Waterfront buildings near the entrance to the Oval Beach on Lake Michigan, Saugatuck, Michigan. Image by PQK via Shutterstock.

The Great Lakes's 9 Most Laid-Back Towns

Now that summer has arrived, it's time to seek the soft sands and humidity-busting breezes offered by the Great Lakes. These five freshwater bodies are surrounded by small ports and inviting beach towns and punctuated by lesser-known islands. Big or small, popular or overlooked, one thing these nine Great Lake towns all have in common is a laid-back essence. Sometimes this is achieved through sheer solitude, as in the cases of Pelee Island and Copper Harbor. In contrast, other magnetic destinations, such as Port Stanley and St. Joe, achieve it through spacious layouts and free-spirited attractions. Let's flip between Ontario and Michigan, and peek into Wisconsin and Ohio, in search of laissez-faire sides of the Great Lakes.

6 Of The Friendliest Towns In The Great LakesThe shopkeepers in all six tend to know returning visitors by name.

Pelee Island, ON: Lake Erie

A woman in all green rides a cruiser bike on a waterfront gravel road. — Biking with my better half around Pelee Island's gentle perimeter road. Image credit: Andrew Douglas

Pelee Island is the largest unit of the Lake Erie Islands and acts as the Canadian equivalent of Ohio's Kelleys Island. Having taken the ferry over from Ontario's mainland, or from Sandusky, day-trippers, weekend cottagers, or full-time residents (of which there are only 230) are welcomed off the West Dock by a handful of beachtown businesses. The Heritage Centre, Westview Tavern, Stone House 1891, and the dual bicycle/golf-cart rental shops have what you need to get settled and oriented for an easygoing getaway.

From this namesake community cluster, you might pedal down to the Pelee Island Winery Pavilion or up to the Butterfly Sanctuary for some relaxed fun in the sun, or you might push on to the island's southernmost and northernmost points, where you'll be met with the trails and sand spit of Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve and the wetlands and stalwart landmark of Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve, respectively. Pelee Island essentially functions as a single, spread-out town. Still, throughout your circuitous tour, you will also pass the beaches, campground, residences, and inns of Pelee Island South, as well as the marina-orbiting eateries of Scudder.

Port Stanley, ON: Lake Erie

Three sets of couples occupying three benches beneath three flag poles at the head of a town's river — Folks relaxing at the base of Kettle Creek, just off of Port Stanley's Main Street. Image credit: Andrew Douglas

Another laid-back spot on Lake Erie's Canadian shore is Port Stanley. This Blue Flag beach town is a well-trodden sanctuary away from the major cities of southwestern Ontario. But even amidst peak-season crowds, Port Stanley never rushes or takes itself too seriously. This relaxed attitude is aided by an enormous Main Beach and two peripheral spillover beaches, namely Little Beach and Erie Rest Beach.

Port Stanley also offers a variety of culinary options across every major niche, ensuring sun-kissed beachgoers always have a place to retreat. There are two communal coffee shops right across from each other, several pub-grub beach bars surrounding Main Beach, and some fine dining establishments lining Kettle Creek. If you're not in the mood to tan, Port Stanley also operates a tourist train on weekends. This volunteer-run novelty uses the same tracks as the circa-1856 London & Port Stanley Railway, but now takes a slower pace so families can enjoy the conductor's narration and the bucolic scenery.

Saint Joseph, MI: Lake Michigan

A woman in a pink t-shirt sits on a swinging bench atop a lakeside bluff. — My mum is enjoying the view of St. Joe's dual lighthouses from atop its downtown bluff. Image credit: Andrew Douglas

Like Port Stanley, Saint Joseph, Michigan, is a bustling, but laid-back, beach town. St. Joe achieves this seemingly paradoxical balance through tiered topography and a full spectrum of attractions. Atop its scenic bluff, weekend visitors will appreciate the Saturday Farmers Market and Sunday's Antiques on the Bluff, both of which spread along Lake Boulevard's pedestrian path. Remaining on St. Joe's elevated portion, you can indulge in three winery tasting rooms (part of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail) or scuttle over to Silver Harbor Brewing Company for some craft suds on their outdoor patio.

