9 Prettiest Downtown Strips In Michigan

The Great Lakes State boasts some of the most dynamic downtowns in the country, each showcasing a unique combination of history, culture, and commerce. Whether on a maiden tour of Michigan or a return trip, there is no better place to start exploring than the town square. These vibrant hubs allow you to gauge the community's character and discover all the area's major historical landmarks, cultural centers, and businesses.

Beyond the imposing skyscrapers and endless traffic in Detroit, Michigan's smaller towns offer more pedestrian-friendly options that you can explore at an easygoing pace. From Petoskey's artistic flair to Frankenmuth's Bavarian-style streets, here are some of the prettiest downtown strips in Michigan.

Marshall

This small town in Calhoun County has a picturesque downtown district, known for its seamless mix of 19th and 20th-century architecture. Several antique buildings allude to the district's enduring heritage, and you can tour the Honolulu House Museum for a glimpse of Victorian-era Marshall. This gorgeous mansion displays elaborate Italianate and Gothic Revival construction styles. The Governor's Mansion Museum is another notable landmark on the National Register. Built in 1839, the Greek Revival building portrays the lifestyle of Governor James Wright Gordon.

Marshall's arts community often entertains audiences at the Franke Center for the Arts. This premier performance center with outstanding acoustics stages musicals, dramas, and plays throughout the year. Meanwhile, at the heart of downtown, Brooks Memorial Fountain provides a serene green space where people can rest and relax.

Marquette

Marquette's downtown streets exude the youthful vibrance of students from Northern Michigan University. This lovely corridor hosts an eclectic mix of restaurants, pubs, and boutiques, resulting in a beehive of activities. The Marquette Regional History Center invites first-timers to learn the town's backstory from a vast collection of archives and artifacts. Meanwhile, art lovers find the perfect pursuit inside the quaint interior of Zero Degrees Artist Gallery. It displays a variety of pieces by several local artists.

If you visit with kids, they will have an excellent time at the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum, which presents the ideal atmosphere to stimulate their creativity through learning and entertainment. But if you're out with friends, consider sampling the popular homegrown brews at Blackrocks Brewery.

Petoskey

Petoskey boasts a picturesque waterfront downtown strip overlooking the calm waters of the Little Traverse Bay. A vibrant art scene adds to the allure of the corridor, welcoming enthusiasts to watch world-class exhibitions and impressive live performances at Crooked Tree Arts Center. The venue features a theater, multiple galleries, and a dance studio. Meanwhile, Somebody's Gallery solely focuses on visual arts, displaying paintings, handcrafts, and other fine art creations.

Wine lovers have numerous options to sample tasty local flavors, thanks to a cluster of wineries across downtown Petoskey. If you can, stop by Walloon Lake Winery for tasty grape wines. But if you want to indulge your sweet tooth, head to Kilwins Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop for a good old sugar rush.

Charlotte

Walking around downtown Charlotte, you will notice the seamless mix of art centers, trendy restaurants, and historical venues, culminating in a wholesome experience for a first-time explorer. The neighborhood houses the Charlotte Performing Arts Center, where the townspeople meet to watch live shows by the talented Charlotte Community Band. Furthermore, local artists showcase their works and present artistic pieces at the Windwalker Underground Gallery. The venue hosts a weekly open mic session popular among the locals.

If the arts don't move you, you can opt for a surreal journey through time at the Courthouse Square Museum. This 19th-century venue showcases fascinating relics and memorabilia about Charlotte's past. The downtown strip gets a new lease of life every year as the community celebrates the Michigan Nordic Fire Festival.

Alpena

Maritime heritage clashes with vibrant arts in the charming northern Michigan community. Its site-rich downtown area houses several notable points of interest, starting with the Besser Museum of Northeast Michigan. The fabulous multi-disciplinary facility provides a holistic experience with access to a science education center, art galleries, and a sky dome theater. Also, the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center charms with a quirky collection of shipwrecks that occurred at Thunder Bay.

Alpena takes pride in its vibrant art scene, evidenced by the multiple venues throughout its downtown. People are always congregating inside the Alpena Civic Theatre to watch concerts, plays, and musicals, among other engrossing stage productions. Additionally, more than twenty artists showcase their works at the Thunder Bay Arts Council, which is dedicated to supporting established and uplifting budding local artists.

Frankenmuth

Frankenmuth's unique Bavarian-style architecture decorates its beautiful townscape, resulting in one of the prettiest downtown strips in Michigan. Frankenmuth is best embodied by the Bavarian Inn Holz Bricke Covered Bridge along Main Street, which presents an excellent example of superior traditional craftsmanship. The community's German heritage oozes from several attractions, including the Frankenmuth Historical Museum. Housed in a turn-of-the-century hotel, this resourceful venue stores numerous artifacts highlighting the story of German pioneers.

Meanwhile, attending the Frankenmuth Farmers Market is a great way to meet the locals and learn about their culture. Dozens of vendors bring out their farm produce and crafts, beckoning tourists for in-person interactions and a fun shopping experience. Don't leave without tasting Frankenmuth's authentic German delicacies at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant.

Traverse City

Christened the "Cherry Capital of the World," Traverse City lives up to its name with a buzzing downtown district boasting an enviable cluster of wineries. You can sample some of its award-winning varieties at Left Foot Charley, which specializes in crafting fine wines and ciders. The National Cherry Festival also brings the downtown corridor to life as townsfolk come out in numbers to celebrate their rich wine-making heritage. Shopaholics and culinary enthusiasts are in for a pleasant time at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, home to dozens of boutiques, eateries, and entertainment spots.

Traverse City's arts and culture scene thrives along the downtown streets. If you are not admiring thought-provoking pieces at the Dennos Museum Center, you can catch an electric musical performance at the City Opera House.

Holland

Holland's Dutch heritage makes it a unique United States destination for tourists seeking a cultural experience. This is apparent when discovering the downtown area, which invites holidaymakers to explore its storied beginnings at the Holland Museum. This delightful venue has artifacts summarizing the experience of its early settlers. The Windmill Island Gardens houses a two-century-old Dutch windmill dominating the townscape, surrounded by thousands of colorful tulips that look magical when they blossom.

United by shared roots, Holland residents maintain a strong sense of community that is extended to guests. You will notice this from the warmth of vendors at the Holland Farmers Market and the sense of pride in locals whenever they turn up to celebrate their heritage during the Tulip Day Festival in May.

Sault Ste. Marie

Michigan's oldest city is steeped in history and vibrant culture that charmingly come to life throughout its waterfront downtown district. A collection of 19th-century buildings lines the Historic Water Street District, taking guests on a magnificent trip down memory lane. Much of the area's history is preserved by the Chippewa County Historical Society, which displays thousands of old photographs, books, documents, and similar memorabilia to familiarize guests with local heritage.

Architecture fans will notice the grandiose Holy Name of Mary Pro-Cathedral, which sports rustic Gothic design and stained glass from 1881. Finally, stop by the Soo Theatre to check out Sault Ste. Marie's vibrant cultural scene, with talented artists performing dramas and musicals in an intimate community theater.

Final Thought

While big cities like Grand Rapids and Detroit remain the major tourist hubs in the Great Lakes State, their crowded streets keep visitors from comfortably exploring the downtown square. As an alternative, the smaller towns allow you to wine, dine, and shop comfortably while discovering local history and culture at different points of interest. Between the wine-tasting opportunities in Traverse City and the Dutch flair in Holland, anyone will attest that they have some of the prettiest downtown strips in Michigan.