Food Scene
Superb views inside and out, right under the Blue Water Bridge. Great views of freighters; best to sit outside. Service may be slow - be prepared to relax and enjoy the view.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Freighters Eatery & Taproom
800 Harker StSuperb views inside and out, right under the Blue Water Bridge. Great views of freighters; best to sit outside. Service may be slow - be prepared to relax and enjoy the view.
Simply, the *best* coffee. This is a 'farm to table' restaurant and Kate makes everything from scratch. Open for breakfast and lunch only.
Kate's Downtown
231 Huron AveSimply, the *best* coffee. This is a 'farm to table' restaurant and Kate makes everything from scratch. Open for breakfast and lunch only.
Love the friendly Daybreak and our favorite waitress, Gert. Huge breakfast menu that will satisfy everyone.
Daybreak Cafe
3910 24th AveLove the friendly Daybreak and our favorite waitress, Gert. Huge breakfast menu that will satisfy everyone.
Simply put, probably the *best* cup of java you've ever had! Beans are roasted in-house & these folks are true coffee experts. Friendly, live music on weekends, in back The Golden Rodent Gallery.
Exquisite Corpse Coffee House
410 Water StSimply put, probably the *best* cup of java you've ever had! Beans are roasted in-house & these folks are true coffee experts. Friendly, live music on weekends, in back The Golden Rodent Gallery.
Love their pizza and the huge bar that opens up to the outside.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Casey's
628 Huron AveLove their pizza and the huge bar that opens up to the outside.
The Vintage Tavern
103 Michigan StreetRooftop views of the river - need I say more?
Cheap Charlie's is a Fort Gratiot institution! A fun, lively place with a bar, but also a full service restaurant with a huge menu and definitely kid-friendly. When everyone wants something different to eat, this is the place to go.
Cheap Charlie's
4495 24th AveCheap Charlie's is a Fort Gratiot institution! A fun, lively place with a bar, but also a full service restaurant with a huge menu and definitely kid-friendly. When everyone wants something different to eat, this is the place to go.
This is our favorite restaurant in the area but it is quirky - it's only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm to 12 am. And it's cash only (there's a cash machine located in the back of the bar). Located in downtown Port Huron, it just oozes with great ambience. They have the nicest wait staff, a full bar and a short but excellent, tasty menu. There puzzavis thin and divine (our fave is Pear & Brie) and the hamburger sliders are excellent.
The Alley Room
409 Quay StThis is our favorite restaurant in the area but it is quirky - it's only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm to 12 am. And it's cash only (there's a cash machine located in the back of the bar). Located in downtown Port Huron, it just oozes with great ambience. They have the nicest wait staff, a full bar and a short but excellent, tasty menu. There puzzavis thin and divine (our fave is Pear & Brie) and the hamburger sliders are excellent.
Fabulous BBQ. Brisket melts in your mouth. Ribs to die for. Great for buying and bringing back to the cottage. Loaded fries, wings and lots more. Great for families. Only open in summer, Friday - Sunday, 11 -7. Closed after Labor Day.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lakeshore Smokehouse
7269 Lakeshore RdFabulous BBQ. Brisket melts in your mouth. Ribs to die for. Great for buying and bringing back to the cottage. Loaded fries, wings and lots more. Great for families. Only open in summer, Friday - Sunday, 11 -7. Closed after Labor Day.
Classic, old style Chinese. Been a part of Port Huron for decades. Dining room is classic red linoleum and velvet. Food is good. Nothing fancy but the real deal. One of my daughters favorite traditions - get takeout and enjoy on the beach.
China Lite & Gas Lite Lounge
3290 Gratiot BlvdClassic, old style Chinese. Been a part of Port Huron for decades. Dining room is classic red linoleum and velvet. Food is good. Nothing fancy but the real deal. One of my daughters favorite traditions - get takeout and enjoy on the beach.
*Best* tasting, homemade, super creamy custard. Only a few flavor options beyond vanilla and chocolate each day (remember, it’s made from scratch here!), but soooo worth the drive. This is a summer ‘must do’ in the Michigan thumb.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bunny's Frozen Custard
6457 Lakeshore Rd*Best* tasting, homemade, super creamy custard. Only a few flavor options beyond vanilla and chocolate each day (remember, it’s made from scratch here!), but soooo worth the drive. This is a summer ‘must do’ in the Michigan thumb.
Wood-fire pizza at it’s best! The ‘green’ Al Chapone with pesto and spicy sausage is a fave, but they’re all so good. This pizza is more for the ‘thick crust’ lovers. Not deep dish, but definitely not thin crust. Salads are wonderful, too.
Bella Bolla
309 Huron AveWood-fire pizza at it’s best! The ‘green’ Al Chapone with pesto and spicy sausage is a fave, but they’re all so good. This pizza is more for the ‘thick crust’ lovers. Not deep dish, but definitely not thin crust. Salads are wonderful, too.
Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi
4095 24th AveFabulous sushi, also a great place for hibachi cooking.
This is a historic Coney Island diner in Port Huron and their Coney Sauce is our absolute favorite. Fun for kids to experience ‘old school’ counter dining.
Mama Vicki's Coney Island
408 Huron AveThis is a historic Coney Island diner in Port Huron and their Coney Sauce is our absolute favorite. Fun for kids to experience ‘old school’ counter dining.
Really fabulous food. We have not ordered anything that we would not highly recommend. Bonus: they deliver to the cottage for only five dollars.
