What is it with traveling that makes people happier and healthier? Is it the sights, the food, the new experiences, or the bond you develop with the locals and fellow travelers? Whatever it is, studies have shown that traveling can improve one's mood and even lower the risks of heart disease for both men and women.
Are you eager to reap the wonderful benefits of traveling? These darling small towns in Michigan might help! Fall in love with The Great Lake State, with its wonderful European-themed villages and idyllic beach towns that will fill your heart with glee. From the Dutch heritage town of Holland to the lighthouse of St. Ignace, get starry-eyed and set your heart aflutter with Michigan’s small-town charms. Ready for a healthy dose of wanderlust?
Holland
Transport yourself to the dreamlike town of Holland, where the fields are filled with tulips and the streets are lined with Dutch village-inspired architecture. They take their tulips seriously, as shown by Windmill Island Gardens’ 36 acres of manicured gardens and 150,000 tulips grown during spring. The area even has an authentic and still working Dutch windmill—the only one of its kind in the United States, and yes it can still grind flour!
Experience what a Dutch village was like a hundred years ago with Nelis’ Dutch Village. With entertainment choices like wooden shoe carving and Dutch dancing, it is a fun way to inject some Dutch culture into your trip. Schedule your Holland trip when the town celebrates Tulip Time Festival every May for a week-long celebration of all things Dutch! For a quick history lesson before the festivities, drop by the Holland Museum, which chronicles Holland’s origins of its Dutch settlers in the mid-19th century.
Frankenmuth
Whisk yourself away to another European-inspired village filled to the brim with fairytale-like charm—Frankenmuth, The Little Bavaria of Michigan! You can start with an informative and interactive trip through time with the Frankenmuth Historical Museum, where stories of its “First 15” German settlers are kept. Follow it with a shopping tour at the Frankenmuth Clock and German Gift Co. to see authentic and handmade cuckoo clocks. They also have other wooden souvenirs, so you can bring home a bit of Bavaria back home.
For a more relaxed sightseeing tour, you can do a Golden Ticket Trolley tour with a delightful local tour guide driving you around town or hop on the Bavarian Belle Riverboat for a sunset cruise. If all that learning, shopping, and sightseeing got you peckish, munch on Frankenmuth’s world-famous chicken at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant and get a sweet treat from N’Orlins Beignets and Coffee. Now that is a tasty way to end your Bavarian-themed trip!
Traverse City
From its historic lighthouse overlooking the beautiful Grand Traverse Bay to its art culture and walkable bustling downtown, there is something for every traveler in Traverse City. The city proper has tourist attractions like The Dennos Museum Center, City Opera House, and The Crooked Tree Arts Center for art and music lovers, while The Little Fleet is the food truck gathering go-to for foodies.
However, the most notable attraction in town is the quaint Mission Point Lighthouse, the city’s iconic beacon. Between downtown and the lighthouse are numerous parks, trails, nature preserves, and other natural wonders that you will have to go through first. An outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, there is the Pelizzari Natural Area and its sunny open trails, Brinkman Bog Nature Sanctuary, and Old Mission State Park, which houses the lighthouse. After your trek, rest your legs on Bryant Park Beach’s shores—or just skip the hike altogether and have a beach getaway at the nearby Bayshore Resort instead!
St. Ignace
While most people go to St. Ignace for its ferry services to other islands, this sleepy port town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has alluring historic attractions and activities of its own. Start with its lighthouses—the Wawatam Lighthouse and the St. Helena Island Lighthouse. The former was originally from Monroe but later relocated to become St. Ignace’s shining light in 2006, and the latter has been guiding sailors since 1873. Both give gorgeous waterfront views of the waters around town.
Perhaps the best tourist spot and activity that St. Ignace has is its shipwreck scuba diving in the Straits of Mackinac. Diving deep into 10’ to 150’ depths and witnessing remnants of sailing vessels lost to time and history will give you a sense of wonder and nostalgia unlike any other. If you would rather stay on land, you can still get a scenic panorama and even a cozy campground via the Straits State Park.
