These 12 Towns In Michigan Have The Best Main Streets
From Howell’s colorful Grand River Avenue and its historic theater to Holland’s European-inspired 8th Street with wineries and museums, Michigan’s best Main Streets shine through lively downtown corridors filled with local flavor, history, and community spaces. Visitors can browse boutiques in Petoskey, watch the Musical Fountain in Grand Haven, or stroll Traverse City’s Front Street near the City Opera House, all showcasing what makes these twelve towns in Michigan so special.
Howell
Howell’s Grand River Avenue is an artsy and charming corridor, especially with the painted windows and murals that have sprung up as part of the Howell Art Project, and local cafés and bakeries such as Dough Creations, which serve delicious cinnamon rolls and apple fritters. The strip is even home to an old-school movie theater. The Historic Howell Theatre is a cozy location with a retro interior that shows new and old movies, as well as live stage performances and concerts. Howell Melon Festival, which celebrates the area's agricultural history, also transforms downtown with live music, in addition to the popular Howell Melon Run, and plenty of fun games and activities for the whole family. There's also the Howell Courthouse Amphitheater, the go-to site for live bands and free concerts.
Holland
Start with a glass of sparkling wine at the tasting room of Warner Vineyards on 8th Street, which holds the distinction of being the second-oldest winery in Michigan. With over 30 different wines to choose from, you will certainly find the one that complements your preferred taste, and you will be dazzled at the quality and flavor that is only possible with a winemaking expertise honed over 8 decades.
Cobblestone sidewalks line the streets, a delightful stretch that boasts more than 100 unique and locally owned boutiques, galleries, pubs, and restaurants. Downtown Antiques & Home Furnishings is a neatly curated space with glassware, dishes, and vintage finds for treasure hunters. Windmill Restaurant is also on 8th Street, serving up delicious breakfast dishes, and don't skip the Holland Museum, a 1814 post office turned local history museum displaying a beautiful collection of Dutch art.
Grand Haven
Grand Haven is known for its historic boardwalk and iconic lighthouse, Big Red. Michigan is actually the state with the most lighthouses, and the ones in Grand Haven are among the most photographed. Washington Avenue packs dozens of indie shops into a three-block cluster, and Central Park is a community hub for weekly summer music concerts, art fairs, and other seasonal festivals and events. Midwest Miniatures Museum, just a short walk from the park, offers an immersive look at finely crafted miniatures displayed throughout a beautifully restored historic mansion. Visitors can explore intricate dollhouses, detailed room boxes, and themed exhibits that showcase impressive artistry and storytelling. As the sun sets, grab a seat for the Grand Haven Musical Fountain's nightly synchronized water and light show. This long-running local spectacle is a highlight of summer evenings along the waterfront.
Rochester
Rochester is another Michigan gem with a Main Street that can go toe to toe with some of the nation's finest. Downtown is surrounded by flowing waterways, scenic trails, and an abundance of green spaces. Chomp is a popular spot on Main Street with outdoor seating and a menu that includes both American comfort food and vegan dishes. A few steps away is Rochester Municipal Park, a peaceful outdoor space with a winding creek, accessible paved walkways, and a lovely pond right in the heart of town. The park also provides access to the Paint Creek Trail, an 8.9-mile rail-trail that runs between Rochester and Lake Orion, which mostly features a wooded path winding along a trout stream.
Petoskey
Petoskey's Mitchell Street, with its bustling businesses and colorful storefronts, makes for a vibrant downtown corridor. At some point on the stretch, you will discover Pennsylvania Park, an attractive green space with plenty of mature trees, a gazebo, and grassy areas for picnicking. It is a soothing oasis in the middle of downtown and features the Ernest Hemingway Statue. If you are into noodles and spicy curries, Thai Orchid Cuisine is a few steps away and offers a casual, friendly atmosphere, and Bayfront Park is a great place to hunt for the highly adored Petoskey stones, although the on-site waterfall is also a huge attraction. Back on Howard Street, NorthGoods showcases the works of local artists and craftspeople.
Traverse City
Traverse City's Front Street offers scenic views of the Boardman River, a Victorian-era opera house, the J. Smith Walkway pocket park, and generous sidewalks with benches and shade trees. Between the beautiful buildings that dot the stretch, you can steal views of Lake Michigan's West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay. City Opera House opened in 1891 and is the oldest of three such Victorian opera houses in Michigan. It has become a local hub for live music, community events, and film screenings. Steps from the Opera House, you'll find Outpost, which serves fresh pastries and sandwiches, as well as coffee, tea, beer, and wine.
