7 Cute Small Town Drives In Michigan
Michigan's cutest drives through its small towns are centered around the Great Lakes of Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior, along with smaller lakes like Lake Macatawa. Partake in checking out the local wineries while driving part of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. Visit a town that honors Michigan's Dutch immigration history in the aptly named town of Holland. Peer over Lake Michigan atop one of the Sleeping Bear Dunes on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive outside of Glen Arbor. These seven small town drives highlight the natural lakefront beauty that makes a drive in Michigan well worth it.
Mackinaw City to Sault Ste. Marie
Head toward the Canadian border from northern Michigan on this roughly 60-mile drive from Mackinaw City to Sault Ste. Marie, spanning the whole of the Mackinac Bridge over the Straits of Mackinac via I-75. Having left the starting point of Mackinaw City, get to St. Ignace from the Mackinac Bridge in around 10 minutes, unless there are toll delays, and pass through the cedars and balsam trees of Horseshoe Bay Wilderness in the Hiawatha National Forest on the far northwestern side of Lake Huron. Follow I-75, or the older Mackinac Trail that runs alongside it, through rural Michigan woodland before reaching the American side of Sault Ste. Marie, with the Canadian side just across the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge. For a fun day trip, take a ferry from either Mackinaw City or St. Ignace to Mackinac Island, though the crossing can often be windy.
M-119 Tunnel of Trees
The M-119 Tunnel of Trees corridor showcases Michigan's natural beauty, flanked by around 20 miles of preserved woods, which are home to an abundance of oaks, maples, hemlocks, cedars, beeches, and other northern hardwoods. Go when the leaves have turned gold, orange, and yellow in the fall for a truly memorable experience, with glimpses of Lake Michigan throughout the journey. This route starts off in the town of Harbor Springs on Little Traverse Bay, hugging the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan on the state's Lower Peninsula, and passes through the rural outpost of Good Hart and several nature preserves. The route more or less ends in the tiny community of Cross Village, where you can stop for lunch at the eclectic rustic restaurant that is Legs Inn.
Brockway Mountain Drive
Visit the Keweenaw Peninsula on Lake Superior by pursuing the nine miles of the Brockway Mountain Drive, and try keeping an eye out for the migrating birds of prey if driving on this route in late spring. The starting point of Copper Harbor is a small town on the shores of Lake Superior, known for its waterfront beauty that supports an active lifestyle, paired nicely with numerous opportunities for birdwatching. The drive climbs to the rocky vistas of Brockway Mountain, which reaches about 1,320 feet and was shaped by volcanic and glacial activity. The mountain rises north of Lake Medora among dense forests and wetlands, which are especially colorful when the leaves change in the fall.
Leelanau Scenic Byway, M-22
See the best of Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula via M-22 on the Leelanau Scenic Byway, which weaves through the state's wine country and plenty of Lake Michigan shoreline, all within 68 miles. Beginning the drive in Traverse City, go up through Suttons Bay, Northport, and Leland before reaching Glen Arbor's sand dunes. Then drive down to Empire and, if you like, extend the drive by bending around Little Platte Lake and Crystal Lake, becoming acquainted with the maritime towns of Elberta, Frankfort, and Arcadia, and finally end the drive in Manistee on the Lower Peninsula. Before setting out on the Leelanau Scenic Byway, bring a camera for memorializing all the pretty lakefront views, and a sturdy jacket that protects against strong winds, not to mention enough fuel for yourself and the car.
Glen Arbor & Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
This is a fairly short route that includes part of the above route, but what it lacks in distance it makes up for with the scenery. Glen Arbor sits on the shores of Sleeping Bear Bay overlooking the waters of Glen Lake to the south and South Manitou Island and North Manitou Island to the north, a part of the expanse that is Lake Michigan. Start the journey by driving around the curve of Sleeping Bear Bay toward the 7.4-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, and maybe even climb the sandy Sleeping Bear Dunes. Take advantage of the trails here that have great views of the surrounding bodies of water, like the Alligator Hill Trail, which can be appreciated on either side of the drive and features leafy foliage on steep hills that become cross-country ski trails in the winter. Reach the Glen Lake Narrows and its marina on the Pure Michigan Byway after completing the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, and head back up to Glen Arbor for the rest of the day, or continue down to Empire for more Lake Michigan access.
Lake Macatawa Drive
Dive into Michigan's Dutch heritage on the shores of Lake Macatawa, as well as the waters of the lake itself, if the weather serves, on a self-guided route of about 12 miles that wraps around the lake. Starting in Macatawa on Bay Road, which turns into South Shore Drive, take in the private boats and yachts of Macatawa Bay. Drive through the residential neighborhoods with big lakefront homes and get to Holland about 15 minutes after leaving Macatawa. Holland and the surrounding area pay tribute to the region's Dutch roots with attractions like the Holland Museum or the Windmill Island Gardens on the Macatawa River. After exploring Holland, take North River Avenue westward to Ottawa Beach, passing through Beechwood and Big Bay, which has public access for Lake Macatawa. In the waterfront community of Ottawa Beach, take advantage of the many walking paths to stretch your legs and have a picnic on Ottawa Beach, after seeing Holland's Dutch attractions.
St. Joseph & Benton Harbor Wine Country Drive
Complete a section of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail and taste some fantastic wines in St. Joseph and in the outskirts of Benton Harbor, accompanied by the rippling blue shades of Lake Michigan to the west, in just seven to eight miles. The Baroda Founders St. Joseph Tasting Room is one of two stops on this trip, pouring wines from southwest Michigan and often hosting special events and tastings. And, rather than going straight through Benton Harbor after getting your first wine fix of the trip, try the scenic route on M-63 through the tall trees and grassy semi-rural suburbs. Near Riverside, follow the roads along the Paw Paw River to reach 12 Corners Vineyards. Rest here by trying its locally crafted wine, served every day from noon.
Enjoy The Lakefront Views
One of the best things about Michigan is its lakes and everything that comes with them. Beachcomb on Sleeping Bear Bay, take a ferry from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island, or get lost in the trees on the M-119 Tunnel of Trees. Some of these routes could very easily connect to one another and lead to more enjoyment of the natural scenery. Turn two or three of these routes into a wonderful long weekend or a holiday break spent in a Great Lakes state.
