8 of the Most Charming Small Towns to Visit in The Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a famous chain of deep freshwater lakes in East Central North America, including Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. These massive water bodies are home to millions of people, many of whom live in cities by these lakes, like Toronto, Cleveland, Chicago, and Detroit. Outside the cities, the Great Lakes also boast a collection of small towns renowned for their scenic landscapes and cozy charms.
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Golden autumn colors in rural Bayfield, Wisconsin, on a beautiful sunny afternoon.
Bayfield is consistently touted as a premier Great Lakes destination, recognized as one of the best coastal towns or destinations by USA Today or Conde Nast Traveler! This small Great Lakes town is a stunning Gateway to the Apostle Islands along Lake Superior.
Visitors kayak through the waters at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to awe at the dramatic sea caves. This popular coastal park is also studded with sandy beaches, sandstone cliffs, and 12 miles of rugged wilderness.
Kayakers are not the only ones to enjoy Bayfield—after all, there is a reason this small Great Lakes town is nicknamed the “Berry Capital of Wisconsin.” Discover the glory of Bayfield’s orchards and berry fields through its Fruit Loop and sample local strawberries, cherries, and apples, all bursting with flavors!
Pop into town to appreciate Bayfield’s other attractions, including the Bayfield Maritime Museum or the Bayfield Artists Guild.
Chesterton, Indiana
The Great Lakes town of Chesterton is only 50 miles southeast of Chicago on the southern shores of Lake Michigan. This family-friendly, charming beach town in Indiana is famous for its proximity to the Indiana Dunes.
Visitors can bring the whole family for a pleasant day out at the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve, which is complete with the Chesterton Amphitheatre, the Pavilion, Philips Pond, and Weir Bridge. Meanwhile, heritage lovers can explore local history by perusing the Commercial Historic District and the Westchester Township History (which sits inside the 1885 Brown Mansion!).
Chesterton is famous for the Indiana Dunes, which are the world’s largest lakeshore dunes. Visitors flock to the Indiana Dunes National and State Parks to see these massive dunes up close and to explore the most ecologically diverse habitat in Indiana. The parks are a place to witness the flock of migratory birds in the area, explore miles of rugged trails, or enjoy the dune-lined shores.
Geneva-On-The-Lake, Ohio
Aerial view of the coastal town of Geneva on the Lake, Ohio, along Lake Erie.
It is easy to feel the vacation vibes at Geneva-on-the-Lake. This Great Lakes town is along the shores of Lake Erie and has been catering to vacationers for over 150 years, attracting high-profile characters like John D. Rockefeller, Harvey Firestone, and Henry Ford. Today, visitors can still experience the magic of Ohio’s first summer resort destination!
Geneva-on-the-Lake emanates timeless and family-friendly charm, especially with its attractions like Allison’s Mini Golf and Eddie’s Grill. These icons are a town staple! Allison’s Mini Golf is the oldest miniature golf course in the US, while Eddie’s Grill has been serving up classic American fare—from footlong hot dogs and burgers—since the 1950s.
Visitors can enjoy the vibes at Geneva-on-the-Lake at the Geneva State Park on the eastern shores of Lake Erie. The park encompasses natural swimming areas with a collection of freshwater marshes. Visitors can also take advantage of the park’s multi-use and paved trails or simply picnic at the park while soaking in scenic views of the lake.
Winthrop Harbor, Illinois
Winthrop Harbor Marina in Illinois.
Winthrop Harbor prides itself on being a family-friendly community along the shores of Lake Michigan and hosts the largest marina in the Great Lakes.
This Great Lakes town invites visitors to explore the North Point Marina and its 4,160 acres of preserve. The shoreline at this large marina stretches for 6.5 miles and boasts a protected floating dock system consisting of 1,454 slips!
The Illinois Beach State Park is another nature-filled gem in Winthrop Harbor with miles of trails, a boardwalk, and a nature observation tower inside a park that is designated as a wetland of international importance.
Visitors can make their trip to Winthrop Harbor complete by enjoying the local waters. Splash around the waters at North Point Beach or spend the day fishing at Sand Pond—a stocked trout pond—at the Illinois Beach State Park.
