9 Gorgeous Michigan Towns To Visit In 2023
With four Great Lakes around Superior, Huron, Michigan, and Erie, Michigan, the Great Lakes State also shares borders with Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Canada. Enjoy easy access to the only US state consisting of the northern Upper Peninsula and the "mitten" of the Lower Peninsula in the south, with the five-mile Mackinac Bridge in between. See French-inspired sights and a real mini-Bavaria, while it is also no wonder that so many places will give you a New England vibe! The free state of Michigan joined the Union in 1837, and after Henry Ford built some of the first cars in Detroit, it gained tourist hotspot recognition. Visit Michigan in 2023 for the nature, arts and culture, seafaring pursuits, state forest hikes, and, of course, the summertime beaches with lighthouses, scoping out the state's deep history through these gorgeous, friendly towns' hearts.
East Tawas
East Tawas is a must-visit town for any group in 2023 by Tawas Bay. Come imminently to check out its perfect beaches for all kinds of recreation, including sailing, paddling, fishing, power boating, and kid-friendly shallows. From wave runners and kiteboarders to families looking for a relaxing, scenic spot to picnic, the gentle sandy dropoff to the waters with safe surf makes it an exciting place to play for all ages. "Cape Cod of the Midwest" is a beloved lakeshore beach town for photographers and sightseers, with the Bay's beautiful waters studded with white schooners through the large harbor for one epic scene.
Soak up the last sun rays and stroll around the Bay, with beauty at each corner, from the shoreline of Lake Huron to the storied Au Sable River. For something more adventurous and wild, head to Tawas Point State Park, a 2023 winner of the Best of the Midwest Award by Midwest Living. Venture into the heart of Newman Street, a few blocks away, with notable bookstores, fudge and homemade candy shops, boutique shopping, and gift stores. Its old-fashioned atmosphere charms with modern amenities that make it a fun place for your gang to waste away a whole afternoon and come back for more. Grab an ice cream on the way to the long pier at sunset from the tip, which feels like the middle of nowhere.
Escanaba
"Port Esky," to its some 12,300 locals, is a spectacular small city to soak in maritime atmosphere like never before, with attractions for everyone regardless of taste or age. Visit on a fun weekend getaway with your family or friends for popular sites like the 40-foot Peninsula Point Lighthouse with fantastic views. Check out the notable Escanaba Public Library and the Drifters Family Restaurant, a local favorite to recharge after devoting time to immersive nature.
Tackle the cool Interpretive Trail to the top and visit the Fayette Historic State Park, just a short hop from Escanaba, for a tour of some 20 historic buildings, a visitor center, and other exhibits. Explore more of the city before an evening at the Upper Hand Brewery, saving a hike along the Haymeadow Falls and Trail for the next day, which is also perfect for snowshoeing in the winter.
Frankenmuth
This quintessential German town at the heart of the American Midwest is a must-visit in 2023. Enjoy easy access to a mini-Bavaria right in Michigan, with all the applicable sights and culture, including cuisine and Oktoberfest. Frankenmuth is popular among foodies to start a morning with a strudel and a coffee or a traditional German breakfast and enjoy chicken dinners, bratwursts, and beers after pursuits.
Photographers love the city with all its authenticity and the covered bridge, while a walk through the downtown area feels like strolling through the pages of an ancient German fairytale. Power through a whole lot of events, restaurants, shopping, and other fun attractions among the regular festivals in town. Return to celebrate the holidays in style anytime with Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, the largest Christmas store in the country.
Grand Haven
Grand Haven on Michigan's west coast epitomizes a celebration of all the beach fun you can imagine in one small town's charming atmosphere. From stunning sunsets to the spirited Spring Lake Farmers Markets, nature trails, and paved paths for biking, your entire gang will stay engaged and thoroughly entertained. Take out your personal choice of vessel from the endless Lake Michigan waterfront, which also offers best access to inland lakes and rivers, to explore the area's waterways via a kayak. Enjoy some adventurous SUPing in the bayous of the Grand River or serene fishing in the Spring Lakes.
With the moniker, the Coast Guard City, its two beaches, Grand Haven City Beach and Grand Haven State Park, are just a hop away with a boardwalk. The alluring soft-sand beaches call for relaxing, swimming, and playing watersports all day long, with blissful strolls to the picturesque lighthouse for more lounging with a photoshoot or a picnic. Take the cute trolley to scope out the town and discover its many hotspots of shops and restaurants, as well as live music at the waterfront stadium. Check out the musical fountain, which creates a lively atmosphere from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Munising
There's always a reason to visit Munising, a charming seaside town with many sandy beaches, serene waterfalls, and historic lighthouses. Tucked on the northern shores of the Upper Peninsula, along the edges of the Hiawatha National Forest, you must make Munising your base camp to explore the rugged wilderness of the Upper Peninsula. Come now for dreamy explorations via boat and kayak tours and hundreds of miles of trails under the summer's last sunrays.
