7 Best Lakeside Towns In The Great Lakes
The Great Lakes region covers a vast swathe of North America, encompassing parts of both the United States and Canada. As some of the largest fresh bodies of water in the world, the lands around these lakes are notable for the lush woodlands, pristine beaches, and other lively and beautiful natural features.
Some of the world's biggest population centers can be found here too, with Toronto and Chicago sitting on the shores of Lake Ontario and Lake Michigan, respectively. Today, however, we will cover some of the smaller towns around the Great Lakes that you can also appreciate. From Wisconsin to upstate New York, join us today as we highlight these excellent waterfront destinations.
Marquette, Michigan
Marquette, the largest city on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, sits on the southern shore of Lake Superior. This city, which has just over 21,000 residents, is an attractive year-round destination, with both its picturesque downtown core and its proximity to wonderful parklands like Presque Isle Park.
Presque Isle is a 323-acre peninsula with scenic cliffs, hiking trails, and panoramic views of the lake. The waterfront also includes McCarty’s Cove, a popular swimming hole with a beach, a historic lighthouse, and a network of trails that are popular among cyclists and runners.
Marquette’s downtown stands out visually with its historic sandstone buildings that house amenities like restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and a nice selection of breweries. The city has a strong local food and craft beer scene, with establishments like Blackrocks Brewery and Ore Dock Brewing Co. drawing both residents and visitors for a cold one (or two) after a day out.
For a more educational excursion, the Marquette Maritime Museum and the nearby Marquette Harbor Lighthouse feature exhibits that shine light on the area’s longstanding shipping history. Northern Michigan University also adds an academic and youthful presence to the Marquette.
The area features one of Michigan's few downhill ski areas as well, Marquette Mountain Resort, making it an ideal spot to visit in the winter.
Tobermory, Ontario
Tobermory rests at the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula and is one of Ontario's most iconic Great Lakes destinations. Situated between the vast waters of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, this vacation town is renowned for its deeply blue and crystal-clear waters, appearing like something you'd see in the Caribbean Sea.
There are also towering cliffs, dense forests, and other natural attractions in the area, including the Fathom Five National Marine Park. This park is quite unique, as it protects an extensive underwater landscape that includes 22 shipwrecks, making it a top destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. Glass-bottom boat tours provide an alternative way to view the wrecks, as well as Flowerpot Island, home to tall standing limestone formations and hiking trails.
Bruce Peninsula National Park is another highly sought-after natural preserve near Tobermory. Located just south of town, it features landmarks like the Grotto, a natural sea cave with the park's famous turquoise waters, attracting landscape photographers, sightseers, and swimmers alike. The park’s rugged coastline and dense forests are also home to a network of scenic trails, campsites, and other, more secluded viewpoints along the shoreline.
In town, Tobermory’s Little Tub Harbour serves as the center of town, with restaurants, shops, hotels, and boat docks lining the waterfront. The community is also a gateway to Manitoulin Island via ferry, making it an all-around great stop for those traveling across Ontario. Just note that many of its businesses are closed for the winter months.
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Bayfield, located on the shores of Lake Superior, is best known as a gateway to the Apostle Islands. Besides its proximity to one of the most beloved national parks in the United States, it is an incredible lakeside destination on the Great Lakes for many of its own reasons.
The town’s tight layout makes it easy to explore its historic buildings, shops, and waterfront parks on foot. The Bayfield Maritime Museum, for one, offers insight into the area’s history dating back to its founding in 1856, while a locale like the Big Top Chautauqua is a regional favorite to see live music performances just outside of dowtown.
Be sure to visit Bayfield’s marina, which serves as the departure point for boat tours to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, known for its sea caves, historic lighthouses, and network of hiking trails. In winter, visitors can access the ice caves when conditions allow. Nearby Madeline Island, also accessible by ferry, provides additional outdoor activities, including biking and paddling.
Bayfield is also a major hub for regional agriculture in northern Wisconsin. The Bayfield Apple Festival, held each October, celebrates the area’s world-class orchards with cider tastings, baked goods, and fresh produce available to purchase from a number of vendors. If you love some fresh, locally grown fruit, summer and fall bring opportunities to pick berries at the many nearby farms too.
Winthrop Harbor, Illinois
Winthrop Harbor, located on the Illinois-Wisconsin border, is home to North Point Marina, the largest marina on the Great Lakes. With over 1,500 slips, the marina attracts boaters from across the region and serves as a launching point for fishing charters, sailing excursions, and watersports on Lake Michigan. The adjacent Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club and lakefront parks provide additional waterfront access.
