There’s just something about these small towns in Michigan, so be sure to add them to your must-visit list!
As the song goes, there is just something about small towns, and in my humble lifelong Michigander opinion, there’s just something even more special about a Michigan small town. One of my favorite-ever pastimes in life will always be strolling a cute downtown, and it’s even better if I can take said stroll with a Michigan coffee or ice cream in hand.
I have had the privilege of visiting several of these charming Michigan small towns, but after seeing the full list, I have to add several to my bucket list. From east to west, and into the UP, these small towns in Michigan are the best!
1. Lexington
Nestled in Michigan’s Thumb, Lexington is a hidden waterfront gem and my personal favorite place in the state. The small town features a picturesque downtown full of fun shops to explore, a theater with live events, outdoor music in the summer, wonderful restaurants, and a walkable boardwalk and pier that stretches across Lake Huron. Whenever I feel like I need a “reset” in life, Lexington is where I head.
There are countless rentals and Airbnbs, as well as some accommodations at the nearby golf course if you are looking to make a weekend trip to Lexington, but it’s also small enough for a day trip. I recommend coming in the morning, grabbing a coffee at Lexington Coffee Co., and walking the pier to kick off your day. Then spend your day exploring the shops, kayaking, fishing, or even taking a relaxing bike ride on the nearby Cros-Lex Trail.
For dinner options, I love dining in at The Cadillac Inn (highly recommend the sweet potato fries!) or grabbing a takeout pizza from Sweetwater Deli and eating by the water. Of course, no night is complete without a trip to Scoops for ice cream, then strolling the pier again after dinner to take in the sunset.
2. Walloon Lake
Julie Moorehead, owner of Savannah Blue in Walloon Lake, loves the area so much that when her Airbnb booked out for the summer, she still found other accommodations to spend time in the area with her family. “The town is all walkable, and it has the cutest restaurants,” Moorehead gushes. She also adds that the water in Walloon is very warm and boasts a unique blue-and-aqua hue reminiscent of a larger tropical sea.
Some of Moorehead’s favorite places to visit in Walloon include the Walloon Watershed, Walloon Lake Inn, Barrel Back, Iron Goat Coffee, and the general store. If you’re more of a wheeled adventurer than a walker, Moorehead says that the town is very scooter-friendly too, so don’t be afraid to scoot around to explore all Walloon has to offer.
3. Harbor Beach
I’m a southeast Michigan dweller, so I admit I’m biased towards our small towns in the Thumb area, but Harbor Beach is another hidden gem. Not many people think of Harbor Beach as a spot to visit, but there’s more than meets the eye.
For instance, the waterfront town has ongoing events year-round, such as a historic lighthouse open for tours, a weekly farmers’ market, and free movies in the park all summer long. Plus, there are beautiful trails to explore, including the Harbor View Trail, Backus Nature Trail, and the Heritage Water Trail. On the water, Harbor Springs offers shipwreck viewing, a beach, and a full range of water sports, like boating and paddleboarding.
Don’t forget to end your time in Harbor Beach by walking the 1,015-foot pier that stretches through the world’s largest freshwater man-made harbor.
4. St. Joseph
Michigander Meagan Francis, a writer and digital storyteller, lived for 19 years in St. Joseph and recommends the area for anyone looking for a laid-back yet still active getaway. According to Francis, St. Joseph, as well as the nearby Benton Harbor, is known for its charm, beautiful beaches, and delicious local restaurants. In St. Joseph, magical small-town charm touches such as the trademark Silver Beach Carousel, art galleries, and several historic lighthouses.
Plus, St. Joseph has the staple of any small town: a delightful, quaint, and walkable downtown, full of cute shops, jewelry, clothing, books, and beach finds. One of my favorite parts of living in Michigan is our small towns to stroll through, so add this one to your list. Of course, if you don’t feel like walking or need some help getting around, the free trolley is always running to take visitors through and around St. Joseph.
5. Port Austin
Another Southeastern Michigan coastal town, Port Austin is our go-to summer destination. As a small beach town, it has it all in the summer, from dazzling sunsets to super sandy beaches (you’ll think you’re in Grand Haven!), and shallow waters perfect for kayaking or paddle boarding.
But the town itself is also adorable to stroll down, offering a cafe, bakery, two ice cream stores, shops, and a family-friendly boardwalk and park. I’ve also enjoyed the downtown’s art and wellness studio, where I took the hardest fitness class of my life. (Shout out to the grandmas in the class who were the strongest women I have ever seen.)
To complete the Hallmark movie effect, Port Austin is launching a brand new skating pavilion that should be opening this winter, making it ideal for year-round fun. Just picture skating hand-in-hand as those not-even-fake snowflakes fall gently around you and your significant other.
6. Oxford
We drive through the small town of Oxford, Michigan nearly every week, and while Oxford may have made the news for other reasons, today, we celebrate it for both its resilience and its charm. The downtown area of Oxford is incredibly cute and packed with historic buildings, quaint shops, and the most delicious restaurants.