Heading down from the bluff, St. Joe turns its attention to beach-day nostalgia. Strolling along Broad Street, you'll spot the historic Silver Beach Carousel on your right and to your left, the massive Whirlpool Compass Fountain. Upon reaching Silver Beach, you'll be presented with not only an extensive stretch of soft sands, but also paddlecraft rentals, summertime concessions, and the dual lighthouses of St. Joe's walkable pier.

Copper Harbor, MI: Lake Superior

A man with a walking stick walks a rugged trail through the woods. — Wandering through Estivant Pines. Image credit: Andrew Douglas

Copper Harbor's isolation and its barely triple-digit population ensure it will remain laid-back for years to come. Situated at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, which itself is at the very top of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this old logging and mining town has allowed nature to retake center stage. As you descend from Brockway Mountain, the deep blue of Lake Superior is complemented by the lush greenery (or mosaic of fall foliage) of the surrounding forests. Much of these woodlands are second-growth, but some of the state's oldest and biggest stands of white pines can be hiked through at Estivant Pines Wilderness Nature Sanctuary. Those same forest roads leading south of town also visit networks of mountain biking trails and waterfalls. But for an even deeper dive into minimally developed naturescapes, try taking the ferry out to Isle Royale National Park, where dirt trails and tent pads are the only signs of modernity.

Back in Copper Harbor proper, Gratiot Street leads past a one-room schoolhouse from 1850, a few low-key eateries, and some knick-knack and rental shops on its way out to Fort Wilkins Historic State Park.

Ashland, WI: Lake Superior

A POV pic from inside a cozy, artsy cafe. — Feeling the warmth of coffee and community at Black Cat Coffeehouse. Image credit: Andrew Douglas

Driving down from the Keweenaw Peninsula, vibe-chasing motorists can continue into northern Wisconsin. Most folks who roll through this corner of the Great Lakes are en route to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which is best accessed from Bayfield. However, the gateway to this freshwater archipelago, Ashland, is well worth hitting pause for. Situated on Chequamegon Bay, Ashland is spared the brunt of Lake Superior's swells, while still benefiting from its wild beauty. Additionally, its strollable downtown includes more than 20 building-sized murals, earning this quirky town the title of "Historic Mural Capital of Wisconsin." While checking off these colorful snapshots of Ashland's past, you would do well to take a break at Black Cat Coffeehouse, where the front part of the restaurant is for social butterflies and its back reading room is for connoisseurs of chill. Another indoor venue to escape a gloomy afternoon is the vintage Bay Theatre. Small town marquees like these are a dying breed, so soak in an indie flick while you still can.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON: Lake Ontario

Occupied tables surround a decorative fountain outside of Reif Estate Winery on a sunny day. — Enjoying a glass of wine at one of NOTL's many peripheral wineries. Image credit: Andrew Douglas

Niagara-on-the-Lake's laid-back atmosphere stems from its peripheral location. If you were to arrive on Queen Street and its sea of eager tourists jockeying for a spot in the souvenir shops or vying for a seat amongst the flowers at Shaw Cafe & Wine Bar, then you might rightfully be confused by this pick. However, if you were to park in the free lot on the shore of Lake Ontario, walk the waterfront path to Fort Mississauga at the mouth of the Niagara River, past Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club (where retiree foursomes are truly living the dream), and through the timeless residential streets full of immaculate historic homes, your first impression will be decidedly different.

Continuing around the periphery of NOTL's Old Town, you will begin to discover the dozens of top-tier wineries that make the Niagara Wine Region not only the largest, but also the most acclaimed viticultural area in Ontario. Niagara-on-the-Lake is the type of laid-back haven that makes corporate Torontonians say, "Let's get out of the city and have a glass of wine!"

