Happy Thanksgiving. This week I am thankful for the walkable little downtowns up and down the shore.
Each one has its own feel, and part of the fun of staying here is picking a different one every day. These are my favorites. Some are lively, some are sleepy, and all of them are easy to walk in an afternoon.
Why this blog? Hi, I'm Katie. My family and I run Mitten Rentals, and I have been hosting vacation rentals for more than ten years (Superhost since 2015). This is where I share the places I send our own guests along the West Michigan lakeshore.
READ: 6 Gifts That Taste Like the Lakeshore
The Best Downtowns on the Lakeshore
1) 8th Street, Holland
Brick sidewalks, local restaurants and shops, and heated streets that keep the snow away in winter.
This is the downtown I would pick for a winter weekend. You can wander from shop to shop without worrying about slush.
Holland's downtown is great for a full afternoon. Shop for a while, stop for a coffee, then stay for dinner. Here's a tip: look down when it snows. The bare brick sidewalks next to snowy side streets are a fun thing to see in person.
2) Butler Street, Saugatuck
Galleries, boutiques and patios a block from the river.
Go in the afternoon, poke into a few galleries, then walk down to the water before dinner.
Saugatuck is at its best when you slow down. Skip the plan and just wander. The galleries are a big part of why this town feels the way it does, and the patios are made for a long lunch in warm weather.
3) Center Street, Douglas
Saugatuck's quieter neighbor, with coffee, antiques and a small town feel.
If Butler Street feels too busy, this is where I would slow down.
Douglas is right next door to Saugatuck, so it is easy to do both in one day. I like it for a calm morning coffee and a slow look through the antique shops before the afternoon gets going.
READ: How to Pick the Right Lakeshore Town for Your Group
4) Phoenix Street, South Haven
Ice cream, shops and a short walk to the harbor and the beach.
It is easy to spend a whole afternoon here and end up at the water for sunset.
South Haven's downtown is the one I would pick for a summer evening with kids. Ice cream in hand, a stroll past the shops, then down to the water. It is a simple plan that always works.
5) Washington Avenue, Grand Haven
Downtown leads straight to the boardwalk and the pier.
Grab a coffee, walk the shops, and keep going until you hit the lake. That is the best way to do Grand Haven.
The best part of Grand Haven is how the downtown and the lake connect. You can go from a shop on Washington to the sand without getting back in the car. Bring a jacket, because it is breezier by the water.
Personally, I think the best trip here mixes a couple of these. Do coffee in one town, dinner in another, and you get a real sense of the whole shore. Every one of these streets is walkable, so park once and explore on foot.
Most of our homes are a short drive from at least one of these downtowns. Holland Home Retreat, Saugatuck Cabin, South Haven Cottage and West Olive Cottage are all good places to start.