Clare, also called the “City of Festivals,” hosts events and festivals annually. The downtown area has the best shopping spots. 

Their region offers a limitless range of recreational opportunities and unmatched natural beauty for your spring, summer, fall, and winter excursions.

The county was given the name Kaykakee in 1840 by the Michigan State Legislature in honor of a Sauk Indian Chief. An Irish surveyor changed the county’s name to “Clare” in 1843 to honor his home country of Ireland’s “County Clare.”

Clare people enjoy a dense suburban vibe, and most own their homes. Clare has a large population of families, young professionals, and seniors, and its citizens are primarily conservative. 

If you’re looking forward to exploring this awesome city, there are a lot of fun places to visit, and this article reveals some of its fun locations.

Things to Do in Clare, MI

1. Stamina Stadium & McIreland Nature Trails – Clare, MI

The Stamina Stadium at 820 Schoolcrest Avenue in Clare has a 13.2-acre sports park.

Four enclosed softball/baseball diamonds with bleachers are part of this facility, allowing visitors to watch nearby teams play or practice.

A T-ball field, batting cages, a pavilion, swings, a slide, a jungle gym, a concession shop, and restrooms are among the additional amenities of Stamina Stadium.

The half-mile McIreland Nature Trail is accessible from the Stadium and has benches for wildlife observation.

This path begins on the stadium’s south side and crosses the Little Tobacco Drain before ending at Eastwood Drive.

This is an excellent location to explore in Clare, MI, do well to add this location to your list of things to do in Clare, MI.

Location: Clare, MI 48617, United States

2. Pere Marquette Trail Bridge Pine Creek – Clare, MI

The 55-mile Pere Marquette State Trail is a multipurpose path that connects lower Michigan with the city of Clare.

If you are an experienced cyclist or runner, you can visit intriguing locations in Clare, Lake, and Osceola counties.

Along the trail, you’ll encounter both paved sections and others with cinder or ballast surfaces.

The villages of Loomis, Sanford, and Coleman are all along this trail’s western route, which eventually leads south to Midland.

You can divert to Reed City’s attractions by taking the 28.7-mile White Pine Trail. This is an excellent location to explore in Clare, MI, do well to add this location to your list of things to do in Clare, MI.

Location: Clare, MI 48617, United States

3. Clare Rod and Gun Club – Clare, MI

The Clare Rod and Gun Club are where enthusiasts of shooting and hunting can indulge their passion.

This organization was founded in 1937 and is a founding member of the Michigan United Conservation Club.

Facilities for the club can be found at 10844 South Eberhart Road, next to Clare City Airport.

The public is welcome to participate in the gun club’s trap shooting event every Sunday beginning at 1:00 p.m. Modern equipment is used at these competitions to enhance the shooting experience.

The club also offers youth/adult archery from January to March, starting pistol shooting for women and beginners in September and hunter safety classes in January.

This is an excellent location to explore in Clare, MI, do well to add this location to your list of things to do in Clare, MI.

Location: 10844 S Eberhart Ave, Clare, MI 48617, United States

4. Herrick House and The Mulberry Cafe – Clare, MI

The location of this unusual pairing of food and shopping is in Clare’s downtown. The 2,000-square-foot historic home that houses Herrick House and The Mulberry Café is decorated in a turn-of-the-century Victorian style.

Women’s accessories, children’s gifts, prints, home decor, bath and personal care goods, specialty foods, and jewelry are available.

The Mulberry Café’s signature dishes include soups and pies. But it also has a complete menu for breakfast and lunch, in addition to daily specials.

Customers of this café can choose between inside or outdoor sitting. This is an excellent location to explore in Clare, MI, do well to add this location to your list of things to do in Clare, MI.

Location: 120 E 5th St, Clare, MI 48617, United States

5. Cops And Doughnuts – Clare, MI

This coffee and doughnut store was formerly the 1896-founded Clare City Bakery, scheduled to close in 2009.

The Clare Police Department’s nine officers, however, combined their efforts to save the company.

Cops & Doughnuts emerged from the old bakery at the former location of the bakery at 521 North McEwan Street.

Cops & Doughnuts added sites in Pleasant, Bay City, and Midland due to the popularity of this revived business.

You may savor handcrafted treats and hot coffee at the Cops & Doughnuts headquarters in Clare.

Additionally, you can purchase funny items like “Handcuffs with Cream Puffs” and “You Have the Right to Remain Glazed” on collectible mugs and T-shirts.

This is an excellent location to explore in Clare, MI, do well to add this location to your list of things to do in Clare, MI.