Saugatuck
Star-caliber dining is one aspect of Saugatuck that travelers love, and if you spend a bit of time here, you will see that the backbone of that culinary culture is a beautiful downtown area with century-old storefronts that house locally owned boutiques and art galleries. At the edge of downtown is Oval Beach on Lake Michigan, famous for its soft sands, clear waters, and stunning dunes. It is accessible via Perryman Street. Butler Street, Saugatuck’s main thoroughfare, features vibrant-colored storefronts with catchy shop names like The Owl House, where you can find handcrafted gifts and local art. You can also zig-zag your way to James Brandess Studios & Gallery, where you will discover beautiful productions at various price points that perfectly capture the essence of Saugatuck. For a break from the sidewalks and storefronts, Coghlin Park on the harbor is clean, well-maintained, and perfect for a calm walk or a quiet moment to sit and unwind.
Birmingham
Birmingham is a delightfully walkable small city. Woodward Avenue, the main thoroughfare, makes for a vibrant and eclectic pedestrian-friendly corridor. Expect an upscale, tree-lined stretch with high-end shops and colorful attractions. Shain Park features a plaza fountain with granite décor, metal art, and an eye-catching statue. There's the Birmingham Museum, which houses a wide range of rotating and permanent exhibits about the region's notable people and their stories, including Indigenous cultural heritage and artifacts from the Revolutionary War. Meanwhile, 220 Merrill offers fine dining in the historic Edison building and is worth a visit as much for the food as for the ambiance.
Rockford
Just north of Grand Rapids is the underrated town of Rockford, a vibrant spot filled with small-town charm and ambiance. It has a quaint and nostalgic downtown, tastefully positioned on the banks of the scenic Rogue River. From a scenic riverwalk to beautiful stone bridges and historic brick storefronts, this stretch deserves some attention. You can start your adventure at Grill One Eleven on Courtland Street, an upscale establishment with a fireplace, bar, and seating on two levels. Across the street is Aunt Candy's Toy Company, for treats and gifts the young ones will love. You will also want to pass by Rockford Dam Overlook, which offers stunning views of the river and wildlife. There are some picnic areas near the dam, and many more next door in Garden Club Park, an excellent place to see free summer concerts.
Plymouth
Plymouth, a winsome town with quiet neighborhoods and verdant public parks, is a suburb of Detroit whose downtown is anchored by Kellogg Park, the site of several special events throughout the year. A beautiful fountain has been spruced up and is one of the park's most photogenic features. Well-preserved storefronts give Plymouth a storybook charm, and several restaurants draw you in by the sweet-smelling aroma that wafts through the air. Main Street's Compari's On the Park is a contemporary space that serves Old-world Southern Italian cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Fiamma Grill and Bar is another local favorite on Main Street for fine dining and special occasions. There's also the Plymouth Historical Museum, which displays several exhibits associated with the life, work, and assassination of Abraham Lincoln. It even keeps a lock of Lincoln's hair.
Frankenmuth
"Michigan's Little Bavaria" is a unique town with strong German traditions, architecture, and cuisine. The town is widely beloved for its family-style chicken dinners. Along the colourful Main Street, you will even see a topiary that is shaped like a chicken at Zehnder's of Frankenmuth, which bills itself as America's largest family restaurant. A little fun fact is that Zehnder's opened for business on Mother’s Day in 1929 by serving over 300 guests for just $1 each. There's also the Frankenmuth Historical Museum, a small-town gem with great interactive displays on local history. Meanwhile, Heritage Park is perfect for picnics and for enjoying beautiful views of Main Street from across the river.
Tawas City
With a downtown that opens to the soothing Tawas Bay, Tawas City is another Michigan town you will want to check out. Its main drag, Lake Street, runs along the shores of Lake Huron. Tawas Veterans Park, opposite Tawas City Hall, is a serene, well-maintained place to ponder those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms Americans enjoy today, and there's also Tawas City Shoreline Park, which has a decent-sized beach for sunbathing and swimming in the warmer months. You can also rent a kayak from one of two convenient self-serve lockers and paddle the lake to explore downtown from a different perspective. When it's time for a break, pull up to the Boathouse Beer Co. & Boozery, a cool place to enjoy delicious brisket tacos and local craft beer.
These Michigan towns prove that Main Street remains the heart of community life. Whether it is shopping on Butler Street in Saugatuck, relaxing in Kellogg Park in Plymouth, admiring river views in Rockford, or enjoying Lake Huron breezes in Tawas City, each downtown blends local businesses, public spaces, and memorable attractions. Together, they highlight how Michigan’s Main Streets continue to offer character, creativity, and places worth lingering.
