10 Charming River Towns In Michigan To Visit This Spring

You better believe the cities and towns in Michigan are blessed for being in such close proximity to picturesque bodies of water. We’ve got tons of lakeshore access and that means endless summers at the beach.

Of course, we can’t overlook the many riverside places that often sit right in between the vastness of a Great Lake and the tributary. Here, we take a look at some such towns and cities and get all the feels because come spring and summer, we know where we’ll be spending our free time.

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Situated alongside the Saginaw River in Mid Michigan, Bay City is known for quaint specialty shops and eateries, all set in 19th-century architecture.

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Detroit has its namesake Detroit River to thank for even becoming a place. It serves as a major route for international shipping, and it's just a great place to walk nearby on a warm spring day.

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There's no denying that the Flint River has been getting a bad rep lately, no thanks to the bungles of government officials. But it's also true that this body of water has served as an important resource for establishing this Rust Belt town.

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The Grand River sets up GR's beautiful skyline and we're thankful for that.

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Down river from Detroit is the island township of Grosse Ile, known for its tiny airport and for watching the freight ships pass by.

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Ludington has that perfect mix of being situated right along the opening of the Pere Marquette river and lake into Lake Michigan. So. Much. Water.

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Alongside the Indian River and the mouth of Lake Superior, you can take a stroll along the Manistique Boardwalk, explore the Fayette Historic State Park, or lose yourself at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge.

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The Clinton River runs smack in the middle of this suburban town, giving ample opportunity to dock a small boat or go fishing.

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Muskegon's got the Muskegon River and Lake right at its doorstep, thus offering plenty of recreation opportunities.

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Another city right along Lake Michigan, it also has a vibrant riverside, thanks to the Kalamazoo River that runs through it.

We sure are lucky to have these valuable resources right at our fingertips. Living close to a river offers both economic and recreational opportunities that we really shouldn’t take for granted. Tell us, where are some of your favorite riverside towns in Michigan?