The Best Small Towns in Michigan To Chill Out
The Wolverine state in the Upper Midwest of the United States is bordered by Indiana and Ohio to the south, Lakes Superior, Huron, and Erie to the north and east, Minnesota to the northwest, and Wisconsin to the southwest. Michigan consists of two peninsulas: the northern part with Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron, and the mitten-shaped Lower Peninsula to the south with Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie. The peninsulas are connected by one of the world's longest suspension bridges, the Mackinac Bridge.
Michigan, or michi-gama in Chippewa, means "a large lake." The landscape today evolved over many millennia with glacial erosion and deposits after the glaciers descended from northern Canada. Choose a town for diverse scenery and a different Great Lake, from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to the Lower Peninsula, including the island town of Mackinac Island in Lake Huron. These towns throughout the immensely scenic state will chill you out with refreshing waters on a quick getaway with enough cool pursuits for an entire vacation.
Frankenmuth
Are you someone who wishes to chill on a getaway to Europe but has time and budget constraints? Make your dreams a reality in this unique and delectable piece of Michigan's chocolate box of towns, Frankenmuth, and feel transported to a whole other country. The cool German village with Bavarian-style buildings will delight sightseers, culture fans, and food vultures alike. There is an astounding concentration of restaurants, shops, and charming architecture in this small town of just three square miles. Immerse yourself in the local lifestyle along the scenic central square with cute terraced cafes and bistros for beer and bratwurst, schnitzel, or pretzels with a coffee.
Frankenmuth is also a region-renowned shopping scene with an adorable chocolate "haus," a cheese "haus", a cuckoo clock shop, and more whimsical finds. Feel part of the postcard setting near the covered bridge, a festival, or while sighting the darling town behind you on a river cruise. Visit in time for the huge beer fest and stop at the atmospheric Bavarian Inn for a memorable time spent in a special atmosphere. Speaking of which, come back before the holidays to stock up at the world's largest Christmas store in town, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, in an Alpine-style building.
Harbor Springs
Harbor Springs is a pea-sized resort town of just over one square mile, chilling right on Little Traverse Bay amid abundant outdoors for endless adventures. Choose a cozy cottage with a porch rental and head for a coffee downtown to meet the town, relax, and plan your experiences. A stay in Harbor Springs offers a one-of-a-kind escape from the daily grind with charming small-town attractions like a morning game of golf or an art stroll through notable highlights like Tvedten Fine Art, Hanni Gallery, and Elizabeth Pollie Fine Art.
Relax at the scenic Stafford’s Pier Restaurant with seafood brunch options serving fresh oysters and crab cakes, and head for a stroll along the deepest harbor in the Great Lakes. You will find great beaches like Zorn Park Beach and Cross Village Beach and boundless sailing opportunities. Feel enticed yet? Chill in this picture-perfect summer vacation spot with all your friends, including the four-legged ones, along the dedicated Zoll Street Beach's idyllic stretch of sand, with sunbathing, swimming, and kayaking for everyone.
Mackinac Island
Getaway from everything in the middle of the immense Lake Huron, a former significant fur trading post turned into a pristine resort town. Mackinac Island is your go-to destination in Michigan to achieve the chill of a lifetime in a remote, naturally pristine town with just under 600 residents. You will not find any chains or traffic in this former Odawa settlement until Europeans arrived in the 17th century, but the iconic Grand Hotel welcomes you for a sightseeing tour and a stay. Visit the historic Fort Mackinac and head for a stroll along the shore with a slab of Mackinac Island fudge.
"The Jewel of the Great Lakes" delivers chill times for every group and taste of solo travelers, couples, nature lovers, and architeque fans, with memorable experiences for everyone. A National Historic Landmark in its entirety, the island boasts a slew of architecture from the 19th century. You can bike around the island with stops at working blacksmith shops and the island’s famous butterfly conservatory for a fleeting time spent in wonderment, or take a scenic ride along a horse-drawn carriage. The renowned Jewel Golf Course offers two unique nine-hole experiences in a scenic setting.
