10 Best Michigan Towns on Lake Michigan: An Expert Planning Guide

I think the best Michigan towns on Lake Michigan are highly underrated as a destination. It’s often locals or nearby Midwesterners exploring, so if you happened upon this article, you’ll be in on one of the best-kept secrets.

These charming towns are next to what I consider some of the best beaches in the country. And I say that now as a Florida resident. But the Michigan side of Lake Michigan offers sugar-soft sand and incredible sunsets.

Even if you’re visiting Michigan in the cooler months, the small towns along the “Third Coast” rival those in New England for fall color, year-long festivals, and local shopping and attractions.

I’ve lived in a couple of these Western Michigan towns along Lake Michigan and each year try to explore a few through the eyes of a traveler. I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan and return every year to visit.

If you are traveling with teens, these towns are a great place to let them explore on their own. Plus these towns have their share of exciting and active pursuits such as dune buggy rides, kayaking, kite surfing, and more.

Don’t worry, there’s plenty of downtime for the adults in terms of wineries and breweries. Michigan is known for having a large amount of craft breweries, something Beer City USA in nearby Grand Rapids can attest to. This extends to the Lake Michigan beach towns.

Ready to explore the 10 Best? Let’s talk about the Big Lake first, then we’ll drive North to South.

About Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan is a big lake and is often referred to as such by the locals. “You going to the Big Lake?”

Our vacations to Lake Michigan span over 40 years, and I never tire of it.

It often surprises me how many people don’t realize the size and splendor of the lake. It truly is an inland sea by all definitions. You just don’t have the salt water.

While Lake Michigan is not the deepest lake or the largest of the five Great Lakes, that would be Lake Superior, it is the only Great Lake located entirely in the United States.

Lake Michigan is a clean, freshwater lake, and on the western side of the lake, the sand is golden, super soft, and often free of debris such as shells and rocks.

The water temperature ranges between 55 and 80 degrees, keeping it cool and clear.

The sand dunes are the largest freshwater dune system in the world and rise several hundred feet above the lake. Sand dunes at the popular places below make for some adventurous vacations to Lake Michigan.

The shorelines are dotted with small towns and beach towns, making it a perfect place to enjoy a quiet vacation. In fact, the Michigan side of Lake Michigan does not have any major metropolitan cities. The largest areas on Lake Michigan would be Muskegon at about 38,000 residents and Holland close behind at about 33,000.

1. Mackinac Island

While actually in Lake Huron, Mackinac Island (pronounced mack-i-naw) came up so much in my searches on vacations to Lake Michigan, that I thought I better include it. Just on the other side of the Mackinac Bridge is a magical island preserved in time. Home to Victorian-style structures, a fudge-filled main street, stunning geological features, and no automobiles, Mackinac Island retains its charm through bicycles and horse-drawn buggies.

My top choice in Mackinac Island is renting a bike and covering the island, about 8 miles in total. Here you can see Arch Rock, above and below if you choose.

Not to miss are the many fudge shops on the main street, where Mackinac Island fudge is a real flavor from the Fudge Capital of the World.

Visit in late summer or early fall, the island does close to visitors in the winter.

• Don’t Miss: Fudge
• Must Do: Rent Bikes
• Splurge Stay: The Grand Hotel
• Waterfront Views: Island House Hotel

2. Traverse City

Moving south along Lake Michigan, on Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City has become a go-to vacation spot in Michigan. This charming town offers everything you could want in a lakeside getaway, from pristine beaches and sparkling waters to shops, restaurants, and attractions galore.

Plus, Traverse City is located within easy driving distance of many other great Lake Michigan vacation spots, making it the perfect base camp for exploring all that the region has to offer.

The National Cherry Festival is held in July every year in Traverse City. In addition to being known for cherries, TC is home to a vibrant wine scene. Seek out some of their tasting rooms here.

There is plenty to do in town with teens, but if you’re with adults, consider adding on a Traverse City Wine Tour. Sitting just south of the 45th parallel, Traverse City is a prime location for wineries.

Park Place Hotel in Traverse City is my go to for staying downtown. You can read my full review here.

• Don’t Miss: Visiting Cherry Republic
• Must Do: Drive Lelenau Peninsula
• Stay with kids: Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City
• Downtown Access: Park Place Hotel

3. Leland

Leland Michigan is known as Fish Town. This delightful small town looks as if it hasn’t changed in 100 years. The old “fish shanties” on the waterway still retain the old shingle-style construction, yet inside they are filled with charming local shops and candy stores.

Leland makes a great base place to visit local wineries, visit apple orchards, fish, and explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

One of Lake Michigan’s natural wonders, the National Lakeshore (part of the National Parks System) is an ideal spot to marvel at the mountains of sugar sand and miles of shoreline.

At the lakeshore, you can climb the dunes, or walk a paved trail. Hiking, kayaking, biking, and even skiing, and snowshoeing are popular activities making this a year-round vacation destination.

