9 Romantic Small Towns In The Great Lakes For A 3-Day Weekend
Romance around the Great Lakes includes a whirlpool for two, a lighthouse at sunset, or a quiet walk beside the water. These nine small towns make a three-day weekend easy to fill with couple-friendly experiences, including wine tasting beside the Ahnapee River in Algoma and carriage rides on car-free Mackinac Island. Add in-room jacuzzis in Port Clinton and evenings near the bandstand in Sackets Harbor, and there is little need to rush the itinerary.
Silver Bay, Minnesota
Formerly a place of mining, the tiny dark-colored sand of Black Beach is now where picnics and walks can take place against the backdrop of Lake Superior on the shores of Silver Bay, Minnesota. Make the best of Black Beach by booking the Black Beach Inn Silver Bay up the street. Here, you can take advantage of the inn's steam room, hot tub, and whirlpool for a stay that is rejuvenating for the body and the mind. A number of rooms also have in-room fireplaces and spas, for double the advantage. If you prefer a more rugged type of adventure, try camping out under the stars at Black Beach Municipal Campground, whether in an RV or tent on one of its 49 sites, with amenities like shower rooms, potable water, and free Wi-Fi available. And be sure to visit Silver Bay in the fall for gorgeous orange and yellow foliage.
Sister Bay, Wisconsin
Relax on the waters of Door County's Sister Bay, on the western side of Door Peninsula. Start by booking The Country House Resort for access to over 1,000 feet of private shoreline for fishing and taking walks. And, if that's not enough, there is an oversized whirlpool, a heated swimming pool, and kayaks for fulfilling all your entertainment needs. For one of your dinners, try Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butik, where goats happily graze on the grass growing on the building's rooftop as you eat traditional Swedish pancakes and sip on Malmo Mules. To top off your stay, the little Marina Park down by the water is a nice spot for gazing out at Wisconsin's Sister Bay at sunrise or sunset, watching the boats in the harbor.
Algoma, Wisconsin
Visitors can start by staying in the old-fashioned Algoma accommodation, The Haven. This is a building that has served many purposes, including being a horse tack and a coffin shop at different points in time. The Haven welcomes dogs and is only one block from the Von Stiehl Winery, Distillery & Cidery, where artisan wines and hard ciders can be sipped while taking in views of the Ahnapee River. On one of your days here, book a tour of their 19th-century limestone cellars one day to gain a deeper insight into their deep lagering roots. And just down the street from The Haven, there is a short strip of art galleries, including places like Clay On Steele, a two-in-one gallery and studio. Take a pottery class and bring home a new handmade piece of art to proudly display in your kitchen or on your coffee table. And Algoma's Lake Michigan waterfront along Lake Street is a great walk to feel the cool air of the Great Lakes against your skin, which is especially refreshing in warmer weather.
Manistee, Michigan
On the other side of Lake Michigan is Manistee, on Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Here, you'll have the opportunity to golf on the 18-hole course that overlooks Lake Michigan at the red-and-white antiquated Manistee Golf & Country Club. You also get to look forward to the on-site restaurant, free hot breakfast, fitness facilities, and outdoor patio bar at the Hampton Inn & Suites Manistee Waterfront next door. Then there is the Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse, where the Manistee River flows out into the bay of Lake Michigan. This can be seen on 5th Avenue Beach, while taking a meandering stroll, catching fish, launching a boat close by, or stocking up on snacks at the convenient snack shop stand. Manistee also has some fantastic Victorian homes, well worth seeing, that light up the streets here, like The Delbridge Home. This home was constructed by an unknown architect in 1872, adding a bit more of a romantic feeling to your stay in this coastal Michigan town.
