Underappreciated Towns To Visit in Michigan: Michigan known for its vast forests and 10,000 lakes. It’s perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, fishing, and boating. Besides its natural beauty, the state also has many historical landmarks. While cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor get most of the attention, the real charm of Michigan lies in its small towns. To experience Michigan’s true midwestern charm, here are six unique and lesser-known towns worth visiting.
Saugatuck
Saugatuck is a lively beach town on Lake Michigan known for its vibrant art scene. When visiting, be sure to ride the country’s only chain-driven ferry across the Kalamazoo River. On the other side, you’ll find Oval Beach and Mount Baldhead Park. Oval Beach, rated one of the top five beaches in the USA by MTV, is perfect for picnics and sunbathing. Mount Baldhead offers amazing views of Lake Michigan, Saugatuck, and Douglas, and has a one-mile trail for hiking, walking or running.
Charlevoix
Charlevoix is a lovely beach town on the shores of Lake Charlevoix, with access to the Jordan River. The lake is great for families, offering a playground, a kid-friendly swim area, and lots of sand for building sandcastles. Solo travelers can enjoy a scenic guided raft tour down the river. Don’t miss the whimsical mushroom houses designed by Earl Young, made from cedar shakes and boulders. Castle Farms is another highlight, with its beautiful gardens, historical buildings, and impressive model train collection.
Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth, known as “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” proudly showcases its German heritage. The town has two of Michigan’s best indoor water parks, Zehnder’s Splash Village and Bavarian Inn Lodge Waterpark & Family Fun Center, which offer fun for the whole family with pools, twister slides, tube slides, and raft rides. To learn more about the town’s German roots, visit the Frankenmuth Historical Museum, open seven days a week, where you can see a well-preserved collection of artifacts from the town’s earliest German settlers.
Ludington
Ludington, in West Michigan, is home to Ludington State Park, which was voted the best state park in the Midwest by Midwest Living Magazine. The park is stunningly beautiful and stretches along seven miles of Lake Michigan. Visitors can boat, fish, camp, hike, swim, and see the Big Sable Point Lighthouse and Hamlin Lake Dam. Ludington also has several popular beaches. Stearns Park offers a playground and concession stands, while Skate Park features a mini golf course and shuffleboard court.
Grand Haven
Grand Haven is a peaceful small town with soft-sand beaches and beautiful sunsets, offering plenty of family attractions. The Lakeshore Trolleys, introduced in 2022, provide a great way to tour the town, starting downtown and stopping at various local sites. Kayak tours of the Grand River Bayous are also popular. For fishing enthusiasts, Spring Lakes is a great spot to catch bass, trout, perch, bluegill, and more. The Grand Haven musical fountain is a fun outing for families, featuring a water and light show set to popular music. Each show lasts 20 to 25 minutes and is free to watch.
Harbor Springs
Harbor Springs is a small town in Michigan known for its stunning natural beauty. It’s close to the famous Tunnel of Trees, a scenic drive along M-119. The town’s downtown area is lovely, situated by the waterfront near the beach, and features great restaurants and shops like the Paper Station Bistro and Ivy Boutique. The Little Traverse Wheelway, a popular 26-mile trail for biking, walking, and rollerblading, connects Harbor Springs to Charlevoix. For a sunny day at the beach, visitors can go to Zorn Park Beach on Bay Street, which is open every day and is dog-friendly.
When visiting Michigan, you can’t miss the charm and beauty of its small towns. Each of the towns mentioned—Saugatuck, Charlevoix, Frankenmuth, Ludington, Grand Haven, and Harbor Springs—has its own unique appeal with a mix of nature, culture, and history. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure, a historical experience, or a peaceful getaway, these hidden gems in Michigan have it all. So, pack your bags and set off on your next adventure.
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