These 10 Towns In Michigan Feel Like Home
Michigan has several towns that nearly instantly make visitors feel at home. That feeling of home comes from the multiple and interrelated facets of life. For many, a town reflects a personal identity or goal. Michigan towns can offer welcoming neighborhoods that are considered safe and welcoming. Find whatever defines home in one of these ten Michigan small towns. Home is where one feels comfortable and where social activities are available that foster a sense of community and connection.
Saugatuck
Saugatuck is an amiable coastal town on Lake Michigan where visitors can take part in a variety of outdoor activities. Visitors and residents alike love taking in the summer sunshine on numerous pristine beaches, such as Oval Beach. Enjoy making sand castles, relaxing to the rhythm of the waves, or swimming in the crystal clear water of Lake Michigan. Find multiple hiking and biking trails that tour the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area, the historic Fishtown Pier, and the wetlands that surround the lake.
Saugatuck is home to Evergreen Lane Farm & Creamery, where visitors can sample artisan cheeses while also interacting with the goats. Art lovers will find that Saugatuck hosts several art galleries, studios, and the performing arts venue Saugatuck Center for the Arts. Tour a local vineyard or enjoy a peaceful boat cruise on Lake Michigan or down the Kalamazoo River. The Saugatuck community is known for its welcoming of human diversity with open arms. The abundance of nature, water, active art scene, and friendly community make Saugatuck the perfect place to feel at home.
Petoskey
Petoskey offers visitors multiple ways to experience the wonders of Lake Michigan and 7800 feet of public shoreline at Little Traverse Bay. Walk with family or friends and enjoy Bayfront Park. The park includes the Little Traverse Historical Society Museum, a marina, and the Ed White Baseball Field. The park also connects to the Little Traverse Wheelway trail, providing opportunities for hiking and biking in the area. Petoskey is popular among kayakers who want to take in the scenic views and enjoy the clear water.
Petoskey stones are famous. The best time of year to hunt for the unique stones is after the snow melts in the spring. The stones are fossilized remains of coral that lived in the lake 350 million years ago. The stones appear gray when dry, but when wet, the eyes or mouths of each coral can be seen. The best hunting sites are the beaches at Petoskey State Park and City Beach in Magnus Park.
The warm-hearted town of Petoskey is perfect for those seeking community connection and nature. The town hosts year-round events and festivals that celebrate local culture, providing a chance to gather and celebrate. The Festival on the Bay features live music, vendors, a carnival, and fireworks at dark. Petoskey entices with its four seasons of activity, lower-than-average crime rates, and reasonably affordable cost of living.
Buchanan
Buchanan is a community focused on volunteering and active community involvement. Residents and visitors notice the emphasis on being friendly, welcoming, and neighborly. The local schools are well supported, as are local businesses and the downtown center. Visitors and residents of Buchanan enjoy art and cultural opportunities at the Tin Shop Theatre, Thrill on the Hill Parades, and the Pear Mill. Locals are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the annual Buchanan’s Got Talent competition.
Find a sense of home at the local Farmer’s Market. Travel the St. Joseph River as well as Clear and Madron Lakes, where all the water activities one can do are available. Hikers and bikers enjoy the McCoy’s Creek Trail.
For art lovers, visit the Roti Roti Art Center and be sure to spend time at The Common. The Common is the Buchanan community’s outdoor amphitheater located in the center of downtown. Enjoy a play or concert all summer long. Take your lunch and enjoy the daily 'Stop, Lunch, & Listen' music series, which plays every day at noon during the summer. Find an affordable and friendly community that celebrates the arts and nature all in one welcoming town.
Mackinac Island
Call the island home on Mackinac. Mackinac Island is the epitome of relaxation, a classically historic destination, and totally devoid of automobiles. The constant traffic noise is replaced by the sound of bikes whizzing by and the clippity-clop of horse hooves carrying people or providing transportation by carriage. The automobile ban brings an intense quiet and sense of home to Mackinac Island.
Mackinac Island is 80% Mackinac Island State Park and is open to the public to explore on foot, by bike, or via horse. Visitors can opt to kayak, paddleboard, or sail along the waterfront. Mackinac Island is home to the original Butterfly House & Insect World. Children and adults experience the fascinating world of butterflies and other insects. Adventure further into downtown Mackinac Island and find shops, access to island tours, and gourmet dining at the Carriage House.
Visit the historic fort, and then explore or stay at the Grand Hotel and experience the island’s varied history. The Grand Hotel offers a formal and elegant experience right in the heart of Mackinac. Stay out further from town at one of many restored mansions like The Inn at Stonecliffe or the colorful Island House. Visitors and residents can bike the entire island on paved trails with only a few rolling hills. A bustling place during the summer tourist months, this welcoming town returns to being the quiet island that is the year-round home for residents looking for a relaxed lifestyle.
Charlevoix
Charlevoix is an amiable and good-natured harbor town. Beach lovers can enjoy the proximity to two freshwater lakes: Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan. Visitors and residents walk or bike along the pier at Lake Michigan Beach Park or go to Ferry Beach at Lake Charlevoix. Ferry Beach features a shallow swim area for children, a playground, and an extensive beach that’s perfect for building sandcastles.
Water activities abound in this comfortable and colorful beach town. Go kayaking, sailing, or paddleboarding and take in the sunrise or the sunset. Another option is signing up for a relaxing sail on Sunshine Charters. For the high adrenaline thrill seeker, visit Skydive Charlevoix and create a memory that isn’t easily forgotten. Hikers will find plenty of trails at the Charles Ransom Nature Preserve. Spot all types of birds and other wildlife also enjoying the scenery.
