6 Most Idyllic Small Towns In Michigan
Michigan, the Wolverine State, is a treasure trove of natural wonders, like the first on the list, Beaver Island, with its own abounding landmarks to discover on this Michigan Lake's largest island. Find your own place of idyll, from the Sunrise Coast in Tawas City to the Art Coast in Saugatuck, flaunting six pristine beaches. Wildly adventurous from one side, the Great Lakes State offers beautiful views for scenic relaxation to make everlasting memories away from the big cities.
Catering to every modern traveler away from the hustle of the city, Tawas City is the social butterfly on Lake Huron, with waterfront dining and resorts for every budget along the shoreline. New Buffalo, the southern terminus of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, is the portal to the Great Lakes State near the Indiana border. Pentwater and Saugatuck, the through-and-through Lake Michigan "homies," flaunt an inland lake each for double the waterfront views along the trails and sugary beaches.
Beaver Island
Beaver Island, aka America's Emerald Isle, offers a relaxed, peaceful escape for every nature lover. This largest island in Lake Michigan features a large expanse of wilderness with access by plane or sail to the St. James shore. Home to around 500 people—many Irish descendants—Beaver Island Historical Society is a great place to start discovering, with the view of the beautiful Beaver Island Harbor Light across the waters at the tip of the island's "hook." Largely natural, Beaver Island's unique shape is fun to explore on a bike ride for the active, with rentals available in town, including cars. The other side of the island flaunts another, the Beaver Head Lighthouse or, locally, the Whisky Point Lighthouse.
From Font Lake to Mt. Pisgah, outdoor adventures abound for summertime visitors, while the trails conveniently meander around notable sites like Prorar's Tomb, Angeline's Bluff Lookout, and the Big Rock. Quaint and steeped in history, Camp Wagner Campground rests shoreside on the east flank, popular among the outdoorsy, but even the top-rated Beaver Island Retreat sits spoiled within nature for a romantic escape or a memorable family stay. Dive headfirst into the natural underwater surroundings at the Beaver Island Marine Museum and don't miss the Toy Museum with something eye-catching for every age, while Whisky Point Brewing Company offers to decompress, or just stick around after dinner for drinks at the Shamrock Bar & Restaurant.
Marquette
Home to around 22,000 people, this larger, small town is a shining star of the state, in between the sparkling lakefront and the ultimate winter playground on the other side. Drawing scores of tourists, Marquette bursts with life along the Upper Peninsula without ever feeling overcrowded, where everyone can find a slice of seclusion along the immense Lake Superior's shore—the world's largest single freshwater body—to enjoy the views in close company on a sunny summer day. Alternatively, Noquemanon North Trails Trailhead is a jet set through luscious views for a refreshing hike, and don't miss a sunset stroll to the Marquette Ore Dock.
Whether you're in for the meandering hikes in the foothills or skiing the slopes of Sugarloaf Mountain when the flakes fly, the waterfront at Presque Isle Park features gardens, bandshells, lookouts, and cliff diving from the Black Rocks. The college town, home to Northern Michigan University, abounds in cultural entertainment, shopping, and dining, like the Vierling Restaurant and Marquette Harbour Brewery. From the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum to the Marquette Maritime Museum, there's something for everyone to discover the secrets behind the Great Lakes, including the Marquette Harbour Lighthouse against sunset views!
New Buffalo
Just across the state line with Indiana, New Buffalo is a fun road trip stop, holding a promise of many rewards for those who make it to this southwest corner in Michigan, the "port of entry" to the Great Lakes State. Featuring a charming downtown, the Harbour Grand Hotel welcomes wearisome travelers with a spa, a delicious restaurant, and the next morning's breakfast in bed. Offering beautiful harbor views from sunrise to sunset, the nearby beaches feel idyllic without crowds to relax, soak in the sun rays, and enjoy the close company. From the Four Winds Casino to the up-and-coming food scene, New Buffalo, just 70 miles from Chicago, sure knows how to make lasting impressions!
Part of the upscale southwestern shore towns of Harbor Country, it inspires the feel of "the Hamptons of the Midwest," humbled by the stunning Lake Michigan views, and welcomes visitors to share the one-of-a-kind atmosphere, including the southern terminus for the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. Imbibe the local culture at some of the nearby wineries, while New Buffalo Sailing Excursions and Third Coast Paddling can get even the meekest on friendly terms with the waters. The massive public beach is great for beachcombing, and the stunning Galien River County Park features marshy wetlands and cozy boardwalk hikes.