Mackinac Island
A hop and a skip from St. Ignace, car-free Mackinac Island is a dream come true for travelers who wish to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. You will have to bike, go on horseback, or ride horse-drawn carriages if you want to get around the island, which adds to the place’s adorable old-timey vibe. Begin your visit with an official Carriage Tour to get acquainted with your temporary haven, then get your own buggy with Jack’s Livery Stable or saddle horse from Cindy’s Riding Stable to travel like the locals.
If there is one place you should not skip on the island, it is The Grand Hotel Stable and Museum, a hotel-museum hybrid that has been operating since 1887. Its museum is home to a few elegant Hackney horses and 30 antique carriages that visitors can see up close for free. The hotel also has a garden filled with century-old lilacs, cedar, and maple trees, with a secret garden hidden within for curious and intrepid guests.
Saugatuck
The best thing about Saugatuck is its views of Kalamazoo River and Lake, which can be accessed from any angle of its major tourist spots. Whether you are descending from a trail in Mt. Baldhead Park, learning about American history with the Saugatuck-Douglas History Museum, or meandering on the waters via the Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruises, you will have plenty of lakefront waterscapes to enjoy.
Saugatuck is also part of Michigan’s “art coast”, so those who have an appreciation for the arts will do well to visit a few art-filled highlights in town. The Saugatuck Center for the Arts is the hub for community works on theater and film. For more visual arts, attend Saugatuck Douglas Art Club’s art fairs and events. Fancy an art stroll through displays of local artworks and crafts? The Waterfront Invitational Art Fair might be more your jam!
St. Joseph
Often underrated and skipped for the bigger beach towns in Michigan, those in the know love St. Joseph for its numerous beaches, amazing parks, and historic lighthouse and carousel. Beach bums enjoy Silver Beach and Lions Park Beach for their vast sandy shores and calm waters. Meanwhile, families can get a summer wonderland trip with the Silver Beach Amusem*nt Park and its replica of the historic Coney Island-style merry-go-round.
St. Joseph has made its mark in Michigan by giving one of the best sunset views in the state, thanks to the duo of the St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights. Built in 1832, make sure you try the summer-only Sunset Tours Experience, where you will see the gallery at sunset for a magical excursion in this historical beacon.
Petoskey
Home to the 25+ acre Bayfront Park, the Northern Michigan town of Petoskey keeps its quaint small-town charm while still having amazing tourist amenities and attractions. The park alone has the Little Traverse History Museum dedicated to author Ernest Hemingway, a marina for avid fishers, waterfalls, a clock tower, and unparalleled views of Little Traverse Bay. During your stay, try to spot some Petoskey Stones to bring home as souvenirs.
If its park has not swayed you, its historic downtown might. With shops like Grandpa Shorter’s knickknacks circa 1946, Beards Brewery, and City Park Grill—one of Petoskey’s oldest buildings—strolling downtown will enrich your mind, tummies, and luggage!
Frankfort
Found along the shores of Lake Michigan, Frankfort is a cute little harbor town visited for its pristine waters, spectacular sunsets over the lake, active downtown, and iconic lighthouse. Soak in the views and enjoy unique activities when you visit Point Betsie Lighthouse, the town’s leading light for mariners since 1858 and the last manned one in Lake Michigan before its automated change. It is more than just a lighthouse—you can get a 20-minute tour, enjoy its beach, and even book its Keeper’s Quarters for a cozy overnight stay.
As pretty as the lighthouse is, there is more to Frankfort than its beacon—starting with its historic Main Street! There, you will find The Garden Theater, which opened its doors in the 1920s; the 88-year-old boutique hotel of The Hotel Frankfort, and the retro diner of Dinghy’s. Vintage is always in, folks!
Final Thoughts
Bordered by the cheese-loving state of Wisconsin and close to Chicago City, many travelers often skip Michigan to visit the more popular Upper Midwest destinations. However, as seen from these 9 charming pint-sized towns, there is a lot to love about the Wolverine State of Michigan.
To name a few, Holland and Frankenmuth both bring European charm to the state, Petoskey’s park and historic downtown are easy to access, and Mackinac Island gives a peaceful retreat from the all-too-common urban jungles. These small towns in Michigan show that The Great Lake State should not just be proud of its majestic lakes!
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Cynthia Levy August 19 2024 in Places
