8 Best Towns In Michigan For A Two-Day Recharge
Michigan, the Great Lakes State, is one of the most popular states to recharge. The Great Lakes emit a boatload of bliss and carefree vibes. When you are daydreaming at work about a getaway or home with kids running around, making last-minute plans for a family escape can be dreadful. Behold, eight ideal two-day escapes to refresh, unwind, and recharge. Now you are dealt the hardest task.
Will it be the Upper or Lower Peninsula, the Hamptons on Lake Michigan in New Buffalo, or the Cape Cod of the Midwest? And which one of the iconic lakeshores? After that, it is a walk in the park, or a wine trail, should you wish. Regardless, a carefree two-day escape awaits to leave you with a light soul and memories that will long outlast until some real vacation time.
Empire
Empire is the headquarters for outdoor adventures at the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Easily accessible along the famous M-22 scenic highway, the aptly named town is literally a walk in the park, with affordable favorites being Empire Lakeshore Inn and the nearby Indigo Bluffs RV Park & Resort. Surrounded by waterfalls and panoramic coastline views, travelers split between lakeside tranquility and the highest bluffs in all of Lake Michigan, rising to 450 feet. Drop by Secret Garden, a real eye-feast of local artwork and crafts replicating the area's beauty.
Treat Farm Trail is a beautiful mile-long hike through the forest, up to a high view over Lake Michigan. Accessible via a designated trail from the highway, Empire Bluff Scenic Lookout features an amazing view of the iconic curving coastline. Robert H. Manning Memorial Lighthouse is the white beacon with scenic views along the beautiful beach full of amazing rocks and crystal-clear water. Rent a paddleboard or kayak, or take the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trailhead if you are a cyclist who likes the challenge of a newer, smooth 22-mile trail, with steeper inclines on the south.
Leland
Hanging by a thread on Lake Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula, this coastal gem of under 400 promises to long outshine a two-day escape on Michigan's pinky. Among vacation rentals, Leland Lodge is splurge-worthy for two days. Straddling Lake Leelanau, with a river through its heart, Fishtown is a retro-cool harborfront with historic fishing shanties turned small businesses. The fishing boats, the smell of smoked fish, and the sparkling lake have the tantalizing effect of a place with no sense of time having gone by.
Whaleback Natural Area feels magical along a winding trail through a woods conservancy in a refreshing lake breeze and peeking blue views. After a blissful day at the central Van's Beach, hop over to Verterra Winery for a tasting of wine from grapes grown right on the peninsula at the hands of a local winemaker. If smoked fish isn't your cup of tea, Village Cheese Shanty will win you over. A scenic ferry trip to the Manitou Islands imparts even more memories in addition to the souvenirs from Two Fish Gallery.
Munising
Hidden behind Hiawatha National Forest on Lake Superior with the imposing views of Grand Island, Munising is the gateway to the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore. Named for the strata of colors, this world-renowned site on the Upper Peninsula dates back to between one billion and 500 million years. In addition to serene beaches up the shore, waterfalls spill over the picturesque sandstone into the bright blue lake. Adventure seekers enjoy kayaking, hiking, camping, ice climbing, and...pasties, a local delicacy to savor with a drink of choice or pack for a forest hike.
Get cool snapshots by the Bay Furnace Ruins and the epic Shipwreck Bermuda via a glass-bottom boat, which hovers over amazingly preserved shipwrecks. Locals lead daily lives as if unaware of the unraveling drama nearby, while tourists return from tours with glazed-up eyes. Meanwhile, the national forest touches three of the five Great Lakes. Share a plate of whitefish tacos at The Duck Pond Eatery and Beer Garden, and local suds from By George Brewing Co. Sunset Motel, or the White Pigeon Inn, just west, offer an ideal quality-price accommodation.
Muskegon
As a larger town along 27 miles of scenic beaches and dunes, Muskegon is material for two-day escapes. Just 40 miles from Grand Rapids, city dwellers find any excuse to zip down State 96 to Lake Michigan's eastern shore. Home to Muskegon State Park and Pere Marquette Park, the latter flaunts a white-sand expanse of public beach on Lake Michigan with views of the town's two red beacons. The early 1900s Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse is accessible via a walkway and the Muskegon South Breakwater Light at the end of a 1,514-foot pier.
Take the lakeshore bike path past the cool USS Silversides Submarine Museum of naval history with tours in a spacious preserved WWII sub. Between the nearby amusement park and the newly expanded Muskegon Museum of Art, visitors can unwind in a cozy, affordable hotel, the top-rated The Pidge Inn, or holiday rentals like Tiny Digs Lakeshore. Meanwhile, the state park offers 1,000 acres, including a rare coastal plain marsh, dunes, and woodlands, plus the photogenic Muskegon State Park Block House and a popular luge park at the northern end.
