9 Most Beautiful College Towns In Michigan
They say that anywhere in Michigan is a quick drive to at least one of the four Great Lakes, out of the total five. This closeness to water gives the state’s college towns a special kind of charm, whether it’s a quiet lakeside morning or a crisp fall afternoon by the river. Students here don’t just walk between buildings; they stroll along waterfronts, under changing leaves, and through campus trails that invite exploration year-round.
Whether you're choosing a degree or a lakeside scene, or maybe both, through Marquette’s sailing program or Houghton's snowy nature trails, rest assured, you're in one of the prettiest and best towns to visit in Michigan. Each campus, home to lovely buildings and walkable greens, invites guests, road trippers, and future scholars alike.
Allendale
Allendale is a beautiful little college town, some 20 minutes west of Grand Rapids. Home to Grand Valley State University, this secluded yet exuberant campus exudes youth and finesse on the south side, with architecture like the Cook Carillon Clock Tower. Several hiking trails wind along various flora, beneath rising campus buildings, around scenic landmarks like Zumberge Pond, and over Little Mac Bridge. The campus's trails, ponds, towers, and bridges are spread across over 1,300 acres.
Minutes from Lake Michigan's eastern edge, the town is often overlooked as the perfect base for summertime adventures with a quieter feel than during the school year. Visiting families from the city enjoy the rural vibe and public golf. Lacing Allendale to the north, the Grand River expands recreation opportunities. Bass River Recreation Area is peaceful for fishing or a hike to the adjoining Riverside Park, a family- and dog-friendly area with a boat launch and picnic spots.
Big Rapids
This pretty college town packs a big punch along the rapids of the Muskegon River, after which it was named. Home to Ferris State University, Big Rapids bursts with charming town parks, entertainment, and dining in nature for 360 degrees around. From Clay Cliffs to Hemlock Park at the heart, there's plenty of riverside beauty to stick around for right here. Pick a trail to stretch your legs, study, relax, and fish along the banks, like the 3.5-mile Big Rapids Riverwalk across the campus with a boardwalk.
Big Rapids is proof that good things come in small packages, with plenty of fun for those who check out the joys of college life and possibly enroll. It is also home to Michigan's only college of optometry—how apt in a real eye-candy of a town with a youthful atmosphere. Though seemingly nowhere, it is under an hour north of Grand Rapids and about an hour to the east coast of Lake Michigan's central shore.
East Lansing
Home to the state university and a population of under 50,000, this popular college town is bookended by beautiful parks. The 75-acre Granger Meadows Park to the north offers picnic shelters, summer sports, and seasonal sledding and skating. East Lansing is a blend of rural charm and big city attractions, with shops, restaurants, and bars along the Grand River. For more nature, Horticulture Gardens is a botanical garden with trails along various flora, a kids' garden, and a rose garden.
The lively town revolves around the institution, founded in 1855 and stunningly designed with stately buildings and walking paths on over 5,000 acres. The campus is ideal for studying outdoors or relaxing, and it has views of the Beaumont Tower and the ornate Eli. Students and guests can also get acculturated at the famous Wharton Center for Performing Arts, which features Broadway shows, theater, and music on four stages. Students and guests enjoy biking around the campus in beautiful surroundings, particularly colorful in the fall.
Frankenlust Township
Between the Bavarian-styled Frankenmuth and the sparkling waters of Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay, Frankenlust Township is a beautiful place to attend college and a great pit stop when in the area. As the Saginaw River flows languidly by, the Dutch Creek winds itself through the heart, all giving the valley a refreshing appearance. Surrounded by golf courses, including two public ones, it is a quick bike ride to the river for fishing at Crow Island State Game Area, with many trails.
Foremost home to Saginaw Valley State University, the campus extends its welcome to guests with attractions for a stroll, dining, and culture, perhaps the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, the state university's collection of over 2,000 works by the sculptor from Detroit. Encompassing the community of University Center, it is also home to Delta College—Main Campus, a highly reputable institution and one of the state's best community colleges.
Holland
Known for its Dutch heritage, Holland can rightfully stake a claim as Michigan's prettiest village, surrounded by vibrant tulip fields on Lake Macatawa, a hop from Lake Michigan's eastern shore. It’s home to Davenport University, the Grand Valley Frederik Meijer Campus, and Hope College, where beautiful Richardson Romanesque-style architecture, like Graves Hall, sets a collegiate tone. The marshland-framed Window on the Waterfront lives up to its name, with multi-use trails, a baseball field, and thousands of tulips creating a colorful spring spectacle.
