Clio

The center of gravity in northern Genesee County is Clio, a single-stoplight city with equal parts convenience and charm. “It’s definitely a more rural area,” says Allan Hobson, a Realtor with RE/MAX Edge. “A lot of houses in the area have around an acre of land, minimum.” Folk Victorian homes, with simple features and elegantly sloped rooflines, help give established homes in Clio a timeless feel. Convenient ranch-style homes and colonial-style houses fill in the small-town streets just outside of Clio’s commercial brick-building-lined Vienna Street. “About 80% of homes in the area are either ranch-style or two-story,” Hobson says. “And the average listing price for these is about $200,000, with an average sales price around $195,000.” Newer subdivisions feature spacious homes with Craftsman features, while more established streets have ranch-style homes and split-level houses. Custom homes offer breathing room and elegant views, with prices for these charming getaways ranging up to $600,000. “You’ll see houses on the market for about 25 to 26 days in the Clio area,” Hobson says.

Clio Community High School is a community institution, not only serving its students but also offering community education courses and partnerships with local home-school students and organizations. Students can enroll in college courses and certification programs to prepare for their chosen career path, whether that pathway involves a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree or trades program certificate. “There are three elementary schools throughout the area,” Hobson says. “And the schools are known for their music program. A lot of students are involved in the band.”

Clio City Park is a central hub for playground meetups, cycling trips and skate park visits. The George Atkin Jr. Recreational Trail, known locally as the Clio Trail, is over 7 miles long, perfect for a weekend walk or short cycling adventure. “It’s a really popular walking trail that runs throughout the whole city,” Hobson says. “There’s also a volleyball court, a skate park, a kids’ jungle gym and an amphitheater that’s open all summer.”

“The community is rural, but there are still a lot of restaurants and grocery stores around,” Hobson says. “I’d definitely recommend Lucky’s for a really good steakhouse.” With a few locations across the state, Lucky’s Steak House still manages to capture a local feel, with aged prime rib, surf and turf and generous porterhouses crowding the mouthwatering menu in this easygoing restaurant. The Clio Roadhouse Bar and Grill is a classic spot, where you can browse an award-winning burger menu or try a comically large bloody mary brunch special, with celery sticks, boneless chicken wings and cheeseburger sliders protruding at various angles for a full meal perched atop your drink. The Roadhouse is the place to be on game day, with 35 TVs and an extra-large projector. Don Felipe Mexican Restaurant has a few locations across Michigan and a few great reasons to stop by, from tamales and fajitas to margaritas and friendly faces.

In between meals, you can gather with friends at the Clio Bowling Arcade, pick your own blueberries at Azure Acres or spend the day at Buell Lake County Park. The rural lakeside park has a playground but is best known for its pier fishing and boat launch. The lake isn’t open for public swimming, so anglers and kayakers have the whole lake to themselves.

While Clio’s boutique shops and grocery stores are convenient for last-minute trips that support local business, the city isn’t far from Birch Run Premium Outlets, a statewide destination with over 100 name-brand outlets. Just 10 miles north of Clio is Frankenmuth, a postcard-worthy town where Bavarian-style buildings form a backdrop to a walkable downtown and Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, recognized as the world’s largest Christmas store.

Written By

Paul McKinley

Photography Contributed By

Eric Lynch

Video By

Max Gilmore