Looking for a peaceful retreat by the water?
Michigan’s hidden waterfront gems are perfect places to unwind and recharge, with beautiful views and serene settings.
Find your new favorite escape among these 16 spots!
1. Saugatuck
Nestled along the Kalamazoo River, Saugatuck is like a Bob Ross painting come to life—if Bob had a thing for sailboats and gallery-hopping.
This artsy enclave boasts pristine beaches, dunes that could give your quads a run for their money, and enough galleries to make your inner critic swoon.
The downtown area is a charming mishmash of boutiques, ice cream parlors, and restaurants that’ll have you loosening your belt faster than you can say “vacation calories don’t count.”
And let’s not forget the iconic chain ferry—because why walk when you can float across the river like maritime royalty?
2. Harbor Springs
Harbor Springs is where old money goes to pretend it’s not showing off.
This tony resort town on Little Traverse Bay is all about understated elegance, with its tree-lined streets and Victorian cottages that probably cost more than your firstborn.
But don’t let the posh vibe fool you—this place knows how to let its hair down.
From sailing regattas to winter skiing, Harbor Springs is an all-season playground.
And if you’re lucky, you might just spot a celebrity trying to blend in at the local farmers market.
Spoiler alert: They can’t.
3. Charlevoix
Charlevoix is like the love child of a fairy tale and an architecture textbook.
Famous for its whimsical “mushroom houses” designed by Earl Young, this lakeside town looks like it was dreamed up by hobbits with a flair for mid-century modern.
But it’s not all quirky rooflines and stone walls.
Charlevoix’s beaches are the stuff of pure Michigan magic, and the downtown area is a treasure trove of shops and eateries.
Pro tip: If you don’t gain at least five pounds from fudge consumption, you’re doing Charlevoix wrong.
4. Frankfort
If Norman Rockwell and Ernest Hemingway had a favorite fishing spot, it’d probably be Frankfort.
This pint-sized paradise on Lake Michigan is where you go when you want to remember what “quaint” actually means.
With its lighthouse-dotted shoreline and crystal-clear waters, Frankfort is a postcard come to life.
The local fishing scene is so good, you’ll swear the fish are jumping into boats just to be part of the action.
And don’t even get me started on the sunsets—they’re so stunning, they should come with a warning label for incurable romantics.
5. South Haven
South Haven is like that overachiever in high school who was good at everything—except here, it’s beaches, berries, and boats.
This Lake Michigan gem is famous for its blueberries, which are so plump and sweet, they might just ruin you for all other fruit.
The town’s maritime heritage is on full display at the Michigan Maritime Museum, where you can channel your inner sailor without the risk of scurvy.
And let’s not forget the beaches—they’re so pristine, you’ll be tempted to check if you’ve accidentally wandered onto a movie set.
6. Pentwater
Pentwater is what happens when a Norman Rockwell painting decides to become a real boy.
This tiny village on Lake Michigan is so charming, it makes Disney World look like a gritty reboot.
With its Victorian-era downtown and mom-and-pop shops, Pentwater is like stepping into a time machine set to “idyllic small-town America.”
The beaches here are the stuff of lazy summer dreams, and the local ice cream parlor probably hasn’t changed its recipe since the Eisenhower administration.
Why mess with perfection?
7. Grand Haven
Grand Haven is like that friend who’s always up for a good time, but also knows how to class it up when needed.
This Lake Michigan hotspot is famous for its Musical Fountain—imagine if Las Vegas and a sprinkler system had a really talented baby.
The town’s pier and lighthouse are Instagram gold, but the real magic happens during the Coast Guard Festival.
It’s like Mardi Gras met the Fourth of July, and they decided to throw a party on the beach.
Bring sunscreen and your sense of humor—you’ll need both.
8. Lexington
Lexington is what happens when a quaint harbor town decides it wants to be fancy, but can’t quite let go of its laid-back roots.
Nestled on Lake Huron, this little slice of paradise is known for its impressive marina—because nothing says “I’m on vacation” like gawking at boats you can’t afford.
The downtown area is a charming mix of boutiques, art galleries, and ice cream shops that’ll have you contemplating a career change to “professional vacationer.”
And if you’re into theater, the Lexington Village Theatre brings in acts that’ll make you forget you’re not in the big city.
Who needs Broadway when you’ve got boat-way?
9. New Buffalo
New Buffalo is like the cool cousin Chicago visits when it needs a break from being, well, Chicago.
This Lake Michigan resort town is where Windy City folks come to trade skyscrapers for sand dunes and traffic jams for beach lounging.
