9 Best Small Towns In Michigan For A Crowd-Free Summer
Michigan is peppered with small towns prepped with surprises that will bring a long sigh of relief after all the work of planning a trip and getting there. There's still so much time to soak in the rays, every ounce of the outdoors, and some respite from the crowds and the grind of city life.
Michigan is representative of the region, fitting like a glove amidst four of the five Great Lakes. Thousands of miles of shoreline and forest encompass these towns in their surrounding wilderness, drawing restless vistors for a relaxing change of pace.
Calumet
Often overlooked for other lakeside locales, Calumet is ideal for crowd-free getaways with an art district inspired by the beauty and history of the Keweenaw Peninsula. This shining gem emerged from a bronze mining boom. From the red sandstone buildings to its charming Calumet Lake, the heart of town was constructed from locally-sourced red Jacobsville sandstone, with many buildings dating back to the late 1800s. Meanwhile, Calumet Lions Park offers forest trails and grassy picnic areas with fire pits.
In addition to niche shops like Copper World, and a range of dining options, the laid-back town boasts excellent galleries. Visitors can score unique decor and gifts through the Calumet Arts District, a local talent showdown with shops and studios that include pottery, paintings, photography, and glass work. The district really comes alive on the first Friday of every month, with an open house along 5th and 6th Streets to showcase new works and celebrate the town's creative spirit. Keweenaw National Historical Park also has a visitor center in Calumet, which serves as a launching point for the exploration of several heritage sites that include interactive exhibits related to copper mining, such as museums, walking and biking trails, and even underground mines.
Empire
Empire's name says it all in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Drop by the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center for info guides to the beautiful national park. After browsing a vibrant mix of shopping and art galleries along Front Street, like Secret Garden, it is just a short walk to the sandy beaches for which this region is famous. Home to the highest bluffs around Lake Michigan, rising to 400 feet, it is pure paradise along the curving shoreline.
Just 1.5 miles out and back, the Empire Bluffs Trail starts from the highway and leads to breathtaking views. For more great hikes and beaches, snap a selfie across Glen Lake and next to the scenic Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum. Robert H. Manning Memorial Lighthouse may not be the tallest, but it is an absolute charmer after a dune climb at sunset from a beautiful beach, full of amazing rocks and crystal-clear water.
Harbor Springs
Harbor Springs is easy to miss, tucked into Little Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan just upshore from Petoskey State Park. Following the springtime trillium bloom, the lively summer season along the sheltered bay is marked by waterfront concerts, art in the park, and many festivals, including the Festival of the Book, which is a three-day celebration for readers and writers alike. Boasting crowdless beaches and the serene Harbor Point jutting into the bay, there's more than meets the eye in the deepest freshwater harbor in the Great Lakes.
When strolling along Bay Street, pop into the Historical Society, then take a self-guided walking tour of the Historical Corridor and admire big sailboats bobbing in the calm waters at the marina. Treat yourself to something sweet from Tom's Mom's Cookies before or after dinner at the Pier Restaurant? And with 22 miles of mountain bike trails at The Highlands and exceptional cycling via the Little Traverse Wheelway, it's no wonder Outside Magazine named Harbor Springs to its list of the "Top 10 Best Bike Towns in America."
Leland
Wedged between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau on a thin-strip peninsula, Leland's charm lies in its historic working waterfront. Iconic Fishtown is the heart of Leland, and between the weathered shanties and smokehouses, it is easy to lose your sense of time and get "tangled" amidst the drying racks of nets and smoked fish.
Dotted with shanties and fish tugs, the resilient dockside has been largely repurposed to house small businesses that are beloved for their rustic appeal. Having evolved and persevered through harsh winters, endurance runs through the blood of this community. For a unique hike, the Whaleback Natural Area was sculpted by glaciers over 10,000 years into excellent trails across 40 acres, or hop a ferry to explore the pristine wilderness of North and South Manitou Islands.
Ludington
Easily accessible on central Lake Michigan's eastern shore, Ludington is a popular vacation spot that rarely feels overcrowded. Boasting beaches, parks, and lighthouses, you can catch the sunset over Lake Michigan from a different viewpoint each evening. In addition to renting a boat or a board to paddle the lake, you can explore the region from dry land at the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. The S.S. Badger carferry is known as a convenient and comfortable way to cross the lake to Wisconsin, but they also offer 2-hour scenic shoreline cruises around Ludington.
