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Anne Erickson

Michigan Has 2 of the Most Picturesque Small Towns in America

Author Anne Erickson
(Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

There’s something special about the charm of a Michigan small town. During the summer months, driving around Michigan and checking out the state’s small havens can be so fun. Also, traveling to smaller towns can be a great way to beat the big crowds when vacationing. While other people might be packing big cities, smaller towns offer a more intimate vacation experience. In that spirit, Michigan has two of the most picturesque small towns in America, according to a new study.

The picturesque small town study comes from the travel experts at the travel website North Carolina Travel Guides. In it, they ranked the most picturesque small towns in America by looking at 500 small towns. The ranking is based on search trends, popularity for photography with the general public, and popularity with photographers. By the way, the definition of a small town, according to Barrington Residential, is a town that “is defined by the US Census Bureau as having a population between 25,000 and 50,000 residents.” A city, meanwhile, has a central population of 50,000 or more residents.

Before we get to our state, let’s look at the top five. Coming in at No. 1 is Fredericksburg, Texas. Following that town is Cedarburg, Wisconsin; Orange Beach, Alabama; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; and Madison, Georgia rounding out the top 5 most picturesque small towns in America.

Now, let’s get to Michigan. Coming in at No. 33 is Holland, Michigan. My uncle lives near there, and it’s a beautiful area. Coming in at No. 107 is Saugatuck, which is also right by my uncle. So, the two Michigan small towns are actually very close to each other. As for Holland, the outlet states, “From beautiful tulip fields to gorgeous beaches to historic windmills to stunning parks, the town has a lot of charming spots. The Tulip Time Festival, an annual festival with parades, thousands of tulips, concerts, and more, is one of the highlights of Holland.” Regarding Saugatuck, they state, “It’s one of the most picturesque small towns in the country because of its marina, art galleries, natural landscapes, unique stores, and viewpoints. Find the full study here. Shout out to my friend Joe Winner for seeing this story in Florida.

10 Adorable Michigan Small Towns to Visit Any Season

  • 10. South Haven

    South Haven is one of my favorite Michigan spots, no matter the season. My uncle lives around that area, and it’s simply breathtaking. The beach town is right on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan, in the southwest part of the state. Its population is just over 4,000 residents, but it seems way larger during the summer months, as it’s a very popular tourist destination.

    Welcome to South Haven, Michigan | South Haven Visitors Bureau

    From the beautiful beaches along Lake Michigan to the eclectic eateries, award-winning wineries, quaint boutiques and the natural scenic surroundings - there's

  • 9. Frankenmuth

    I already mentioned Frankenmuth as being the Christmas hotspot of the world. It’s truly a wonder in the winter months, and it’s great in the summer, too. Some popular activates when visiting Frankenmuth include dating a carriage ride, going on a river cruise, trying the different German food, drinking some German beer, snacking on fudge and more.

    Frankenmuth Michigan | Frankenmuth

    Frankenmuth is a Michigan vacation destination with plenty of fun things to do. We have great restaurants, shopping, festivals, and events. Learn more.

  • 8. Northville

    Northville is located 30 miles northwest of Detroit, between Wayne and Oakland Counties, and truly has a great small town feel. You’ll find lots to do in downtown Northville, too, including shopping, dining, and live entertainment. It’s a fun stop for those on the east side of the state.

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  • 7. Holland

    Holland is on the west side of the state, and it’s famous for its Dutch heritage. Who hasn’t heard of the Tulip Festival? It’s a popular spring event that draws people from all over the world. Holland is a charming town to visit any time of the year, though.

    Holland

    Holland is best known for its Dutch heritage, evident in many of its attractions and events. Visitors can walk back through time in the Dutch Galleries of the Holland Museum, the renovated splendor of the Cappon House and a recreation of 1890s Netherlands at Nelis' Dutch Village.

  • 6. Paradise is located in the Upper Peninsula about 70 miles northwest of the Mackinac Bridge.

    Paradise really is, well, paradise. The small town is located in the Upper Peninsula about 70 miles northwest of the Mackinac Bridge. It’s surrounded by water, as Paradise has Lake Superior to its north and east, the Tahquamenon Falls State Park to its west, and the National Hiawatha Forest to its south, as noted by Pure Michigan.

    Paradise

    Spend the day at Whitefish Bay on sandy beaches with great views of Lake Superior.Uncover hidden treasures at the Shipwreck Museum, ranked one of the top ten mari-time museums in the world.

  • 5. Saugatuck

    Saugatuck is another one of my favorite spots to visit year-round. My uncle lives fairly close to there, so I visit the small shops in the summer. Even though some of those shops are closed in the summer, it’s still a beautiful area to visit anytime. It’s off Lake Michigan.

    Visit Saugatuck Michigan - Saugatuck

    For a getaway that's rich in both recreation and relaxation, explore Saugatuck/Douglas and discover your ultimate escape.

  • 4. Ludington

    Ludington has plenty of beautiful beaches. This small town is on the coast of Lake Michigan and offers lots of beach area, outdoors activities and more. Stearns Park Beach is a popular spot.

    Visit Ludington Michigan - Visit Ludington

    Visit Ludington in West Michigan! Home to two lighthouses and the S.S. Badger carferry, Ludington is a favorite place for visitors & locals!

  • 3. Pentwater

    Another special spot on the west side of the state is Pentwater. This little village is off Lake Michigan and offers pristine, sandy beaches. It’s also smaller than Ludington, but nearby, so if you want a smaller place to escape while in the area, it’s a good pick.

    Pentwater, MI

    Discover Pentwater. Come for a day. A week. A life. Pentwater, Michigan - the village, township and surrounding area - is a quintessential, old-fashioned, laid back community with a rich history on the shores of Lake Michigan's clear waters and sugar-fine sandy beaches. It surrounds a 500-acre inland lake that's fed by a vibrant river.

  • 2. Marquette

    Going up north, Marquette is a choice spot for a trip. Since it’s so far north, it’s very cold in the winter, but if you love snow, then it’s a great choice. Marquette offers lots of nature and outdoor activities.

    Marquette, Michigan | Hotels, Restaurants & Things To Do

    Experience the fun and adventure in Marquette, Michigan. Find comfortable hotels, great dining options, and attractions both in town and out to explore.

  • 1. Petoskey

    Coming in at No. 1, I have Petoskey as a must-visit destination no matter the season. I remember as a little kid, going up to Petoskey and getting a real Petoskey stone. One of the bets spots to hunt for local stones is at Petoskey State Park. Enjoy it.

    The Petoskey Area

    Petoskey is located on the shores of Lake Michigan's beautiful Little Traverse Bay in northwest lower Michigan. Long a resort area, Petoskey is known for its fresh air, spectacular beauty and, of course, Michigan's state stone, the Petoskey Stone.

Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.

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