Popular and slightly biased opinion here: there is nothing quite like a Michigan summer. Have you spent time this year enjoying the Great Lakes vibes, live entertainment, brunch spots, and shopping opportunities available to you in a charming, coastal city? Regardless, was it enough time? Of course it wasn’t. Well don’t worry; it’s not too late, as we learned at the latest SEMCOG member meetup earlier this month. Situated at the sparkling nexus of Lake Huron, the St. Clair River, and the Black River, Downtown Port Huron has it all.
I feel lucky to have learned about and experienced the city’s newest spots with the best tour guides imaginable: Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp and City Manager James Freed. From the city’s unique and beautiful buildings to the Regional Showcase award-winning river walk, there is plenty to see and do!
We first gathered at Casey’s in McMorran Place Plaza, an indoor open air spot to grab a cold beverage that can be carried through the large social district or enjoyed outdoors at the plaza. This wonderful downtown area includes a splash pad, outdoor seating and yard games, and occasional live music. We could easily have spent our entire meeting time there, but we carried on.
What was once the Michigan National bank is now CityFlats, an incredible spot that features a boutique hotel with a restaurant and bar, residential space, and event venue. A floating barge seating area makes this a great place to visit for lunch, dinner, or drinks! Many features make this gorgeous building an attractive place to visit, but the best part is the location! Staying the weekend at CityFlats in Port Huron would provide seemingly endless possibilities in the walkable downtown area.
Walking to the next space was no sweat, even on a warm summer day. We visited a construction project, the Wrigley Center, which will include mixed retail, public and residential space and a roof top bar with room for games, and self-serving taps. Did I mention roof top bar? The scenic city views alone would be enough for me to visit again.
Speaking of city living, our next stop was at the P.H. Country Style Market, a quaint, welcoming store that allows those living downtown to grocery shop close to home. The renovation of this space kept the historic building footprint and original brick in place while modernizing utilities and amenities for a first-class shopping experience. Much of the materials used in the renovation were recycled from the original building, but from the looks of it you would never know. The aesthetics are pleasing, and this first-of-its-kind urban entrepreneur-owned market could be a model for others. Port Huron is really setting the precedent for modern downtown living with all it has to see and offer!
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