8 Best Small Towns To Visit In The Great Lakes Region

The Great Lakes are five impressive bodies of water (some of the largest in the world) that cover significant portions of the Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada. Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario (from West to East) overlap with the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York (again from West to East), as well as the Canadian province of Ontario. Given their beauty and generous supply of one of the most valuable resources on the planet, many towns have settled on their shores. These are eight of the best spots to visit in the near future for a great Great Lake adventure.

Mackinac Island, Michigan (Lake Huron)

Mackinac Island is located at the dividing point between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, leaning toward the former, where the waters of the north side of each lake flow between Michigan's North and South Peninsulas. This 4.35-square-mile island is completely free of cars and is mainly made up of the state park that shares its name. It features various scenic viewpoints and formations, such as Arch Rock, the Devil's Kitchen caves, and Sunset Rock, along with several military forts and other sites—all easily accessible by foot, bike, or even horse-drawn carriage rides. The town on the island caters to a relaxed lifestyle, offering renowned fudge, modest nightlife, numerous festivals year-round, and plenty of water-based activities.

Beverly Shores, Indiana (Lake Michigan)

While Michigan itself has no shortage of fabulous Lake Michigan beach towns, the East Coast of Wisconsin, the Northeast corner of Illinois, and a tiny smidge of Northwestern Indiana also get in on the action. In terms of the latter, Beverly Shores brings some unique flavors to the table. Flanked by the wild shoreline and graceful hiking trails of Indiana Dunes State and National Parks and the southern waters of this highly swimmable Great Lake (which can be enjoyed at the string of beaches: Porter, Kemil, and Central), this Porter County town is a reliable summertime hit. Interestingly, amidst the natural beauty, the collection of the 1933 World Fair's Century of Progress Homes (now a Historical Landmark) also catches the eye and is well worth devoting some time to.

Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario (Lake Ontario)

In the Canadian province of Ontario, Niagara-on-the-Lake, or "NOTL" as it is locally dubbed, has a prime location on the Southwestern shore of Lake Ontario and the Western bank of the international Niagara River (which marks the boundary with New York state). This popular tourist town combines the usual appeal of a lakeside town with a charming Historic Old Town filled with boutique shops and lodgings, decommissioned military forts, and the possibility of popping down to the enthralling Niagara Falls (Horseshoe Falls), which is only 13 miles (or 20 kilometers in Canadian speak) South of here. This wet and wild day trip is a must, but make sure you're back in time for dinner, as Niagara-on-the-Lake is known as ""The culinary capital of Canada," as well as the focal point of Ontario Wine Country.

Paradise, Michigan (Lake Superior)

Narrowing down the list of charming small lake towns in Michigan is challenging, but with a name like Paradise, it's hard to go wrong. Far from a misnomer, this unincorporated community in Chippewa County, part of Whitefish Township, offers a little slice of heaven on the quieter Lake Superior. Whitefish Bay shields Paradise from the often unpredictable waters of this Northern Great Lake. Enhancing its natural beauty are Tahquamenon Falls State Park to the West—an essential side trip—and part of the vast Hiawatha National Forest to the South. The surrounding scenery makes Paradise a cozy retreat, while rugged beaches and shipwreck stories, highlighted by the Crisp Point Lighthouse and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, add to its allure.

Kelleys Island, Ohio (Lake Erie)

Kelleys Island introduces Ohio and the fifth—and as the shallowest, the warmest—Great Lake into the picture. This charming, often overlooked village shares its name with the picturesque rock in the southwestern part of Lake Erie. Home to only a few hundred residents, "Lake Erie's Emerald Isle" is accessible solely by ferry, making it a tranquil retreat in Erie County. While vehicles are permitted, bicycles and golf carts—both rentable upon arrival—are the preferred ways to get around. Use these leisurely, open-air options to visit Kelleys Island State Park and the Glacial Grooves State Memorial, then head to the East Quarry. Afterwards, decide whether you'd like to go scuba diving, visit the monarch butterfly greenhouse, enjoy some local drinks, or participate in the town’s lively activities.

Saugatuck, Michigan (Lake Michigan)

Another magical Michigan beach town is the super small city (less than 1,000 residents) of Saugatuck. This Allen County community not only basks in the bounty of Lake Michigan (Southeastern Shore), but has the added asset of Lake Kalamazoo, which is fed by the Kalamazoo River on its way out to the Great Lake. To complement all these fresh and welcoming waters are 12 miles of Award-Winning beaches, including Douglas, Laketown, Pier Cove, and Oval, as well as grassy, wind-swept sand dunes. To truly appreciate the latter, pop up to Saugatuck Dunes State Park (where the drifting mountains reach 200 feet), which sits just North of town. Nature's idyllic sculptings combined with the local creatives (across the culinary, winemaking, and painting spectrum) have led to the Saugatuck region being named "The Art Coast."

Tobermory, Ontario (Lake Huron)

At the tip of Southern Ontario's scenic Bruce Peninsula, which parts the waters of Lake Huron to the West, and Georgian Bay (i.e. "the sixth Great Lake") to the East, the humble fishing village of Tobermory is considered the "crown jewel" of the region, and deservedly so. Bruce Peninsula National Park showcases world-class hiking (led by the long-haul Bruce Trail), and scuba divers love exploring the many near-shore shipwrecks within the Fathom Five National Marine Park (which together make up part of the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve). Indulge in freshly caught fish n' chips, walk out to the Big Tub Lighthouse, paddle across to Flowerpot Island, or ride the famous Chi-cheemaun ferry to Manitoulin Island (the largest lake island in the world).

Bayfield, Wisconsin (Lake Superior)

Northern Wisconsin's cute city of Bayfield is a perfect getaway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Sitting on the Western shore of Lake Superior, Bayfield is protected by many of the 21 large, rocky, rugged, and gorgeous islands comprising this cherished archipelago (once again deemed the "crown jewels" of the area - common verbiage, yes, but always warranted when it comes to the Great Lakes). Some of the best kayaking and sailing on the continent can be done here, thanks to the Redstone sea caves that contrast the exceptionally clear waters of Lake Superior (which is not only the largest but cleanest of the Great Lakes). Diving the multitude of shipwrecks is once again a popular pastime. Visitors can also take a short ferry ride to the largest of the lot, Madeline Island, to explore the hiking trails, viewpoints, and beaches of Big Bay State Park.

These eight Great Lake towns cover all five glacially-formed juggernauts and many of the distinct geopolitical regions within their grasp. Each lake experience offers something a little bit different: ranges of permanent populations (or lack thereof), swells of summer tourism (or lack thereof), welcomed remoteness or ease of accessibility, mainland communities or island villages, inviting weather or invigorating winds, etc. A proper exploration of the Great Lakes requires the crossing of state lines and international borders and a lifetime's worth of seasons, but these are the best places to kick things off.