Cheboygan is a riverfront town built for outdoor recreation
On the shoreline of Lake Huron, Cheboygan is defined by its access to freshwater. The Cheboygan River runs right through downtown. "It’s definitely a destination for boating, fishing, swimming and any kind of outdoor recreation,” says Jacqueline Kimball, a Realtor with Exit Realty Premier who has an office in Cheboygan. U.S. Highway 23 runs over the river by way of the Cheboygan Bascule Bridge. There is also a pedestrian bridge for getting around the city on foot. Cheboygan has several parks with various amenities, and local events draw the community together.
Historic homes and water views shape Cheboygan’s market
Bungalows, ranch-style homes, Victorians and other two-story properties are common in the area. While Cheboygan has some new construction, its houses are older. “It’s a very old city,” Kimball says. “There are a lot of houses from the late 1800s and the early 1900s that are still family homes today,” Kimball says. Many homes fall into the $70,000 to $270,000 price range. Homes with views of the water sell for about $400,000 to $720,000. The average square footage is over 2,000 square feet, and the median lot size is slightly over a quarter of an acre. Most streets have sidewalks and larger front yards.
Waterways and trail systems connect the city’s green spaces
Cheboygan State Park is one of several parks with access to the coastline. Aloha State Park is part of Northern Michigan's Inland Waterway, which has 38 miles for boating or kayaking. In addition to the city’s water recreation, there are many ways to explore the outdoors on land. "A lot of the railways in this area have been converted to hundreds of miles of trail systems, and they offer hiking and biking in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter,” Kimball says. Water Street Park is a small park downtown with public fishing, while Joseph Doyle Recreation Area is home to the Cheboygan Crib Lighthouse, the Cheboygan County Marina and Gordon Turner Park.
Local venues offer concerts, carnivals and cultural events
The city hosts several events throughout the year. The Cheboygan County Fair includes a horse show, concerts and a carnival. The Cheboygan Farmers Market runs Wednesdays and Saturdays from May through September at Festival Square. The Cheboygan Opera House dates back to 1877, but reopened to the public in 1984. It hosts a variety of live performances, including the annual Chamberfest Cheboygan that celebrates classical music.
Students can earn college credit and explore career paths
East Elementary serves preschool through second grade and earns a B-plus grade from Niche. Third through fifth graders can attend B-rated Cheboygan Intermediate School. Cheboygan Middle educates sixth and seventh graders, and Cheboygan High goes from eighth grade to 12th grade. High schoolers can earn college credit and take career and technical education classes through C-plus-rated North Central Michigan College. Cheboygan Area Schools offers school choice through the state’s schools of choice program, which allows open enrollment for non-resident students.
Dining options range from fast food to waterfront patios
Most of Cheboygan’s eateries are along North Main Street. “Cheboygan has been developing its downtown for a while, and they have a lot of quaint local shops and restaurants,” Kimball says. The Nauti Inn Barstro is accessible by land or boat and has patio seating in the warm weather. Hive North is a family-owned taproom serving beer, mead and cider. The city also has fast-food chains and grocery stores, including Family Fare and Walmart. "Cheboygan is bigger than Mackinaw City, so people from there come to Cheboygan to shop,” Kimball says.
Sidewalks, trails and transit options support local travel
Cheboygan has some walkability in the downtown area. Those walking or biking can use the North Central State Trail or the North Eastern State Trail. U.S. Highway 23 runs east to west through the city, and M-27 connects to other major roads. "Interstate 75 is within a few miles of Cheboygan. It gets you north and south easily,” Kimball says.
Indian Trails has a bus stop in Cheboygan and travels between St. Ignace and Bay City . Pellston Regional Airport is around 20 miles away. McLaren Northern Michigan is a hospital with a Cheboygan campus. The area has a major flood risk according to First Street, but the residential selection of the city has a moderate risk.
