[Rapunzll]

Traverse City is wonderful, but you might also want to check out Elk Rapids, Leland, Suttons Bay and Glen Arbor.

[deslok]

Try downtown St Joesph Michigan for quaint, on the water. You will also find the people are very friendly, and not at all judgmental.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by suydam

I will second Holland as a must-see.
The homes around Hope College are absolutely gorgeous.
The downtown is one of my favorites in Michigan and you have water nearby too.

Saugatuck is high on my list for many of the same reasons.

Grand Haven too has its share of really pretty victorian homes, a great little downtown and incomparable views of Lake Michigan.

You could string all three of those towns into a weekend (stay in Holland as your home base) and never run out of fun stuff to look at.

If the lakeshore's not your thing I think Rockford and East Grand Rapids might also be of interest to you. Rockford has a great downtown for strolling, right on a nice river. I'm not sure you'll find the same caliber of homes right in town that you'd find in the Lakeshore towns listed above (admittedly Im not that familiar with the housing stock right in the city of Rockford). East Grand Rapids has a nice little downtown (no antique shops, but nice places to eat and a few little boutiques) situated along Reeds Lake and the streets southwest of downtown have more stately architecture than the Victorian style, but if you're into historic homes, a stroll down Cambridge should make you happy (just don't check the price tags).

Based on your description, I'd high-tail it to the Lakeshore though. Saugatuck, Holland, Grand Haven should be a perfect fit for you.

That sounds great. Is there a nice place to camp int hat area?

thanks

[Constitutionally Speaking]

Originally Posted by billybob1050

I will be traveling thru Michigan in a few weeks and am interested in visiting nice, high-quality, quaint small towns. Charming small towns with historic downtowns, maybe some antique shops and boutiques, nice architecture, Victorian homes, that kind of atmosphere. On previous trips, I enjoyed Mackinac Island, Marshall, Frankenmuth, Petoskey and Traverse City. If any viewers out there know of more of these types of towns, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much for your recommendations.

Manistee and Saugatuck would be good choices.

[darstar]

The west Michigan markets ,especially near the Lake , and SW . , are influenced by the trends in Chicago. There some very nice spots , that will see values come down, depending how things go , in northern Illinois.

[Bearcat]

St.Joseph has been my second home for years, I only wish I can find a job in that area
in I.T. that pays well enough to move there from Lebanon Ohio.

Second choice would be Portage Michigan.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by darstar

The west Michigan markets ,especially near the Lake , and SW . , are influenced by the trends in Chicago. There some very nice spots , that will see values come down, depending how things go , in northern Illinois.

I think (s)he is just visiting and likes to appreciate the homes.
At least that's how I read the initial post.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

That sounds great. Is there a nice place to camp int hat area?

thanks

State parks are alcohol-free ... that bothers some people, so I just lead with that in case you're envisioning a case of beer with your campfire.

I'd say Holland State Park would be a nice fit. It's not within walking distance of the town, but it's right on the beach, which is awfully nice:
Holland State Park Detail

Grand Haven State Park is also on the beach and within walking distance of downtown, so you might like that more... it depends on how you're camping. There is almost no shade at this park. Grand Haven State Park Detail

[darstar]

Originally Posted by suydam

I think (s)he is just visiting and likes to appreciate the homes.
At least that's how I read the initial post.

I am a HE , by the way......and , 6 years living in SW Michigan , could be considered " visiting " , I guess. I left the area , when the house I restored was finished , sold , then , moved to the place I had always wanted to live , the Northern Tier......The Edge......Upper Michigan.

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

Originally Posted by suydam

State parks are alcohol-free ... that bothers some people, so I just lead with that in case you're envisioning a case of beer with your campfire.

i'm 98% sure that they are not alcohol free...i used to work at a state park and i've camped in state parks-not alcohol free when i aws there....some have restrictions about what you can have on the beach-but your campsite is your campsite as long as it is legal.........just look at the state parks website of where you are going