10 Great Lakes Towns That Were Ranked Among US Favorites for 2024
It is not mentioned as it should be, but the Great Lakes is home to several beautiful towns, many of which serve as convenient jumping-off points for exploring the region’s glittering lakes, sparkling waterfalls, and lush foliage. Although Chicago consistently ranks among US favorites, it is in a class of its own. Her peers include Paris, Prague, and Dubrovnik. Here, we narrow down to a bit smaller gems, most of which exude a quaintness that is hard to find elsewhere in the region. Starting with Petoskey, Michigan, discover below ten towns in the Great Lakes that were ranked among US favorites.
Petoskey, Michigan
Whether you put it down to the area (The northern parts of Lower Michigan are famous for their abundant natural beauty) — or give the town the credit it deserves — Petoskey has a look that sets it apart from most of its Great Lakes peers. Think of broad, tree-lined streets, eye-catching red-brick buildings, and a magnificent central boulevard. Take a walk along Lake Street, popping inside cute little stores such as Symons General Store or the much beloved American Spoon, and you quickly realize Petoskey is anything but average. With its breezes and views, Petoskey State Park provides a therapeutic experience, especially in the final minutes of daylight. Climb up the Bear River Valley Recreation Area’s observation tower to gaze at a tree-dappled river valley, where kayakers have almost all-day fun, enjoying every minute of life.
Bayfield, Wisconsin
One of the reasons Bayfield is a US favorite is that it provides access to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, a much sought-after outdoor recreation space. But there is much to it, as visitors soon discover, especially when ambling through Rittenhouse Avenue, the town's ultimate corridor of culture. Glass-bottom boat tours to the Apostle Islands will leave one completely mesmerized — as will a ride along the shores of Lake Superior. History buffs will learn a lot at Bayfield Maritime Museum, a fun destination that should preceed one of the area's memorable excursions: Orchard tours. Hauser's Superior View Farm, for example, which has been around since 1908, has an orchard that boasts about 2,000 different fruit trees spread out over 30 acres.
Traverse City, Michigan
Explore two wine trails, white-sand beaches, tasty restaurants, and, of course, the nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, just 26 miles from Traverse City. These — and more — are the kind of stuff that make Traverse City a US favorite. Then, there is the chance to marvel at homes along the Old Mission Peninsula during one of the town's many water tours while sipping some green Cat-Nip cocktail. For road-trip aficionados, M-22 Drive has epic views of the area and should not be missed. Then again, whether one wants to rouse her senses with a beautiful piece of art — or her taste buds — Fishtown, one of a handful of fishing villages on the Great Lakes, is what any good doctor will recommend. Taking the cue, Dennos Museum Center, whose collection includes about 1,600 pieces of Inuit art, can effortlessly steal an entire afternoon.
Grand Haven, Michigan
The appeal of Grand Haven is right there in the name. A haven, in many minds, is an idyllic place entirely free of soul-harassing worries and cares. With locations such as Grand Haven State Park, its pretty beach, and lovely vistas, this town lives up to its name. At the Grand Haven Musical Fountain, the largest musical fountain in the world for many years, jets of water dance to the sound of music, whether by Taylor Swift or Led Zeppelin, in a summer night show that is among the most unique in the Midwest. The misty past comes alive at the Tri-Cities Historical Museum, which houses more than 70,000 artifacts, all of which tell the story of the area in a fun and engaging style. That said, if thin-crust pizza is up your alley, your tour of duty should probably start at Fricano's Pizza.
