors in and around the marina—but you’ll have to be quick, because fairies don’t like to be found!
The Bridge to Bay Trail
You can bike, walk, or jog along the Bridge to Bay trail that extends 50 miles along the shoreline and will take you past the blue waters of Lake Huron, St. Clair River, and Lake St. Clair. The Bridge to Bay Trail is a diverse trail system of boardwalks, river walks, rail trails, and bike paths that extends along 50 miles of shoreline across St. Clair County, Michigan. There are short downtown loops within the longer loop, access to in-water paddling trails, and even a link to a ferry, creating many options for cyclists and pedestrians.
Murphy Inn
One of the oldest operating inns in Michigan, Murphy Inn makes a fun stop on your tour of St. Clair. The inn is a restored 1836 boarding house with seven vintage guest rooms featuring original antiques and furnishings. You can book a stay at the inn, stop in at the pub or dining room to enjoy a great meal, or order takeout on your way through. Gluten-free options are also available.
St. Clair Inn
For a more upscale experience of St. Clair, stay at the St. Clair Inn, originally built for St. Clair’s wealthy class and host to several celebrities and special events. You can also stop in for a bite and a brew at the Dive, which serves small eats and drinks, or visit the Prohibition Bar on the weekends, a small speakeasy with ties back to Prohibition.
Paddle through the Pine River
You can rent kayaks and canoes by the hour to take out into the St. Clair boat harbor, and you can even borrow a life jacket from the Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket loaner program right in the St. Clair Boat Harbor. This town has thought of everything!
Once you’re out on the water, challenge yourself to see if you can make it to Turtle Beach, a hidden treasure that you can only get to by water! The full round-trip paddle trail is an easy 8.4 miles, so it makes for an enjoyable trip on the water.
Fowler’s Creamery & Coffee
Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to end your trip to St. Clair by stopping by Fowler’s Ice Cream and Coffee Shop, which serves up scoops and coffee. The shop is conveniently located in Palmer Park and open every day of the week until 9 p.m.
We planned a perfect summer evening in St. Clair by enjoying takeout pizza in the park, walking the world’s largest freshwater boardwalk, and ending our night with some delicious ice cream. It’s not a bad way to say that you’ve visited a world record-holding town!
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