• Don’t Miss: Sleeping Bear Dunes
• Must Do: Drive M-22 and visit farm stands
• Stay in the historic village: Leland Lodge
• Downtown Access: Park Place Hotel

4. Ludington

Ludington, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Michigan, perfectly captures the essence of a classic lakeside retreat. Growing up, we camped not far from here and spent a lot of summers exploring the downtown and hanging out on the beach.

This friendly town is best known for its vibrant marina, historic lighthouse, and endless beaches with soft, golden sands that draw visitors year-round. The downtown area is a charming blend of old and new, with boutique shops, cozy coffeehouses, and beloved ice cream parlors nestled among classic clapboard buildings.

Ludington offers an ideal location for exploring nearby state parks, kayaking on the lake, and taking scenic bike trails. Don’t miss the iconic SS Badger ferry, a piece of maritime history that crosses Lake Michigan to Wisconsin, or the opportunity to enjoy spectacular sunsets at Stearns Park Beach.

Ludington State Park

One of Michigan’s most popular state parks, Ludington State Park spans over 5,300 acres. With miles of sandy beaches, pristine inland lakes, and scenic hiking trails, this park has it all.

Adventurers can kayak down the Big Sable River, fish in Hamlin Lake, or climb the Big Sable Point Lighthouse for panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding dunes.

• Don’t Miss: Big Sable Point Lighthouse
• Must Do: Hike the Lost Lake Trail or paddle Hamlin Lake
• Downtown Access: Ludington House Bed & Breakfast

5. Silver Lake in Mears

One of the few places where you can ride dune buggies on the protected sand dunes is Silver Lake. The Silver Lake area and sand dunes have both an area for Off-Road Vehicles (ORV), and pedestrian hiking areas, as well as a guided dune tour with Mac Wood Dune Rides.

You can bring your own ORV for the sand dunes, but make sure they are dune-ready. Additionally, Silver Lake offers plenty of places for you to rent and explore the 450 acres set aside for 4-wheel drive, motorcycles, ATVs, and direct bikes. You need a permit to bring your own. Check here for dune buggy rentals or what you need to bring your own.

Silver Lake is certainly one of the more adventurous vacations to Lake Michigan and yet another great place for spectacular sunsets. A short drive away is the Au Sable lighthouse, located on the closest point from Michigan to Wisconsin. I’ve climbed it, and you still can’t see across the lake.

Vacation Rentals in Silver Lake.

• Don’t Miss: Staying in charming cottages on Silver Lake
• Must Do: Rent a Dune Buggy

6. Muskegon

Muskegon is the largest city along Lake Michigan, making it a prime location for your Lake Michigan vacation. My hometown is filled with both sandy beaches, city life, and historic sites. It’s about mid-way between Traverse City and Chicago.

My favorite things to do in Muskegon include:

• Explore the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park
• Ride classic rides at Michigan’s Adventure
• Stroll the downtown shops
• Hang out on The Deck at Pere Marquette Park
• Swim at Duck Lake State Park
• Explore the history at the Lakeshore Museum Center

Learn more about Muskegon’s outdoor activities, including fun festivals here.

A few festivals to check out:

• Irish Music Festival
• Greek Festival
• Burning Foot
• Great Lakes Surf Festival (yes, you can surf!
• Lakeshore Art Festival

Find more annual festivals here.

If you have teens, check out the MACshack Kiteboarding School or Socibowl for thrilling adventures.

7. Grand Haven

Grand Haven is another one of my favorite small towns in Michigan thanks to its location on the lake.

My husband and I lived here before we got married and I loved how the town transforms from a bustling beach town in the summer to a sleepy small town community in the winter.

The Grand Haven State Park is one of the few state parks in which you can camp directly on the beach.

Grand Haven also has a walkable, charming downtown area, and is home to the Coast Guard Festival. Known as Coast Guard City, Grand Haven hosts visitors and Coast Guard enlisteees and officers from around the country.

Be sure to check out one of the kite shops along Washington Ave and try your hand at flying a kite. It’s a popular activity on the beach.

Finally, in the warmer months, end each night with the world’s largest musical fountain, located across the channel from downtown. The musical fountain puts on a show set to spraying water, lights, and music. It’s an iconic part of Grand Haven. They do special shows for the 4th of July and the Coast Guard Festival.

• Don’t Miss: The Musical Fountain
• Must Do: walk the boardwalk and visit the lighthouse
• Stay close to the water: Looking Glass Beachfront Inn
• Downtown Access: Harbor House Inn

8. Holland

Holland, named for its large Dutch heritage population, includes a working windmill, wooden shoe or Klompen dancing at Nelis Dutch Village, and even a yearly Tulip Time Festival.

Visiting Holland gives you both a lakeside village with the same lighthouses and beaches offered throughout the region, with the added flavor of a European vacation.

Downtown Holland is filled with cobblestone streets, charming Dutch architecture, and a range of cozy cafes, boutique shops, and art galleries that celebrate local artisans. I also recently learned that the sidewalks are heated, and therefore always free of ice during the winter.

You may also know Holland for its popular New Holland brewing company. Just one of many breweries in the Greater Grand Rapids area.

