The Best Small Towns in Michigan to Chill Out In 2024
Michigan, from the Ojibwa word “meicigam” meaning “large lake” or “large water,” is adjacent to some of the Great Lakes of America. And on the shores of these humungous lakes or further inland from them are some of the best small towns in Michigan to chill out in 2024. Between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan lies the dynamic island town of Mackinac Island. Beside Lake Michigan’s shores are a number of awesome communities in South Haven, Traverse City, and St. Joseph. Several more towns like Munising, Frankenmuth, Holland, and Charlevoix promote a unique and compelling culture that has you smitten by the Mitten State. So take a boat ride through these Great Lakes and set a course for the best small towns in Michigan to chill out in 2024.
Munising
Munising lounges in the South Bay of Lake Superior, and it happens to be one of the most adventurous towns in Michigan. At the Valley Spur, skiers can get their adrenaline pumping when zooming through an exhilarating snowshoe trail called the “Snowman.” For those of you who prefer things more chill, you can take pictures of the frozen waterfalls called the Curtains, which is also a great spot for leisurely ice climbing. Admire Nature’s artistry at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where multi-colored streaks from different mineral stains streak the cliffs of Munising that overlook Lake Superior. At the Alger Underwater Preserve, one can dive to the depths where wreckages of 19th and 20th-century ships are strewn. Meanwhile, Grand Island and the Hiawatha National Forest are filled with perfect camping locations for you to stare at the cool and unhindered night sky. So if you are ever enticed to discover more of Munising, you ought to first book a room at the Munising Motel, Roam Inn, or Pictured Rocks Inn & Suites.
St. Joseph
St. Joseph, about 90 miles from the city of Chicago in Illinois, has been hailed the “Riviera of the Midwest” due to its many attractions along the shores of Lake Michigan. Among these watery features are Lions Park Beach, Lookout Park, and Silver Beach. The latter, specifically, contains one of the oldest pavilions from 1910 that continues to provide cool shade in the fun sun. At the mouth of the St. Joseph River, one will find the historic St. Joseph North Pier Lighthouse at the sublime beaches of Tiscornia Park. For those of you who are not eager to get wet, you can always admire the local artists and talented creators at the Krasl Art Center. Or you can head over to the Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library and learn more about St. Joseph’s humble beginnings. Soak in the sun and the shores of St. Joseph or get some excellent nights of rest at The Boulevard Inn & Bistro, Silver Beach Hotel, or South Beach Inn.
South Haven
South Haven lives up to its name by entreating newcomers to Lake Michigan’s watery wonders at the mouth of Black River. The Kal-Haven Trail State Park teems with some of Michigan’s beautiful and dynamic wildlife, as well as several trails and treks for those wanting daily exercise. The Michigan Maritime Museum not only illustrates South Haven’s origins but also the entire history of Lake Michigan. More importantly, visitors can board replicas of historic vessels such as the Friends Goodwill, all of which will take you on relaxing tours on Lake Michigan. Only 53 minutes from Grand Rapids and 27 miles from St. Joseph, let the homely ambiance of the Historic Hotel Nichols, Victoria Resort Bed & Breakfast, and Sleepy Hollow Beach Resort lull you to dreamy silence.
Traverse City
Traverse the lakes and lands of Michigan and into the bubbly dwellings of Traverse City. Located at the ends of the East and West Arms of Grand Traverse Bay, one will be entreated to over 40 unique cherry wineries of Traverse City. The town further campaigns its cherry crops during the National Cherry Festival from June 29 to July 6. One can savor these fine drinks at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where rolling dunes and other scenic trails will keep you in a meditative and thoughtful state. Although Lake Michigan is the major body of water in the area, you should not miss out on the other smaller lakes near Traverse City, like Lake Leelanau, Torch Lake, Elk Lake, and Long Lake. Once you have taken scenic boat rides through Grand Traverse Bay or toured the historic edifices of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, you can refreshen and recharge at the Cambria Hotel Traverse City, Bayshore Resort, or Wellington Inn.
