6 Eclectic Small Towns In Michigan

Affectionately called the “Great Lakes State,” Michigan has rightfully earned its reputation as an outdoor recreational paradise. However, many may not realize that Michigan is also home to quirkier towns that sometimes seem as if they belong in another country or possibly even another century. These include car-free towns with horse-drawn carriages, German-inspired architecture, and festivals, and even a place literally named Hell. If you are looking for a different adventure in 2025, these six towns are sure to do it.

Mackinac Island

The moment you step onto Mackinac Island you will notice something different: There are no cars. In fact, Mackinac Island is home to the only highway in the country that prohibits motor vehicles. As a result, you will have to get around the island either on foot, bike, or horse-drawn carriage! Consider signing up for a tour with Mackinac Island Carriage Tours,that will take you around on a narrated carriage tour of the island. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of water sports, such as renting a kayak with Great Turtle Kayak Tours or seeing the Straits of Mackinac from above with Mackinaw Parasailing. Mackinac Island is also renowned for its homemade fudge, so travelers should add Original Murdick's Fudge, Joann’s Fudge, and Kilwins Chocolate and Ice Cream shop to their itinerary to try some out!

Frankenmuth

Nicknamed "Michigan’s Little Bavaria," Frankenmuth offers a taste of German culture without needing to leave the country. Strolling through town, visitors will be able to appreciate a variety of Franconian Architecture, such as the Holz Brücke Covered Bridge, an authentic, wooden covered bridge inspired by 19th-century German architecture. The Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival, taking place in June, is another great way to experience the town’s German culture, featuring Maypole dancing, polka bands, German beer, and the Bavarian Festival Parade. The annual Oktoberfest is another German-inspired favorite festival to add to your calendar. Make sure to try Frankenmuth’s famous chicken dinner before leaving town, a fried chicken plate, with both Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth and Bavarian Inn Restaurant being the most popular places to serve it.

Petoskey

Petoskey is perhaps best known as the home of the iconic Petoskey stone, Michigan’s state stone. This fossilized rugose coral, formed millions of years ago, features distinctive ovular patterns on its surface. Travelers who want to find one of these stones for themselves will have their best luck along Lake Michigan, particularly at Petoskey State Park. While at this state park, visitors can also enjoy the chance to go camping, swimming, or hiking along one of its many trails. After stone hunting at the state park, travelers can head back into town to explore the famed Gaslight District. This district is home to more than 170 restaurants and shops, making it a great place to grab dinner. Chandler’s is a classic restaurant to check out, operating in Petoskey since 1999 and offering a European chic-style environment. Some of the dishes include freshly caught seafood, venison, and pheasant.

Hell

Visiting Hell might not be what you had in mind for your next vacation, but you’d be surprised by the variety of attractions, many of which play off its devilish name. For just a small price, visitors can buy a square inch of land in Hell and be able to become a member of the Hell Landowner's Society. Traveling with your significant other? Bring a lock to seal your love on the Locks of Love Bridge, leaving an eternal mark in Hell. After a day of exploring Hell’s quirky attractions, travelers can have a fantastic dinner at The Smoke Doctor, a barbecue restaurant that offers mouthwatering brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, sausage, and baby back ribs. For a memorable souvenir, visitors can also stop by Scream’s, an ice cream shop and souvenir store that sells t-shirts, pins, Halloween items, coffee mugs, and other trinkets.

Charlevoix

Situated on three lakes, the natural beauty that surrounds Charlevoix is hard to beat. Those wanting to spend an afternoon swimming or sunbathing can do so at Michigan Beach Park, which offers white sand beaches, walking trails, a basketball court and volleyball net, and the opportunity to hunt for more Petoskey stones. Travelers can also head to the Michigan Pier to enjoy an afternoon of fishing, no boat needed. Lake Charlevoix also deserves an afternoon of exploration.

Travelers looking for adventure can book a sailing charter with Sunshine Charters, which takes passengers out on a 40-foot offshore sailing catamaran. Along the way, they can admire stunning boathouses and waterfront homes and even enjoy a quick swim during the journey. Charlevoix’s Mushroom Houses are another highlight. Designed by architect Earl Young over his 50-year career, these fascinating stone structures were built to blend into their natural surroundings, using fieldstone, limestone, and boulders that he sourced from northern Michigan.

Saugatuck

Known as the Art Coast of Michigan, Saugatuck is home to one of the state’s most creative and vibrant art communities. Year-round, visitors can catch a show or performance at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, a community-based art center that hosts musicals, plays, and concerts. Looking for a new art piece for your home? Saugatuck offers countless galleries to explore. Amazwi Contemporary Art showcases works from artists across the African continent, including paintings, sculptures, and crafts. Jeff Blandford Gallery specializes in handcrafted ceramics, while the Marcia Perry Sculpture Studio creates one-of-a-kind sculptures from stone and wood. After appreciating Saugatuck’s art scene, travelers can look for some of their own inspiration at one of the nearby beaches. Oval Beach, the town’s main beach, is known for its rolling dunes and sweeping shorelines, earning recognition as one of the country’s best beaches.

Final Thoughts

No two towns in Michigan are the same, and these six towns are perfect examples of that fact. While some offer classic lake experiences, others feature art-filled communities, endless fudge shops, and even hell-themed barbecue joints. With an attraction for everyone, these towns are sure to please even the most diverse groups of travelers. So, stop wondering where the next vacation will take you, because these eclectic destinations are waiting!