At these small towns in Michigan, main streets still matter, creativity runs deep, and seasonal eating invites you to taste the place.
By Stacy Conde, Published on July 9th, 2025
“Surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan has the longest freshwater coastline in the country. Plus, with more than 36,000 miles of rivers and streams and 11,000 inland lakes, water is never far away. It shapes everything in The Mitten—from culture to agriculture. Dotted along the Red Arrow Highway in the southwest and the M-22 loop on the Leelanau Peninsula, as well as scattered across the Upper Peninsula, small towns reflect the bounty of the land: farm-to-table dining, U-pick produce, waterfall trails, wine, and home-baked pasties. Here are Michigan’s best small towns for weekend (or week-long!) getaways.”
Jump to… Charlevoix…
“Charlevoix sits between Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan, with the Pine River Channel bisecting downtown. Many people come to tour Earl Young’s mushroom houses, fairytale-quaint stone structures that are an important part of Charlevoix’s history and identity. Dine at The Weathervane, a waterfront restaurant also designed by Young. Bike the Little Traverse Wheelway to Harbor Springs or take the historic Ironton Ferry across Lake Charlevoix. There are more than 150 wineries across five official AVAs in Michigan, so don’t sleep on the local wine. Folklor offers private vineyard tours and tastings from May through September. Reserve the custom airstream for a tasting at Blu Dot Farm and Vineyards or park your own RV on the farm and keep everything within walking distance.”
Read the full article HERE
