8 Fairy-Tale Small Towns In The Great Lakes
The famous chain of the Great Lakes in east-central North America comprises Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Their attraction factor is equal parts drama and peace, luring fairy tale seekers to transport mind and body, decompress, and explore the peaceful, local lifestyle, humbled by the inland seas.
Sprinkled along the immense shores like fairy dust, the small towns douse you in opportunities to stretch your legs. From soft sand beaches to heaving dunes and national forests that take the fairytale to the next level, the views are often right downtown, nodding to a long-settled area due to the obvious natural advantage.
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Mother Nature takes extra time, contemplating each brushstroke to make the colors pop against the next and the bright blue Superior surface. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is studded with sandy beaches, sandstone cliffs, and 12 miles of rugged wilderness to channel your inner explorer. Hop on a scenic ferry ride, a guided paddle, or a rented kayak at your own pace to gape at the dramatic sea caves. After adventures, the storybook town embraces you with more magical experiences.
Home to barely 600 atop Wisconsin's northernmost point, Bayfield is yet to meet a traveler who wasn't awe-inspired by its falltime splendor. Take the Iron Bridge Trail along the creek, which is gorgeous throughout, for a memorable adventure without much strain. In addition to its beautiful lakefront and walkable downtown, you can sample plump strawberries, sweet cherries, and juicy apples. The “Berry Capital of Wisconsin” douses you in flavors, with orchards and berry fields along the unpaved Fruit Loop.
Beverly Shores, Indiana
Home to some 600, this upscale Lake Michigan town stakes claim to the 1933 Chicago World's Fair Century of Progress Homes. Few know that the motif behind the fair was to instill hope during the Great Depression about the revolutionary capabilities of humankind. Embark along the Heritage Trail, with markers dating to the native land that inspired a colonial-style villa—the inception—and its evolution into the tiny town unlike any other at the heart of the Indiana Dunes National Park.
Somewhere along the way, the five historic homes were transported here as part of the 61st National Park, with tours and viewing along the elevated Dune Ridge Trailhead, which offers access to the beaches. Climbing over the wind-swept dunes, wide-open horizons, and lake breezes are your best accomplices for adventures. From swimming and windsurfing to dune hikes and sandboarding, the otherworldly feel along this beautiful coastline enchants architecture fans and adventurers alike.
Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio
A mere 50 miles east along the shore from Cleveland, Geneva-on-the-Lake is a retro funnel with natural and cultural enticements. This Erie town offers a hefty dose of vacation vibes at Ohio’s first summer resort destination. Catering to day-trippers and high-profile characters alike, you can rock out in the footsteps of John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford. In addition to a lakeside amusement park and lighthouse offshore, there's wining, dining, and one of the longest-operating, Allison’s Mini Golf.
The imposing Geneva State Park encompasses natural beaches and marshes, plus a campground for sunset-viewing, marshmallow-roasting, and stargazing after dusk. Explore the multi-use and paved trails to serene picnic and viewing areas over the lake. Open since the 1950s, nothing hits the spot like a foot-long hot dog at Eddie’s Grill, while Old Firehouse Winery offers tasteful pairings along a vast waterfront. It is ideal for strolls and entertainment as the sunset lights up across the immense lake.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Settled by French fur traders and Scandinavian colonists who named it "big marsh," Minnesota's first art colony is an ultimate dream for the creatives, with so much fun for everyone else, including action along the Superior Hiking Trails. Drop by Lake Superior Trading Post for all your gear. Wrapped in the rugged, forested hills, the classic harbor is visually captivating against the bright blue lake.
Head down to Artist's Point, a whale tail-shaped peninsula with trails, two lighthouse views, and a popular campground to meet the sunrise and watch artists paint at sunset. The Pincushion Mountain Trail system lures with hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in expansive views. The artsy harbor village extends its flair into a foodie scene, from World’s Best Donuts—why not spoil yourself in a fairy tale?—to the dockside seafood market.
