Four Michigan Favorites Vying To Be Named Best Small Town in the Midwest – Which One Has Your Vote?
A new round of 10Best.com Reader’s Choice Polls seek to find the best small towns in American, and we once again are well-represented with Michigan finalist. There are Michigan locations in the running for Best Small Town Food Scene, Best Small Town Cultural Scene, Best Historic Small Town (2 finalists), and four finalists for Best Small Town in the Midwest. Grand Haven, Mackinac Island, Colon, and Saugatuck need the help of voters now through the end of March as they battle other small towns in Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio.
Grand Haven is known for its sandy beaches on Lake Michigan, its musical fountain, the iconic red lighthouses at Grand Haven State Park, and the annual Coast Guard Festival. Downtown you will find restaurants and shops that are loved by locals as well as visitors, and parks and historical attractions are plentiful. The 2.5 mile paved walking path and boardwalk runs from Harbor Island all the way out to the lighthouse with beautiful views along the way. You can vote for Grand Haven once per day, now through March 30th.
Colon is a village in St. Joseph County with a population of around 1,200 but it has a rich history. Known as the “Magic Capital of the World,” it was home to magician Harry Blackstone, Sr. and the Abbott Magic Company. An annual magic get-together brings in hundreds of visitors, and outdoor recreation opportunities are plentiful at Sturgeon Lake and Palmer Lake nearby. Downtown is home to dining options like the Magic Capital Grille and Dawn’s Cafe. As of this writing, Colon was 18th out of 20 finalists and you can vote once per day now through March 30th to help them move up that leaderboard.
Mackinac Island is a finalist for Best Small Town in the Midwest as well as Best Historic Small Town, and is no stranger to being a finalist in these polls thanks to its Victorian charm. A favorite summer destination for those in Michigan and beyond, it is a car-free island known for its world famous fudge, natural formations like Arch Rock and Sugarloaf, historic attractions like Fort Mackinac and the Grand Hotel, and a downtown full of shops and restaurants. You can vote for Mackinac Island (currently in 9th place) once per day now through March 30th.
Saugatuck is the fourth and final Michigan finalist for Best Small Town in the Midwest. Like Mackinac Island, it is no stranger to these polls as 10best.com seems very aware of the sandy beaches, vibrant art scene, and popular restaurants that draw visitors here every year. Relax at Oval Beach, take a hike at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, or stroll past the galleries and restaurants near the waterfront downtown as you enjoy everything Saugatuck has to offer. You can vote for Saugatuck (currently in 7th place) once per day now through March 30th.
It is great to see so much love for Michigan in this year’s search for the Best Small Town in the Midwest. While we’ve seen Grand Haven, Mackinac Island, and Saugatuck pop up in these contests frequently, it’s great to see a place like Colon get some recognition as well. Be sure to vote in this contest as well as in the Best Historic Small Town (Mackinac Island, Ludington), Best Small Town Cultural Scene (Marquette), and Best Small Town Food Scene (Traverse City) polls.