The state's most treasured natural wonders, Hiawatha National Forest, Grand Island National Recreational Area, and the Alger Underwater Preserve, are just a throw away, demanding due time with photoshoots and picnics. Soak in more sea breeze and atmosphere at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore with cruises and waterfall tours before calling it a day at one of the city's best, Tracey's, at Roam Inn.
Saugatuck
This artsy beach town in western Michigan with endless charms is a must-visit at least once in your life. Saugatuck is a popular year-round destination with tons of fun shopping, boutiques, farm-fresh food, and a vast array of restaurants, along with live music, to spend an unforgettable weekend or vacation in 2023. Enjoy adventuring through boundless nature in any season, like at the serene Saugatuck Dunes State Park, which will fill up your camera with stunning seasonal scenery.
Come now for Oval Beach, noted as one of the world's most beautiful by Conde Naste. The small town with a concentrated arts and culture scene hosts the artists-founded Ox Bow School of Art, who brought passion, knowledge, and creativity from their School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Take an art stroll through the tons of galleries and visit for year-round plays, films, and lectures at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, which brings locals and tourists together over their favorite pastimes.
St. Ignace
St. Ignace, a town with world-class attractions, calls in 2023 with a promise to excite and fill your whole vacation with immersive pursuits. Explore the vast waters of the impressive Great Lakes and trek to some wondrous natural attractions like the top of Castle Rock, a favorite among climbers. From fishing and boating on Lake Huron to the historical shipwreck tour and flights over the UP, St. Ignace, the third-oldest continuously occupied community in the United States, will occupy everyone in your gang. As one of the Midwestern United States and oldest Native American tribal gathering sites, you can celebrate the local Native American Festival and the Rendezvous Pow Wow. Find more culturally diverse shops and galleries as well as restaurants serving the tasty "pastry," an authentic "hand pie" with deep heritage.
Learn about the area at the Straits Cultural Center and Museum Of Ojibwa Culture, and don't miss the Lone Wolf Gifts for more than just gifts but also traditional insights. A memorable daytrip to Mackinac Island offers more unique attractions, a seasonal farmers market, shopping, dining, and cruises in a remote atmosphere. St. Ignace, a frivolous lady famous for being extremely clean and friendly, has many attractions and places to relax, like pristine lakefront parks and clear waters for swimming. Discover the secrets behind the Mystery Spot and visit the Deer Ranch for fun animal interactions for the kids.
Tecumseh
Visit Tecumseh in 2023 for a fun-filled family weekend escape unlike any before. With lots of adventure and relaxation in peace amid tons of attractions and things to see, the small town lures you to go with the flow. From a downtown stroll through the historic galore filled with fantastic restaurants and shops to the must-experience Art Trail Tecumseh walk with sculptures and exhibits, you will only hanker for more. Take out your canoe on the River Raisin Run, or Choose from the many nearby walking and hiking trails.
Just a quick ride away, Hidden Lake Gardens is a serene conservatory with a scenic botanical garden to bond with Mother Nature. Visit this fall for the most spectacular scenery along the Michigan Railroad while seeing many sites with deep historical roots from Michigan Territory's original pioneer settlements. Immerse yourself in modern-day culture on your own food tour or the Tecumseh's Taste Experience, highlighting four local spots of Tecumseh's quintessential taste.
Traverse City
A visit to the Cherry Capital of the World is a must in 2023 if you have never been before. As one of the state's most popular destinations with worldwide recognition and under 16,000 locals, you can enjoy the lively summertime or get the respite you desire this autumn or winter. From roaming through the expansive views along 180 miles of shoreline to local premier wine tastings and championship golf, Traverse City is a real dream come true wrapped in a small-town atmosphere.
Take in all the scenic nature around you via explorative strolls and bike rides, like the Miller Creek Nature Preserve or Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trail. Enjoy summertime beachgoing or set off on a sunset cruise through Grand Traverse Bay on a majestic tall ship, and come back for the holiday-time skiing when the warm-weather hiking trails also turn into snowshoeing treks.
Featuring forested low hills in the north and the state's highest Mount Arvon at 1,979 feet, to the Lower Peninsula's mostly flat landscape and thousands of miles of shoreline, Michigan is a real world of natural adventures for every level. Take in these seemingly endless views—just the way you like it—of the scenic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, featuring 400-foot climb-worthy dunes for the best Lake Michigan views. With more water than in any other state, as well as islands like Mackinac and Isle Royale, a national park on Lake Superior, you will be trekking the land in 12,000-year-old footsteps—that's how long people have lived here. With eleven Native American tribes still in Michigan, you will discover traditions in sight, cuisine, and craft to bring with you, along with various ethnicities from various cultures.