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The town’s claim to fame is its casino, because nothing says “relaxing getaway” like the possibility of winning (or losing) your vacation fund.
But the real jackpot is the beach—it’s so gorgeous, you’ll be tempted to start a sand castle empire.
Just remember: Lake Michigan is always colder than you think it is.
Always.
10. Tawas City
Tawas City is the answer to the question, “What if we put a beach town on Lake Huron and made it awesome?”
This little gem on the “Sunrise Side” of Michigan is where you go when you want to see a Great Lake without the great crowds.
The town’s claim to fame is Tawas Point Lighthouse, which stands guard over some of the best bird-watching in the state.
It’s like a all-you-can-tweet buffet for feathered friends.
And if lighthouses aren’t your thing (who are you?), there’s always the downtown area, where you can shop, eat, and pretend you’re in a Hallmark movie about finding love in a small town.
11. St. Joseph
St. Joseph, or “St. Joe” to its friends, is like the popular kid in school who’s actually nice to everyone.
This Lake Michigan resort town has it all: pristine beaches, a charming downtown, and a carousel that’ll make you wish you were a kid again (or at least small enough to ride without judgment).
The town’s Silver Beach is so perfect, it’s almost suspicious.
Are they importing sand from the Caribbean?
And don’t even get me started on the sunsets—they’re so spectacular, they should come with a warning for incurable romantics.
Just be prepared for the occasional Chicagoan who thinks they’ve discovered a secret paradise.
Spoiler alert: The secret’s been out for a while.
12. Petoskey
Petoskey is like that friend who’s effortlessly cool without trying too hard.
This northern Michigan gem on Little Traverse Bay is famous for its Petoskey stones—fossilized coral that looks like someone bedazzled a rock.
It’s nature’s way of saying, “Look how fancy I can be!”
The town’s historic Gaslight District is so charming, you’ll half expect to see horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping down the street.
And let’s not forget the literary connection—Ernest Hemingway spent his summers here, probably alternating between fishing and working on his famous brevity.
Maybe that’s why the local cocktails pack such a punch.
13. Alpena
Alpena is what happens when Mother Nature decides to show off.
Situated on Thunder Bay, this town is part of the “Sanctuary of the Great Lakes,” which sounds like a place where water goes to meditate.
In reality, it’s a haven for shipwrecks, making it a scuba diver’s paradise—or a really elaborate fish condo complex, depending on how you look at it.
The town’s lighthouse, aptly named the “New Presque Isle Lighthouse,” stands tall and proud, probably thinking, “I’m not just new, I’m improved!”
And if lighthouses aren’t your thing (again, who are you?), there’s always the downtown area, where you can enjoy art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants that’ll make you forget you’re in a town named after a Greek letter.
14. St. Ignace
St. Ignace is like the bouncer of the Upper Peninsula—you’ve got to get past it to enter the party.
Situated on the Straits of Mackinac, this town offers views of the mighty Mackinac Bridge that’ll make you feel like you’re in a postcard.
Or an engineering textbook.
Or both.
The town’s claim to fame, besides being the jumping-off point for Mackinac Island, is its pasties.
No, not that kind—we’re talking about meat pies that could double as hand warmers in the UP’s notoriously chilly weather.
Just don’t ask for ketchup unless you want to be labeled a “troll” (UP speak for anyone living under the bridge, aka the Lower Peninsula).
15. Manistee
Manistee is like that person who dresses in vintage clothes but isn’t annoyingly hipster about it.
This Lake Michigan town is a Victorian-era dream, with enough well-preserved architecture to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine.
Just with better plumbing and Wi-Fi.
The Riverwalk is the town’s crown jewel, offering a scenic stroll that’s perfect for working off all the fudge you’ll inevitably consume.
And let’s not forget the beaches—they’re so pristine, you’ll be tempted to check if you’ve accidentally wandered onto a movie set.
Again.
16. Ludington
Ludington is the answer to the question, “What if we took everything great about Michigan and crammed it into one town?”
Situated on Lake Michigan, this place is a smorgasbord of Great Lakes goodness.
The town’s claim to fame is the S.S. Badger, a coal-fired steamship that’s been chugging across Lake Michigan since before your grandparents were born.
It’s like a floating time capsule, minus the stale air and plus a lot of charm.
And if maritime history isn’t your thing, there’s always the beach—Ludington State Park’s shoreline is so gorgeous, it makes other beaches look like sandboxes.
So there you have it, folks—16 slices of Michigan paradise where stress goes to die and relaxation reigns supreme.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a hammock and a view.