Location: 521 N McEwan St, Clare, MI 48617, United States

6. Doherty Hotels – Clare, MI

The Doherty Hotel, located at 604 North McEwan Street and East 5th Street, is an excellent place to stay while visiting Clare.

This 157-room, family-run hotel has been in operation for more than 90 years and is currently run by the fourth generation of Dohertys.

They claim to treat hotel guests like family and give them excellent food and amenities.

The hotel has a 1,400-square-foot banquet/conference room, a Jacuzzi, and an indoor pool.

For its visitors, the hotel can also organize various excursions throughout Clare, including shopping and outdoor pursuits.

The Ideal Theater, which has been showing movies since 1930, and other downtown Clare attractions are easily accessible from the Doherty.

This is an excellent location to explore in Clare, MI, do well to add this location to your list of things to do in Clare, MI.

Location: 604 N McEwan St, Clare, MI 48617, United States

7.  Lake Shamrock and Its Park – Clare, MI

Shamrock Lake was named after Ireland’s national emblem, a green leaf highlighting Clare’s Irish heritage.

Taking the name from his homeland in Ireland, an early Irish immigrant to Michigan gave the state and city the name Clare.

The 62-acre Lake Shamrock is situated in Clare’s northeastern region, and its eponymous park may be reached via 225 Wilcox Parkway.

With 9.8 acres, Shamrock Park is one of Clare’s largest parks and a well-liked gathering area for people who appreciate a peaceful setting to unwind and see geese skimming the tranquil lake.

The park has two picnic pavilions, restrooms, a little league baseball pitch, a sandbox, slides, swings, and climbing structures.

Using a boat, you may also reach Barns Island in the serene Lake Shamrock to fish for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, and northern pike.

This is an excellent location to explore in Clare, MI, do well to add this location to your list of things to do in Clare, MI.

Location: Clare, MI 48617, USA.

8. Herrick Recreation Area – Clare, MI

This site sometimes referred to as HRA, is for Clare visitors arriving in RVs or campers and is located at 6320 East Herrick Road.

This more than 100-acre campground is located southeast of the city’s core and has three ponds. The HRA offers 73 campsites, or you can stay in one of its five log cabins.

All HRA campsites are entirely equipped and contemporary; each cabin was constructed with a pond view.

You can do more than just swim, boat, and fish while camping at the HRA. This campground offers a playground, horseshoe pit, and sand volleyball courts and is open from May until early October.

This is an excellent location to explore in Clare, MI, do well to add this location to your list of things to do in Clare, MI.

Location:  6320 E Herrick Rd, Clare, MI 48617, United States

9. Pettit Park – Clare, MI

Clare provides reasonably priced camping spaces at the five-acre Pettit Park on the banks of the Tobacco River.

Just upstream of Shamrock Lake, this riverfront location provides camping and fishing.

The park’s campsites are first-come, first-served. However, groups needing 4 to 8 spots can make reservations.

The park, which is reachable through Wilcox Parkway and McEwan Street, contains 21 campsites, 16 of which have electric hookups, and five are primitive.

The park’s facilities include a picnic pavilion, a barbecue area, horseshoe pits, a playground, and an ADA-compliant fishing pier.

A sanitation station, ADA-compliant bathrooms, and coin-operated shower facilities are also available to campers.

This is an excellent location to explore in Clare, MI, do well to add this location to your list of things to do in Clare, MI.

Location: 1525 N McEwan St, Clare, MI 48617, United States

10. Clare Depot – Clare, MI

Near City Hall and the City Park, at 201 West Fourth Street, lies the historic Clare Railroad Depot.

The Clare County Visitors Bureau, the Clare County Arts Council & Arts Gallery, and many railroad antiques are housed in this structure, which has been fully restored to its 1890s Queen Anne architectural style.

After visiting this Depot, take a picture at the city’s recognizable water tower, next to Clare City Park and decorated with shamrock leaves.

This park has a gazebo, picnic tables, seats, a grill, a drinking fountain, and a temporary skate park. It also organizes concerts.

A nearby park with a playground, grills, seats, a swing set, and a climbing wall for kids is Maple Street Park at West 3rd Street.

This is an excellent location to explore in Clare, MI, do well to add this location to your list of things to do in Clare, MI.

Location: Clare Depot, 201 W 4th St, Clare, MI 48617, United States

11. Colonville Country Store – Clare, MI

A sizable Amish population resides in Clare, and you can purchase their expertly produced crafts, baked foods, and produce all across the city.