Marquette
The unique town of Marquette is a shining star for chillness in Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, on the shores of Lake Superior. Enjoy strolls any season to the shore with scenic sailing vessels and to spot the Northern Lights at night throughout the year thanks to its location. There are hiking opportunities like chasing four waterfalls or several historic lighthouses, also accessible via a quick drive, as well as water pursuits and an impressive craft brewery scene to cover you for the evening.
Originally colonized by the French in the 1600s, the former mining town is now a shipping port for nearby mines and a cultural hub with a slew of art galleries, historical sights, museums, and great restaurants. Visit for the traditional beach fun and relaxation along the immense Lake Superior, great for swimming, and in winter to ski down Marquette Mountain. With just over 20,000 residents, the lively town with rich history is a popular getaway and an exciting vacation destination for any taste.
Saugatuck
This town along the "Art Coast of Michigan" boasts award-winning beaches, renowned cuisine, and adventures to pique any interest. Founded in 1868, the scenic town has been attracting artists, residents, and visitors since the early 1900s. Today, Saugatuck is a vibrant art colony with endless entertainment and cultural experiences, from Native American history to great breweries and culinary excellence. Saugatuck, translated from the indigenous word for "stream," is the chillest town along the eastern shores of Lake Michigan.
Visit the small town of under 1,000 residents this summer to chill by the lake under the sun. From lounging to water pursuits along the Oval Beach, like paddle boarding and evening schooner rides into the sunset, you won't miss the chill vibes. The nearby Saugatuck Dunes State Park is great for shaded hikes along nature and recreation trails, while the top of Mt. Baldhead comprises a challenging trek with rewarding views over the beautiful Lake Michigan in all its glory.
South Haven
The town with a promising name delivers a full-on chill experience on a getaway or vacation along the shores of Lake Michigan, complete with renowned beaches and a scenic marina. Settled in 1896, you will find heritage sights, great shopping downtown, Clementine’s bar for evening chillax, and amenities throughout. Seek out the welcoming atmosphere and beautiful scenery along some of the state's best beaches, from wide stretches of sand to dunes with breathtaking views, to relax mind and body. South Beach is a rite of passage in town with its charming blue stairs to the dunes that captivate sightseers with majestic views over the glittering lake.
Take a nature stroll around preserves and protected waterfront parks, and picnic under the watchful eye of the scenic red lighthouse that juts into Lake Michigan. Enjoy a slew of unique experiences at Aqua Park at Lake Arvesta Farms, including a challenging on-water obstacle course, wakeboarding, water skiing, and kneeboarding. Dry off over a game of pickleball, mini golf, or a disc golf course in the beautiful green outdoors of the complex. South Haven is an Instagram-worthy quaint destination that will induce nostalgia after all the chill vibes, like at the old-timey restaurant and a retro bar with chocolate and caramel martinis.
East Tawas
East Tawas is a great place to hang out along Michigan's "Sunrise Coast" for nature fans, foodies, and shopping enthusiasts. The town of under 3,000 residents will impress your gang on a quick city getaway and chill out everyone on an entire vacation. Head to the wonderful Tawas Point State Park, a favorite outdoor spot with a scenic lighthouse and migratory birds overhead.
Immerse yourself in a quaint small-town feel along the laid-back streets on a relaxing stroll with tons of hotspots to peruse. Experience all of Michigan's best over a peaceful, naturally beautiful escape from the city to the beaches, in-town parks, scenic coastal drives, and sunsets. There are adventures for any taste, with bars and restaurants to relax after, like the highly rated Mangos Mexican Cuisine and Tequila Bar.
The 22nd-largest state boasts the second-longest shoreline lake, Michigan, at 3,288 miles, after Alaska. Call it the cool "Wolverine State" or the more common "Great Lakes State," Michigan is your go-to place for chill times, diverse scenery, and engaging outdoors.
The state with five Great Lakes really is a "Water Wonderland," with an additional 11,000 lakes, 36,000 miles of streams, and 199 waterfalls. You will always be within six miles of a lake or stream in Michigan, and these waterside towns offer everything right from the doorstep.
