8 SMALL TOWN MICHIGAN OVERNIGHT GETAWAYS
1. Mesick
It’s in the middle of nowhere, it’s near the highest point in the Lower Peninsula, and it’s the mushroom capital of the world. If you love hunting for those Morel mushrooms come spring, this is the place for you! I spent countless weekends here as a child, where we would rent a small cottage for a minimal price, and spend days walking miles in the enchanted forests.
2. Pentwater
A short drive from Silver Lake Sand Dunes and Ludington, Pentwater is a town geared toward young adults. Volleyball courts line the beach, the bars are fun and lively, and there are multiple campgrounds to guarantee a good time. A chill downtown vibe attracts visitors for a stroll through surf shops, t-shirt displays, ice cream hangouts, and toy stores. It's a place that lives for summer, good times, and fun-in-da-sun.
3. Elk Rapids
Located between Traverse City and Charlevoix, Elk Rapids sits at the top of Grand Traverse Bay. Although tiny in size, it is filled with beauty and peace. It is home to The Local, one of my favorite restaurants in Michigan, and offers quaint and quiet beaches compared to other tourist towns in Northern Michigan. I even once witnessed a coyote running along its beach! Summer brings a lively downtown, and winter offers knick-knack stores filled with hot cocoa. You can also take a tour of the famous Shorts Brewery Production Facility. It doesn’t get much better!
4. Epoufette
If it weren’t for the sign along US-2, there wouldn’t be a way to know that this town exists. The town is comprised of a small convenience store that sells various smoked meats and fish, the charming Bayview motel, and a restaurant that is a must for those seeking a cheap and hearty breakfast. It sits high on the bluff, and although the hotel is not your Ritz Carlton (or Holiday Inn for that matter), it offers million dollar views of Lake Michigan for a mere $45/night. At the bottom of the bluff is a campground, which is not visible unless you venture down a small, winding road. Only paces from Lake Michigan it sits virtually empty, even in high-tourist season.
5. St. James
One night will not be enough, and you’ll probably find yourself extending for two, or maybe a week, or maybe a month. St. James is the harbor town located on Beaver Island in the middle of Lake Michigan. To access the island, one must take a 2 ½ hour ferry ride from Charlevoix. The Toy Museum is a ‘can't-miss’, and neither is Daddy Frank’s ice cream shop. It’s what started my ongoing addiction to flurries, malts, and hot-fudge brownie sundaes.
6. Leland
The entire M22 area is rad and Leland is just one of the many great towns in the area. I would rather visit Leland in the winter, but only for lack of crowds. When snow and cold arrive, the town turns barren, except for the occasional cold water surfer who comes to brave the waves. Come summer, there is a bustling crowd of beach-goers road tripping M22 and backpackers that come to take the ferry to South Manitou Island. It’s the ideal location for a bonfire on the beach, and Milky Way star gazing far from light pollution.
7. Caseville
Famous for its summer Cheeseburger Festival, Caseville knows how to have a good time. It’s the east side’s most popular “Up North” beach town. Summer months bring thousands of visitors who enjoy mini-golf, go-karts, giant ice cream cones, great food, and sandy beaches for miles. And flamingos, lots of flamingos. Although located on Lake Huron, it faces west from the thumb, so if you’re worried about missing that sunset, a massive surprise is in store for you. It’s also situated in Saginaw Bay, causing the water to be generally warmer than other areas in Lake Huron.
8. Frankenmuth
It transports you from Michigan to Bavarian Germany in the blink of an eye. This is arguably the most culturally unique town in Michigan. The Bavarian Lodge is perfect for families (and sometimes has Groupon deals!). The lodge is equipped with indoor mini-golf, restaurants, a waterpark, and a never-ending theme of old town Germany. Frankenmuth is also home to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the biggest Christmas store in the world. If you go, be sure to stop and try the world-famous Zehnder’s Chicken Dinner. Winner Winner!
OUR FAMILY IS FORTUNATE TO BE ACQUAINTED WITH TWO OF THE TOWNS ON A
PERSONAL BASIS. WE HAVE A GRANDSON THAT OWNS A BEACH FRONT HOME ON BEAVER ISLAND WHERE THE TOWN OF ST. JAMES IS. AH, AND THEN THERE IS
CASEVILLE WHERE A NUMBER OF US LIVE AND HAVE LIVED.
How cool! What side of the island is his cottage? I spent many summers on a cottage along the north end!
We have a place (34 yrs) at the NE point of the Island. Our daughter and husband live year around on the harbor. She owned Daddy Frank’s and gave it’s name. Loved your write ups on all the towns.
Oops, looks like you accidentally put the ® next to the image of the M-22 state highway sign.
Love Epoufette ! The Snowmobile and ATV trail is right behind the store and you can ride right up to the store and both restaurants as well as the motel. It’s a great place to stay for your adventure! The view is awesome!
