Things to Do in Marine City, Michigan

The Nautical Mile is the half-mile stretch of South Water Street along the river, with shops, restaurants and five city parks. Great Lakes freighters pass right in front of downtown, with Canada on the far bank. The parks also hold a self-guided outdoor maritime museum and eight mosaics drawn from 1800s ship sketches.

★ Good to know The city posts a live ship camera on its visitor page, so you can check river traffic before you walk down.

The city beach at 102 Pearl Street sits right on the St. Clair River downtown. It has a swimming area, restrooms, grills, a covered pavilion and an accessible playground and fishing platform. It’s one of the best seats in town for watching freighters.

★ Good to know The river current is strong here, and the beach gets crowded on summer weekends, so come early.

ThumbCoast Live Theaters stages professional plays, musicals, concerts and comedy nights in the old Marine Savings Bank building at 358 S. Water Street. The 180-seat house still has its bank vaults and early-1900s details. The company started in 2012 in a storefront just up the street.

★ Good to know The 98-seat Snug Theatre at 160 S. Water Street now houses the company’s performing arts academy, so check which venue your show is in.

The museum fills the 1847 Newport Academy schoolhouse at 405 S. Main Street. Its three galleries cover maritime history, home life and local business. The standout is a 36-foot diorama of the Belle River in 1885, when five shipyards worked here.

★ Good to know It opens weekend afternoons from the first weekend in June through mid-October, or by appointment.

This 60-foot, 35-ton lighthouse was built in 1908 at the mouth of the Detroit River to guide ships into Lake St. Clair. It was switched off in 1982 and slated for scrap. Local backers saved it and moved it to Marine City’s shoreline, where it stands today.

★ Good to know It’s on the Nautical Mile, so pair it with the beach and a walk past Holy Cross Catholic Church.

This shoreline trail runs 54 miles along St. Clair County’s shoreline, from Port Huron down past New Baltimore. In Marine City it follows the river through downtown. Heading south, it passes through Algonac State Park.

★ Good to know There’s an inland trailhead behind the Marine City library at 300 S. Parker Street, with a bike repair station.

Just south of town, this 1,550-acre park is best known for freighter views from its half-mile of riverfront. More than 1,200 acres are a natural area with rare lake plain prairie and oak savanna. It has two modern campgrounds, trails and a boat launch.

★ Good to know A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.

This downtown tasting room pours more than 90 of its own wines, beers and hard ciders. It lets you bring in takeout from nearby restaurants, which makes it an easy evening stop after the theater or the beach.

★ Good to know The city has a Social District downtown, so check the posted boundaries if you plan to walk with a drink.