These 14 Towns In Michigan Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2024
Everywhere you turn in Michigan you see awe-inspiring beauty. Much of it is natural, like its 200-ish breathtaking waterfalls and the rocks carved by centuries of weather and water like Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Wonders like these are accented by miles of intentionally created trails lovingly cared for so residents and visitors can explore nature by bike or on foot. Numerous towns in the state are continually mentioned on "best of" lists for their beauty, unusual things to do, and hundreds of reasons to visit.
Mackinac Island
Pronounced Mack-i-naw, Mackinac Island is always on "best of" lists like Travel + Leisure's favorite US islands and USA Today's Best Summer Destination for good reason. The recreated Victorian town is a busy tourist spot but well worth visiting. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride and learn the town's history, then hit the shops; it's worth it for the fudge alone. The entire island is a state park to explore! Visit Fort Mackinac and take part in at least one daily demonstration, see the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, and ride bikes all around the island.
St. Ignace
This town is where you catch the ferry to Mackinac Island. Stay in this charming town and enjoy a guided walking tour of the island as well as events all year long, from the snowmobile bridge crossing to the Gravel Bike Race, Beer Fest, and many more. Stay in the RV Park & Campground or at one of the many hotels and B&Bs. The town has a fantastic summer music schedule through music on the bay, and it is also home to the St. Ignace Community Bayside Farmers Market, located by the water.
Traverse City
US News also named Traverse City to its list of Best Places to Visit in MI. Whether you come for Beer Week (Nov. 8), Restaurant Week (Feb. 23), a wine tour, or just to explore nature in all its beauty while hiking, biking, kayaking, or skiing, every season has something special in the Cherry Capital of the World. Check out the Dennos Museum Center for arts and artists' shows.
Frankenmuth
Billed as Michigan's Little Bavaria, Frankenmuth is one of Travel + Leisure's Best Small Towns because it brims with festivals all year long, offering something for every season. Of course, Oktoberfest is known as a rousing celebration of the town's German heritage. Lederhosen-clad servers hoist huge steins of lager and platters of German pretzels and other delicacies. Music, dancing, and general merriment continue throughout the festival to the crowds' uproarious delight. The town is also known for its Christmas celebrations, including the Kickoff to Christmas, and its huge Christmas store is open all year. Winter brings Snowfest and ice carving competitions. For family fun, join the free scavenger hunt for 40 gnomes hidden throughout the town. (Pick up info at the Visitor's Center.)
Houghton
About as far north in Michigan's Upper Peninsula as you can go, Houghton was named in Norman Crampton's book, "The 100 Best Small Towns in America." Houghton is an outdoor lover's paradise, providing both spring and summer water sports and hikes and fall and winter snow sports. Its Finnish roots add to the town's magic, with special food delicacies like pasties (meat hand pies, pronounced with a short "a"), cheese curds, and pannukakku (Finnish oven-baked pancakes) offered in eateries around town.
Sault Ste. Marie
Like Houghton and much of the UP, snow sports are popular in Sault Ste. Marie from fall through spring. But you can't pass through the downtown without taking a look at the historical placards that tell the history of the town and its importance from Colonial times through the War of 1812. Be sure to visit the Soo Locks on the St. Mary's River, which are an engineering marvel that solely uses gravity to move ships between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
Saugatuck
Saugatuck has a rich history as a resort town; even the Pottawatomie tribe flocked to the town as a summer resort. Artists from Chicago founded an artists' colony here and in nearby Douglas that continues today with many art galleries, giving the area its nickname of The Art Coast of Michigan. Named by US News as one of the Best Places to Visit in MI and a '60s rock and counterculture spot, the town still marches to its own drumbeat and is proud of its reputation for welcoming everyone regardless of their differences.
Paradise
Curious travelers who stop in Paradise because of its name will be rewarded with the cascading waterfalls at Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Hike/bike the park's extensive trails; canoe, kayak, or swim in the lake; go cross-country skiing and snowmobiling; fish for trout, salmon, and more; tour Crisp Point Lighthouse; and watch for elusive moose that are seen here more than anywhere else in the state. The town is also home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, which teaches about the historic dangers of transport along the Great Lakes.
Petosky
An area as well as a town, and one of Travel + Leisure's Best Small Towns, people know Petosky for its famed Petosky Stones, which are fossilized coral from 350 million years ago. Gray when dry, they are most easily found when wet and their colorful eye appears. Best spots to hunt for them are Petosky State Park and Magnus City Park. Also, check out nearby Bay View, a 100-year-old Victorian town and National Historic Landmark.
Calumet
In the 1870s, Calumet was the center of the copper boom and responsible for mining half of the country's copper. Visit the Keweenaw National Historical Park and its museum of mining memorabilia and history. Head downtown to the Arts District on 5th and 6th streets for galleries showcasing local and national artists, including copper hammering. If you decide to stay longer, check out the sport of curling at Copper Country Curling Club.
Holland
Known for its Dutch heritage and Tulip Time Festival (May 3rd - 11th, 2025), Holland blossoms year-round in activities and festivals. That's one of the reasons the town receives a wide variety of awards year after year. Plus tour the DeZwaan Windmill and Nelis' Dutch Village any time of year. Bask in color at Veldheer Tulip Gardens and Windmill Island Gardens, visit Holland Museum, and talk to the artists at DeKlomp Delft Factory for experiences you won't find just anywhere.
Okemos
Named by Niche and Newsweek as one of the best small towns in Michigan to raise a family, the original town was founded as Hamilton but renamed in honor of Chief Okemos of the Anishinaabe tribe. Learn about these local Native Americans at the Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center. Tour Meridian Historical Village's eight restored 19th-century buildings, including a one-room schoolhouse and a chapel (contact for an appointment). Located near Lansing/East Lansing and MSU, Okemos is easy to visit while in the area.
Munising
To see Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore's naturally carved rocks that rise 50 to 200 feet above Lake Superior is to take your breath away. Minerals in the rocks stain them red, orange, blue, green, and white and sparkle as the water rushes over them. Take a sightseeing boat tour or steer the boat yourself on a guided kayak tour as you paddle through a cave and then duck under an archway. Another day, hike to Munising Falls. The boutiques and outfitters in town are also worth exploring. Or just relax and enjoy the sunset from a world-class restaurant.
Charlevoix
Michigan is full of historical architecture, but none is as unique as the Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix. Native son and architect Earl Young designed these homes to fit the land around them, resulting in a group of unusual houses that look like mushrooms. They are privately owned, but driving, and walking tours of the outsides of the houses are available, and a few can be rented on VRBO. Also, check out haunts that inspired some of Ernest Hemingway's writing. Charlevoix sits on Lake Michigan, which has a beautiful beach as well. No wonder Awesome Mitten listed the town as one of the best in the state for 2024.
While Michigan boasts astonishing natural sites, the towns around them are equally worth visiting for their history and heritage, both Native American and European. Some towns are known for one thing, like Paradise's Tahquamenon Falls or Petosky's unique stones. When visitors arrive, however, they are surprised to find exciting downtowns and thriving arts districts. One trait common to all the towns is the welcoming people who beckon visitors to come, explore, learn, and enjoy.