Lake Forest, Illinois
Home to just under 20,000, this lively, historic Lake Michigan gem entices visitors with arts and nature just 30 miles north of Chicago. The sandy, pet-friendly Forest Park Beach is often the first stop to see the sunrise along this eastern-facing shoreline. In addition to a scenic pier and rocky breakwater, it is ideal for picnics and photoshoots, among a few others. Avoid the non-resident beach fee; Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve is minutes east with a rich network of outdoor spaces.
Snow or shine, the rugged, lush woodlands invite exploration with opportunities for birding, hiking, camping, and picnicking amidst expansive views of the rolling terrain. Continue your journey south along this vast, unspoiled shoreline onto the serene, rock-strewn Openlands Lakeshore Shoreline. No matter how or where you start your day, the Gorton Center has been a crowd-pleaser for movie-watching, live music, and performances since 1902 in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Munising, Michigan
No other town immerses you into a fairy tale as effortlessly as this UP gem in the heart of the Hiawatha National Forest, directly next to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and across from Grand Island. Home to under 3,000, Munising is awash in small-town charm and a top choice for pursuits. From shipwrecks to a handful of lighthouses, it is easy to find what speaks to you in the surroundings of over 15 waterfalls through forest and spilling cliffside along the Pictured Lakeshore.
Rent a kayak for a serene paddle, join a tour, or hop on a cruise to Grand Island National Recreation Area, an impressive Lake Superior island with biking, hiking, and camping, plus a lovely lighthouse to spy upon approach. The storybook setting is a real eyesore, fueling your adventures, like Wagner Falls Scenic Site. Located just off the highway amid pine trees, this waterfall dispels along Wagner Creek, with a hiking trail approach, and another, Alger Falls, just a hop away.
Port Hope, Ontario
This historically enchanting town hides in the embrace of Northumberland’s rolling hills, hiking trails, farms, and Lake Ontario beaches. Shop and dine in heritage buildings and take a film tour before soaking in the sunset at East Beach. In addition to the historic Walton Street's sites, Port Hope has starred in multiple Hollywood films like Stephen King's IT. The Ganaraska River flows through the heart, adding a natural whisper and a refreshing jaunt to your pace.
You can still catch one of Canada's liveliest salmon and trout runs through early October. See fish jump at the Port Hope Fish Ladder next to a thundering dam, walk through Optimist's Park, and finally dive into the irresistible shopping scene downtown. The 1930s Capitol Theatre is an atmospheric venue against the backdrop of a medieval castle. Catch an evening music or performance play, then come out into the courtyard beneath a starry sky.
Terrace Bay, Ontario
This truly tiny Ontario town on Superior's northern shore wraps you in fairytale vibes with several cascading waterfalls and emancipating lake views, plus a lovely replica of Slate Islands light. Terrace Bay's natural edge lends a breathtaking vantage right from its downtown square. Sporting an iconic 50-foot lighthouse at the heart, you can even park your camper van for an overnight along the beach.
Aguasabon Falls also lures travelers away from the Trans-Canada Highway for a hike. With lots of parking available, take the all-accessible boardwalk for a short, inclined walk, weaving through the lush trees lining the river gorge. Onto the platform overlook, you can finally relax, giving in to the deafening splendor. The 100-foot-high waterfall encased in sheer cliffs is both dramatic and sobering as it rushes down into the gorge towards Lake Superior. Finally, take the hiking trail that connects to and from Terrace Bay Beach, where you could have parked your camper van.
The Great Lakes region encompasses a handful of states and provinces, if counting the St. Lawrence Seaway. Pick a retreat with retro vibes in Ohio or an adventurous escapade in Michigan's Munising or Lake Forest, Illinois. Such presence of grandness in your backyard is often the closest fairytale scenario in the US.
Decorated with parks and amusements, seafood, and marinas, you will find hospitable vibes and pretty lakefronts. Whether you are after the sandy beaches, chasing waterfalls, or painting at Artist Point, each town offers a create-your-own-fairytale from the shore on a carefree escape you desire from the city.