New Buffalo
Welcome to "the Hamptons of the Midwest" on Lake Michigan's southwestern shore. Considered a high-end community some 70 miles from downtown Chicago, the beach town is ideal for a two-day break from life. In addition to being the southern terminus of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, there is the massive public beach with a scenic white lighthouse and white sails in the large marina. The presiding Marina Grand Resort appeals to couples on a deserving weekend. From there, it is all about striking the right balance of indulging and imbibing local vibes.
Let the breeze ruffle your hair at the helm with New Buffalo Sailing Excursions, or join Third Coast Paddling for some activity. How about a glass of local wine against stunning Lake Michigan views? As a residential community, New Buffalo isn't too expensive in terms of lodging, including great deals at the Four Winds Casino New Buffalo. The New Buffalo Railroad Museum is a funky yellow caboose, while the popular Galien River County Park offers a refreshing place to soak in nature on a hike with marshy wetlands, an overlook tower, and boardwalk hikes.
Saugatuck
Made famous by its gay-friendly Oval Beach, Saugatuck is a progressive, family-friendly town at the heart of Michigan's "art coast," southwest of Grand Rapids. The iconic beach is open year-round for swimming, sunbathing, and recreation, plus dunes and the nearby nature area. The scenic pier at the river mouth is one of the few rare places to be alone for a while, while others enjoy rugged off-roading tours between the beautiful lakeshore dunes and sparse greenery. Replete with stays for every taste and budget, Starlite Resort is under $150 in the hot season.
Lovingly tucked in the nooks on both sides of the local Kalamazoo Lake, the town is easy to explore along the Kalamazoo River, which connects to the immense Lake Michigan. In addition to endless fun on the water, including paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, and rafting, its cultural highlights include the Saugatuck Center for the Arts and the Ox-Bow School of Art. Just downshore, Douglas Beach Park is a serene sliver of sandy frontage with amenities and grills for group picnics. Meanwhile, The Southerner, a James Beard nominee, feels like home.
Suttons Bay
Ringing the eponymous bay of the Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan, Suttons Bay may just be the most underrated town, easily accessible via Hwy 22. This cozy beach nook on the Leelanau Peninsula boasts desirable attractions, such as Bayside Gallery, one of the best local art spaces in the entire region, and Hop Lot Brewing Co. & Beer Garden, a destination in itself. From your "kozy" Korner Kottage stay, hike up to the 45th Parallel Park, a rocky, serene beach with clear waters, to stretch your legs and get a few pictures.
Suttons Bay Beach is right behind the downtown area. This clean, sandy stretch is perfect to cool off in the refreshingly chill waters with amenities and concessions. Meanwhile, the iconic Grand Traverse Lighthouse within Leelanau State Park is accessible via the scenic Pure Michigan Byway, 20 miles north to the tip, with tours and sweeping views from the tower. Northwest Michigan also lights up in fall foliage of yellow, orange, and amber in time for winery harvests. After touring a local vineyard, score a bottle of a new favorite for the upcoming holidays.
Tawas City
This town on the northern shore of Tawas Bay of Lake Huron offers to exchange reality for tranquility. Blending local charm into the great outdoors, let it sink in along the pier adjacent to Shoreline Park with a playground. The lake ignites the sparkle in your eye, daring you to take off from the nearby City Canoe & Kayak Launch. Down the shore, Gateway Park is a cozy nook at the river mouth, which flows from the local Tawas Lake. From the bayfront top-rated Harbor View Inn ($130 in the heat of summer), follow the River Rd. through Dewey Durant Park.
Beyond the smaller lake, Ingalls Forest Trailhead is a biking and cross-country skiing dreamscape, while the nearby Red Hawk Golf Course is popular for teeing in a scenic, forested embrace. Whether you are hopping on a wine and hops trail tour or the Tawas Point-Sandy Hook Nature Trail, the area lights up in fall foliage. Tawas Point State Park, "the Cape Cod of the Midwest," is the best place to soak in the natural beauty of Michigan's Sunrise Coast, particularly since there is a campground on the peninsular hook next to a historic white lighthouse.
So from Empire at the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to Michigan's Sunrise Coast, care for rare serenity or epic adventures? Saugatuck boasts one of the top beaches in the world in an authentic small-town feel with the right balance of relaxation and excitement. And there is a boatload of memories in Leland's Fishtown.
These enticing towns offer equal parts along an iconic Great Lake, easily accessible via a scenic drive. In addition to everything being a stroll or bike ride away, some shipwrecks or even impromptu island hopping won't hurt.
