2 Michigan Cities Featured as ‘Underrated American Destinations’

Sure, there are big, obvious American vacation destinations to get on your travel bucket list, such as New York City or the Grand Canyon. But, what about those special American cities that are off the radar?

The staff at MSN.com has put together a list of a the most "underrated American destinations," and two Michigan cities made the cut. There are only 31 areas on the list, so Michigan having two is a great showing.

"There are some US destinations, from New York City to Yosemite National Park, that seem to get all the attention," MSN.com states. "But this vast continent and its territories is also rich in places that don't get the recognition they deserve, whether that's because they're harder to reach, are overshadowed by glitzy neighbors, or just haven't been shouted about that much (yet). These are the underrated, less-visited (and typically less crowded) spots around the US perfect for exploring..."

So, which Michigan areas made the cut? Ann Arbor and Isle Royale are on the tally. Regarding Ann Arbor, MSN.com states, "It's home to the University of Michigan, whose Museum of Art has a vast collection from examples of African architecture to Picasso paintings – access has been restricted due to COVID-19 so check for updates. The city also has a growing reputation for great food, showcasing a diverse range of cuisines." For Isle Royale, they states, "There are no cars or hotels but plenty of moose and waterside camping spots (permit required). Isle Royale, which is surrounded by around 450 other islands scattered across Lake Superior, really is about escaping modern life. Hiking trails weave through dense forest and around the ruggedly beautiful shores." I've actually never been to Isle Royale and would love to check it out this season. View the full list of MSN.com's most underrated American destinations here.

Summer is on the way, and that means it's about to be road trip season. I always enjoy driving around during the spring and summer months, discovering new towns around Michigan. Fall is a great time to road trip, too, because of the gorgeous colors. This state has so many beautiful small towns, which make for perfect stops during a long road trip.

So, how small are Michigan's tiniest dwellings? I actually looked up some data from the state of Michigan and discovered that many towns in Michigan have just a few hundred people. That's almost hard to imagine. Some examples are Addison at 597, Akron at 394 and Alba at 295. Now, that's really, really small.

When it comes to Michigan's quaint cities, I always enjoy South Haven. My uncle lives around that area, and I used to go there at lot as a kid. 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 bigger during the summer months, as it's a very popular tourist destination. Just thinking about South Haven's warm, sandy beaches is making me smile. If you head there, don't forget to check out South Haven's trademark red lighthouse.

Of course, South Haven is just the beginning when it comes to great places to visit. Read on for 40 small towns in Michigan that you need to visit this summer for a weekend getaway. You'll also find information on each town below with a link to that town's official website, so you can find more details about the best time to visit and how to get there.

https://www.munising.org/

https://www.travelmarquette.com/

https://www.traversecity.com/

https://www.michigan.org/city/holland

https://saultstemarie.com/

https://www.alpena.mi.us/

https://tawascity.org/

https://www.sjcity.com/

https://www.cityofharborsprings.com/

https://www.escanaba.org/

https://www.frankenmuth.org/

https://www.mackinacisland.org/

https://www.ci.northville.mi.us/

https://villageofontonagon.org/

https://www.michigan.org/city/paradise

https://www.copperharbor.org/

https://www.saugatuck.com/

https://www.southhaven.org/

https://petoskeyarea.com/

https://visitludington.com/

http://www.pentwater.org/

https://www.mytecumseh.org/

http://www.colonmichigan.org/

http://www.cityofboynecity.com/

https://www.michigan.org/city/caseville

https://portaustinarea.com/

https://www.easttawas.com/

https://stignace.com/

https://www.michigan.org/city/suttons-bay

https://www.newberrychamber.net/

http://www.cityofmarshall.com/

https://www.harrisvillemi.org/

https://www.frankfortmich.com/

https://villageofelberta.com/

https://elkrapids.org/

https://www.michigan.org/city/au-gres

https://www.rosecitymich.com/

https://www.gaylordmichigan.net/

https://menominee.us/