The Most Unique Michigan Towns
Michigan is one of the most diverse states, with a rich European heritage and natural beauty abounding amid four of the five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie. Its heartbeat, the unique small towns, offer a family-friendly environment along with art-laden historic downtowns, shoreside maritime scenery, and a seafood restaurant scene, plus something extra. From the Art Coast through the picturesque fishing villages and the Pictured Rocks National Seashore, Michigan is a pure wonderland in all seasons, where you can be by the water in mere minutes during the summer.
The small towns more than make up for their diminutive size with unique attractions — and whole countries' worth of them in the Europe-aspired towns of Holland and Frankenmuth. The unique quirks, nature, and landmarks are unreplicable by any other in the nation, like Grand Rapids, the Beer City USA, or the Great Lakes' deepest harbor in Harbor Springs for sailing, as well as the little-heard-of town of Owosso with a fairy-tale-like castle to explore.
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, the unique "Tree Town" on the Huron River with a college atmosphere, is exciting to discover as one of the most popular and unique small towns in southeast Michigan. Under an hour from Detroit, Ann Arbor is great for a day trip into the happening downtown scene — a real marriage of big city culture and small Midwestern town charm amid all the greenscape behind the city's verdant moniker. The magical small city hub of innovation and technology, bursting with natural charm and cultural attractions, and with lively vibes from its venerable State University, is among the top places to live in the state. Tourists and locals rejoice in the local nature, like the highly rated Pinckney Recreation Area, half an hour to the northwest and Lake Erie an hour southeast.
From Bluffs Nature Area to Fuller Park and Nichols Arboretum, the dense forests with trails for all levels of hiking overlook the through-running Huron River, where students study on the banks and seek respite. The interactive Ann Arbour Hands-On Museum promises a rollicking time, while the largest annual art fair in the nation, the Ann Arbour Art Fair, in the midst of summer livens up the emptied town with nation-wide visitors. Ann Arbor, with zest aplenty in the air, hosts a delightful foodie scene to feed the studious, like the highly rated hotspot of Zingerman’s Deli for artisanal cheese and bagels.
Charlevoix
Charlevoix, the state's little lakeside darling, sits spoiled by nature along the immense Lake Michigan shoreline. The small town with big Americana charm boasts unique attractions unlike anywhere else in the nation. Perhaps the town's biggest claim to fame is its 28 distinct Hobbit houses, designed by architect Earl Young, which give off major Lord of the Rings vibes as "mushroom huts" made of region-sourced limestone, fieldstone, and boulders. With cedar shake roofs, they feel natural, as if they had grown from the surrounding forest's earth.
No visit to Charlevoix is legit without a stop at the impressive 1918 fortress-like Castle Farm, with turret towers and gorgeous gardens to explore under a veil of serenity. The Young-built Weathervane Terrace, as well as Hotel Earl, are warmly welcoming unique stays to extend a summer getaway and reap everything the town has to offer, like Fisherman’s Island State Park with trails, picnic spots, and water access.
Clare
Some 82 miles north of Lansing, Clare is a festive and engaging town with bountiful nature through all seasons. The "City of Festivals" is home to the Amish Quilt Auction, the Craft Show, and a Flea Market on the third weekend in May, along with the largest annual Irish Festival in March — a real cultural celebration among thousands of locals and visitors on St. Patrick's Day. Over the four days of festivities, you can experience Irish traditions through crafts, a kids’ fun run, musical performances, bed races, parades, and a Leprechaun contest. The annual music festival, with talent from across the country, hosts free musical entertainment and family fun in the city park during the June and July Summer Concert Series. It is also a perfect time to tackle the picturesque 30-mile Pere-Marquette Rail Trail from downtown Clare to Midland, designated as US Route 20, all the way to the Pacific coast!
The old-fashioned Summerfest Celebration with kids' games and a picnic in a cozy park setting ends with a stunning fireworks show reflecting in the darkening Shamrock Lake. After the leaves change color, the imminent Clare Spook-Tacular is a must-experience for the whole family, with pumpkin painting, carnival games, hayrides, a costume parade for the little ones, and a fun Clare 5K Pumpkin Run for everyone else. Clare's exciting shopping scene along the brick-lined sidewalks turns into a festive fare during the Christmas Celebration. Grab a hot cup of cocoa to warm up and get giddy with a treat from the world-famous Cops & Doughnuts Bakery.
Frankenmuth
This town, with a distinctive Germanic vibe, is one of the most unique ones in the state. First settled in the 19th century by Lutheran immigrants from Germany, the evocative small town is a destination for German immigrants and expats to this day, with many sights that make them feel right at home and marvelous insights into their heritage for tourists. Frankenmuth welcomes culture fans and curious sightseers into a little Bavaria right in your own backyard, with a rich history on display and events like Oktoberfest for beer and bratwurst.
From its historic covered bridge to themed restaurants and lodgings, German is also widely spoken on the streets. The atmospheric town explodes during the holidays with one-of-a-kind Christmas cheer and the world's largest Christmas store, Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. This massive shopping complex is open year-round for browsing and stocking up, so check out the thousands of kinds of Christmas trinkets, like twinkling lights, trees, nativities, and collectibles!
Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, the Beer City USA, welcomes families year-round for all-inclusive fun with sightseeing for everyone, from Fish Ladder Park to prime beaches and the grand architectural marvel of Meyer May House. Home to the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, you can enjoy serene strolls through art and nature in the fresh air, while Blandford Nature Center's natural wonders will intrigue the young and the old outdoor lovers. Stop by the Public Museum for regional history and science discoveries, with more local culture beautifully displayed at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
Grand Rapids' over 30 breweries, each with a unique vibe, will delight with a variety of cold brews on a hot summer day. Part of the Beer City Ale Trail near the namesake Grand River, you can enjoy fantastic picnics along the sun-kissed shore with incredible views in close gatherings and a cooler under your hand.