Frankenmuth
Approximately 80 miles from the cities of Lansing and Detroit, Frankenmuth is a slice of Germany in the middle of America. One can learn all about the German immigrants who made Michigan their new home at the Frankenmuth Historical Museum. There is also Michigan’s Military & Space Heroes Museum, which features displays of US flight gear and Medals of Honor for the state’s most heroic of soldiers. Consider strolling through Frankenmuth Aerial Park for ziplines over the woodlands or Heritage Park near the Cass River for local performances at the pavilion.
If you are excited to see more performances or festivities, then partake in the town’s Osterbrunnen, a Bavarian Easter celebration from Franconia Germany (Northern Bavaria) that occurs each year from March 15 to April 14. There is Zehnder’s Ragtime Festival on April 24 - 26 and Michigan’s largest beer sampling event on the third weekend of May. So if you are interested in seeing what Frankenmuth is all about, you should first store your belongings and valuables at the Bavarian Inn, Marv Herzog Hotel, or Zehnder’s Splash Village.
Holland
Do not mistake the small town of Holland in Michigan for the ancient name of Denmark. The main theme connecting these two from across the Atlantic Ocean is a centuries-old Dutch windmill called De Zwaan ("The Swan") in the Windmill Island Gardens. Aside from this iconic landmark, Holland also hosts the annual Tulip Time Festival from May 4 to 12 to celebrate cultural and horticultural ties with Denmark. One might fancy standing atop the Big Red Lighthouse, a historic edifice connecting that connects Lake Michigan to the smaller Lake Macatawa. You can also camp and relax at the Holland State Park Macatawa Campground, where birds return from long migrations and where deer graze. The historians in you will certainly be enlightened at the Holland Museum and the Cappon House Museum. And for those of you who feel the need to sleep, allow the fine accommodations at the Holland Farmhouse Inn B&B or the Tulyp Hotel keep you nice and safe in Holland.
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is the geographic gate between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Within this island, sandwiched between two of the Great Lakes, visitors can take horse-drawn carriage rides toward the many attractions in the area. For starters, you can explore the Mackinac Island State Park, which National Geographic hailed as one of the ten best parks in America. Afterward, you can be one of the hundreds of tourists in the beautiful limestone Arch Rock formation. Mackinac Island is so ideal a location that it has been the site of contention during the War of 1812. Fort Mackinac, Fort Holmes, and several military structures prove this.
There are many more attractions to see on Mackinac Island. You can see how a blacksmith used to live at the Benjamin Blacksmith. Meanwhile, the Biddle House in the Mackinac Island Native American Museum highlights the Anishnaabek people—their culture, their trials throughout history, and their legacy. You can appreciate Mackinac Island’s modernity from the bohemian artworks at Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum. On August and June, you will elated and enamored by the Fudge Festival and the Lilac Festival, respectively. So whether you are sailing from Lake Huron or Lake Michigan, you should definitely stop by the Hotel Iroquois, Grand Hotel, Chippewa Hotel Waterfront, or Lilac Tree Suites for a long stay in Mackinac Island.
Charlevoix
Similar to Mackinac Island, Charlevoix is wedged between Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan. Despite being smaller than Mackinac Island, Charlevoix has a number of amenities for you to see, from the Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse that overlooks both Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix all the way to Beaver Island. There are also a handful of historic buildings and landmarks that famed American writer Ernest Hemingway once visited. You can even learn all about Hemingway at the Little Traverse Historical Museum. You might also find the world’s largest cherry pie in the same museum, as well as a handful of Earl Young mushroom houses in Charlevoix. At Fisherman’s Island State Park, you can go looking for Petoskey and Charlevoix stones, which are Michigan’s state stones. Perhaps the baroque estates of Castle Farms and Event Barns are more to your liking. Only an hour away from Traverse City, do not forget to book a room at either The Earl at Charlevoix, Charlevoix House, or Charlevoix Inn and Suites.
Michigan has been called “the Lighthouse Capital of the World” because of the 115 or more lighthouses in Lake Superior, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan. It has also been called the “Great Beer State” because of the excellent booze, as well as “Motor City” for its wide-open roads. But Michigan is most certainly renowned for having the best small towns to chill out in 2024. Whether you are celebrating German culture in Frankenmuth or Dutch culture in Holland or are uncovering underwater wreckages at Munising, you will feel rejuvenated and joyful after your trip through these lovely small towns.
