7 Of The Coziest Small Michigan Towns To Visit In 2025
Beyond its renowned automotive industry, Michigan lives up to its reputation as the “Great Lakes State,” boasting the longest freshwater coastline in the country. Lodged along these scenic shores, and sometimes perched on an island inside, travelers can uncover Michigan’s coziest small towns, rich in history, traditions, and the charms of a slower pace. Whether planning a romantic weekend escape, a family-friendly resort vacation, or a tranquil solo camping trip, these small towns invite laid-back, memorable adventures. From world-class wineries and historic downtowns to stunning beaches and national parks, these Michigan towns prove that cozy does not have to be boring.
Holland
Situated on the shores of Lake Macatawa in Lake Michigan, Holland is one of Michigan’s prettiest towns, famous for its tulips, beaches, and Dutch heritage. Settled by Dutch separatists in 1847, this vibrant culture lives on in Holland’s best attractions, including Nelis' Dutch Village, the Holland Museum, and Windmill Island Gardens. Home to an authentic 250-year-old Dutch windmill gifted from Amsterdam, the Gardens blooms with 150,000 tulips every year, making it a tourist hotspot in spring.
In 2025, this "Tulip City" will host its famous Tulip Time Festival from May 2nd to May 11th, featuring millions of tulips townwide. This popular event attracts visitors from across the country, so if you plan on booking an overnight stay around this time, consider booking your accommodations soon. Alternatively, Holland’s coastal attractions are best in the summer, leaving more time to book accommodations like the Macatawa Lake View Cottage or White Pines Inn & Suites. With sunshine and warm weather, July through August are the best times to enjoy Holland State Park Beach and snap photos with the town’s iconic Big Red Lighthouse.
Suttons Bay
With less than 600 residents as of 2023, Suttons Bay is a quieter waterfront town known for its art scene, enchanting nature, and wineries. While the village primarily caters to adult travelers, events like their annual Suttons Bay Art Festival welcome all ages. Usually taking place the first weekend of August 2025 will mark the festival’s 45th year. The beachside event is a fun way to support local artists, sample great food, and shop from local vendors. Located next to the Suttons Bay Marina, visitors can also savor views of the Suttons Bay waterfront while they browse.
For the remainder of the year, the town focuses more on its adult guests and tranquil atmosphere with locales like the Three Trees Vineyard, Shady Lane Cellars, and the Gilchrist Farm Winery & Restaurant. Black Star Farms also stands out as Suttons Bay’s preferred place for a romantic overnight stay, previously voted the “Best Wine Country Hotel” by USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards. The award-winning bed and breakfast doubles as a vineyard, offering wine tastings, daily gourmet breakfasts, and five-star hospitality in a gorgeous rural setting.
Saugatuck
Travelers in search of tranquility should also consider Saugatuck, an Art Coast town renowned for its beautiful shores, laid-back vibe, and welcoming atmosphere. Similar to Suttons Bay, one of Saugatuck’s best charms is its small population, with just 750 residents in 2023. But what it lacks in size it does not lack in heart. Hosting annual events like the Saugatuck/ Douglas Pride Festival, this tiny town is all about making everyone feel welcome, whether visiting for its events or spending the night at The Hotel Saugatuck.
Summer is Saugatuck’s busiest season, welcoming nature lovers to the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area and beachgoers to Oval Beach. Still, even at its busiest, Saugatuck has a way of reminding you to slow down and embrace an unhurried pace. Whether enjoying a Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruise, exploring art at the Saugatuck Gallery, or climbing Mount Baldhead for panoramic views of the Kalamazoo River valley, this Michigan town offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.
St. Joseph
About an hour south of Saugatuck, St. Joseph offers a resort atmosphere with attractions for all ages, making it another popular summer vacation spot. The beach town offers a range of accommodations, from hotels like Inn At Harbor Shores to quaint bed and breakfasts like the South Cliff Inn. But no matter where you stay, the banks of Lake Michigan will anchor your time here.