Oxford has all of the things that make a small town great: a used bookstore I could spend my life savings in, cute cafes and an actual bistro, the best sushi and Thai spot, and open gathering spaces to simply hang out in.
7. Metamora
Just a skip and a hop away from Oxford is the even smaller town of Metamora. I will be honest with you: there is not a whole lot in Metamora, but what is there is downright charming.
The town is famous for being part of Michigan’s “horse country,” but it’s also home to one of the oldest (and best!) restaurants in the state, the White Horse Inn, a quaint general market, an antique stop, the cutest little downtown library you’ve ever seen, and a brand-new ice cream shop. I recommend visiting in the winter to take advantage of free sleigh rides around the town, or stopping in for Halloween, for the town’s famous pumpkin candy drop.
8. Harbor Springs
Downtown Harbor Springs describes the small lakeside town as one of Michigan’s most “charming,” and we can’t say we disagree. The downtown design is reminiscent of the famous Stars Hollow from the show “Gilmore Girls,” packed with beautiful architecture, shops to explore, a gorgeous marina and waterfront area, and the historic Lyric Theatre that runs classic and new films.
You’ll find recreation and entertainment year-round in Harbor Springs, such as the annual Ice Fest, spring break bowling when the town transforms into an outdoor bowling alley, fall festivals, and the town’s Christmas tree lighting. Oh, and don’t forget the ferry that will take you around the bay to take in the charm from the water.
9. Suttons Bay
South of Harbor Springs and about 16 miles north of Traverse City sits Suttons Bay, a historic waterfront town. When we say this is a charming small town, we do mean it is a small town, because it only has around 600 residents. Many people see Suttons Bay as the start of the larger Leelanau Peninsula, but the village (yes, it qualifies as a village!) has plenty to offer on its own.
The downtown has historic buildings in signature bright colors, hiking trails, specialty shops, an art gallery, biking, a small town theater, and of course, the marina. Stay in Suttons Bay for a full charming experience, or stop in on your way to larger towns “up north.” And don’t forget—no trip to Suttons Bay is complete without a stop at the Unsalted Mitten Bakery, where you’ll find handmade bagels, coffee, donuts, and soup.
10. Petoskey
I almost hesitated to place Petoskey on our list, because it’s such a well-known area to many Michiganders. But then I realized that I myself have never even visited Petoskey, so here we are. Petoskey is famous for its stones that are actually fossilized coral from the time Michigan was an ancient sea (my kids are on an eternal hunt for Petoskey stones!), but the town is also a popular one for tourists and locals alike.
You’ll find everything from arts and cultural destinations to beaches and water sports to dining and shops. One of the most charmingly unique things to do in Petoskey is participate in a vintage view walking tour, when visitors can peer through a vintage viewfinder to see popular Petoskey spots as they appeared in the past.
11. Leland
Leland is home to “Fishtown,” which is both a historic and very current commercial fishing town. My parents once took us to Leland as children, and I still have very fond memories of the trip—it’s such a fun place to visit because it feels so vibrant and alive. And there’s a good reason for that, as the fish are always biting! If you visit in the fall months, during September and October, you can sit on the dock or from a viewing platform to catch a glimpse of the fish as they migrate for the winter.
Outside of Fishtown, you’ll also find plenty of culture and charm to enjoy in Leland, such as a fine art gallery, a ceramics gallery, wineries, and restaurants. Because it’s Michigan, Leland is also one of the most beautiful places to hike (and catch a view of Lake Michigan!), hit the beach, or bike.
12. Charlevoix
Technically speaking, Charlevoix is a small town, with just over 2,300 residents, but it is one of Michigan’s more famous areas. Charlevoix is a magical, almost mystical town, complete with a castle and mushroom homes. You can tour the town’s collection of 28 real mushroom houses on your own or take a guided tour for a whimsical experience.
And of course, because Charlevoix is known as Castle Country in Michigan, you can also visit Castle Farms. The now-famous 1918 chalet ironically started as a display dairy farm, which strikes me as the most un-royal-like thing ever, but then again, good cheese and butter are pretty priceless. Castle Farms offers daily guided and self-guided tours, and there are attractions both inside and out to explore. Outside of the magical elements of Charlevoix, like many of the other Michigan small towns we highlighted, it’s a waterfront town with an adorable and walkable downtown area, marina, and views of the 1949 drawbridge that opens every 30 minutes, much to visitors’ delight.
13. St. Clair
We mentioned that Harbor Beach boasts the world’s largest manmade freshwater harbor, but just over an hour away, you’ll find the small town of St. Clair, which features the world’s largest freshwater boardwalk. Who knew Michigan was home to so many world records?
A stroll along the boardwalk, as well as through St. Clair, will lead you to many charming attractions, such as the art park filled with sculptures and freighters passing by on the St. Clair River. You can also take a shipyard walk, or, for a touch of the whimsical, hunt for hidden fairy doors in the marina.