Never heard of a few of these and for most of us it would not be an overnight get away as they are 4-6+ hours away…definitely going to check some of these out. Caseville is awesome! Frankenmuth is nice, great Chicken dinners! Thanks for sharing this 🙂
Wow, for once one of these lists where there’s nothing obvious from the southern part of the state and only one tourist trap EVERYONE in the state has heard of. (No prizes for guessing. Plus whichever of those totally interchangeable chicken restaurants we ate at, I honestly don’t remember which? The chicken soup was, I swear, Mrs. Grass’s Chicken Soup Mix. My mother recognized the taste and since us kids had never eaten it, we bought a box when we got home so we could try and sure enough…Though everyone should see Bronner’s at least once. You WILL find an ornament you want.) I am going to Epoufette, though. I have NEVER heard of that one and I used to work at Mackinac.
Thanks so much, Jen! Big compliment because that is exactly what I was going for. Enjoy Epoufette!!
Thanks for the suggestions. I definitely want to try the Bayview Motel in Epoufette.
You might want to change the picture you”re using for Mesick. That’s a sassafras leaf, and I doubt you’d find sassafras anywhere in the forests around Mesick. Further south, yes, but not this far north.
Wow! I’m impressed by your knowledge! I love the Michigan-shape. Surprisingly I found it only about 30 miles south of Mesick on some trails north of Baldwin 🙂
Yes, there’s a line around there where the forest / climate changes. I grew up in The Muskegon area and we had lots of oaks and sassafras. I’ve lived in the Cadillac area my whole adult life and have never seen sassafras around here or any where north or west of here. I miss them. Love the leaves. And the smell.
Come on over to the East side – we have great little get-a-way towns too. Start in Ann Arbor and we’ll host you at Davies House Inn!
Our favorite HIDDEN MICHIGAN TREASURE , IS ***EAST TAWAS*** We wouldn’t have never known that it even exist if we hadn’t gone there to visit friends of ours that where from there!!!
Look up there town if you love laying out on warm sandy white beaches , or when the Main Street that is full of of quaint little stores from bars, to knitting shops, to yummy ice cream shop to pizza shops , to homemade frugde,shouts down on Tuesday nights & the whole street is blocked off & a band plays in the middle of the street & everyone from (3 -to-73) dances in the middle of the street, this is awesome to watch , all the people of Tawas coming together of every age to celebrate just being together . This truly represents the people of Tawas, they are so happy, giving,& lovely people that I have ever met in me life, it’s almost unreal!!! There is also lots of other stores & things to do on Main Street , giant store on the corner that is filled with everything from clothes for the whole family, fishing gear, cowboy hats, to beautiful hats for the ladies, everything you need for the beach , to long underwear & everything in between with price so cheap that I stock up on everything I need every time I go there, there is also a lovely new & used book store allong with a 2 screen movie theater that plays moves from years ago & a theater that resembles a theater that was from yearsgreatAround the corner is a lovely & lively Bed & breakfast & don’t miss Genies Resturant for whatever you are hungry for, believe me it is there & taste like Heaven.
Just because there is only one Street & Street light through Main Street, there is so much to do during every season of the year, (SUMMER–beautiful sandy white beaches to catch some rays, jet skiing, boating, fishing, shopping, yummy places to eat & so much more) ( FALL & SPRING– are beautiful times of the year to visit , the fall has Apple orchards, haunted houses & hayrides , it lots of fun , In the Spring, it’s stunning , as it is in the fall take hikes in the Hurun Natural Forest & check out the Lumber Men’s Monument, four wheeling & tons of other things to do as well) & when the snow starts to fall, this is a great place to visit. (WINTER– snow Mobile’s, or a great place to celebrate Christmas with the family in one of the beautiful cabins, in all sizes & costs , but I have to say that in the winter , we stayed in a beautiful cabin , with a warm potbelly stove that kept us warm & a living room surrounded with Windows to watch the snow come down , it was truly stunning to sit & watch the snow come down , drinking my hot chocolate & playing board games with friends & family & we only paid $60 a night , great deals are there, you just have to find them, like anywhere else)
Anyway , I will always be attached to TAWAS , I had my honeymoon there , & I will always have the memories of mine & my brothers families having a great vacation together during the summer & how much I loved watching our daughters play.
I have so many AMAZING memories up North in Tawas, Michigan , doesn’t matter the time of year , I would stay there all year long if I could!!!
THANK YOU TAWAS FOR THE MEMORIES!!!
Could you tell me the name of the cabin you stayed in? Sounds like what we have been looking for .
Visit Lexington! It’s Michigan’s “First Resort North”. Just north of Port Huron, on Lake Huron. A growing little harbor town with lots of summertime entertainment and great eats and cute shops!
South Haven is also great!