Silver Beach is popular for its soft sands, swimming waters, and Silver Beach Carousel, while St. Joseph's North Pier lighthouses steal the spotlight at Tiscornia Beach. Further inland, the town’s land-based attractions are also worth exploring, especially when you need a break from the sun. From family-focused attractions like the Curious Kids’ Museum to adult-centered spots like the White Pine Winery, there is something for everyone in this cozy Michigan town.
Mackinac Island
For an unforgettable journey back in time, Mackinac Island is a wholesome car-free town voted the #1 US Summer Travel Destination in 2023 and 2024 by USA Today readers. With horses and buggies replacing cars, exploring this old-fashioned Lake Huron island is a breeze, especially since its downtown is so compact. Visitors can sport their best walking shoes or rent a bike from spots like Ryba's Bicycle Rentals to explore the downtown’s specialty shops, like Original Murdick's Fudge and the Little Island Bookstore. Nearby, cute accommodations like the Cottage Inn place you right between downtown Mackinac and Marquette Park, a scenic greenspace known for its lilacs and grassy picnic hills.
Some are surprised to learn that around 82% of the island is parkland, the largest being Mackinac Island State Park. After Yellowstone, it is the nation's second-oldest national park, established in 1895. The park welcomes around 1 million visitors annually, with popular natural and historic landmarks like the Arch Rock and Fort Mackinac. This same blend of nature and history also applies to the park’s 70 miles of roads and hiking trails, including the Mackinac Island Botanical Trail and the Native American Cultural History Trail.
Petoskey
Petoskey, a lake town celebrated for its "Million Dollar Sunsets," is equally beloved for its natural beauty and historic charms. Located on the shores of Little Traverse Bay, the 1-mile beach at Petoskey State Park is the best place to witness the town’s watercolor skies. Beachgoers can also hunt for the perfect souvenir in the sand: prehistoric fossils known as Petoskey stones. Alternatively, hiking paths like the Old Baldy Trail offer even sunset views from atop a dune. New boardwalks and stairs are currently being installed, with the trail set to reopen on Memorial Day Weekend, 2025.
Camping in the State Park is a popular way to experience Petoskey’s great outdoors, while others prefer staying further in town at spots like the Perry Hotel. For over 122 years, this Victorian-era hotel has welcomed visitors from around the globe. Today, it is the perfect homebase for all of Petoskey’s best attractions, including the historic Downtown Petoskey Shopping District, Little Traverse History Museum, and the man-made waterfall in Bayfront Park.
Marquette
From its majestic peaks to its vast coastline, Marquette is the perfect place for a nature-based Michigan escape. Situated on the shores of Lake Superior with the Huron Mountains surrounding it, Marquette offers a more sheltered nature retreat. In the winter, skiers flock to the slopes at Marquette Mountain Resort, while Presque Isle Park is preferred from spring through fall. Set on a 323-acre forested peninsula along Lake Superior, the park is famous for its jaw-dropping overlooks atop sandstone cliffs.
For the ultimate nature retreat, visitors can camp at the Kona Hills Campground from May 30th through October 19th, 2025. Based in 80 acres of forest, high above Lake Superior, the campground features 40 secluded campsites. Alternatively, accommodations like the Rippling River Resort are close to downtown Marquette. Each is also just a short drive from Marquette’s other natural landmarks, like the Mount Marquette Loop and Mount Marquette Overlook.
Discover These 7 Cozy Michigan Towns in 2025
As we move deeper into spring in 2025, toward Holland’s tulip blooms and Marquette’s reopened campgrounds, these small towns beckon with their charms, promising a break from your everyday stresses. Whether planning ahead for your family’s beach vacation in St. Joseph or booking a spontaneous kid-free winery weekend in Suttons Bay, these cozy Michigan towns offer the perfect blend of excitement and tranquility. Coupled with stunning waterfronts, parks, and gardens, this “Great Lakes State” is one of the best spots in the country to let loose and unwind in 2025.