Two Harbors, Minnesota
Whether drawn by some irresistible spirit of solitude — or an unshakable spirit of adventure — Two Harbors has many things to hold one's attention. Betty's Pies, near the town, could just be the most renowned pie shop in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Judy's Cafe, although not as famous, is just as formidable. It is right in town. Otherwise, one of the best ways to experience Two Harbors is via a morning stroll along the Two Harbors Breakwall — or the whole stretch along the aptly named Waterfront Drive. After this, step back in time at the 3M Birthplace Museum, where visitors learn the intrigues behind one of the area's most storied business ventures. Still out for more fun? Check out the Split Rock Lighthouse, which is set on heart-sinking cliffs overlooking the water, and Iona's Beach Scientific and Natural Area, which is loved for its beautiful pink rocks.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Sunset at Artists Point is one of the most memorable experiences at Grand Marais, the county seat of northeastern Minnesota’s Cook County. But start it off with some filling omelets at Blue Water Cafe, a breakfast-all-day eatery that is increasingly attracting attention. Alternatively, the family-owned World’s Best Donuts has been in business since 1969. Either of these spots should pave the way for North House Folk School, where talented artisans offer hands-on courses on basket weaving and numerous other crafts now in danger of being forgotten. Rouse your senses at Grand Marais Art Colony, which has been in operation since when Harry Truman was president of the United States. The Visitor Centre, which is an attraction by itself, can help with mapping one's trip and maxing out on the experience. Then there is the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway that runs through the heart of the Superior National Forest in its wake, leaving trippers completely blown away.
Munising, Michigan
Munising is a cute little town of less than 2,000 residents that boasts an attractive downtown area sprinkled with several red-brick buildings. A hearty breakfast at Pictured Rocks Pizza on Birch Street should set the pace for the rest of the day’s activities, including excursions to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore; if just to marvel at its sparkling cascades and multicolored sandstone cliffs. You can follow this with the Hiawatha National Forest, Grand Island National Recreation Area, or the Alger Underwater Preserve, which provides an unmatched scuba-diving experience. Come back to Binsfeld Bayshore Park, whose grassy lawns and heart-warming views make visitors ease gently into the night.
Sister Bay, Wisconsin
Small but buzzy, Sister Bay draws attention with its quaint waterfront, charm-soaked streets, and an endearing small-town feel. These should not come as a complete surprise if you know something about Wisconsin's Door County and the beauty-drenched peninsula. You can set base at the DÖrr Hotel, from where you can head across the street for sunbathing in the bay. Al Johnson's, with its rooftop goats, is the town's pride. A meal here is a rite of passage in the vacation world. For a therapeutic glass of wine, head to Twelve Eleven Wine Bar, where the patio opens into a camera-worthy wooded prairie. Find time to chill out at Husby's as you dazzle your taste buds with the most delicious frozen mango margaritas in the world.
St. Joseph, Michigan
Trust S. Joe, which the Detroit Free Press named “The Most Romantic City in Michigan,” to leave a first-time visitor wondering why she is late to the party. It tells you something about the town, which has also been called the Riviera of the Midwest. Therefore, expect to lounge on soft-sand beaches, be mesmerized by Victorian-era charm, and amble through a walkable downtown with many eye-swaying attractions. Krasl Art Center on Lake Boulevard features top-notch artists' exhibits, including paintings, photography, prints, and sculpture. If art is not your thing, you may want to be serenaded by the nautical charm of Silver Beach County Park, rated one of the top 10 Family Beaches in the USA. For the avid history buff, however, the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, right on Main Street, has lots of fascinating history about St. Joseph and the region.
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Sheboygan has been called The Malibu of the Midwest, and that alone should make one start packing her travel suitcase. Its shoreline juts into Lake Michigan, a setting that makes it a prime surfing spot. Inviting restaurants, many of whose tables look out to the water, offers a delightful range of cuisine, whether Italian, Mexican, or American. Still, you can get your food on a stick or in a basket via the town’s family-owned food trucks. A delicious brunch at Al & Al's Steinhaus should pave the way for sites such as Deland Park, which displays a 19th-century wooden shipwreck, the beautiful marina and pier, or the attractively named Evergreen Park, a lovely place to bike, walk, or just relax on the beach.
The Takeaway
The Great Lakes towns ranked among the US favorites are all beautiful but in different ways. Some are famous for providing access to top-notch outdoor venues, some for their festivals and cultural attractions, and others for their awesome downtown areas. Others, however, are a digest of almost everything, whether culture, outdoor access, or beautiful downtown areas.
