The Great Lakes are five lakes with freshwater located on the border of Canada and the United States. Also called the Great Lakes of North America, they consist of Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Being the biggest group of lakes on the Earth, they are visited by tourists all year-round. Very often, however, visitors decide to go to the big, well-known cities surrounding the Lakes, and they bump into crowds and noise. Below are ten serene towns on the shores of the Great Lakes that are the perfect getaway for both water adventure seekers and tranquility lovers.
10 Munising, Michigan
Munising is a small city with a population of approximately 2500. Located in the state of Michigan and on the coast of Lake Superior, it is most visited for the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - a park with numerous things to do, such as enjoying biking and hiking trails, wildlife-watching, and spending time in pristine nature. The cliffs which give the name of the park rise 50 to 200 feet above the water’s surface. Given its dramatic coastline, Munising earns its place as one of the must-visit destinations on the Great Lakes.
Glass-bottomed boat tours are some of the top attractions in the Great Lakes, and Munising is one of the sites where they are available.
9 Cheboygan, Michigan
Another small city in the US state of Michigan, Cheboygan, is rich in history and has extremely beautiful scenic views toward Lake Huron. It is one of the very underrated destinations in Michigan since it has a population of fewer than 5,000 people and landmarks that still haven’t gained attention among tourists. A tranquil beach town, Cheboygan is also home to a remarkable Victorian-style opera house that was built in 1877. It is a fine piece of architecture whose Victorian spirit can be felt completely once inside the building, watching a performance.
For any creative souls that look for peacefulness and solitude even beyond what Cheboygan offers, the Bois Blanc Island nearby is the perfect place to go. In case of wonder what to see there, the island offers some interesting sightseeing sites and beautiful nature.
8 Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky is more well-known than some other cities near the Great Lakes, and it also has a greater population - approximately 25,000. It has been labeled as the best small coastal town in the United States since it is located on the coast of Lake Erie - the most famous lake for shipwreck diving from the Great Lakes. In proximity to Cleveland and Toledo, Sandusky is a perfect destination for a tranquil lake vacation close to a big city.
When in Sandusky, one should visit the amusement park Cedar Point - one of the more popular amusement parks in the United States.
7 Kingston, Ontario
Kingston is located on the shore of Lake Ontario in Canada. With a population of a bit less than 150,000 people, it is not the smallest city one can go to for a lake vacation, but it is one of the most beautiful ones. Another name used for Kingston is the “Limestone City” since it is home to marvelous 19th-century buildings. There are many places for sightseeing there, but one of the most popular activities in Kingston is going on a cruise to the beautiful 1000 islands.
Breakwater park, Arrowhead Beach Park, and Richardson Beach are some of the best lake beaches one can go to in Kingston.
6 Oshawa, Ontario
Another city on the shores of Lake Ontario in Canada, Oshawa is a must-visit place for all lake lovers who are also history enthusiasts. The city is home to two museums - Aeronautical Military and Industrial Museum and the Oshawa Museum. Lakeview Beach Park is a lovely tranquil destination for families and is popular among tourists.
Oshawa is located just one-hour ride from Toronto, making it the perfect small lake city getaway.
5 Copper Harbour, Michigan
For anyone feeling more adventurous and exploratory, Copper Harbour is the right choice. It is a very small and beautiful town but a bit harder to reach since it is only accessible by car. Located in the Keweenaw Peninsula, it is surrounded by Lake Superior. It is the perfect lake getaway for tourists who want peacefulness and a connection with nature. The best part about Copper Harbour is that due to the lower amount of tourists coming there, the prices of everything - from accommodation to kayaking - are more affordable
One of the top things to do in Copper Harbour is to take the ferry to visit Isle Royale National Park, which is famous for its moose and wolf population. This spot is located right next to the Canadian border and lets visitors enjoy the natural haven it holds.
4 Bay Village, Ohio
Bay Village is a serene town on the shore of Lake Erie and is famous for Cleveland Metroparks Huntington Reservation - a large park with a tranquil lakefront, perfect for different types of recreational activities. The city is also home to Lake Erie Nature & Science Center and BAYarts center, which often holds different creative and cultural events. Being not a very busy tourist destination, the Bay Village is a perfect lake getaway from crowds.
The picnic areas high above the beach in Cleveland Metroparks Huntington Reservation have amazing lake views.
3 Tobermory, Ontario
A harbor village on the Bruce Peninsula, Tobermory is an amazing lake escape for nature lovers. Having started to become quite a busy tourist destination, this specific shore of Lake Ontario offers crystal-clear waters, and the area has a history of many shipwrecks. All diving enthusiasts would be thrilled to visit this place since it has been labeled the freshwater scuba diving capital of the world.
For all adventure lovers, hiking the Bruce Trail footpath that finishes in Tobermory is a must-try along the beautiful Niagara Escarpment. It is the oldest marked trail in Canada.
2 East Tawas, Michigan
Located in between Tawas Lake and Lake Huron, East Tawas is a hidden gem lake destination. As seen already, the state of Michigan is the champion for the Great Lakes' serene town destinations since it borders four of the five Great Lakes. As a result, it comes as no surprise that East Tawas is also located on Michigan’s territory. Not so touristy yet still a charming beach town, this place is one of the best destinations for a family vacation. Tawas Point State Park on Tawas Bay is a great place to explore.
East Tawas is located on so-called Michigan’s Sunrise Coast, so waking up to see the sunrise over Lake Huron is a must.
1 Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven is located on the shore of Lake Michigan, and Grand Haven State Park is its selling point. With plenty to do in the Park itself, one can never get bored on vacation in this small, serene lake city. Grand Haven State Park’s beach is labeled to be one of the best in Michigan.
There is also a dog beach here.