Visit one of the two Clare sites of Colonville Country Store for some samples.

One-stop shopping for a range of services is available at its original location at 7047 East Colonville Road.

Outdoor accessories and furnishings are made of poly and cedar wood.

Visit its second location at 7880 East Colonville for moderately cost items like camping gear, shoes and apparel, vitamins, and supplements.

At Country Cookstove & Bakery on 8704 South Eberhart Avenue, you may sate your hunger for delectable Amish treats, including donuts, whoopie pies, cinnamon buns, and maple syrup, to mention a few.

This is an excellent location to explore in Clare, MI, do well to add this location to your list of things to do in Clare, MI.

Location: 7047 E Colonville Rd, Clare, MI 48617, United States

12. Four Leaf Brewing – Clare, MI

A three-barrel microbrewery located at 412 North McEwan Street in downtown Clare is a must-see for beer enthusiasts.

It was established in 2015 and bills itself as “Michigan’s Gateway to Great Craft Beer,” with a taproom serving excellent food, craft beer, mead, cider, and wine.

Wheat Beer, American Pale Wheat, Ale, and Porter are among the 12 beers on Four Leaf’s tap roster.

Four Leaf customers have various options when switching to cider, including Sweet Tart Apple Cider and Sweet Cherry Apple Cider.

This microbrewery’s drinks are handcrafted there, using premium malts, fresh hops grains, honey, and regional fruits.

This is an excellent location to explore in Clare, MI, do well to add this location to your list of things to do in Clare, MI.

Location: 412 N McEwan St, Clare, MI 48617, United States

13. Gateways Lanes and Lounge – Clare, MI

Beyond its 16-lane bowling alley, this entertaining location at 1410 North McEwan Street offers more.

Good food is available at Gateway Lanes and Lounge, and on some weekends, its lively bar hosts live band music and karaoke.

Participate in its monthly tournaments, which offer lots of rewards when they fall on a holiday.

In addition to four games of bowling on certain special occasions, a tournament ticket may also entitle you to a drink of choice, chicken wings, salad, chips and dips, and cookies.

You may visit Clare confidently, knowing that the welcoming personnel at Gateway Lanes and Lounge will make you feel calm and at ease.

Location: 1410 N McEwan St, Clare, MI 48617, United States

14. Rosebush Farm Market – Clare, MI

Visit the town of Rosebush in Isabella County, approximately 8 miles south of Clare.

This village’s Rosebush Farm Market, which specializes in fresh food, is one of its main draws.

This farmer’s market is open daily and is situated at 3814 North Mission Road in Rosebush. The Rosebush Farm Market sells various pantry essentials, including peaches, melons, bananas, apples of all varieties, cabbage, lettuce, and onions.

All of these are local products from Michigan, some of which also include candy and maple syrup.

Location: 3814 N Mission Rd, Rosebush, MI 48878, United States

15. Shingle Lake – Clare, MI

Shingle Lake, which is 65 acres in size and has a boat launch and fishing pier, can be utilized for swimming, boating, and fishing. Additionally, there are picnic tables, grills, a shelter, and a playground near the lake.

So if you’re looking for a place to hang out with your pals while in Clare, this is still considered one of the best and most reasonably priced options.

You would undoubtedly have a nice day there with all the entertaining sights and activities. Include this place on your list of Clare, Michigan, things to do.

Location: Shingle Lake, Lincoln Township, MI 48632, USA

16. The Ideal Theatre – Clare, MI

The Ideal Theatre opened its doors in 1930 and still plays the most recent film releases. The venue is also open for exclusive viewings, birthday celebrations, and other gatherings.

Don’t pass up the opportunity to explore this area because of its reasonable costs. It’s the ideal family-friendly hangout. 

Therefore, if you’re traveling with your family, use the opportunity to explore this place.

Location: 609 N McEwan St, Clare, MI 48617, United States

17. Art Reach of Mid Michigan – Clare, MI

A community arts organization called Art Reach of Mid Michigan was founded in 1981 with the primary aim of preserving art and culture in the local area. 

They provide community outreach, art instruction through classes, and a consignment gift shop for artists. The Morey Family Gallery also holds art exhibitions.

Local artists’ works, including paintings, pottery, jewelry, and art supplies, are available at Art Reach On Broadway. They also provide art lessons and special activities, have a gallery with changing exhibits, and are attached.

This location will undoubtedly be incredibly unique and captivating for art lovers. Visit this site and take in the uniqueness and beauty of the arts for a more leisurely day.

Location: 111 E Broadway St, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858, United States