• Don’t Miss: Windmill Island Gardens and Big Red Lighthouse
• Must Do: Visit the Tulip Time Festival in spring, or kayak along Lake Macatawa
• Room for the whole Family: Teerman Lofts
• Downtown Access: Tulyp, Tapestry by Hilton

9. Saugatuck

Saugatuck is a popular LGBT+ friendly location with an open-minded culture and thriving art scene. Think Provincetown, Massachusetts for the Third Coast.

Saugatuck, along with its neighbor Douglas, is on the shores of both Lake Michigan and Kalamazoo Lake and River. This lively town is also home to Oval Beach, consistently ranked among the top beaches in the country.

Endless water activities are just part of the appeal of Saugatuck. Dozens of art galleries and artists’ studios call the downtown area home.

And if you’re 21 and up and want an inviting place to stay, check out the largest LGBTQ+ resort in the midwest, at The Dunes Resort

• Don’t miss: Fall Gallery Stroll, a 45-year-old tradition and highly anticipated art event.
• Must Do: Visit Everyday People Cafe
• LGBT Friendly Hotel: The Dunes Resort
• Lake Views: Old Pike Cottages

10. South Haven

Seriously, how many more charming small towns does Michigan have? South Haven is next on the list, just a 2-hour drive from Chicago. South Haven is another on the list of Lake Michigan vacations that provide endless nature, walkable downtowns, and even more miles of sandy beach alongside an incredibly photogenic lighthouse.

South Haven’s beaches are among the best in Michigan, with South Beach being a favorite for families thanks to its playgrounds, picnic areas, and views of the iconic South Haven Lighthouse.

Known as the “Blueberry Capital of the World,” South Haven also hosts the National Blueberry Festival every August, celebrating the region’s rich agricultural history.

• Don’t Miss: South Haven Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
• Must Do: Try paddleboarding, or take a sunset sail on Lake Michigan
• Stay by the Shore: Old Harbor Inn
• Go back in time: Yelton Manor Bed & Breakfast

Bonus: Indiana Dunes National Park

While not in Michigan, the Indiana Dunes National Park is worth mentioning as one of the nation’s newest National Parks. The only National Park along Lake Michigan (remember, Sleeping Bear Dunes is a National Seashore), the park has several beach areas with lifeguards throughout the summer.

Note that there are entrance fees to the National Park. Currently, it is $25 and valid for 7 days. The Americal the Beautiful Annual National Park passes are also accepted at the park.

Dunewood Campground offers 66 campsites if you wish to stay inside the park.

When to travel to Lake Michigan

There is no bad time of year to visit Lake Michigan. Each season has its own unique charms.

Spring is a great time to visit if you enjoy watching the flowers bloom, especially if you’re trying to catch the Tulip Festval in Holland in May.

Summer is perfect for swimming, boating, and enjoying all the outdoor activities the lake has to offer. Many festivals such as the Blueberry festival in South Haven, Cherry Festival in Traverse City, and Burning Foot in Muskegon happen in the summer months.

Fall is a beautiful time of year to see the leaves change color and go on hikes in the crisp air. Traverse City, Leland, and Sleeping Bear Dunes are iconic stops on an M-22 fall color drive.

Winter is a magical time to see the snowfall and ice sculptures. Try your hand at the luge in Muskgon, Winterfest in Grand Haven, or the Ice Breaker Festival in South Haven

Most of the recommendations above are best seen in the summer months, but I wouldn’t count out an autumn color tour of Lake Michigan or Winter vacations to Lake Michigan. Each season shows off the stunning wonderland that is both Michigan and Lake Michigan.

Weather in Lake Michigan Beach Towns

Michigan enjoys all four seasons with a range of temperatures from the north to the southern end of Lake Michigan.

Temps can dip as low as 15 degrees in the winter with highs in the mid-eighties in the summer. .

Snowfall varies along the shoreline with up to 2 feet in January in the Traverse City area. Rain is about 3 inches per month.

The weather year-round is fairly mild in most of the towns listed in this article, making it a truly special place.

How to Get to the Michigan Towns on Lake Michigan

These Michigan locations are all easily accessible by car. You could fly in and rent a car in Chicago, Grand Rapids, or Traverse City, depending on how far south or north you’re traveling along the lake.

In fact, Allegiant Air flies in and out of Grand Rapids on many direct flights from smaller metro hubs across the nation. It’s an easy-in-and-out airport.

Chicago is anywhere from 2 hours away to South Haven to five hours away by car to Traverse City.

Detroit is a little less than 4 hours away by car. Most airlines fly into one of these two big cities.

Grand Rapids is about 45 45-minute drive from Muskegon and Grand Haven and has many non-stop flights.

Traverse City and Muskegon also have small airports if you do not wish to rent a car. However, I would recommend renting a car to drive along the lakeshore.

FAQ

Final Thoughts

I hope you can tell how much I love my Lake Michigan beachtowns. They are full of fun activities, charming shops and restaurants, and friendly people.

If you want nature, adventure, fine dining, arts & culture, vibrant festivals, or even Dutch history, you’ll find it in one of these towns.

And I’ve said it many times, some of the best beaches in the world are here.