These 13 Towns In Michigan Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2025
The midwestern state of Michigan consists of an Upper Peninsula, commonly referred to as the “U.P.,” and a Lower Peninsula, often called the “Mitten.” Bordering four different Great Lakes - Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Huron - Michigan has a plethora of water-related activities, including swimming, fishing, kayaking, and even exploring shipwrecks. Michigan also has some excellent small towns perfect for a weekend getaway. From quaint Munising in the U.P. to picturesque Tecumseh at the bottom of the Mitten, these thirteen towns in the Great Lakes State are among some of the favorites in the United States.
Saugatuck
The town of Saugatuck, along Lake Michigan, is home to the Chain Ferry Diane. In operation since 1838 and the last chain-operated ferry in the U.S., the Chain Ferry Diane carries passengers slowly across the Kalamazoo River. Saugatuck is also home to Mount Baldhead Park. Over 300 steps lead guests to the observation deck, offering panoramic views of the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan.
Downtown Saugatuck is also home to some great attributes, such as Butler Street and the Saugatuck-Douglas History Museum. Butler Street has some fantastic lodging and dining options, like Hotel Saugatuck and The Butler. Hotel Saugatuck offers guest rooms or cottages, as well as a gourmet breakfast each morning. The Butler has been in operation for over half a century.
Chelsea
An hour west of Detroit, the town of Chelsea is home to Chelsea House Inn, with all the modern amenities, along with charming qualities of times past. An 1880 Queen-Anne Victorian Inn, this is one of the only luxury lodgings downtown. Guests also have easy access to the Purple Rose Theater, which features fabulous marbled glass chandeliers and a 1930s Art Deco box office.
Along with elegance and luxury, Chelsea is also home to Waterloo Recreation Area and Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center. Waterloo Recreation Area has opportunities to hike several trails, like the 22-mile DTE Energy Foundation Trails, as well as access to eleven different lakes. The Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center offers valuable information about the diverse natural habitats within the Waterloo Recreation Area.
Petoskey
Just off Little Traverse Bay, the town of Petoskey is home to Petoskey State Park. With natural amenities like two campgrounds, a mile-long pristine beach along Lake Michigan, and trails like Old Baldy Trail and Portage Trail, guests can enjoy nature at their leisure. Petoskey is also home to the Little Traverse Wheelway, found just outside the entrance to the park.
Downtown Petoskey is home to the Historic Gaslight District, which has been in existence for more than a century. Offering guests shopping, dining, and lodging options, this area of downtown is home to Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts, which has been selling souvenirs since 1946, and Chandler’s, offering seasonal menus and gourmet specials. The Terrace Inn is also situated nearby, offering easy access to Little Traverse Bay, as well as providing fabulous service and great food.
Boyne City
At the southern end of Lake Charlevoix, the tiny yet quaint town of Boyne City has several great natural attractions, including Young State Park and the Avalanche Preserve. Both the preserve and the state park offer activities, including hiking and biking during the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. Young State Park also has three different campgrounds.
Boyne City is also home to some other notable attractions, such as BC Lanes for bowling enthusiasts and the Water Street Inn. Along with some excellent amenities, such as a private beach, complimentary wi-fi, a gourmet breakfast, and an in-suite gas fireplace, Water Street Inn offers excellent service, comfy rooms and suites, and a full kitchen.
Cheboygan
The town of Cheboygan is home to Aloha State Park and Cheboygan State Park. Both parks are in close proximity to downtown, with Cheboygan being seven minutes to the east and Aloha fifteen minutes to the south. They also offer some fabulous amenities, such as hiking, cross-country skiing, and camping for the evening. Aloha also provides some unique snowmobiling opportunities, while Cheboygan offers cabin rentals.
Downtown Cheboygan also has some other great attractions. The Cheboygan Opera House offers eloquent yet practical performances. It is also near several excellent dining and lodging choices, like Mulligan’s Restaurant and Secrets on Main Bed & Breakfast. While Mulligan’s serves high-end pub & grill fare, Secrets on Main B&B has great service, even better amenities, and a tasty breakfast the next morning.
Munising
Situated along the top of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the town of Munising is home to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Sand Point Beach. While the lakeshore and beach both provide stunning views of Lake Superior's majesty, the former also offers waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, inland lakes, and gorgeous rock formations, such as the Munising Formation, which is home to Miners Castle Rock.
There are also several notable downtown Munising attributes. Toby’s Dog House and Earl E. Byrds both serve some phenomenal fare, with Toby’s Dog House featuring lunch and dinner while Earl E. Byrds caters more to the breakfast crowd. The Pictured Rocks Inn is also in close proximity to these great places. It is also considered the best starting point for the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Frankenmuth
Home to Frankenmuth River Place Shops, the small town of Frankenmuth, situated almost in the center of the “Mitten,” is a phenomenal spot, especially if shopping is your main goal. The River Place Shops offers more than forty Bavarian-themed shops and attractions, like Yankee Candle and Bavarian Belle. It is also in close proximity to the Bavarian Inn, offering 3-star suites at 1-star prices.