Visitors and residents who also happen to be history buffs will want to stop by Castle Farms, which is open all year. Explore stone buildings, high towers, and stroll the exquisite gardens. Swing at the Garden Gazebo or take some time to feed the rainbow trout living in Reflection Pond. Learn about the history of the castle as well as antique toys and an array of World War I artifacts. The Castle even has an outdoor railroad with 2500 feet of track and over 70 G-scale trains. Feel like a kid again and find a home in the cordial town of Charlevoix.
South Haven
South Haven is home for those looking for a lively lakeshore town that’s also quiet and serene, like the sand dunes or remote forests. Experience a classic summer lakeshore vacation at South Haven and its seven public beaches. South Beach is the most popular, with a long pier and an iconic lighthouse. Enjoy the refreshing fresh water of Lake Michigan with a swim, kayak, or even jet ski. South Beach features picnic areas, volleyball courts, and the popular concession stand. Hikers and wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy the trails at Pilgrim Haven Natural Area. Walk through wooded trails that lead visitors along picturesque stony beaches.
South Haven is home to not only those looking for an active and peaceful harbor town, but also those into craft brewing and viticulture. Taste the wine at the Warner Vineyards. Craft brew lovers must visit the South Haven Brewpub or Three Blondes Brewing for a memorable hometown beer. Find a welcoming home at South Haven and live the Lake Michigan life.
St. Joseph
St. Joseph provides visitors and residents with miles of sandy beaches, scenic shorelines, and clear, fresh water. The town sits on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan. The most popular beach in town is Silver City Beach County Park. Miles of sandy beach and fresh water that also includes a playground, volleyball courts, and a splash pad for the little ones. The park provides a scenic observation deck for capturing perfect sunset or sunrise views. Kids and adults enjoy the Silver Beach Carousel. The park features rustic camping sites, along with public bathrooms and showers.
For those looking for a quiet day at the beach, head to Tiscornia Park or Lions Park Beach. While in St. Joseph, don’t miss a visit to the North Pier Lighthouses. This pair of lighthouses sits along a catwalk. Walk right up and get a close-up view of the outer light. St. Joseph is also close to Warren Dunes State Park—access acres of dunes and camp on the shore. Find the perfect place for a quiet, relaxing night or a week full of shore nights. Spot a variety of wildlife in the air, on land, and in the freshwater. Find a picturesque place on the lake and make St. Joseph home.
Colon
Colon is full of surprises. As the Magic Capital of the World, Colon is home to both magic and nature lovers. Colon residents can unwind with a day playing on the lake, watching bald eagles, or practicing magic. Catch several shows in town. Go fishing at Lake Palmer or Lake Long by day, and experience magic every evening. Visit the popular Grand Magic Theater for shows and check out the various magic supply shops, including the Abbott Magic Company and Fab Magic.
Magic isn’t the only thing that makes the Colon community special; the town is also very dog-friendly, neighborly, and features trails for walking, hiking, and biking. City parks include Colon Community Park and the Veterans’ Memorial Park. Discover a peaceful and entertaining home in the magical city of Colon.
Munising
Noting says "welcome home" like finding over a dozen waterfalls in a single town. Munising is the place to take a kayak tour along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore or dive below the surface and explore the shipwrecks in Munising Bay. Located on the shores of Lake Superior, Munising is also near to the Hiawatha National Forest, and the Grand Island National Recreation Area.
Visitors and residents seeking to hike, bike, birdwatch, or camp will not find a more peaceful place than the Hiawatha National Forest. Run through the forest or take the time to camp and experience the beauty of the forest both night and day. Take a kayak, boat, or paddleboard and make your way down the 42-mile shoreline of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Pictured Rocks is unique to Lake Superior, characterized by its sandstone cliffs, caves, and intriguing rock formations.
Munising provides an abundance of water activities, public beaches, and trails. Relax at one of several beaches or take a boat tour. Head out to find all 14 waterfalls or take a tour to experience the beauty of Horseshoe, Tannery, and Munising Falls, to name a few. Munising residents enjoy beautiful scenery along the shores of Lake Superior. The town offers a healthy, friendly, and nature-focused environment in which to raise children, start a business, or enjoy a relaxing retirement.
Grand Haven
Grand Haven sits on the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan. Grand Haven features sandy public beaches and its active shop-lined boardwalk that runs along the harbor to Grand Haven State Park Beach. The South Pier is home to the Grand Haven South Pierhead Light, built in 1839. Fish off the pier to catch some of the largest fish in the lake. Experience Downtown Grand Haven by visiting the distinctive Musical Fountain. Built in 1962 by a private citizen, the waterfall continues to impress. Enjoy a synchronized light and water show every evening from May through September.
History buffs enjoy the Tri-Cities Historical Museum for a glimpse into the area's maritime history and lake culture. Walk the boardwalk with restaurants, shops, marinas, and fishing boat charters. Grand Haven has the largest charter boat fishing fleet on Lake Michigan. Crews provide everything from licenses to food and may even package the fish you catch. All the glory and none of the mess.
Grand Haven is home to harbor and lake lovers all year long. The community hosts at least one festival every season. Enjoy a lower cost of living while experiencing some of the world's most beautiful beaches. Experience nature and the beauty of every season in this active and scenic lakeshore town.
Home is where the heart is, or where one feels safe, secure, or comfortable. Feeling at home is shaped by each person’s life experience. Home is not necessarily a building, but a place where a person feels alive both socially, personally, and culturally. For those looking for a home in quiet, yet lively, small towns with access to a variety of natural features, including forests, freshwater, and breathtaking views, look no further than the sandy beaches of Michigan.
