7 Quirkiest Great Lakes Towns You Didn't Know Existed
This summer season is perfect to cool off on a swim or splice the crystal-clear depths of one of the Great Lakes. The world's largest freshwater lake systems in North America encompass states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. There is a small town nearby for a refreshing escape in the area settled for centuries.
Poised on renowned bodies The two Grand Marais in different states are eight hours apart along the shore of Lake Superior, not even making it halfway around, which reveals the breadth of the world's largest freshwater body. Check out the mysterious Kitch-iti-kipi, a mirror into an ancient soul and the surrounding UP forests.
Grand Marais, Michigan
Despite a tiny population of barely over 300, Grand Marais stands by its name. Pick from the popular Woodland Park Campground, cabins, a resort, or the Voyageurs Motel. Between a scenic waterfall and miles of uncrowded beachfront, it feels too good to be true to enjoy water sports or relax for days away. The curving slice of West Bay coast lends a cozy feel. Drop by the visitor and the quirky Pickle Barrel House. Lake Superior Beach just juts into the lake, where the modest Harbor of Refuge—Outer Lighthouse on the lake—gets a tough beating by the waves.
Strolling along the beach, take a sharp turn towards Sable Falls, with inland access from the parking lot. There are over 100 stairs to take in the falls from the viewing platform, then trek inland to Grand Sable Lake Scenic Overlook. Follow the river back to the mouth in search of a colorful keepsake rock at Sable Beach. Just west, Grand Sable Dunes offers a fantastic vantage overlooking Lake Superior for those willing to climb some more. Inner Light is easily accessible and provides excellent views of the crescent-shaped harbor.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Not even halfway around to the western side of Lake Superior, this Marais is grand in comparison, home to roughly 1,300. Still just a tiny harbor village that boasts a city status, Minnesota's oldest art colony is one of the state's most beloved lakeside escapes. Between the Sawtooths and the Great Lake, it welcomes creatives, families, and adventure-seekers alike. Whether you're in for a gallery crawl, live music by the lake, or hunting with your own camera in scenic surroundings, there are plenty of ways to get the most even on a short escape.
So park at Grand Marais Campground & Marina and find inspiration around every corner, from local shops to bring treasure home to the Artist’s Point, with an easel recreating sailboats and the lighthouse on this whale-tail-shaped platform into Lake Superior. Named "America’s Coolest Small Town" by Budget Travel Magazine, find your next great adventure along the Pincushion Mountain Trail System, which turns to skiing come winter. Finally, indulge in local hospitality and North Shore flavor dining al fresco.
Grand Marais, Minnesota, is also the seat of Cook County.
Manistique, Michigan
Manistique is a Lake Michigan harborfront town at the mouth of the Manistique River on the Upper Peninsula. The riverfront Old Manistique Water Tower houses a museum. Check out the serene Lake Michigan Public Beach down the shore. Thompson Rogers Roadside Park offers picnic tables and grills to unwind in good company. Surrounded by state and national forest land, the Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse is a bright red beacon tipping a boardwalk. Stretch your legs at sunset and catch its blinking red eye at a distance upon the night's descent.
It is just 17 minutes inland around Indian Lake to one of the UP's most mystical places, the ancient Kitch-iti-kipi. Meaning "the Big Spring," the Ojibwa nicknamed it “Mirror of Heaven” and believed it had powers. Michigan’s largest natural freshwater spring sure does, swirling out clouds of sand and mesmerizing the onlookers with reflections of the sky and forest. Raft across into the ethereal depths, which are crystal clear, to peek at what lies below. The teal, glassy, frigid waters host large brown trout and preserve a kaleidoscope of the spring’s flora.
Oscoda, Michigan
Home to under 1,000, Oscoda makes for quite a fisherman's escape or boating escapades at the mouth of the Au Sable River. The area is known for trophy-sized fish, including walleye, trout, salmon, and perch. Take the AuSable River Queen, a paddlewheel riverboat, or get a rental for calm paddling on this North American canoeing river. The beach bums enjoy pristine sands along the river and the Great Lake, plus the inner Cedar Lake and Van Etten Lake. Embracing every visitor, there are waterfront cottages, B&Bs, resorts, and hotels on Lake Huron.
