These 8 Towns in the Great Lakes Have Bustling Main Streets

The Great Lakes Region, often referred to as the United States’ third coast, is home to brilliant landscapes of dunes, forests, and even fjord-like cliffs. Many of the towns that dot the lakeshores started as small economic outposts from the early days of westward expansion and grew very organically around their original commercial and social centers. These centers now form charming main streets, though they may be known by other names. Home to museums, galleries, shops, bakeries, restaurants, breweries, and more, these arterial avenues provide visitors with a varied taste of all their towns have to offer. This article explores eight of the most inviting central streets and main drags in the Great Lakes Region.

Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City, Michigan, sits near the tip of the “ring finger” of Michigan’s mitten - the Lower Peninsula and has a vibrant downtown centered around Front Street’s brick sidewalks lined with charming foliage - cherry blossoms in spring and multi-colored foliage in the fall. There are endless locally-owned businesses and easy access to lakefront fun. Be sure to check out hot spots like the Cheese Lady cheese boutique, the Grand Traverse Pie Company, North Peak and Identity Brewing Companies, and the Higher Art Gallery. Art enthusiasts will also adore the Traverse City Film Festival, founded and programmed by documentarian Michael Moore, which now presents year-round programming at the State Theater. Front Street also has access to several parks, including Sunset Park, with access to Sunset Beach on the Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan.

Saugatuck, Michigan

Saugatuck is a quaint Michigan town that sits on the banks of the Kalamazoo River, just a stone’s throw from Lake Michigan. While the town has much to offer, nothing beats a stroll down Water Street on a sunny day. Lined by local shops, eateries, watering holes, and parks, Water Street’s finest feature is the ever-present views of the Kalamazoo as it lazily flows towards Lake Michigan. Whether you are in the mood for a gelato or a waterfront lunch at the Dockside Marketplace, a local brew from Mitten Brewing Company, or a jetski rental to explore the local waterways, it can all be found on Water Street.

Grand Haven, Michigan

Halfway up Michigan's coastline on the lapping waters of Lake Michigan, Grand Haven looks at home on a postcard in both summer and winter. Featuring an eponymous lighthouse dating back to 1839 and ample water-based activities, this town is sure to delight. As a Michigan Main Street Community, the town has a well-preserved and bustling downtown area. The main attraction of Grand Haven is the boardwalk that runs from the outlet of the Grand River to the north and southern border of the town. In addition to Grand Haven's multiple beaches (including a dog beach, a city beach, and Grand Haven State Park), one can take S. Harbor Drive to see the Grand Haven Musical Fountain, imbibe something tasty at Odd Side Ales just a half block from the fountain, or catch live music at the Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium.

Mackinaw City, Michigan

Mackinaw City, Michigan, sits at the very tip of the Lower Peninsula and straddles the border between Lakes Michigan and Huron. East Central Avenue flows into Huron Street, creating a unique boulevard of businesses and lake-side views. Mackinaw Crossings is a unique outdoor walking mall full of more small shops, restaurants, pubs, and galleries than seems possible. You can find wineries like the Nicholas Black River Tasting Room, tattoo shops like Paramount Tattoo, and gift shops like Nerd Ferguson’s. East Central Ave also has access to the North Central Trail Head hiking trail. If you follow Central Ave to its terminus, it segues into Huron Street, which hugs the edge of Lake Huron and features the town's signature water tower with multiple hotels, motels, and inns at its northern end.

Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Cedarburg, Wisconsin, is a charming Milwaukee suburb just inland from Lake Michigan. It is bisected by Cedar Creek, which briefly flows parallel to Washington Avenue in Cedarburg’s historic downtown, which stretches from Sheboygan Street to Spring Street. Within that span, visitors will find the Cedarburg Art Museum, the Cedarburg History Museum, and the Cedarburg Cultural Center, each facility offering a unique insight into the story of Cedarburg, past, present, and future. Additionally, Washington Avenue boasts a density of delectable treats, from Donut Monster’s homemade pastries and desserts to Sal’s Pizza. At the same time, the evening crowd may prefer the Stilthouse Gastro Bar, with its elevated fare and extensive patio seating. Take an after-dinner constitutional down the public Creek Walk and settle into nearby accommodations at one of several bed and breakfasts downtown.

Holland, Michigan

Holland, Michigan, has all the artsy charm of a college town, with myriad ways for visiting tourists to spend their time, from its Dutch-inspired windmills and Tulip Festival to its maritime activities on Lakes Macatawa and Michigan, but the center of the action is assuredly on 8th Street. 8th Street cuts through the heart of downtown Holland and stretches from Hope College to the waterfront at Lake Macatawa. It boasts gift shops and bookstores interspersed with more dining options than one could imagine, from sushi to pizza to pubs.

The famous New Holland Brewing Company has its flagship brewery on 8th Street, and right next door is the local microbrewery, Our Brewing Company. What makes 8th Street most unique, however, is its one-of-a-kind public attractions. There is a life-sized Chessboard, an ordinary home fireplace that happens to be outdoors, and public sculptures in bronze. 8th Street is also home to seasonal events like the annual Holiday Kerstmarkt - Dutch for Christmas Market - and the Parade of Lights, both in December.

Bayfield, Wisconsin

Bayfield, Wisconsin, is an alluring small town that lends its name to the Bayfield Peninsula, which reaches out into Lake Superior, forming one of Wisconsin’s most recognizable geographic features. Perched on the peninsula's eastern coast, Bayfield is home to unique ecologically and cultural attractions. Rittenhouse Avenue is the access point for all of it. As you follow Rittenhouse Avenue towards the shore, you will find several restaurants and pubs, such as The Deck and The Pickled Herring.

If you continue past these local businesses, you will walk straight onto the Bayfield Pier as it reaches into Lake Superior. Surrounding this pier, the outdoor types may look to All Hands Sailing for interactive boat rides around the nearby cliffs and caves that line the shore, while Apostle Cruises will shuttle you to the nearby Apostle Islands. When you return to land, you need only take a few steps off the pier and settle in for the night at the aptly named Pier Plaza, with its restaurant, lounge, and hotel.

Port Washington, Wisconsin

Port Washington, Wisconsin, was originally founded as a fishing village about 25 miles north of Milwaukee. Geographically, it benefitted from a break in the lakeside bluffs, allowing for easy lake access. Over time, the modern suburban landscape grew out of the port and its adjacent downtown area. Starting at the southeast corner of town and continuing north, Franklin Street has immediate access to the Port Washington Marina, where locals keep their boats anchored, and visitors can look out over the breakwaters, harbor, and lighthouse.

Downtown flourishes with life as Franklin Avenue extends northward and hosts art galleries, local gift shops, bakeries, and cafes. DreamPort Harvest Market features fresh farmed goods, while the restaurant scene focuses on Midwest favorites. Port Washington's downtown parks and green spaces, including Upper Lake Park and Port Washington North Beach Park, are all accessible from Franklin Ave. For those spending the night, The Harborview sits at the base of Franklin Street and offers waterside panoramas and modern accommodations.

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, these Great Lakes towns are home to anything from lakefront fun as in Traverse City to a little taste of the motherland in Holland. Each town has its own set of features, cultural and geographic, that sets them apart, and each is influenced in its own way by its relationship to the massive inland seas of North America, the Great Lakes. As populations have grown and flourished in each municipality, they have come to build great places to spend a night and engage with someplace new.