Pentwater
Boasting two lakefronts—the immense Lake Michigan and its own pretty Pentwater Lake—this Main Street villa feels idyllic within nature's embrace. Its quaintness is old-fashioned, like a getaway right from childhood to which you can introduce your own kids. Steeped in history and laidback vibes, Pentwater is ideal to explore on a stroll or bike, and there is no better start than a ride around its 500-acre lake, perhaps after a bite at the Brown Bear. Home to genuine locals happy to host visitors, the town on Michigan’s west coast flaunts a stunning historic lighthouse, while the Hexagon House Bed and Breakfast is a cozy stay keeping with the retro theme.
Lake Michigan’s clear waters and sugar-fine sandy beaches are seductive for a summertime escape if relaxing is the goal of your visit. Just north of the cute Pentwater South Pierhead, Mears State Park sprawls as the main beach with amenities, doubling up as an RV park to explore the trails when not lounging on the expansive sands in the lake's fresh breath. A vibrant river feeds the smaller inland lake, while rows of small businesses downtown hold curiosities for every taste and interest. After browsing an eclectic mix of shops, like Sew Lets Be Quilty and Cosmic Candy Company, why not grab a snack to go for a picnic at the Village Green, a center park with tons of fun events?
Saugatuck
Sneaking up on every beach lover's list in the state, Saugatuck, an Art Coast town, truly offers something for any traveler's taste. While being tiny, it is an annual summer tradition to hit up on Lake Michigan, flaunting six sandy beaches and many town greens. From ice cream stands for a stroll to South Pierhead for a selfie to the Saugatuck Dunes Rides through the Saugatuck Dunes State Park sprawling just to the north, it all inspires a summertime love affair for the outdoorsy. Attracting photographers and artists to capture the scenery or seek inspiration from the local talent, Saugatuck is just as much a cultural destination filled with art galleries, museums, and boutiques, like art over wine in a garden at J. Petter Galleries.
This West Michigan town is a breathtaking blend of lakeside beauty and the state's creative genius, with regional highlights like the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Waterfront Invitational Art Fair, and Ox-Bow School of Art. Serving up a dose of inspiration to catch your own creative flow amid southern hospitality and cuisine, there is no better place to start a day full of discoveries than at the Uncommon Coffee Roasters. Hugging the inland Kalamazoo Lake, end it at the iconic Saugatuck Brewing Company after dinner at the BARge for seafood or the James Beard-nominated Southerner.
Tawas City
Tawas City, the charming "Cape Cod of the Midwest," embraces the scenic shores of Lake Huron from a peninsula on Michigan's eastern side. Home to approximately 1,800 residents, genuinely happy vibes permeate the atmosphere of this laidback beachside idyll, where you can't help but fall into the relaxed pace that feels like a home away from the city. From soaking in the sunrays along the beaches to the natural beauty at the nearby Tawas Point State Park in the refreshing lake's breath, welcome to Michigan's Sunrise Coast, where the sunset takes the front stage from the front seat view of the town's pier.
Strewn with town greens in between resorts for every budget along the shore, Tawas City Shoreline Park is a popular place to mingle with a boardwalk and access to the sands. Whether you're seeking tranquility, a mix of small-town charms, or gritty outdoor adventures, Gateway Park holds all in one, including a unique painted sculpture playground for the kids with water views. From the mega-popular Mangos Mexican Cuisine and Tequila Bar to the equally impressive Augie's On the Bay or the Tawas Bay Pizza Company, dine any style at the waterside. Just a hop away from the drink of your choice, Social Oak Chophouse & Wine Bar and the thematic Boathouse Beer Co. & Boozery are part of the town's wine and hops trail tour.
From the renowned art venues to trailing with an ice cream cone to another one of the six beaches, put life as you know it on hold in Saugatuck in any season when the soul yearns for an escape. Marquette, a "Superior" guy for summertime water fun, turns into a winter wonderland, from mild snow play to the skiing slopes down Sugarloaf Mountain.
Sublimely picturesque where even the "Hamptons of the Midwest," New Buffalo, is humble against the undulating lake views, these towns define idyllic for every taste. Pentwater, flaunting old-fashioned charm that takes you back to childhood vacation days, is also a shopper's paradise with its Mears State Park sprawling as the main beach with amenities, RV spots, and trails.
