7 Underappreciated Towns to Visit in the Great Lakes Region

Comprising nearly 95,000 square miles of water, the natural wonder that the Midwest's natural lakes offer over 9,000 miles of scenic shoreline. No wonder big cities like Chicago and Milwaukee were built along these "vast inland seas," with endless shores sprouting small towns in between.

Each lovelier than the next, Silver Bay is like a diamond ring on the "pointy finger" of Lake Superior, with its intruding Tettegouche State Park, the dark-sanded Black Beach Park with a dock for scuba divers, and the clifftop Split Rock Lighthouse State Park just 14 minutes south. Like a postcard from Switzerland, the little alpine town of Gaylord, covered in snow for about half the year, flaunts big attractions and the Alpine Chocolat Haus on Main Street.

Ashland, Wisconsin

Nestled up against the bottom of Chequamegon Bay on Lake Superior, Ashland is underappreciated among the more popular towns around the world's largest freshwater body by area. Delighting visitors with a cozy harbor town atmosphere, vibrant attractions, and easy access to some of the state's best outdoors, the crowdless feel becomes appreciated. Overlooking Madeleine Island, Ashland is jet-set to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and just half an hour to Copper Falls State Park, with waterfalls to chase along the wildlife trails.

Home to its own small regional airport, Prentice Park City Campground is a popular site to throw down the bags and explore. Right across Maslowski Beach Artesian Well is a picturesque spot with a serene feel and crisp-tasting water. Don't miss the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center before hopping off into Pattison State Park or Amnicon Falls State Park—it's an open door into Wisconsin’s Northwoods. And when you're famished, Deep Water Grille serves comfort food and drinks with lake views, while Three Eagles Gift Shop is a must-stop to stock up.

Gaylord, Michigan

Covered in snow for about half the year, Gaylord is straight from a postcard in Switzerland. This tiny alpine village is home to pretty architecture and some pretty big attractions, including Gaylord Regional Airport and the family-run Call of the Wild Museum. Featuring a variety of North American wildlife, plus a theater and gift shop, it's perfect for visiting before your next stop—Gaylord's City Elk Park—for a summertime walk and picnic in the wilderness right in town. Just to the west, the Pine Baron Pathway is a popular hiking and snowshoeing area.

Located in the northern portion of the lower peninsula, Gaylord offers easy access to some of the Midwest’s few skiing hills. Otsego Resort is submerged in nature just east, and if you forgot some gear, Jay's Sporting Goods has got your back. Otsego County Library is an excellent spot to browse or relax; plus, it's right next door to the flavorful selection at Mooney's Ice Cream Parlor. Treetops Resort, the Otsego Club, and the Michaywe Pines Golf Course are popular in the warmer months, and no visit is complete without indulging at Alpine Chocolat Haus on Main Street and stocking up for friends.

Kelleys Island, Ohio

This Lake Erie Island, among Ohio's several, is a real oasis of daunting natural beauty. Home to only 256 year-round residents living in between the rocky shoreline and lush forests, Kelleys Island attracts adventurous and wildlife lovers, as well as families seeking simplicity at a relaxed pace. Some two hours from Cleveland, including a jaunty ferry ride, Kelleys Island welcomes you with its downtown gift stores, restaurants, and live music. From historic homes to hospitality, it all tastes like an easy-going island lifestyle—best to explore via a bike ride or rent a golf cart.

While enjoying its serenity with a splash of tourist culture, the town delights visitors with laidback wineries and attractions like Charles Herndon Galleries and Sculpture Garden. The outdoors is a photographer's dream, from Glacial Grooves, the world's largest glacial scoring, to Kelleys Island State Park with trails, camping, and a sandy beach along Lake Erie for recreation. Catch a fishing charter to catch perch or walleye or inquire about Native American petroglyphs in a limestone boulder while miniature golf and karaoke are the local entertainment.

Kewaunee, Wisconsin

While the brilliant blue waters of Lake Michigan rightfully deserve all the sparkle, this tiny town just north of Milwaukee offers "The Good Life on a Great Lake." Tucked along the western shore between pristine beaches and rolling green pastures, some 40 minutes from Green Bay, Kewaunee, is a real northeastern gem in the historically agricultural Kewaunee County. Full of natural beauty to explore without tourist crowds, like along Kewaunee Marshland Walk in the lake's fresh breath, this historic harbor town is a perfect day trip, weekend escape, or weeklong getaway.

