7 Best Michigan Towns For A Weekend Trip
Michigan, located in the Upper Midwest’s Great Lakes region, is distinguished for its multifarious topography and unspoiled magnificence. The state toches four of the five Great Lakes and can be divided into two gigantic divisions: the northern heavily wooded Upper Peninsula and the southern mitten-shaped Lower Peninsula. Although the Wolverine State’s bustling cosmopolises such as Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and the state capital Lansing are best-loved destinations for the vast majority of excursionists, it is the bewitching towns peppered throughout ‘The Great Lake State’ that are preferred environs for spending some endearing moments away from the pandemonium of chaotic cities.
Charlevoix
Charlevoix, the administrative capital of Northern Michigan’s Charlevoix County, occupies a restricted chunk of land between Lake Michigan and the western extremity of Lake Charlevoix, roughly 50 miles southwest of Mackinaw City. Christened after a French Jesuit explorer, the town promotes itself as ‘Charlevoix the Beautiful,’ appositely mirroring its outstanding ambient scenery. The Charlevoix Historical Society Harsha House Museum, Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse, Fisherman’s Island State Park, Belvedere Golf Club, Castle Farms, and Hobbit Houses designed by Earl Young are some noteworthy sites of interest. Unwind at the Weathervane Terrace Inn & Suites and take some time off to be there at seasonal celebrations such as the Venetian Festival, Apple Festival, Petunia Planting, and Art & Craft Show.
Petoskey
Emmet County’s seat, Petoskey, is one of the northernmost communities in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, placed by the southern banks of Little Traverse Bay, precisely 70 miles northeast of Traverse City. Occupying the nucleus of the Midwest’s famed all-year resort area, Petoskey is the most favored vacation spot offering ample amusing activities for every vacationist. Those wishing to engage in hiking, camping, and collecting the valuable Petoskey stones must head straight to the adjacent Petoskey State Park. The town’s impressive Gaslight District is teeming with historic properties, clothing stores like Boutique Boisson, gift shops like The Katydid, art galleries like Somebody’s Gallery, bistros like Palette Bistro, and lodges like Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton. The Petoskey Farms Vineyard & Winery and Mackinaw Trail Winery & Brewery are must-stops for wine aficionados, while a brief walk via a pedestrian tunnel will take one to the scenic waterfront parks of the town.
Saugatuck
Primarily a lumber town and port on the Kalamazoo River, this 865-inhabitant Allegan County community is situated on the southeastern shores of Lake Michigan, approx. 45 miles from Grand Rapids and 12 miles south of Holland. An archetypal summer weekend retreat, Saugatuck mesmerizes vacationists with its jaw-dropping natural beauty, cultural offerings, sumptuous food, and an assortment of adrenaline-fueled pursuits. The globally famous Oval Beach’s soft sun-kissed sands, an extensive network of trails maneuvering through Saugatuck Dunes State Park’s coastal dunes, sublime vistas of the encircling region offered by the Mount Baldhead Park, the Saugatuck Chain Ferry ferrying visitors across the Kalamazoo River, the large number of premium wines produced by the Fenn Valley vineyards, the plethoric art galleries lining the Butler Street like Jeff Blandford Gallery, and hotels like Best Western Plaza Hotel Saugatuck are all that lure globetrotters to this picturesque hamlet.
Mackinac Island
A notable summer resort and tourism hotspot in Mackinac County of Northern Michigan, Mackinac Island is set at the eastern extremity of the Straits of Mackinac in Lake Huron. Travelers on a tour of this primitive hamlet get to go back to the past and traverse the entire area on pedal cycles, horse-drawn carriages, or by foot as the usage of automotive vehicles is forbidden. Encompassing a significant part of this island town is the Mackinac Island State Park which includes Fort Mackinac constructed by the British in addition to sections of the harbor and downtown area. Incalculable architectural marvels such as the Biddle House, Mission Church, Mission Point Historical Museum, and Stuart House; gift shops like Little Luxuries, clothing stores like Rustic Chić Boutique, restaurants like Pink Pony, and best-rated hotels like Bicycle Street Inn & Suites cram the downtown. Myriad festivals such as the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival, Epona & Barkus Parade, Feast of Epona, Lilac Festival, and an American Art Show at the Grand Hotel are annually hosted by the town.
South Haven
Spanning across Van Buren and Allegan counties, South Haven is located at the mouth of the Black River along Lake Michigan banks. This picture-perfect 3964-inhabitant town invites holidayers from all over the globe to take note of its unsullied beaches, nature preserves, peripheral parks, and lighthouses aside from a charming downtown jam-packed with unique gift shops like Leon James - South Haven, women’s clothing stores like Lakeshore Trends, wineries like 12 Corners Vineyards - South Haven Tasting Room, top-class restaurants like South Haven Clementine’s and accommodations like Old Haven Inn. Also, be present at the town’s annual National Blueberry Festival on the second weekend of August, and do not miss exploring the South Haven Lighthouse, Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum, South Haven Center for the Arts, Michigan Flywheelers Museum, Historical Association of South Haven, Michigan Maritime Museum, and the nearby Van Buren Trail State Park.
Marquette
Marquette County’s administrative capital and Upper Peninsula’s biggest city, this cute town named after the Great Lakes explorer Jacques Marquette, is set by the Lake Superior shores, about 65 miles north-northwest of Escanaba. Marquette’s most sought-after tourist spot is Sugarloaf Mountain and its easily reachable hiking trail that provides awe-inspiring panoramas of Lake Superior. Likewise, take a tour of the Marquette Maritime Museum, Marquette County History Museum, Marquette Harbor Light, and Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum; partake in recreations at Presque Isle Park and camping activities at Marquette Tourist Park; make use of ice hockey facilities at Lakeview Arena; and de-stress after an eventful day at Hampton Inn Marquette/Waterfront.
Munising
The seat of government of Alger County, this 1986-inhabitant town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, sits alongside the southern shores of Lake Superior on Munising Bay, around 40 miles east of Marquette. With a beguiling downtown full of red-brick structures, one-of-a-kind shops like Das Gift Haus, art galleries like UP~Scale Art, diners like Tracey’s at Roam Inn, and hotels like Holiday Inn Express Munising - Lakeview, Munising has something for everyone. Addedly, admire the sparkling cascades and naturally sculptured varicolored sandstone cliffs in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, as well as the town’s other closeby recreational areas, including the Grand Island National Recreation Area, Binsfeld Bayshore Park & Bayshore Marina, Alger Underwater Preserve, and Hiawatha National Forest.
From the bizarre Earl Young Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix to the rich artistic heritage of Saugatuck - the ‘Art Coast of Michigan,’ each captivating settlement typifies the intrinsic loveliness and cultural resources of the country’s 10th most populous and 11th largest state. Whether you choose to recce the grandiose surroundings, take part in leisure-time pursuits and small-town festivities, or look for congenial surroundings to stay in during your weekend escapes, these Michigan towns are worth adding to your travel plans.
