{"id":1791,"date":"2016-02-04T18:47:18","date_gmt":"2016-02-04T23:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/?p=1791"},"modified":"2018-11-30T16:29:56","modified_gmt":"2018-11-30T21:29:56","slug":"8-small-town-michigan-overnight-getaways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/8-small-town-michigan-overnight-getaways\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Small Town Michigan Overnight Getaways"},"content":{"rendered":"
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1. Mesick<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s in the middle of nowhere, it\u2019s near the highest point in the Lower Peninsula, and it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2. Pentwater<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3. Elk Rapids<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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\u2019t get much better!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4. Epoufette<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If it weren\u2019t for the sign along US-2, there wouldn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5. St. James <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n One night will not be enough, and you\u2019ll probably find yourself extending for two, or maybe a week, or maybe a month. St. James is the harbor town located on Beaver Island<\/a> in the middle of Lake Michigan. To access the island, one must take a 2 \u00bd hour ferry ride from Charlevoix. The Toy Museum is a \u2018can’t-miss\u2019, and neither is Daddy Frank\u2019s ice cream shop. It\u2019s what started my ongoing addiction to flurries, malts, and hot-fudge brownie sundaes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6. Leland <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The entire M22<\/a> 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\u00a0and backpackers that come to take the ferry to South Manitou Island. It\u2019s the ideal location for a bonfire on the beach, and Milky Way star gazing far from light pollution.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n