Ready to uncover Michigan’s hidden dessert gems?
This road trip will lead you to 10 humble fudge shops that locals treasure for their heavenly treats!
1. JoAnn’s Fudge (Mackinac Island)
Oh, JoAnn’s Fudge, where have you been all my life?
Nestled in the heart of Mackinac Island, this quaint shop is a time capsule of sugary goodness.
The moment you step inside, you’re hit with a wave of nostalgia and the irresistible aroma of melting chocolate.
It’s like walking into your grandmother’s kitchen, if your grandmother was a confectionery wizard with a penchant for making grown adults weep with joy.
The storefront, with its charming white clapboard exterior and red trim, looks like it was plucked straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.
But don’t let the humble appearance fool you – inside lies a treasure trove of fudgy delights that would make Willy Wonka green with envy.
As you watch the fudge-making process through the shop window, you’ll find yourself mesmerized by the rhythmic folding and turning of the creamy concoction.
It’s like a hypnotic dance, and before you know it, you’ve bought enough fudge to feed a small army.
Or, you know, just yourself on a particularly indulgent Tuesday night.
2. Original Murdick’s Fudge (Mackinac Island)
If JoAnn’s is the new kid on the block, then Original Murdick’s Fudge is the wise old sage of the fudge world.
Established in 1887, this place has been satisfying sweet tooths longer than most of us have been alive.
It’s like the Betty White of fudge shops – timeless, beloved, and still capable of surprising you with its spunk.
The shop’s exterior, with its bold sign, practically screams, “Hey you! Yes, you with the sweet tooth! Get in here!”
And who are we to argue with such a persuasive invitation?
Inside, you’ll find a dizzying array of flavors that’ll make your head spin faster than a sugar rush.
From classic chocolate to wild concoctions like “Traverse City Black Cherry,” there’s something for every palate.
Just remember, folks – pacing is key.
You don’t want to end up in a fudge coma before you’ve hit all ten stops on this sweet journey.
3. Ryba’s Fudge Shops (Mackinac Island)
Ah, Ryba’s – the third jewel in Mackinac Island’s fudgy crown.
This place is like the cool cousin of the fudge world – a little bit hip, a little bit traditional, and entirely irresistible.
The shop’s quaint exterior, with its red awning and inviting windows, practically begs you to come inside and loosen your belt a notch or two.
Ryba’s has been around since 1936, which means they’ve had plenty of time to perfect their craft.
And boy, does it show.
Their fudge is so smooth, it makes silk feel like sandpaper.
It’s the kind of fudge that makes you want to write poetry, compose symphonies, or at the very least, do a little happy dance right there in the shop.
But be warned – the aroma wafting from Ryba’s is so intoxicating, it should come with a “Do not operate heavy machinery” warning.
One whiff, and you’ll find yourself floating towards the counter in a sugar-induced trance, wallet already in hand.
4. Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream (Petoskey)
As we bid farewell to Mackinac Island (goodbye, horse-drawn carriages; hello, traffic jams), our next stop takes us to the charming town of Petoskey and the delightful world of Kilwin’s.
This place is like the Swiss Army knife of sweet shops – not only do they serve up fantastic fudge, but they’ve also got ice cream and chocolates that’ll make your taste buds do a happy jig.
The Petoskey Kilwin’s, with its classic storefront and red awning, looks like it was pulled straight from a postcard of small-town Americana.
It’s the kind of place Norman Rockwell would paint, if Norman Rockwell had a serious sweet tooth and a penchant for caramel apples.
Inside, the air is thick with the scent of waffle cones and melting chocolate.
It’s like walking into a cloud of deliciousness.
5. Sanders Candy (Clinton Township)
Next up on our sugar-fueled odyssey is Sanders Candy in Clinton Township.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Clinton Township? That doesn’t sound like a quaint tourist town!”
And you’d be right.
But fear not, intrepid fudge adventurers, for Sanders is an oasis of sweetness in the suburban landscape.
The Sanders store, with its Tudor-style architecture, stands out like a chocolate chip in a sea of vanilla.
It’s like someone took a charming English cottage, stuffed it full of candy, and plonked it down in the middle of Michigan.
And thank goodness they did, because this place is a treasure trove of confectionery delights.
Sanders has been around since 1875, which means they’ve been satisfying sweet tooths since before the invention of the telephone.
That’s right – they were making people happy with sugar long before you could drunk-dial your ex or order pizza at 2 am.
Now that’s dedication to the craft.
