best lake michigan beach towns

The classic starting points for a visit here are the Michigan Maritime Museum and 1810 replica Friends Good Will tall ship. Youll even find a boardwalk to stroll and cute trolley to help you explore the towns shops and restaurants. This is small-town Michigan at its finest, so roll with the decidedly Schitts Creek if it were on the water vibe. Its one of the most picturesque Michigan lighthouses. No matter where youre at in Michigan, youre never that far of a drive from the water. Just 90 minutes from Chicago, New Buffalo beckons with white, sandy beaches and solitude. Holland has many other annual events and celebrations that are worth the visit. Thirty percent of Hollands population identifies as being Dutch. This beautiful lake borders four states: Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, and of course, Michigan. As for Mackinaw City, it serves as a holding pen for the island, with a substantial number of shops and small restaurants crammed right by the ferry docks. This gorgeous coast extends from Sawyer and New Buffalo in the south all the way to the Mackinac Bridge. Frolic in one of the lakeside parks or shop along historic Front Street, where you can comfortably duck into an art gallery or fudge shop within feet of each other. Many visitors come to Holland year after year because of the unique attractions that are available here during any season. Traverse City has been recognized for its incredible beauty and the peace of its environment by Good Morning America, National Geographic, the New York Times, Forbes Magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle, and more. Mitten-shaped Michigans two massive peninsulas touch the waters of four Great Lakesmaking it America's undisputed lakefront champion. Photo: Ed Post Our Beaches Its walkable labyrinth lets you catch some Zen. It's basically a Michigan beach town theme park. Were talking about those spots just beyond the sparkling water and sandy beaches where youll find food, fun and memoriesand if youre lucky perhaps a glass of wine or craft beer and something fun to take home with you. Jump To Grand Haven Beaches Holland South Haven Muskegon Saugatuck Northern MI Southwest MI Lake Michigan, one of North America's five Great Lakes, provides an enormous shoreline that stretches across parts of Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, and of course, Michigan. Bike rentals are easy to find downtown. Check.Shady park with neat benches and well-tended gardens? This gem of a beach was the absolute perfect place to watch the sunset over beautiful Lake Michigan. Tamales are a project, but many handseven tiny onesmake lighter work. 1. Add it to your Michigan travel bucket list, you wont want to miss seeing the Big Red Lighthouse. Stroll along Newman Street, where youll get into the old-fashioned yet up-to-date charm of the town. 10 Reasons Ludington is One of Michigan's Best Beach Towns - Awesome Mitten No wonder everybody's calling it Michigan's next "it" destination. Aside from its beaches, Ludington offers excellent walking opportunities along its Waterfront Park Loop, Sculpture Trail, Waterfront Walkway Loop, and LASD School Forest. If youre planning to stay overnight (and we think youll want to), weve put together a list of some of my favorite places to stay in Saugatuck. Sawyer 's easy access from Chicago and Detroit (it's about 80 miles east of Chitown and about 200 miles west of Detroit) and hundreds of acres of sand dunes make it a top pick for a Michigan beach vacation. Its big in size, big on fun and big in the opportunities for making lasting travel memories. The channel in Charlevoix shows how the town lives with water. On Chicago's South Side, a New River Trail Guides the Way Through Nearly Two Centuries of Black History. When in Ludington, do like the locals do: Park along a bend in state highway M-116 (called the First Curve by locals), and take a short hike down to the shore. Oval Beach. The House of Flavors on the towns main drag is named in the Guiness Book of World Records for its longest ice cream dessert. Dont miss itwe love the plain ol Strawberry. Aside from its historical sites, this town is the ideal place to come to unwind and enjoy the scenery. The requisite beach activities are all heresailing, fishing, swimming in a giant body of water without worrying about sharks. The days dont get any more picturesque than this. 8 Best Lake Towns in Wisconsin - Paulina on the road Port Crescent State Park is one of Michigan's noted seven dark-sky preserves. Cocktails and locally brewed beers round out a menu that looks like it comes from a hip new spot in Chicago or Detroit rather than that of a beach town like Saugatauck. Steeped in the history of native Americans, this area is extremely clean and visitor-friendly. The town of Ludington embraces its beachy culture: the shops and restaurants are casual and welcoming. 1) Tunnel Park: As previously noted, the Lake Michigan shoreline is full of dunes. The large, sandy beach has plenty of room for swimming in the mild waves of Lake Huron and walking the dunes that define its landscape. You can also find many beautiful bodies of water: inland lakes and rivers fed by the waters of Lake Michigan. The city of Traverse City has been nominated and designated as an international City of Peace. This is an international organization of governments, organizations, and citizens who have proclaimed, resolved, and advocated, establishing their town or community as an official City of Peace. Whether theyre tucked in Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, set alongside beautiful beaches of Lake Huron or somewhere just off the West Michigan Pike (think St. Joseph, South Haven, Grand Haven, Holland and Silver Lake Sand Dunes) or on the wild and wonderful shores of Lake Michigan or Lake Superior, our Michigan beachtowns will help you create a family vacation to remember forever. According to Jamie Racklyeft, the executive director of