Smoke On the Water BBQ & Catering
213 Huron AvenueReally fabulous food. We have not ordered anything that we would not highly recommend. Bonus: they deliver to the cottage for only five dollars.
Located 30 minutes south of the cottage in St. Clair, this is a fabulous addition. Can sit inside or out. Great pasta, flatbread, and fondue dishes. They make their own wines which are tasty.
Mannina's Wine House
201 N Riverside AveLocated 30 minutes south of the cottage in St. Clair, this is a fabulous addition. Can sit inside or out. Great pasta, flatbread, and fondue dishes. They make their own wines which are tasty.
Great pizza and casual menu. Dependable good food on the lighter side (sandwiches and stuff) and full bar.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sweetwater Gourmet Deli & Bar
7318 Huron AveGreat pizza and casual menu. Dependable good food on the lighter side (sandwiches and stuff) and full bar.
Terrific dinners for less than $20. Their whitefish dinner is a fave for us.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Village Pub
7318 Huron AveTerrific dinners for less than $20. Their whitefish dinner is a fave for us.
Good Mexican food for a great price. We are particularly fond of their outdoor bar and courtyard. Giant margaritas.
Senor Tequilla Mexican Restaurant
Good Mexican food for a great price. We are particularly fond of their outdoor bar and courtyard. Giant margaritas.
Sightseeing
The oldest lighthouse in Michigan. Great views, wonderful history. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes (they won't let you join the tour otherwise).
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Lighthouse yaseFort Gratiot
2802 Omar StThe oldest lighthouse in Michigan. Great views, wonderful history. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes (they won't let you join the tour otherwise).
Very unusual to be able to tour a vintage light ship (used like a lighthouse but anchored in the water).
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Huron Lightship Museum
800 Prospect PlVery unusual to be able to tour a vintage light ship (used like a lighthouse but anchored in the water).
A great beach, wide sand, with a gorgeous view of the historic lighthouse. This has been a public beach for over 100 years!
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iphakamisa Park
2900 Conger StA great beach, wide sand, with a gorgeous view of the historic lighthouse. This has been a public beach for over 100 years!
Port Huron
Just a short 15 min. drive north of the cottage/Fort Gratiot, this quaint town has a public beach with a park that includes playground equipment. It’s also wonderful to go for a stroll on the very long pier.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lexington
Just a short 15 min. drive north of the cottage/Fort Gratiot, this quaint town has a public beach with a park that includes playground equipment. It’s also wonderful to go for a stroll on the very long pier.
Drinks & Nightlife
The place for Tom and Jerry's, served only from Thanksgiving through New Years Day. Old-school bar, conveniently located next to Mama Vicky's Coney Island.
Brass Rail Bar
410 Huron AveThe place for Tom and Jerry's, served only from Thanksgiving through New Years Day. Old-school bar, conveniently located next to Mama Vicky's Coney Island.
Great porch, right on the Black River near the mouth of the St. Clair River. Perfect for watching freighter and pleasure boat traffic. Wonderful wine selection, limited beer and liquor selection. Delicious appetizers; no other food. Very relaxing and enjoyable spot. Check on hours- usually Friday and Saturday 5-10 only.
Andy’s Wine Bar
104 Water StreetGreat porch, right on the Black River near the mouth of the St. Clair River. Perfect for watching freighter and pleasure boat traffic. Wonderful wine selection, limited beer and liquor selection. Delicious appetizers; no other food. Very relaxing and enjoyable spot. Check on hours- usually Friday and Saturday 5-10 only.
Parks & Nature
A beautiful park on the water with a great playground for kids and a wonderful beach for everyone, only 1 mile north of the cottage. Oh, and it's free!
Iparke yase-County ye-Fort Gratiot
3325 Metcalf RdA beautiful park on the water with a great playground for kids and a wonderful beach for everyone, only 1 mile north of the cottage. Oh, and it's free!
This is another historic beach in Port Huron, Jan st a few miles south of Sandy Feet & newly renovated in 2016. There's a great little splash park for the little ones and a snack stand. There is a small fee for parking and using this beach.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lakeside Park
3670 Gratiot AveThis is another historic beach in Port Huron, Jan st a few miles south of Sandy Feet & newly renovated in 2016. There's a great little splash park for the little ones and a snack stand. There is a small fee for parking and using this beach.
Iphakamisa Park
2900 Conger StFort Gratiot Pond
Shopping
Weekends, the Exquisite Corpse, Great Lakes Paddle, The Raven -- great shops and coffee houses
Desmond District of Port Huron
912 Military StWeekends, the Exquisite Corpse, Great Lakes Paddle, The Raven -- great shops and coffee houses
A huge antique mall with wonderful finds. Great for browsing for hours....
Everything Classic Antiques
315 Huron AveA huge antique mall with wonderful finds. Great for browsing for hours....
Such a lovely, lovely store. A little bit of everything, including the best place in town to find fresh bread (brought in from a famous bakery in Ann Arbor). There's another location in the village of Lexington, north of the cottage.
Weekends
405 Water StSuch a lovely, lovely store. A little bit of everything, including the best place in town to find fresh bread (brought in from a famous bakery in Ann Arbor). There's another location in the village of Lexington, north of the cottage.
Arts & Culture
Best place to go to understand the history and culture of the Blue Water region. In a beautiful, old, Carnegie Library (the current library is near McMorran Arena).
Port Huron Museum
1115 6th StBest place to go to understand the history and culture of the Blue Water region. In a beautiful, old, Carnegie Library (the current library is near McMorran Arena).