6. Alpine Chocolat Haus (Gaylord)
As we continue our journey through the Great Lakes State, we find ourselves in Gaylord, home of the Alpine Chocolat Haus.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Alpine? In Michigan?”
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But trust me, this place brings all the charm of a Swiss chalet to the heart of the Midwest.
The shop’s facade, with its sleek black exterior and modern signage, is a far cry from the quaint storefronts we’ve seen so far.
It’s like the James Bond of fudge shops – sophisticated, mysterious, and capable of melting hearts with a single bite.
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a cornucopia of chocolatey wonders.
The air is thick with the scent of cocoa and sugar, like a warm hug for your nose.
And let’s not forget their famous “Gourmet Hot Chocolat” – it’s so good, it’ll make you wonder why you ever settled for the powdered stuff from a packet.
7. Sweetland Candies (Grand Rapids)
Our sweet tooth safari now takes us to Grand Rapids and the delightful world of Sweetland Candies.
This place is like the cool grandma of candy shops – it’s been around forever, but it’s still hip enough to surprise you.
The shop’s exterior, with its no-nonsense signage and practical parking lot, might not scream “tourist attraction.”
But don’t let that fool you – inside lies a wonderland of sugary delights that would make Willy Wonka himself green with envy.
Sweetland has been crafting confections since 1983, which in the world of candy is like being a wise old sage.
They’ve seen food trends come and go, but they know that nothing beats good old-fashioned handmade fudge.
It’s the kind of place where you walk in planning to buy a small box of chocolates and walk out with enough candy to feed a small army.
Or, you know, just yourself on a particularly indulgent Netflix binge.
8. Mackinac Fudge Shop (St. Ignace)
As we cross the mighty Mackinac Bridge, we find ourselves in St. Ignace and at the doorstep of the Mackinac Fudge Shop.
This place is like the plucky underdog of our fudge journey – it might not have the centuries-old pedigree of some of our other stops, but what it lacks in age, it makes up for in charm and darn good fudge.
The shop’s exterior, with its cheery red trim and giant popcorn kernels (yes, you read that right), is like a beacon of joy in the bustling tourist town.
It’s the kind of place that makes you want to abandon your diet, throw caution to the wind, and dive headfirst into a sea of sugary goodness.
Inside, the air is thick with the scent of melting chocolate and freshly popped corn.
It’s like a carnival for your nose, minus the questionable hygiene and rigged games.
And let’s not forget about their famous Mackinac Bridge fudge – it’s the next best thing to walking across the bridge itself, and a lot less windy.
9. Marshall’s Fudge (Mackinaw City)
Our penultimate stop brings us to Mackinaw City and the delightful world of Marshall’s Fudge.
This place is like the cool kid in school who’s good at everything – not only do they make killer fudge, but they’ve also got a gift shop that’ll make you want to buy souvenirs for people you don’t even like.
The shop’s facade, with its bold lettering and inviting windows, is like a siren call to sweet-toothed travelers.
It’s the kind of place that makes you forget all about your plans to “just window shop” and instead leaves you wondering if it’s socially acceptable to buy fudge in bulk.
Marshall’s has been around since 1973, which in the world of fudge-making practically makes them ancient sages.
They’ve perfected their craft over the decades, creating fudge so smooth it makes silk feel like sandpaper.
It’s the kind of fudge that makes you want to write sonnets, compose operas, or at the very least, do a little happy dance right there in the shop.
10. Sayklly’s Candies (Escanaba)
And finally, we arrive at our last stop – Sayklly’s Candies in Escanaba.
This place is like the grand finale of a fireworks show – it might be the last, but it’s determined to leave you with stars in your eyes and a sugar rush in your veins.
Sayklly’s has been around since 1906, which means they’ve been satisfying sweet tooths since before the Model T was invented.
That’s right – they were making people happy with sugar long before you could take a road trip without worrying about your horse getting tired.
The shop’s exterior, with its classic “Since 1906” sign, is like a time machine to a simpler era.
An era when calories didn’t exist, dentists were just pessimistic naysayers, and the greatest worry in life was choosing between chocolate and vanilla fudge.
Inside, you’ll find a wonderland of confectionery delights that’ll make your inner child squeal with glee.
From their classic fudge to their famous “Yooper Chews,” Sayklly’s is the perfect sweet ending to our fudge-filled journey.
As we wrap up our sugary sojourn through Michigan, remember: life is short, eat dessert first.
And second.
And maybe third, just to be safe.
The table is set for adventure!
This map is your key to smooth travels and tasty discoveries.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go schedule an appointment with my dentist.