Ludington State Park is a great spot for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and camping, and in addition to the beach at Hamlin Lake, Big Sable Point Lighthouse is a striped black and white beacon on Lake Michigan, near the state park's campgrounds. This circa-1867 lighthouse is over 100-feet tall and offers scenic views from the top, as well as a gift shop.
Manistique
Manistique is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula near Indian Lake. Once a lumber transfer town and a commercial fishing port, it boasts historic landmarks like the Old Manistique Water Tower and the bright red Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse. Wander down the long pier to the lighthouse with rocks to scramble and crashing waves against the breakwater. Nearby Indian Lake State Park offers camping, wildlife viewing, and fishing, with lots of beach access.
Just 15 minutes north within Palms Book State Park, Kitch-Iti-Kipi, also known as the “Big Spring,” is Michigan's largest freshwater spring and one of the region's most mystical places. An accessible observation raft brings visitors to a vantage point from which you can peer into the clear water to spot trout swimming far below among the trunks of old trees and swirling sand kicked up by the ever-flowing water of the large natural spring.
Munising
Munising is a real gem on Lake Superior's southern shore at the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where serene waterfalls tumble over colorful sandstone walls in a dream spectacle. Binsfield Bayshore Park and Marina provides a great launching point for water-based adventures and boat tours, with a grassy lawn, picnic tables, and pit grills for those who prefer to lounge on land. Aboard Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tours, you can do exactly as the name suggests around Grand Island, dubbed "Shipwreck Bermuda" for its clear waters and abundance of underwater sights to see.
While on the water, don't miss checking out East Channel Lighthouse. The wooden structure is privately owned and not open for tours or visitors, but it sits on the shoreline just waiting to be photographed from a distance. Wagner Falls Scenic Site is a beautiful creekside cascade right in Munising's backyard amid hardwoods and pine trees, with easy access via a short trail from the parking lot.
New Buffalo
This upscale residential community is sometimes referred to as the Hamptons of the Midwest. Just a small beach town at its heart, New Buffalo is the ideal spot to soak up the rays on a care- and crowd-free escape with picturesque sea stacks and a lighthouse on Lake Michigan. The 800-foot city beach captivates with golden sands, swimming, and stunning sunsets. In addition to 16 miles of uninterrupted shoreline, New Buffalo is the start of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail.
Whether you're a seasoned paddler or a casual toe-dipper, Uncle Jib’s Outpost and Third Coast Paddling offer kayak and paddleboard rentals to enhance your time on the water. Some 70 miles from downtown Chicago, the acculturated town is home to the School of American Music, which hosts free outdoor concerts and sing-alongs, as well as a range of instructional programs and workshops. For big-stage shows year round, check out the Four Winds Casino Resort.
Sault Ste. Marie
Rooted between two Great Lakes, across from the eponymous, larger town in Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is charmingly known as Soo. The not-too-hot summertime is ideal for a boat tour through the Soo Locks, with views from the waterfront of historic downtown. See 1,000-foot freighters lifted from Lake Huron into Lake Superior, plus a maritime museum next to the observation deck, the Tower of History. The up-and-down journey can be taken by elevator or, for a physical challenge, you can climb all 292 stairs to the top, where international views span 1,200 square miles across the Canadian border.
The Museum Ship Valley Camp is a historic 550-foot-long freighter loaded with displays and historical artifacts, including lifeboats from the SS Edmond Fitzgerald, plus crew quarters and the helm. Traditionally a meeting place and trading center at the international border, Soo is laid-back and free of crowds, with breathtaking sunsets along the St. Marys River.
Have you already gone on your dream vacation just to face the harsh reality of summer crowds? Endured long lines, beach bodies, and hiked-up prices for a selfie only to realize the view is smudged and strangers in the background are in focus? Surely you deserve more than that.
These nine hidden gems in the Great Lakes State promise relaxed and stunning natural beauty for the sole enjoyment of visitors. Escape the masses along the pictured rocks, waterfalls, and shipwrecks in Munising.
