USA TODAY 10Best
Best Midwestern Small Town: Grand Marais, Minn.
Best Midwestern Small Town (2017)
The Midwestern United States — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin — are home to thousands of quaint communities and small towns. USA TODAY 10Best enlisted the help of local experts to nominate their 20 favorites, all with populations of less than 10,000 (according to the latest census data).
For the past four weeks, our readers have been voting daily for their favorites, and the votes have been counted.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Midwestern Small Town are as follows:
- Weston - Missouri
- Nebraska City - Nebraska
- Granville - Ohio
- Saugatuck - Michigan
- Nashville - Indiana
- Shipshewana - Indiana
- Chagrin Falls - Ohio
- Lanesboro - Minnesota
- Charlevoix - Michigan
- Grand Marais - Minnesota
Photo courtesy of Missouri Division of Tourism
No. 10:
Weston, a popular day trip destination from Kansas City, packs a big cultural punch for such a small town. Visitors can sip wine at Pirtle Winery, tour Green Dirt Farm or dive into the town's history at the Weston Historical Museum or train depot, home to an interesting Lewis and Clark exhibit. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy nearby Weston Bend State Park.
Photo courtesy of Nebraska Tourism
No. 9:
A former trading post and departure point for western exploration during the pioneer days, Nebraska City is a popular destination for apple picking in the fall. Aside from its nearby orchards, the town also boasts a historic downtown area filled with boutiques and antique stores, a few history museums and access to the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor's Center.
No. 8:
Founded in 1805, the picturesque college town of Granville was first settled by New Englanders, and it shows in the town's 19th century architecture. One of the most striking examples is the Buxton Inn, opened in 1812 and in operation ever since. Vintage stores, art galleries and cute-as-a-button cafes add to the small town appeal.
Photo courtesy of iStock, Getty Images
No. 7:
One of the most popular resort towns on Michigan's Gold Coast, Saugatuck is known for its B&Bs, art galleries and stunning Lake Michigan shore. This small town's charms include a 19th century downtown area brimming with shopping opportunities and chic cafes and easy access to the dunes and beaches of the nearby state parks.
Photo courtesy of Brown County
No. 6:
Art galleries, historic homes and a calendar full of festivals (nearly 40 spread throughout the year) make Nashville, Indiana a favorite small town getaway in the Midwest. In this former artists community, visitors will find everything from paintings to hand-thrown ceramics, as well as live theater, musicals and ample opportunity for outdoor adventure in surrounding Brown County.
Photo courtesy of Tysto / Wikimedia Commons
No. 5:
Buggy rides, flea markets, antique shopping ... these are among the many draws of Shipshewana in the heart of Indiana's Amish Country. Turn-of-the-century storefronts house art galleries, bakeries, craft shops, furniture workshops and restaurants serving hometown Amish dishes. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays May through September, the Midwest's largest flea market brims with locally made artisan items. Those curious to learn more about the surrounding communities can do so at Menno-Hof, a museum dedicated to Amish and Mennonites.
Photo courtesy of Wendy Soucie / Flickr
No. 4:
Located about 40 minutes from Downtown Cleveland, the small town of Chagrin Falls gets its name from the natural waterfalls in the center of its historic downtown. The shopping scene is a big draw; Franklin and Main Streets are lined with antique shops, art galleries and boutiques, and Gamekeeper's restaurant offers some of the best patio dining in the Cleveland area.
Photo courtesy of Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons
No. 3:
Located in Southern Minnesota on the Root River Bike Trail, the town of Lanesboro offers a wide range of experiences, from outdoor adventures like fishing, hiking and canoeing to cultural attractions like art galleries, historic architecture and the chance to tour the surrounding Amish country. Numerous B&Bs offer a place to stay during longer getaways, and the town's Commonweal Theatre frequently stages live productions.
Photo courtesy of Visit Charlevoix
No. 2:
Vacationers looking for an Up North escape love Charlevoix for its beautiful lake beaches, historic architecture and boutique shopping. Castle Farms, the town's most famous attraction, was built in 1918 as a working dairy farm. Today, it's a popular place to go for a scenic stroll. Visitors to the town can also tour Earl Young's Mushroom Houses or visit Beaver Island, the largest island on Lake Michigan.
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
No. 1:
Situated at the end of Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Drive, the town of Grand Marais charms with its art galleries, quirky restaurants, local shops and diverse lodging. While there's plenty to do in town (it's home to one of the nation's best art colonies), this harbor village also serves as a gateway to outdoor adventure in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Expert Lisa Schwarz (St. Cloud Times) and our team of 10Best Local Experts were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of Midwestern travel.
Additional nominees for the title of Best Midwestern Small Town included Bayfield, Wis.; Cottonwood Falls, Kan.; Elkhart Lake, Wis.; Galena, Ill.; Hermann, Mo.; Hot Springs, S.D.; Medora, N.D.; Mount Vernon, Iowa; Parkville, Mo. and Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Congratulations to all our winning small towns!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
10Best Local Experts
10Best Local Experts provide users with original,... Read More
10Best Local Experts provide users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. No business pays to be listed. Our Local Experts are well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields - and their cities - but discriminating in their tastes. These local experts live in the city they write about, with constantly updated content.
10Best Local Experts
10Best Local Experts provide users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. No business pays to be listed. Our Local Experts are well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields - and their cities - but discriminating in their tastes. These local experts live in the city they write about, with constantly updated content.
Lisa Schwarz
By day, Lisa Schwarz is a Gannett news director... Read More
By day, Lisa Schwarz is a Gannett news director for the St. Cloud Times. By night, the former travel editor plans her next passport stamp or a road trip to one of the great places in her beloved flyover country.
Lisa Schwarz
By day, Lisa Schwarz is a Gannett news director for the St. Cloud Times. By night, the former travel editor plans her next passport stamp or a road trip to one of the great places in her beloved flyover country.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
