Best small town in MI?

Question

Where is the best small town in MI for shopping and beaches?

A tourist town similar to Sagatuck or Marshall.

Answer 1

Hard to say because there are plenty of small towns along both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron (and probably Lake Superior as well although I'm not too familiar with the Upper Peninsula). I'll give you some of the towns along Lake Huron since I know that side of the state much better.
*Lexington, Michigan
*Harbor Beach, Michigan
*Port Austin, Michigan
*Caseville, Michigan
*Tawas/East Tawas Michigan
*Oscoda, Michigan
*Alpena, Michigan
Of course, Lake Michigan has:
*Traverse City, Michigan
*I'll put Mackinac on the Lake Michigan side
*Ludington, Michigan
*Muskegon, Michigan
*Manistee, Michigan

The list can go on and on. I suggest you check out our state website below and research which town/city looks best for you. Feel free to e-mail me if you think I can be of any help.

Answer 2

A ..., shopping and beaches does not equal small town. I grew up 3 1/2 miles outside of Delton (draw a triangle between Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek and then look right in the center of that triangle). Plenty of lakes and unless you were looking for hardware, you'd have to drive into the big city... Try looking at Saugatuck (lower, southwest corner on Lake Michigan. Kind of touristy, but still pretty much small town , beach and shopping.

Answer 3

I would have to agree with Ludington for the beach, it is beautiful...I only lived there 2 months and hated it because there werent enough stores. The beach only lasts so long you should see about living in the city and in the summer renting a cabin in a place like ludington the best of both worlds! I think Mackinac is great also!

www.mackinac.com

http://www.ludington.org/

Answer 4

Mackinaw! The city and the island are a tourist haven and not too expensive. The beaches are rocky and cold but where aren't they?

It is extremely beautiful in the summer, and no cars on the island make it even more special. Be a fudgie!

http://www.mackinac.com/

Answer 5

We love Frankenmuth. They have an enormous outlet mall just outside town. Frankenmuth is very quaint and extremely clean. You are not all that close to a beach, but in Michigan you don't have to drive too far to hit one of the Great Lakes or an inland lake.

Answer 6

Port Huron Michigan.
It's about an hour and a half depending on traffic from Detroit.
They have ALOT of beaches, and a nice mall.
You can go to the website
www.porthuron.org.

Answer 7

WEst Branch - has the Tanger Outlet Mall
Super 8 and Quality Inn within walking distance of the outlet

http://www.michigan.org/travel/detail.asp?p=G7903

the town itself is quaint, and a great bar/grill to go to is @ Clear Lake Bar ( go on the road next to the CVS- go up the hill, follow the signs left )

you can feed the deer at the Game Refuge between St Helen and Clear Lake

Answer 8

Gaylord - great shoppping, nice beaches on nice lakes, beautiful scenery and most of the buildings downtown have a fun alpine theme

Answer 9

Sault ste. marie in the UP has the cutest shops and just down the road is brimley with great waterfront on Lake Superior but go in the hottest part of summer because the water can be frigid.

Answer 10

For beaches my favorites are Traverse city and Caseville. Traverse City also has great shopping and in general is a great vacation spot. I hope this helps!