Just a lakeside stroll north along the railroad tracks leads to Windmill Island Gardens, a scenic park with tulip gardens, a vintage carousel, and costumed guides. At the center stands De Zwaan, a 250-year-old functioning windmill brought from the Netherlands, adding authenticity to this Dutch-inspired retreat on the blue waters of the Macatawa River. For even more greenery, Paw Paw Park stretches across both sides of the river, with footbridges, scenic views, and picnic spots equipped with grills, perfect for enjoying a warm Michigan day.
Houghton
One of the state's best small towns, Houghton was founded during the copper boom along the unique Torch Lake and minutes from Lake Superior. It is home to Michigan Technological University, renowned for its engineering and computer science programs, plus environmental science that partners with nearby nature reserves. Between Pilgrim Community Forest and Nara Nature Park, the 100-acre nook in the lake offers an all-season trail system for hiking, cycling, skiing, and snowshoeing.
No other place matches the vibe and beauty, just a stroll away to sidetrack from your studies, like the interconnecting parks along the canal. East Houghton Waterfront Park offers a large grass area and boardwalk next to the canal, with shaded picnic tables, a pavilion, and amenities. Take in views of the glorious Portage Canal Lift Bridge and perhaps an info guide from the Isle Royale National Park Visitor Center to expand your adventures to one of the Great Lakes' most beautiful spots, a ferry ride away.
Marquette
Founded in 1899 on Lake Superior’s shores, Northern Michigan University boasts a beautiful waterfront and exceptional mountain views, with 29 named peaks in the county. The campus alone welcomes thousands of annual vacationers yearly, many of whom enjoy the adjacent campground accommodations at the aptly named Tourist Park. Between the architecture and cultural attractions, visitors can relax with views of the Great Lake. Picnic Rocks Park is a stunning place to study or relax with a beach.
The student body comprises over one-third of Marquette's over 21,000 population, attending the school for education, nursing, or biology. The presence of nature reserves in the vicinity allows the ecology students to conduct hands-on studies. In addition to the university sailing program, Marquette is a fine destination for watersport enthusiasts. Wright Street Falls tumbles nearby between graffiti-covered cement tunnels, while Presque Isle Park juts into the lake over a 323-acre wooded peninsula to lakeside cliffs.
Mount Pleasant
From the name alone, it is clear that you have landed in a place of stunning natural beauty at the heart of Michigan. Long inhabited by Native American tribes, Mount Pleasant is a few miles from the Isabella Indian Reservation. The sparkling river flows west and north, blessing the town with wetlands and opportunities for fishing. Home to Central Michigan University, it is just a stroll from class to the imposing Veit's Woods CMU Park and a whole system of parks along the Chippewa River.
Surrounded by lush corners that burst with seasonal wildflowers, those lucky to get schooled here enjoy nature at their fingertips. Chipp-A-Waters is a woodsy park along the river with a picnic pavilion and a playground. Similarly, Nelson Park graciously offers a 5-acre riverside green with a canoe landing, fishing deck, and multi-use trails.
Ypsilanti
This unique college town on Ford Lake was named after a hero of the Greek War of Independence. Home to Eastern Michigan University, Ypsi comprises one of Michigan's largest contiguous historic districts, a charming backdrop to its vibrant and sometimes quirky personality. It also boasts a well-known collection of transportation museums and theaters. Among them is the Michigan Firehouse Museum and Education Center, which features restored fire engines and historical exhibits housed in an original 1898 firehouse.
With the Huron River traversing through town, Ypsilanti’s green spaces are just as memorable. The riverfront campus is a stone’s throw from many pocket parks, making it ideal for casual strolls and study breaks. Students and guests enjoy looping trails through Riverside Park. Across the campus, Frog Island Park features an amphitheater, a community garden, and sports facilities. For a wider natural escape, North Bay Park offers 139 lakefront acres for fishing and wildlife viewing along boardwalks and trails through the wetlands.
Final Thoughts
When choosing a college town, consider Michigan, the Great Lakes State, as a beautiful choice for attaining higher education. Even in the heartland of Michigan, Mount Pleasant is rich in natural beauty and Indigenous heritage. Check out how each decorates Michigan's natural beauty with its youthful ring, landscaped gardens, and self-guided trails to explore away from the organized havoc of the big city. Plan for wintertime skiing near Marquette or this summer for vibrant tulips in Holland.