Frankenmuth is also home to several other attractions, including the Bavarian Blast Waterpark. This indoor waterpark is the largest of its kind in the state and offers everything from waterpark packages, like Winter Getaway Web Deal and Early Bird Spring Break Deal, to a 360-room family resort. A part of Bavarian Inn Lodge, this fabulous indoor waterpark has 16 new water slides, as well as a wading pool perfect for the younger ones.
Manistee
Along Lake Michigan, the picturesque town of Manistee is home to a wealth of attributes that foster a strong sense of community. From First Street Beach to Magoon Creek Park, the attractions within this small town are worth the visit. First Street Beach offers phenomenal vistas of Lake Michigan, as well as being near Windward Restaurant, a part of Hampton Inn.
The town of Manistee is also home to Vogue Theater and Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts. Both offer fabulous cinematic presentations. While Vogue Theater, first opened in 1938, shows blockbuster movies on two screens, the Ramsdell has presentations more suited to enjoying the performing and visual arts.
Alpena
Home to the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Besser Museum, picturesque Alpena, situated on Lake Huron, boasts a thread of natural and historic value that is difficult to beat. The marine sanctuary offers the opportunity to explore nearly a hundred different shipwrecks. At the same time, Besser Museum showcases a full-dome sky theater and a Foucault Pendulum that is two stories in height.
Besser Museum is also in close proximity to the Alpena Resorts, offering guests some phenomenal amenities, including an indoor pool and hot tub, outside grills and a covered gazebo, and breakfast the next morning. There are also several winter activities available in Alpena, including ice skating, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Saint Joseph
From Silver Beach to the Silver Beach Carousel, the town of St. Joseph is the spot to visit in the Great Lakes State. Situated along the banks of Lake Michigan, the beach and the carousel have drawn thousands over the years. The current carousel has been in existence since 2010, yet it has had several predecessors, including the original one, first introduced to the area in the 1910s.
St. Joseph is also home to the Curious Kids’ Museum and the Little Things Play Cafe, catering to the younger generation. Curious Kids’ Museum, situated on Lake Blvd., offers hands-on learning in the areas of science and technology, while the Little Things Play Cafe provides children with pleasurable learning with interactive toys & games. The Boulevard Inn & Bistro is also conveniently located near Silver Beach, offering not only excellent service but also delicious cuisine.
Traverse City
Traverse City, located on Grand Traverse Bay, a part of Lake Michigan, is home to the Village at Grand Traverse Commons and E. Front Street, offering guests the opportunity to shop for unique gifts for those back home. If staying overnight is in your plans, E. Front Street is conveniently located right around the corner from Bayshore Resort, offering phenomenal views of the bay, as well as great service, spacious rooms, and a tasty breakfast.
Traverse City has a plethora of natural attractions as well. From the Mission Point Lighthouse to several wineries and vineyards, including Mari Vineyards and Chateau Chantal Winery, there is something for everyone in this small town. The Mission Point Lighthouse, first built in 1870 and decommissioned in 1933, also offers the ability to learn how to be a lighthouse keeper.
Tecumseh
Toward the bottom of the “Mitten,” the downtown area of Tecumseh is home to several excellent attractions, including the Tecumseh Area Historical Museum, situated in an old church. Close to that, visitors to town can stop by Tecumseh Golf Club. This fabulous golf course, featuring a restaurant named TGC Grill, offers a variety of options from burgers to steaks, making it enjoyable for all ages.
Tecumseh is also home to the Tecumseh Paddling Company, offering guests the chance to experience a beautiful day on the River Raisin, either with friends, family, or even strangers. And, just around the corner, the British Pantry Tea & Garden Cafe provides a quaint, comfortable environment with a selection of teas that will astound your senses.
Saline
Another excellent small town in Washtenaw County, and less than half an hour away from Chelsea, via the city of Ann Arbor, the small town of Saline has a wealth of attractions worth visiting. From Davenport House, which was designed in 1875, to Rentschler Farm Museum, purchased in 1901, and now comprising a farmhouse and eleven outbuildings, history is quite prevalent in this small town.
Downtown Saline, as well as the surrounding area, is also home to several natural attractions, including Curtiss Park and Marshview Meadows. Saline also has some phenomenal golf courses. Rustic Glen Golf Club, on Michigan Avenue, offers an 18-hole public golf course, a pro shop, and an on-site restaurant, ACE’s Pub & Grill. Brookside Golf Course has a grass tee driving range, a pro shop, and a bar.
The Best Destinations In Michigan
From the top of the Upper Peninsula, accurately called the “U.P.,” to the bottom of the Lower Peninsula, lovingly named the “Mitten,” the midwestern state of Michigan is one of the best states to explore with friends and family, especially if you like watersports like fishing, boating, and swimming. Situated along the banks of three Great Lakes - Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior - this fabulous state is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true.