Franklin, Pennsylvania
Franklin is a part of Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region at the confluence of French Creek and the Allegheny River. This Northwestern Pennsylvania town functioned as a trading post in the 1740s. Today, charm is the name of Franklin’s game!
Take a stroll through Franklin’s Fountain and Bandstand Parks, which were named “Great Places in Pennsylvania” by the state’s chapter of the American Planning Association. In 2010, the American Planning Association also named Liberty Street—Franklin’s Main Street—as one of the “Great Streets of America”!
The DeBence Antique Music World is also well-known for its collection of over 100 antique mechanical instruments like music boxes, player pianos, and nickelodeons. Artistically inclined tourists will also enjoy the Tiffany Window Tours at the St. John’s Episcopal Church, which is home to 30 Tiffany windows (including a rose-colored Favrile glass window!).
Wawa, Ontario
Wawa Falls in the small town of Wawa, Ontario, cascades down a rocky hill during an early evening sunset.
Along the Trans-Canada Highway in the Algoma District of Ontario and nestled on the northeastern shore of Lake Superior, the township of Wawa says hello to its curious visitors. This community is an ideal stepping town for nature-filled adventures in Northern Ontario, from camping to cross-country skiing.
When entering Wawa, visitors will be promptly greeted by the town’s largest resident—the Wawa Goose. At 28 feet, this larger-than-life statue hovers over the Trans-Canada Highway and has been watching over the community for 63 years. The Wawa Goose is also North America’s most photographed landmark and the largest of its kind in Canada!
After exchanging hellos with the Wawa Goose, spend the day admiring the cascades of the Magpie Scenic High Falls or chase waterfalls at Silver Falls just west of the Michipicoten River Village. Walk—or bike—on the boardwalk along Wawa Lake that runs from Dr. Rose’s Beach to Lion’s Beach for a peaceful afternoon.
The adventures do not have to end at Wawa—in fact, travelers can embark on new adventures along the Trans-Canada Highway from here to destinations like Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, and Timmins.
Holland, Michigan
Dutch windmill in a tulip field in Holland, Michigan, USA.
Dutch roots run deep in the Michigan town of Holland. This Great Lakes town has served as an outpost of Dutch culture in the American Midwest since its founding in 1847 by Dutch Calvinists.
Half a million visitors flock to Holland yearly to enjoy its Tulip Time Festival, which started when the town purchased 100,000 tulips from the Netherlands in 1927! Otherwise, visitors also love perusing the Windmill Island Gardens to see the DeZwaan Windmill, the only Dutch windmill in the country.
Adventures in Holland can continue with a visit to Holland State Park. This popular Michigan park is home to sandy beaches, top hiking trails, and the most photographed lighthouse in Michigan—the Big Red.
There are plenty of attractions in this small Great Lakes town that are “uniquely Holland,” including the Oz Sculpture Gardens, the Civil War Muster, and the historic Holland Bowl Mill!
Terrace Bay, Ontario
Aguasabon Falls in Terrace Bay, Ontario, with waterfalls and a canyon leading to Lake Superior.
Terrace Bay will make jaws drop with its natural highlights. This Northern Ontario destination is a beautiful little town nestled within the thicket of the Canadian boreal forest along the banks of Lake Superior.
The rushing waters of Aguaboson Falls are a spectacle—with cascades dropping 100 feet into the Aguaboson Gorge. The Casque Isle Trail is equally gorgeous and will take hikers through landscapes of forests, cliffs, and waterfalls.
The Terrace Bay archipelago of Slate Islands Provincial Park is a haven for local wildlife like caribou and wolves and is only reachable by boat, kayak, or canoe from Terrace Bay. Meanwhile, the Terrace Bay Lighthouse is a historical gem in the town and the highest elevated lighthouse in the Great Lakes at 224 feet above sea level.
Discover the Enduring Charm of the Great Lakes’ Small Towns
These eight towns by the Great Lakes each offer a distinctive slice of regional culture and natural beauty. From the historic trading roots of Franklin to the iconic Wawa Goose in Ontario, these locations provide more than just scenic views—they are portals to deeply enriching experiences that blend history, nature, and community spirit.
