2025 Best of Blue Awards

Our first-ever readers’ favorites poll takes us to all corners of the Great Lakes State, showcasing everything from top festivals to popular lighthouses and who builds the prettiest cottages.

Michigan Blue Staff

September 12, 2025

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Best of Blue Header — Photos in this Article Courtesy of Traverse City Tourism, Pure Michigan, Chateau Chantal, Visit Muskegon, Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau and Joseph Tiano

(left)
• Southeast, Pentamere Winery, Tecumseh
• Southwest, Modales, Fennville
• North Chateau Chantal, Traverse City
• Upper Peninsula, Mackinaw Trail Winery & Brewery, Manistique

BEST VACATION TOWN

• Southeast, Detroit
• Southwest, Saugatuck/Douglas
• North, Harbor Springs
• Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island

“A favorite thing to do in the summer is find a seat at Jazz at Sunset at Chateau Chantal (in Traverse City). On Thursdays you can sip some of Michigan’s bestwine while tapping to the tunes of world-class jazz musicians.” — Mike Kent, public relations manager,
Traverse City Tourism

Don’t miss the Tulip Time festival, which will color Holland in an assortment of astounding shades May 1-10, 2026.

• Southeast, Detroit Jazz Festival, Detroit
• Southwest, Tulip Time, Holland
• North, Venetian Fest, Charlevoix
• Upper Peninsula, Lilac Festival, Mackinac Island

Best Light House — The New Presque Isle Light, in Presque Isle Township on Lake Huron, has the tallest lighthouse tower on the Great Lakes accessible by the public.

(left) • Southeast, Fort Gratiot, Port Huron
• Southwest, Big Red, Holland
• North, Old and New Presque Isle Lighthouses, Presque Isle Township (Alpena)
• Upper Peninsula, Crisp Point, Newberry

BEST ART GALLERY

• Statewide, J.Petter Galleries, Saugatuck

• Southeast, Shepherd’s Hollow, Clarkston
• Southwest, Harbor Shores, Benton Harbor
• North, Arcadia Bluffs, Arcadia (left)

BEST BOATING TOWN

• Statewide, Harbor Springs

“Everything is top-notch at Arcadia Bluffs in Arcadia,starting with the clubhouse. The course is built on a beautiful piece of property. Several holes offer great views of Lake Michigan.” —Greg Labadie, avid golfer and owner, Midwest Cabinet & Counter, Madison Heights

(left) • Southeast, Bridge to Bay Trail, Port Huron
• Southwest, Van Buren Trail State Park, South Haven
• North, North Central State Trail, Gaylord to Mackinaw City
• Upper Peninsula, Iron Ore Heritage Trail, Iron County and beyond

BEST DINING/ENTERTAINMENT TOWN

• Statewide, Traverse City

Best Swimming Beach — Oval Beach, in Saugatuck, was named one of Trip Advisor’s “Best of the Best U.S. Beaches” for 2025.

(left)
• Statewide Oval Beach, Saugatuck

BEST DISTILLERY

• Statewide, Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City

BEST ALLERGY-FRIENDLY EATERY

• Statewide, Alcona Brew Haus, Harrisville

BEST BAKERY

• Statewide, Mackinaw Bakery, Mackinaw City

“It’s best to go to the Mackinaw Bakery in Mackinaw City early in the day because they sell out of a lot of their yummy baked goods early — but they also make great breakfast sandwiches and have teas and coffee. Everyone must make it a point to go when in the area.” — Karla Wolfe, business analyst/artist and Carp Lake resident

Muskegon Deck — Enjoy a delicious barbecue or just drinks with a beautiful view of Lake Michigan at The Deck in Muskegon.

“There’s nothing like a Lake Michigan sunset seen from Oval Beach (in Saugatuck). It’s like being on the ocean but the sunsets are better, as every one is unique and magical with the seasons. Throughout the years, I’ve photographed and framed them.” — Kevin Serba, interior designer, Birmingham, and Saugatuck cottage owner

Best Happy Hour and Outdoor Dining — The Pink Pony, located in the Chippewa Hotel on Mackinac Island, is a huge draw for diners, overnight guests, and those who just want to stop in for a drink and a great Straits of Mackinac view. A favorite concoction is the delicious Yachter’s Painkiller, which blends rum, cream of coconut, orange juice, pineapple juice, and a dash of nutmeg.

“I’ve been going to the Pink Pony on Mackinac Island for 36 years. I love to sip a drink while enjoying the great views of the water and listening to live music. The Pony is always casual, vibrant, and fun!” — Patti Witte, artist/avid traveler and Northville resident

(left) • Southeast, Moceri Companies, Auburn Hills
• Southwest, Mike Schaap Builders, Holland
• North, Cottage Company of Harbor Springs, Harbor Springs
• Upper Peninsula, Ray Halberg Construction, St. Ignace

BEST MARINA/YACHT CLUB

• Statewide, Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, Macatawa

“We’ve worked with Cottage Company on three of our cottages in Harbor Springs. Each one needed to be extensively remodeled. Working with the team on all projects has been nothing short of exceptional; their professionalism and commitment to excellence are
truly commendable. They always have professional attitudes and manage to have fun while working on the projects.”
— Lisa and Marty S., cottage owners, Harbor Springs

Best Dog Friendly Beach — Statewide, Zoll Street Beach, Harbor, Springs

“Zoll Street Beach, right on Lake Michigan in Harbor Springs, tucked along the Harbor Springs lakeshore, is the only dog-friendly beach in the area. It’s got an incredibly friendly vibe and it’s a great place to meet other dogs and dog owners. Dogs are welcome to roam and swim off-leash but it’s not a fenced-in area, so I recommend that owners only let their dogs off-leash if they’re confident in their dog’s reliable response to name recall/voice commands. There are convenient amenities for pet parents at the beach — a grassy picnic area with tables, a rinse-off water spigot, and waste stations to keep the beach clean.” — Sarah Wiese, marketing and communications director, Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau,
and Petoskey resident

Best Sunset — Statewide, Oval Beach, Saugatuck

BEST LANDSCAPE DESIGN

• Southeast, Zaremba & Co., Pontiac
• Southwest, Creative Landscaping & Design, St. Joseph
• North, Silvia & Sons, Harbor Springs
• Upper Peninsula, Jack Barnwell Design, Mackinac, Island and beyond

BEST BEACHTOWN BAR

• Statewide, The Deck, Muskegon

BEST INLAND LAKE FOR FISHING

• Southeast, Lake St. Clair, Macomb County
• Southwest, Gull Lake, Kalamazoo and Barry counties
• North, Torch Lake, Antrim and Kalkaska counties
• Upper Peninsula, Lake Gogebic, Gogebic and, Ontonagon counties