Alpena, Michigan
Michigan's northeastern landmass is home to Alpena, on the shores of Thunder Bay and the greater body of water, Lake Huron. One of the highlights of this town is the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary and Island Park, which provides 450 acres for seeing native birds in their natural habitat via hiking trails, as well as an opportunity for fishing in the Thunder Bay River. In fact, the water that makes Alpena the town that it is creates pretty views all around; Lake Besser, Thunder Bay River, and, of course, Thunder Bay nearly encapsulate Alpena. Its downtown district is built up with art galleries like Art in the Loft, which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary and sells fine art and gifts, and hip restaurants like Mangos, a colorful tequila bar serving tasty Mexican food. After exploring historic downtown Alpena, get cozy in your Holiday Inn Express & Suites Alpena Downtown room, with your triple-sheeted mattresses. Even try making pancakes the next morning!
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Accessible by ferry from Mackinaw City or St Ignace, or by private airplane, Mackinac Island is a piece of land that has no cars, other than emergency vehicles and horse-drawn carriages, in the northwest waters of Lake Huron, on the Straits of Mackinac. The Mackinac Island State Park takes over the majority of the green island with its 70 miles of roads and trails. And if you can afford it, book your stay at the regal Grand Hotel. But down by the Mackinac Island Ferry Terminal, there are plenty more affordable inns and boutique hotels in this area, not to mention the cute shops and cafes, like Original Murdick's Fudge, for satisfying your sweet tooth. Mackinac Island was also made famous by the 1980 film Somewhere in Time, shot here, and visitors who have seen the movie may recognize certain locations, like the "Somewhere in Time" Tree on Lake Shore Drive.
Port Clinton, Ohio
Spend a weekend at Port Clinton, Ohio's Beachfront Motel & Resort, with some rooms fully kitted out with in-room jacuzzis, specifically a spacious and rather luxurious King Jacuzzi Suite, on the southwestern shores of Lake Erie. Listen to the waves hit the sandy shoreline as you recline in the Adirondack chairs at your resort, situated right next to Dock's Beach House Restaurant, a waterfront bar and grill, boasting a tiki bar and entrees consisting of fresh Lake Erie Perch. Standing since 1896, Port Clinton Lighthouse is a popular landmark that gives visitors tours for $3 USD per person and is part of Port Clinton's Waterworks Park, where Jefferson Street Pier is. From here, look out over the Put-in-Bay ferry line, sitting across from Canada, far off in the distance, a peaceful place for contemplation and taking in the relaxing lakeside atmosphere.
Dunkirk, New York
Another lakefront town with a lighthouse, Dunkirk, New York, is on the other southern side of Lake Erie to the east. Dunkirk City Pier on Dunkirk Harbor reaches out into the water as a place ripe for fishing opportunities and spotting birds like geese and swans, or the more elusive Bald Eagle. 64 on the Pier is a lakeside bar and grill with an intimate setting and an outdoor patio, serving a wide selection of food along the lines of salads, paninis, and beers. Last but not least, less than 10 minutes away on foot, Memorial Park is a prime location for sitting in silence, journaling, or taking a photo to preserve the memory.
Sackets Harbor, New York
Tiny Sackets Harbor is placed on the banks of Black River Bay. The centrally located Harbor House Inn is a historic property with comfortable furnishings and a soothing color palette of creams and beiges, just one minute away from Sackets Harbor. But right on the actual Sackets Harbor is The Sackets Boathouse, a restaurant and bar housed in an old boathouse built in the 1940s. Indulge in their lobster, crab cakes, and tuna nachos. The town of Sackets Harbor is rich in 19th-century military history, like the yellow two-story Commandant's House on the other side of Sackets Harbor. Spend a relaxed evening around Market Square Park with the romantic vibes of the Sackets Harbor Bandstand, where quiet conversation or reading can be shared.
The Great Lakes have some of the best natural beauty, wildlife, bars and grills, and waterfront resorts and hotels for ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation, just made for a three-day weekend retreat. Sit in the lap of luxury at Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel. Dip your toe into history and the water at New York's Sackets Harbor. Visitors can even bring home goat cheese from Wisconsin's Door County. Be warned: you may end up wanting to extend the long weekend and visit another Great Lakes destination, or book a trip for another long weekend in the future.