From sunrise at Huron Sunrise Park, spend a day along the trails in the sights and sounds of nature, or catch a fish and fry it up at sunset along the beach at Three Mile Beach Park, with grills and picnic spots. Hidden within the eastern part of the Huron-Manistee National Forests area, falltime blush touches Oscoda particularly scenically. The 14-foot-tall Lumberman's Monument and visitor center, open through October with hands-on activities, honor Michigan's early loggers, while the nearby aviation museum is a reminder of its diverse past.
Sister Bay, Wisconsin
The western tip of the Door Peninsula, Sister Bay, is one of the state's smallest and most scenic towns. With lush nature stark against the deep blue, the view to the horizon is only a small part of the immense Lake Superior. Visitors enjoy the shorefront trails to Sister Bay Beach, a 1,900-foot waterfront bliss. From the sandy shores for swimming and paddleboarding, Sister Bay Marina offers rentals and excursions, plus in-town guides like Sister Bay Scenic Boat Tours. Explore with a professional at the helm or show off your own skills.
Exploring Three Springs Nature Preserve, you will get winded along the winding trails through secluded, woodsy, and unfragmented 17,000 acres. Unwind at a coffee shop or one of the popular restaurants like Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik, plus Bay Shore Outfitters and Bargains Unlimited, a thrift shop. The radiance of the region extends into every season, with vibrant fall colors embracing the bay. Drop by the historic society, then catch a summer concert and the sunset from the renowned Pebble Beach.
St. Joseph, Michigan
St. Joseph is a refreshing getaway from the city on the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the St. Joseph River. The lush nature makes for grand escapades or a family camping trip along the crystal clear waters about halfway between Chicago and Grand Rapids. Take in the blufftop views at the Lookout Park, then stroll along the main street to the popular Silver Beach County Park, a wide beach with volleyball, events, and pier access. The towering dunes to the west feature a pavilion overlooking the lake panorama.
The town boasts two iconic lighthouses and Tiscornia Park, hands down, one of the most scenic spots in southwest Michigan. Lake Bluff Park, landscaped with monuments, is a hop from the soft, golden sand beaches for sunbathing, picnics, or simply soaking up the sunny vibes. Meanwhile, the Whirlpool Compass Fountain at the county park is like a huge plaza/splash pad to cool off mid-browsing. From kids museums to Silver Harbor Brewing Company, there's something for everyone and a huge art scene at Krasl Art Center and Box Factory for the Arts.
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
At almost 10,000 in population, Sturgeon Bay is a world-renowned shipbuilding hub in the Door County Peninsula. Get a glimpse at the maritime museum and a waterfront stroll along historic fishing tugs and container ships. Sturgeon Bay packs historic shopping districts with galleries, shops, and dining. The area's distinct splendor is off-the-hook for land adventures, like Whitefish Dunes State Park's shoreline trails over huge sand dunes into a thick forest. Cave Point County Park features dramatic limestone cliffs.
Explore submerged caves and trails overlooking Lake Michigan, or enjoy sailing or swimming in Green Bay's embrace. The rich natural beauty and nautical heritage encompass year-round recreation and events—at the raceway and Sturgeon Bay Maritime Week in August. Visit in the sensual spring season with daffodils, tulips, lilacs, plus cherry and apple blossoms, and fruit-picking through the nearby orchards. Potawatomi State Park packs over 1,200 acres of rolling woodland and sparkling bay for hikes, camping, and fishing.
Door County Peninsula is nationally famous for its unrivaled beauty and ideal location for holidays and escapes. Two Door County gems are the secluded Sister Bay and the magnificent landscapes surrounding the shipbuilding hub of Sturgeon Bay.
From marinas and lighthouses to local beaches, these towns of under 10,000 are tiny, quirky, and therefore, overlooked by the mainstream tourists. Each oasis in the water-engulfed region is an atypical escape to avoid floods of visitors and experience the Great Lakes region on a personal level.