the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium, winds tend to blow from west to east, building big waves across the lake.These waves generate the rip currents. Surprisingly, this magnificent town in Van Buren County only has a population of 4,500 people. Then, have oysters on the half shell at Everyday People Cafe or make the 15-minute drive to Salt of the Earth in Fennville, a farm-to-table restaurant and bakery, before nestling into one of the friendliest B&Bs in the state, Sherwood Forest. Michigan Beachtowns | Michigan Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are connected by the Straits of Mackinac, and are considered one lake from a hydrological standpoint. Best Lake Erie Beaches. You can also use our interactive Michigan Travel and Beach Map for more places to visit in Michigan. . We cant talk about Saugatuck, Michigan, without discussing the tremendous homestyle meals, breweries, and wineries that this special place has to offer. The State with the Best Beach Towns Isn't Even on a Coast - Thrillist Check.Sandy beach with a long pier and play structures for the kids? 9 BEST Lake Towns in Michigan - Lake Living Guide 2023 Destinations Best Towns on Lake Michigan (Last Updated On: May 11, 2022) With almost 1640 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, there's no shortage of towns along Lake Michigan. Downtown Ludington offers visitors the opportunity to shop, dine, and explore. The Sunrise Coast practically glows in the light. 8 Best Small Towns To Visit In The Great Lakes Region This massive body of water has a water surface of 22,300 square miles and is home to several small island including. Grand Haven is also close to Holland (a fun visit during tulip time), where you can try on a wooden shoe to celebrate the towns Dutch heritage. In addition to its peaceful presence, this city has an abundance of fun activities to enjoy. Petoskey is an incredibly charming town rich in history, Victorian architecture, and postcard-perfect views. With a population of almost 16,000 people, this beautiful beach town is the county seat of the grand Traverse County, Michigan, and is the largest city in the northern Michigan region. Just south of Mackinaw City is Cheboygan. Lots of them, relatively speaking. Cozy up for the night at the gorgeous Hotel Walloon, a boutique hotel that has been painstakingly crafted to honor the historical style of the original Walloon Lake Village, and wake up the next day and rent a tricked-out boat from Tommys; they can hook you up with water ski gear, wakeboards, tubes, and life vests. If youre looking for trip ideas, add South Haven to your travel itinerary. Visiting Holland will give you the opportunity to enjoy Girlfriends Weekend, the LAUP Festival, and even a cruise down Main Street and memory lane. For instance, Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City is a commercial airport that flights to several major cities in the US, with flights departing around the country daily. With every state trying to outshine the other and every city doing the same, Lake Michigan is home to some of the most breathtaking beaches in the world, several of which are in Michigan itself. These tasty hand pies always taste the best when theyre authentic so keep your eye out for them when you visit. That's why you're here, and trust us that they are magnificent. According to chicagoparent.com, Ludington, with nearly thirty miles of sandy beaches, is viewed as one of the Top 50 All American Beaches in the United States. Known for its sandy beaches, Grand Haven, Michigan, is found on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Come for the sand and surf. If you;re looking for more michigan beach towns to explore, be sure and use our interactive Michigan Travel and Beach map. Yes. Sugar Beach Toronto, Ontario Silver Beach County Park. It's one of the best beach towns in America, period. The picturesque lighthouse guides large yachts and fishing boats into the beautiful downtown harbor. William Hereford. Its hard not to smile in this town (the Cherry Captial of the World!) Youll find gorgeous wide-open beach, hiking trails and busy fishing scene. Sawyer. The largest city in northern Michigan, Traverse City is set on a stunning Grand Traverse Bay. Located on the southern shores of Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes National Park covers more than 20 miles of shoreline and 15,000 acres. Theres something for everyones lodging tastes along the Lake Michigan shore: you can opt for beachfront luxury or more practical and affordable options, such as Michigan State Park cabins and campgrounds. The north shore of Lake Michigan the Upper Peninsula is equally beautiful with a diverse coastline from St. Ignace to Manistique to Escanaba. 1. Grand Haven on Michigans west coast is also known as Coast Guard City. Lake Geneva. If you enjoy shopping, downtown South Haven offers several locally owned and operated shops, perfect for finding excellent gifts for family and friends. Still, none of that would matter without the beaches. Start in Leland, home to the famous Fishtown, and travel though Michigans wine country. If you are a food connoisseur, this quaint town on Lake Michigan has many tasty options to suit your palate. In the fall, people have been known to flock to Holland Park for the annual Labor Day Boardwalk. Here, many walk cruise around on their bicycles, admiring the gorgeous scenery and backdrop of Lake Michigan. in addition to the water, youll also find enough craft breweries, food and drink, art and culture, live music to fill your beach days all year long. Port Austin. Best Bet: The Grand Haven Musical Fountain, a nightly synchronized water and light show, starts at dusk. You can never have too much beach, and miles of sandy beach is what youll find here. The beach towns stretching from coast to coast each have a personality and vibe of their own; some are folksy and quiet, others dotted with vineyards and top-notch farm-to-table dining.