From hiking and fishing to a museum and a marina, the great outdoor recreational fun is just a stroll to one of Kewaunee's lush waterfront town greens. Harbor Park, home to the beautiful Tug Ludington, is just a stroll to the Kewaunee Lighthouse-South Pierhead View Point and a hop to the spectacular lighthouse itself with its museum at the end of a long pier. While shopping, dining, and architecture strolls—the good life—don't miss the world's largest grandfather clock, a historical landmark, while the bright pink building just east is unexpectedly Kewaunee County Sheriff's Residence and Jail.

Leland, Michigan

Having grown out of one of the oldest and largest Ottawa villages on the Leelanau Peninsula, Leland attracted the first settlers in the 1830s with its bountiful waters, quickly becoming a thriving fishing settlement. Today, it is a wonderful beach town on Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau, with a historic heart in northwest Michigan. Tucked away in the beautiful peninsula, Leland gets lots in between the hiking trails, wildflowers, and crystal-clear water. Clay Cliffs is a quick, beautiful hike in every season.

After an afternoon of swimming and sunbathing, the iconic riverside "Fishtown," with its fun shops and great restaurants, is adorable in the atmosphere that hasn't changed much since the early 1900s. While strolling along the docks or picnicking by the bobbing fish tugs on the Leland River, don't forgo a local offer to taste smoked fish among weathered fishing shanties, smokehouses, and racks of drying fishing. With its beautiful beaches on Lake Michigan, visit in the fall to avoid the crowds.

Silver Bay, Minnesota

Silver Bay, a Lake County town, is like a diamond ring on the "pointy finger" of Lake Superior. While Beaver Bay, just three miles up, is the North Shore's oldest community, Silver Bay, built by a mining company in 1956 and home to under 2,000 people, holds its ground with on-site natural attractions like the intruding Tettegouche State Park and the Silver Bay Trail. The sandy Black Beach Park with picturesque rocks offers sandy picnic areas, boat launches, and even a dock for scuba divers. It's absolutely breathtaking and crownless to feel the unique texture with your bare feet. Just 14 minutes south, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is an absolute clifftop must-see from a dramatic movie scene.

Silver Bay is just 56 miles northeast of Duluth along the highway, while Black Beach Municipal Campground is popular, reputable, and convenient for your wet and dry adventures, like Superior National Forest or the Boundary Waters Canoe. Northwoods Family Grille is spacious and casual, with an outdoorsy theme and drool-worthy ribs. Flaunting tidy streets with a library, regular hockey and softball tournaments, and a marina, there's also a beautiful nine-hole golf course with a driving range. The best hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and ATV trails extend into the North Woods and state trails, like the Superior Hiking Trails along the world's largest freshwater lake.

Ste. Sault Marie, Michigan

Ste. Sault Marie, across the namesake city in Ontario, Canada, likes to differentiate itself as "Soo," its affectionate nickname, which happens to be its most popular attraction. A real feat of engineering, Soo Locks is an incredible marine museum that attracts nature lovers, families, and architects alike. The 210-foot Tower of History is accessible via a long climb or elevator to 25-plus-story heights for panoramic deck views, May through October, of the boats passing through the locks, Sugar Island, the Canadian waterfront, and the 1,200-square-mile wilderness. Soo is located about 50 miles north of the Mackinac Bridge, at the intersection of Lake Superior and Lake Huron.

Underappreciated for being worthy of the drive so far out, it is minute-access to visit another country and even walk across the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge on June 29th. Soo is an optimal destination for a long weekend or a perfect road trip stop on a cross-region drive to visit the Great Lakes towns across the border. There are plenty of ways to sightsee with your family or stay entertained, like at the incredible Museum Ship Valley Camp and a casino. Enjoy a boat tour with a historical narrative in the splashes and a unique photo through the locks. Being on the state line, Michigan Welcome Center is your ultimate guide, while the apt Last Resort offers a memorable stay.

Discover More Great Lakes Treasures

Flaunting five Great Lakes—Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Superior—the region's small towns defined by waters are often overlooked in their peaceful ambiance of the intruding wilderness and sea-like views to the horizon.

Between the rocky shoreline and lush forests, Kelleys Island is wild yet simple and relaxed, while Leland is a beautiful beach town on Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau with an early 1900s atmosphere. Ashland is an open door into Wisconsin’s Northwoods and Ste. Sault Marie—to Canada.