8 Lovely Small Towns to Visit in Great Lake This Summer
From Lake Huron and Michigan to Lake Erie, Superior, and Ontario, the Great Lakes contribute to the world’s largest freshwater system. As such, the region serves as one of the choicest destinations for summer vacations across the US and Canada, with charming waterfronts, beaches, piers, and dazzling sunsets as enticements. While these lakes overlap the coastlines of big cities such as Chicago and Cleveland, they also form the borders of small towns, where life is laid-back and the waterfronts are quieter. From Munising to Kewaunee, here are eight lovely towns in the Great Lakes worth visiting for a quintessential summer vacation.
Kewaunee, Wisconsin
Kewaunee is a magnificent small town on the Northwest Shore of the elegant Lake Michigan, where visitors will want to return after the first visit. One of the most iconic features here is the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse, which extends into Lake Michigan from the harbor and features magical views. For art lovers, the Kewaunee Art Walk is a must-experience as it invites visitors to walk downtown and see beautiful banners of local artists every summer. History lovers can learn about the past at the Kewaunee Historical Jail Museum, built in 1876. For thrilling outdoor experiences, visitors can cycle on the 44-mile Ahnapee State Trail from Kewaunee to Algoma and Sturgeon Bay. The town also invites visitors to see the world’s tallest Grandfather Clock downtown. Of course, like most lake towns, a vacation in Kewaunee is not complete without some water adventures, and Kewaunee River is a great place for canoeing and kayaking.
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Bayfield is one of the smallest towns in Wisconsin, with a population of about 500 people. However, this small town is on the shores of Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake, and is a gateway to the Apostles Islands National Lakeshore, an archipelago comprising 22 islands. Visitors to this town can begin with a cruise to the Apostle Islands to enjoy canoeing and kayaking around the islands. History-hungry visitors can then head to the Bayfield Maritime Museum to learn about the area’s history via artifacts. Next, hit the Brownstone Trail to hike or bike along the beautiful shoreline of Lake Superior. After the adventures, call it a day with a mouthwatering fresh dinner at Copper Trout.
Geneva-on-the-lake, Ohio
Geneva-on-the-lake is a lovely town in Ashtabula County, Ohio along Lake Erie. Although small, this town offers an explosive summer vacation as it is home to Geneva State Park. This park overlapping Lake Erie invites visitors to swim on its 300-foot guarded swimming beach, host picnics on the sand, fish in the lake, hike two miles of trails, and boat on the water via its marina. The park also offers ziplining adventures and a spot for archery. When in the mood for dining, Eddie’s Grill or Corner Coffeehouse are excellent destinations in town. For travelers visiting with the family, fun awaits at Sun Retreat, a 110-acre park featuring RV camping, heated pools, a playground, and access to Lake Erie for fishing. For some entertainment, visitors are invited to Noble Art Entertainment Dinner Theater and stop by the Ashtabula County Historical Society for an immersion into the town’s history.
Chesterton, Indiana
Chesterton is an adorable jewel in the Great Lakes, northwest Indiana, perfect for an unforgettable summer. For starters, the town offers visitors easy access to two prime outdoor attractions - Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Park. The State Park comprises 1,530 acres of dunes, mostly overlapping Lake Michigan and serving as a beach. Visitors can swim on the beach, play in the dunes, hike the landscape, hold picnics, and watch birds in the park. Next, visitors are invited to the Indiana Dunes National Park along Lake Michigan, where one can spend the entire summer exploring its hiking trails, varied landscapes, plants, forests, and wildlife while camping. Afterward, cool off with some history at Westchester Township History Museum, offering temporary and permanent exhibits that peek at prehistoric times. Spend the remaining time browsing through various art exhibitions at the Chesterton Art Center.
Terrace Bay, Ontario
Terrace Bay is a North shore beauty of Lake Superior but on the Canadian side in Ontario. This small town is a summer tourist hub, boasting many gorgeous beaches on the shores of Lake Superior. Terrace Bay Beach is a typical first port of call in this town as it also serves as a launch pad to kayak, boat, and swim on the lake. The beach also has access to the Slate Islands Provincial Park, an archipelago of 15 small islands in Lake Superior, 7.5 miles south of Terrace Bay. Visitors can boat or kayak to the archipelago for camping, nature sightseeing, and a chance to spot the northern lights. While in this town, don’t miss the Aguasabon Falls and Gorge, an area of breathtaking natural beauty featuring a 100-foot waterfall. Terrace Bay Lighthouse is another point of interest in this town that is worth visiting as one can climb to the top with binoculars to savor views of the Slate Islands. To wrap up, enjoy a hearty lunch at Drifters Restaurant and Bar.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Grand Marais lies on the northern shores of Lake Superior, where it promises a mind-blowing summer experience for visitors, especially hikers, bikers, and road trip enthusiasts. The town is home to Gunflint Trail, a 57-mile-long paved road stretching from Grand Marais to Saganaga Lake near the Canadian border. Superior Hiking Trail (Section 6) is another exciting trail near this town, stretching 49 miles and bypassing some of Minnesota’s elegant waterfalls, hills, rivers, and creeks. While in this town, don’t miss out on a visit to Artist’s Point, a rock peninsula on the shores of Lake Superior featuring a stone pathway leading to Grand Marais Lighthouse (built in 1885). The Grand Marais Art Colony Center hosts many interesting art events for art lovers visiting in summer. Meanwhile, history buffs can learn a few things about the town and its host county at the Cook County History Museum.
South Haven, Michigan
Spend the summer in the alluring lakeside town of South Haven along the shores of Lake Michigan and be stunned by breathtaking sights and sounds. This town stuns visitors with attractions like the South Haven Lighthouse, built in 1872 and featuring spectacular views of the Black River as it flows into Lake Michigan. The town also features North Beach, where visitors can bask under the sun, promenade, swim, enjoy picnics, and build sandcastles. For history buffs, South Haven is home to the Michigan Maritime Museum, featuring antique boats and exhibits reflecting the maritime history of Michigan. Along Broadway Street, visitors who appreciate art can also explore the Artworks Gallery and pick a handcrafted beauty as a souvenir.
Munising, Michigan
Munising is a charming summer vacation town on the southern shores of Lake Superior, famous for being the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Covering 73,000 acres and 42 miles of shoreline in Lake Superior, this park is home to staggering rock formations, dramatic cliffs rising above the lake, beaches, charming dunes, and the Au Sable Lighthouse (built in 1874). The area offers fishing, swimming, hiking, boating, camping, picnicking, and birdwatching. For more adventures in town, visitors can hop on the Grand Island Ferry for a cruise to the Grand Island National Recreation Area, home to more beaches, trails, sandstone cliffs, lakes, and overlooks offering spectacular scenery. Art lovers can have a field day browsing through thought-provoking artworks at Art in the Alley. Elsewhere, history lovers can learn about the lakeshore, shipwrecks, native American legends, and more at the Pictured Rocks Interpretive Center.
The Great Lakes is a spectacular region in North America made up of several small towns encompassing parts of the US and Canada. These towns are endowed with gorgeous beaches and waterfronts, setting the stage for water-based adventures and laid-back experiences. Away from the shorelines and charms of the lakes, a thriving culture, stunning cuisine, and rich history rest at the cores of these towns. Thus, a summer vacation in these charming destinations promises wholesome experiences that visitors would most likely long to repeat.