Saugatuck, MI: Lake Michigan

A small crowd waits as Saugatuck's historic chain ferry cranks its way across the river. — Waiting to board the historic chain ferry. Image credit: Andrew Douglas

Sheltered from Lake Michigan by a magnificent chain of dunes, Saugatuck, Michigan, though minutes from the Great Lake, has more of a laid-back rivertown feel to it. This sub-1,000 community (technically a city, but for all intents and purposes a village) has a quaint commercial core centered on Water and Butler Streets. Walking these five-to-six square blocks brings pedestrians past the anachronistic Saugatuck Village Hall, scores of little artsy and home goods stores, pleasant parks, and a mix of restaurants, watering holes, and shared, open-air areas that constitute Saugatuck's Covid-era "Social District."

When it's time to make for the lake, Sandy Oval Beach is but a short drive away. Or better yet, you can take the $3, circa-1857 Chain Ferry (the only hand-cranked ferry still operating in the U.S.) across the Kalamazoo River and then climb the stairs up and over Mount Baldhead to reach those same swimmable sands. Heck, if it isn't too busy, they'll even let you crank the ferry's chain yourself. How's that for laid back?

Providence Bay, ON: Lake Huron

A large yellow cottage chair signed "Providence Bay" stands before a beach, playground, and boardwalk. — With a cottage chair that big, you know it's a chill spot. Image credit: Andrew Douglas

The largest freshwater island in the world takes the term, nay, philosophy, "island time" to a whole new level. There are several low-key communities to choose from across Lake Huron's Manitoulin Island, but Providence Bay is particularly well-positioned. Just 30 minutes west of the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry Terminal in South Baymouth (reached via Tobermory, another easygoing Lake Huron enclave), this beach town is both isolated and accessible. Sitting on a shallow body of water by the same name, Providence Bay enjoys a two-kilometer-long, dune-backed beach, warmer swimming conditions, and a parallel boardwalk that surveys the whole scene. When you've had enough time in the sun, treat yourself to an ice cream at Huron Island Time, or retreat to the tiny Village Square, where you can grab a coffee and muse in front of the colorful mural at Providence Peace Cafe, or indulge in a classic summer cheat-day meal at Lake Huron Fish & Chips.

Port Austin, MI: Lake Huron

Turnip Rock on Lake Huron in Port Austin, Michigan, USA.

Michigan's portion of Lake Huron is no slouch either when it comes to kicking back. Case in point, Port Austin. This Huron County village sits at the top of the "Thumbcoast," a lesser-known lakeshore drive extending from the top of Lake St. Clair, up the St. Clair River, and all the way up the southwestern shore of Lake Huron to the mouth of Saginaw Bay (one of the largest bays on the Great Lakes). It is at this precipice where we meet Port Austin, blessed with striking sunrises and sunsets (especially from far out on its walkable breakwall), as well as wide blue views interrupted only by expressive shorelines. Speaking of which, Port Austin specializes in kayak and other watercraft rentals, helping visitors reach the iconic Turnip Rock, which can only be accessed by water. If you're satisfied with the active portion of your stay, you can park yourself on one of Port Austin's unpretentious beaches, or float up Lake Street to look over the various little markets, mercantiles, emporiums, and the like.

Lay Out Your Towel, Pour Another Bevvy

For some, the Great Lakes mean jet-skis and tailgates, while others look forward to listless beachcombing, patio hangs, and maybe even a light excursion into nature. These nine Great Lake towns look quite different from each other, but they all achieve that coveted laid-back vibe. Ontario and Michigan each border four of the five Great Lakes, but peripheral states also get their share of these freshwater marvels. So zoom out, re-evaluate the beaten path, and figure out which waterfront destinations best suit the season's mood.

7 Whimsical Towns to Visit in the Great LakesThese towns turned out odd on their own, and the people who live here kept them that way.

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