Illinois Beach State Park, stretching south of town, features six miles of shoreline, dunes, and hiking trails through rare coastal habitats for you to explore on land. Here, you can swim, fish, or explore the park’s diverse plants and wildlife. Moreover, North Point Marina’s public beach offers a quieter alternative to other, larger Lake Michigan beaches.
With its focus on lake access, outdoor recreation, and close proximity to major cities like Chicago and Milwaukee, Winthrop Harbor stands out as one of the best lakeside towns in one of the most populous regions of the Great Lakes.
Saugatuck, Michigan
Saugatuck sits along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, combining an extensive beachfront with a thriving arts scene and tons of outdoor recreation all around. Sitting near the mouth of the Kalamazoo River, this community's dowtown area is further complimented by riverside views, all within steps of many of its best attractions.
Oval Beach, just across the river, is a favorite spot to lounge around in the sand, with rolling dunes and clear waters ideal for swimming and sunbathing in the summer. The nearby Saugatuck Dunes State Park is also home to hiking trails through its own wooded sand dunes, many of which lead to a quieter stretch of shoreline that sees far fewer crowds. Mount Baldhead, another must-visit natural landmark nearby, is a particularly towering dune accessible via a long wooden staircase. This feature will reward you with a viewpoint high above the lake and dowtown area.
The town has a strong cultural presence in this part of Michigan, anchored by the Saugatuck Center for the Arts and a history of attracting artists in need of an escape to nature dating back to the early 20th century. Across the street from this institution is the highly regarded Amazwi Contemporary Art, a gallery that focuses on handcrafted African arts and crafts.
Close by you can also check out historic landmarks like the Singapore, Michigan Historical Marker, an ode to one of Michigan's most famous ghost towns. Singapore was a former settlement that essentially "sunk" into Lake Michigan and its adjacent dunes after the overlogging of local forests exacerbated the erosion of the sandy soils underneath it.
Put-In-Bay, Ohio
South Bass Island, where the town of Put-In-Bay is located, sits in Lake Erie about 5 miles off of Ohio's Marblehead Peninsula. Accessible by ferry from the township of Cawaba Island, it provides an easy-to-access island escape without the hassle of flying out to the ocean.
In its tight-knit downtwon area golf carts serve as the primary mode of transportation, allowing visitors to explore the island’s parks, historic sites, and scenic shorelines without the need to bring over their vehicles too.
Despite its somewhat remote location, Put-In-Bay has a surprising amount of historical relevance. Learn more at landmarks like Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, a 352-foot column overlooking the lake that commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie from the War of 1812. The site also offers unobstructed views over the water from its observation deck.
Water-based activities range from kayaking along the shoreline to fishing and boating in the protected harbor. For another local outdoor attraction, South Bass Island State Park provides additional outdoor space for hiking, swimming, and picnicking. The island is also home to limestone caves, including Crystal Cave, which features the world’s largest geode; so big that you can walk inside it!
Put-in-Bay’s entertainment scene includes live music venues, wineries, and seasonal festivals, such as the annual Pyrate Fest and Island Wine Festival, both taking place in June.
Cape Vincent, New York
Cape Vincent sits where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, making it an ideal place to access the Thousand Islands. A ferry connects Cape Vincent to Wolfe Island, Ontario, providing an easy international excursion. Situated very close to Quebec, the town is also notable for its French ties, a heritage that is celebrated with its annual French Festival every July.
The area is well known for its wineries and is part of the Thousand Islands-Seaway Wine Trail, namely the Cape Winery located just south of Cape Vincent. If beer is more to your taste, the Cape Vincent Brewing Company is located smack dab in the heart of downtown. Other things to see and do dowtown include the Cape Vincent Historical Museum, and the Cape Vincent Fisheries Station, a fun little aquarium located right on the waterfront.
The Tibbetts Point Lighthouse, found a short drive east of town is another place of interest, and demarcates exactly where the St. Lawrence River officially begins!
Explore the Great Lakes Today
Regardless of the season, there is always something to do around the Great Lakes. Whether exploring a historic dowtown, finding outdoor adventure in a scenic park, or enjoying the season's harvest on a local farm, these towns are just some of what this wonderful region has to offer.
Covering numerous states and provinces in Canada and the United States, you can add the destinations mentioned above into a comprehensive tour around the lakes, or pick whichever is closest to you for a quick weekend getaway. Whichever you choose, there are many memories to be made along the way!