Harbor Springs
Uniquely positioned in the deepest harbor of the Great Lakes, Harbor Springs is an ideal summertime destination for sailing. The very picturesque town and boats dotting its harbor offer Instagram-worthy scenery for lovely strolls and photoshoots. The dockside Stafford’s Pier Restaurant will exceed your expectations with oysters and other seafood delights over gorgeous sunsets. You can utilize the deepest harbor for all your sailing dreams or enjoy deep-water fishing, diving, and swimming off your boat.
The beaches bordering Harbor Springs come with different vibes, views, and low crowds to lounge in and out of the water at your will. From Zorn Park Beach with trails to the more remote, family-friendly Cross Village Beach, the idyllic stretches of sand and the pet-friendly environment will highlight your summer vacation. This under-the-radar town with a laidback atmosphere inspires a relaxing getaway from the city, like browsing through local art at Tvedten Fine Art, Hanni Gallery, and Elizabeth Pollie Fine Art.
Holland
Despite a predictable name, the charming town of Holland never seizes to surprise visitors with its scenic "Dutch-ness." If you thought Frankenmuth was unique, Holland, the only Michigan town still rooted in the Netherlands, transports you back in time and to the other continent. The 19th-century settlers, Dutch Calvinist separatists fleeing from religious persecution in their home country, left a big, town-sized footprint on the area, with landmarks and attractions throughout the historic city and windmills abounding.
Holland's cultural charm permeates the atmosphere with various authentic architectural styles and Dutch-themed attractions like the Holland Museum. Visit the unique Windmill Island with its original 250-year-old Nelis Dutch Village, a historical-themed park for all ages depicting the early days of settlement. The locals uphold the lovely traditions in a family-friendly environment along scenic Lake Michigan near Lake Macatawa.
Munising
Munising, the quiet and cozy pocket along the Upper Penninsula in northern Michigan, is the gateway to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The coastal town along the world's largest freshwater lake by area, Lake Superior, and the thick Hiawatha National Forest reveal a unique side of the state's diverse nature for all-season ventures. Get on a raft with the Raptide Ride for a close-up at the Pictured Rock or join the thrilling Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tours, with a snack after at the browsable Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore.
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore—one of the best sights in the state—hugs the coastline with striated cliffs, waterfalls, beaches, and rock formations with views for days. Enjoy lakeside strolls and sunsets from the cozy Anna River Fishing Pier and more miles of wildlife trails through Hiawatha National Forest for summertime hikes amid the towering trees turning into vibrant fall foliage. Blessed with over 140 inches of annual snow, you can enjoy a real winter wonderland while snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, as well as ice climbing those bluffs.
Owosso
With a one-of-a-kind name that sparks curiosity, Owosso is a unique town in Michigan to feel part of a fairytale, with the state's only legitimate castle. Curwood Castle, designed with turrets overlooking the Shiawassee River, was built in 1922 by James Curwood, the author, as his writing studio turned museum, now under Owosso's ownership. The attraction beckons history hunters, architecture fans, and families for magical sightseeing. You can spend the whole afternoon here, in the heart of town, exploring the fort inside and the grounds of the surrounding park with a thrilling swinging bridge.
Grab an ice cream treat at the Cone Zone or a coffee from Foster’s with a cookie snack from Lance’s Bakery before watching the sun set over the castle. The massive breakfast at Greg & Lou’s will get the next day started for riverside strolls and canoeing during the warmer months. The highly rated Harmon Partridge Park with trails and water access is just up the river, or drive a few minutes to the DeVries Nature Conservancy with a canoe and kayak launch. Owosso is also home to the original Polar Express, another unique vestige for holidaymakers to ride to the "North Pole," hot cocoa included.
Saugatuck
This small, waterside town just southwest of Grand Rapids may fly under the radar, but it sure flies its flag high. Saugatuck, a friendly town with a prominent LGBTQ scene, offers an all-inclusive way to experience the state's northern charm by the scenic Lake Michigan. Together with Kalamazoo Lake and the Kalamazoo River, it is a dreamy, water-abounding summerscape with sailing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting in between your everyday beachy pleasures. From paddleboarding to relaxing canoe rides and boating out into a serene ocean-like feel under the sun, the views will follow. The unique Saugatuck Beach, both the state's best-kept secret and rated among the top in the world, remains pristine and crowdless.
Saugatuck's art-laden streets and creative spirit attract many artists, photographers, and LGBTQIA+ folks — just voted among the hottest gay destinations — who all feel spiritually connected to the town. From the Dunes Resort with a queer-friendly pool, bar, and "burger hut" to destination galleries with local and national art, Saugatuck also boasts a variety of unique shops and the best seafood, farm-to-table eats, and celebrity chef-headed restaurants.
Michigan, the Wolverine State amid the Great Lakes, is a unique place to visit year-round with its small towns — the heart and soul of the state. It is the only state split into the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula, with the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore, the largest freshwater lake in the world, and open-minded locals who enjoy it all and welcome new faces. Feel right at home with cozy and unique stays and celebrate the vibrant festivals unlike any other. These ten towns highlight the unique character of the Midwest and the Great Lakes State's natural beauty through history-laden, creative downtowns and the best seafood restaurants by the shore.
