Planning a visit to Mt. Clemens? Join the crowd. With a burgeoning bar and restaurant district, plus some of Southeastern Michigan's best-attended, best-loved events populating its calendar, "The Clem" certainly lives up to its reputation as the entertainment capital of Macomb County.
Eating and drinking It doesn't take a special event to merit a trip to Mt. Clemens. Arthur Mullen, executive director of the
downtown development authority, describes the city's appeal: "There are more than 20 bars and restaurants all within walking distance, with ample parking spread around."
Whatever your taste, Mt. Clemens probably has you covered. The classic Mt. Clemens restaurant is
Bath City Bistro, where steak and feather bowling are the specialties. There's good Italian at
Colombo Italia and
Luigi's Downtown.
For something more sudsy and quality pub grub, check out
McSorley's, John
Barleycorn's and
Your Mother's. Other night spots include
Hayloft Liquor Stand, well-known known for live rock shows, and
Full Kilt, an Irish pub also featuring live music.
Sub Zero is a hot downtown martini bar, and
Orlean's is the place to meet for a game or two of pool. Of course, the infamous
Emerald Theatre is a full-on entertainment complex with theater, nightclub and bar all under one roof.
Arts & cultureThe big daddy of arts and culture in the Clem is indisputably the
Anton Art Center. Housed in a former Carnegie Library since 1969, the center recently completed a $1.6 million renovation of the 6,500-square-foot library building and 5,500-square-foot addition. Now it's looking spiffy to fulfill its mission: bringing the arts to Macomb County.
Let's start at the bottom — the basement. There is a drawing and painting studio, a clay studio with 3 kilns, a colorful multi-purpose room that hosts speakers, family events and grant writing classes and a commercial kitchen that executive director Michael Gielniak hopes will one day host culinary classes. Classes the center offers run the gamut from sculpture to quilting to watercolors.
Moving on up, the main floor of the Art Center is gallery space and a gift shop. The galleries host rotating openings of artists from all over Michigan, including the "Michigan Annual," a juried showcase of fine arts.
Currently, Geilniak is developing the Bath City Art Park, a changeable sculpture garden, on the grounds of the center. The art park will ultimately serve as a trailhead for the Bath City Art Walk, a walking path linking the city's public sculptures.
Calendar Have your pen or your Blackberry ready—metromode is going to run down the Mt. Clemens calendar for you.
Riding high on the annual success of its fireworks show — last year, over 60,000 people showed up for the display — the city is premiering a new event this year, the Stars and Stripes Festival. Get ready for more than 50 food vendors, national music acts, a carnival and more over Fourth of July weekend. And don't worry, the fireworks aren't going anywhere.
Mt. Clemens was once known as the place to go for therapeutic hot mineral spring baths. A brief history: Dorr Kellogg discovered mineral water wells there in 1870, which started a tourism boom around the turn of the last century, with bath houses and fancy hotels. The last of the bath houses closed in the 1970s, but the history is celebrated each August in the Bath City Festival. There's something for everyone: kids, history buffs, thrill seekers, art enthusiasts, and music and food lovers. There's also a fun run and a vintage baseball game.
In December, there is a Christmas Market that has a particular German slant: there is German food and beer and mulled wine and song and arts. Considering the number of Germans in the local auto industry — particularly at Daimler Chrysler, who sponsors the event—Mt. Clemens might be the closest thing to a picturesque Bavarian village you'll get south of Frankenmuth.
In February, chill out with the Ice Sculpture Show, where there are over 30 ice sculptures scattered around as well as carving demonstrations. Ironically, the event kicks off with an extra hot night — a chili cook off and pub crawl.
There are also a few things to keep your eyes open for throughout the year. Every few months, the Downtown Development Authority sponsors a popular "Girls Night Out" event, where the ladies take over the streets for a night of shopping, dining and drinks.
The image of "Cruisin' Gratiot" is writ large in this area's collective memory. Several times throughout the summer, classic car enthusiasts relive the dream with classic cruises and car shows. Another recurring summer event is evening concerts at the
Clinton River Park, which makes for a beautiful music venue.
Every Saturday from May through November, the Chamber of Commerce hosts a
Farmer's Market that features locally-grown fruits and vegetables, honey and maple syrup, herbs and spices, eggs and plants. Special Saturdays include a flower sale in May, a June strawberry festival, a pig and corn roast in August, pig and potato roast in September and both an apple festival and pumpkin party in October.