Best town along Lake Michigan (in Michigan)

[exgolfpro]

Hey guys, I am already looking to summer of 2024 and thinking about driving up to play Arcadia Bluffs and Harbor Shores GC and possibly Warren Golf Course (Notre Dame) or Dubsdread in Chicago.  Wondering if there are any cool little Lake Michigan towns that have a decent variety of restaurants or cool downtown areas.  My wife will be going along and she does not golf.  But we both enjoy doing foodie type places or walking the waterfront or downtown areas when not golfing.  Looking for a list of 2-3 good lakefront towns that we might try...lets say between Ludington, MI down to Michigan City, Indiana.

[postfold]

Let's see, in that range you have, south to north, New Buffalo, St. Joseph, South Haven, Saugatuck/Douglas, Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Whitehall/Montague and Pentwater.

 

I'd rank Grand Haven, St. Joseph and Holland as good bets.  Of the three St. Joe is the only one directly on Lake Michigan, downtown Grand Haven is walking distance, Holland is on the east end of Lake Macatawa.  All have vibrant, walkable downtowns.  Saugatuck/Douglas is pretty cool as well, though smaller.  Pentwater is smaller still.  I haven't spent enough time in South Haven to give a fair assessment.

[exgolfpro]

Thank you....that is just the sort of thing I was looking for.

[knickerbocker]

Tons of great places to eat and little communities with shops between St. Joseph and New Buffalo on Red Arrow Highway. 

[El Gringo]

New Buffalo is a nice little town on the lake with bars, restaurants and a beach. If you have any pull Dunes Club is in New Buffalo; a cool 9 holer. Otherwise, Grand Beach, a public 9 holer is nearby. Its cheap and cheerful, might work for an emergency 9 if staying in New Buffalo. 

Edited February 26, 2023 by El Gringo

[jcook10]

Just did a couples trip last fall with a golfing buddy and we played Harbor Shores and then spent the weekend in Saugatuck with our non-golfing ladies. It will now be an annual trip as the ladies had a great time driving their own cart and Saugatuck was a blast. Highly recommend the Annex piano bar and Bowdies Chophouse. 

[tim_harris]

I did a similar trip last summer with my wife and 10 year old.  Stayed in Muskegon and while the Air BNB we rented was great I was a little let down by the food options....  maybe I just didn't know where to look.  My son was cool with it though because one night we just ordered pizza and sat out back and enjoyed the sceneary.

 

I would recommend trying to play American Dunes while in the area.  

 

[1puttTUT]

I personally enjoy Pentwater, Ludington and Frankfort

[exgolfpro]

On 2/27/2023 at 8:30 PM, jcook10 said:

Just did a couples trip last fall with a golfing buddy and we played Harbor Shores and then spent the weekend in Saugatuck with our non-golfing ladies. It will now be an annual trip as the ladies had a great time driving their own cart and Saugatuck was a blast. Highly recommend the Annex piano bar and Bowdies Chophouse. 

Nice, thank you for the advice.  Will check Saugatuck out.

[BTee17]

St Joe for sure. Harbor Shores is right there. Lake Michigan Hills is nearby. Some other options within a 30 minute drive. 
 

great beach town on the water with food options and a pretty beach

 

saugatuck is a great town also

[Bubb]

I prefer St. Joe to South Haven and Saugatuck, although they’re all fun. If you stay at the Boulevard Inn, you can walk to 15 or so really nice bars and restaurants and not have to get in your car all weekend. 

[Go_Blue!]

On 3/8/2023 at 8:30 AM, tim_harris said:

I did a similar trip last summer with my wife and 10 year old.  Stayed in Muskegon and while the Air BNB we rented was great I was a little let down by the food options....  maybe I just didn't know where to look.  My son was cool with it though because one night we just ordered pizza and sat out back and enjoyed the sceneary.

 

I would recommend trying to play American Dunes while in the area.  

 

Definitely play American Dunes. Absolutely fabulous and memorable.