15 “Pleasant” Michigan Towns That are Sure to Put a Smile on Your Face
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From idyllic small towns to serene lakeside communities, these “pleasant” sounding places offer more than just a name – they’re some of Michigan’s most charmingly named towns, and their pleasant names are just the beginning of their appeal.
Whether you’re looking for a fun new day trip destination or you’re just looking to explore your local area, these “pleasant” Michigan towns will leave a big smile on your face.
Bliss Township
Nestled within Emmet County in Northwest Michigan, Bliss Township is best known as the home of Wilderness State Park and the White Shoal Light.
White Shoal Light is the tallest lighthouse (121 feet) on the Great Lakes and remains an active aid to navigation 20 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge.
Wilderness State Park encompasses more than 10,000 acres, including more than 25 miles of shoreline, dense forested dunes, hiking trails, wetlands, and more. The park supports a wide range of wildlife and four lighthouses (including White Shoal) sit within the western boundary of the park.
Blissfield
This village within Lenawee County near Michigan’s southern border offers a quaint and historic atmosphere, attracting visitors with its friendly community and welcoming ambiance.
Blissfield, Michigan, offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors. The Blissfield Murder Mystery Train offers a fun change of pace with a delicious meal and an interactive murder mystery aboard a moving train.
Do Art Here in downtown Blissfield combines an art gallery and a creative studio for a fun space that’s perfect for art classes or group get-togethers.
Additionally, the village is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities.
Gladstone
Situated in the southern Upper Peninsula, Gladstone is often called the “Year Round Playground” because of its variety of activities and parks. Escanaba is just 15 minutes away, offering even more to do.
Golf Enthusiasts can play a round at the Gladstone Golf Course, which includes multiple holes that cross over water. Van Cleve Park is the perfect spot for kids and includes a playground known as Kid’s Kingdom and a boardwalk, a waterslide, a skateboarding park, and more. John & Melissa Besse Sports Park has skiing and snowboarding runs in the winter, a tubing area, and baseball fields.
The Days River Natural Trail is a popular outdoor destination offering a scenic and moderately challenging hiking experience. It spans approximately nearly 10 miles and is suitable for hikers of different skill levels.
Gladwin
Nestled in Mid-Michigan, visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions and activities.
Residents and visitors alike can wander through the tranquil Stone Cottage Gardens, relaxing in the shade, exploring a grand stone cottage, and basking in tranquility. Visitors can also learn about local history at the Gladwin County Historical Society Museum or enjoy a hand-crafted hard cider at Merry-Hearted Cidery.
The Fruitful Orchard and Cider Mill also offers a delightful experience for those interested in local produce and cider tasting and the Gladwin Farmer’s Market is the perfect place to find unexpected treasures.
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the Trail of Two Cities, which connects Gladwin and Beaverton.
Good Hart
Good Hart is an unincorporated community within Readmond Township on the shores of Lake Michigan named for a former Ojibwe leader. Travelers can get there via M-119, less than 15 miles north of Harbor Springs.
Travelers looking for things to do near Good Hart don’t have to travel far. The famed Tunnel of Trees is less than 10 minutes south and Nubs Knob Ski Resort is less than half an hour away.
To the north, Good Hart is within two hours of Mackinaw City, Petoskey, and Traverse City offering a plethora of options for eager travelers.
Goodland Township
Situated squarely in Michigan’s thumb in Lapeer County, Goodland Township is home to the historic Younge Site and is less than an hour from Port Huron.
The Younge Site is an archaeological site that’s been designated as a Michigan historical site. The site sits on a plain about a mile long and has been the site of several excavations. Artifacts recovered from the site include pottery and tools and plant and animal remains have been discovered as well.
Goodrich
This small village in the shadow of Flint is less than three square miles, but is the perfect distance from both Metro Detroit and Flint, offering plenty of options for people itching to travel.
Flint is a beautiful city with plenty to do and the city features everything from boutique shops and museums to restaurants and entertainment venues.
One of the best outdoor activities in Flint is exploring the Flint River Trail. This scenic 11-mile path is perfect for hiking, walking, and even biking, and rentals are available through the Flint Bike Share Program.
Goodwell Township
Goodwell Township is a civil township in Newaygo County north of Grand Rapids. As a spot that’s south of Cadillac and north of Grand Rapids, travelers looking for day trips can experience the best of Northern Michigan and West Michigan.
Grand Rapids, Beer City USA is home to breweries with tasty, award-winning brews. It’s also a four-season wonderland, with outdoor dining opportunities in the winter, a historic orchard and winery to visit in the fall, and numerous unique museums to visit any time.
Cadillac is a paradise in Northern Michigan, especially in the fall. It’s a fall hotspot for leaf peeping and this city on the lakes offers fantastic views in all directions. It’s a fun family-friendly spot brimming with outdoor attractions, restaurants, and much more.
Joyfield Township
This civil township in Benzie County sits near the Lake Michigan shoreline and close to Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Known as Michigan’s Serene Coast, Sleeping Bear Dunes is one of the state’s most peaceful places and the towering dunes are awe-inspiring to visitors of all ages. The unique landscape allows visitors to explore a place unlike anywhere else in Michigan.
Traverse City, the Cherry Capital of Michigan, is a perfect place to visit any time of year. It’s a town filled with delicious restaurants, family-friendly activities, scenic views of Grand Traverse City, and fun events like the National Cherry Festival.
Mount Pleasant
Centrally located in the Lower Peninsula in Isabella County, Mount Pleasant is a college town that’s always brimming with activity, yet retains a sense of rural charm.
From the massive Soaring Eagle Casino to the bustling campus of Central Michigan University to pristine public parks, Mount Pleasant offers something for everyone.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy more than 1,000 acres of parkland and more than a dozen natural preserve areas, offering plenty of space to soak in Michigan’s beauty.
The Ziibiwing Center is one of many great indoor activities in Mount Pleasant. This local treasure is an engaging museum that celebrates the contributions and culture of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and other Great Lakes tribes.
Paradise
This unincorporated community in Chippewa County is small but close to many important points in Michigan. It’s the main point-of-entry to Whitefish Point and sits just 55 miles north of the Mackinac Bridge.
Additionally, Paradise is considered a getaway to Tahquamenon Falls, which is one of Michigan’s most scenic spots. Paradise is also within an hour’s drive of Oswald Bear Ranch in Newberry. This unique Upper Peninsula destination allows visitors to see North American Black Bears and remains a local favorite.
Pleasant Lake
Pleasant Lake is an unincorporated community in Jackson County that sits north of Jackson.
From fun ice cream shops and Instagram-worthy murals to a historic downtown and the popular Cascades, Jackson has something for visitors of all ages.
Pleasant Lake is also less than 45 minutes from Lansing and Michigan International Speedway, making it an ideal spot to cast off for a fun-filled day trip to see a NASCAR race or explore Michigan’s capital city.
Pleasant Plains Township
Pleasant Plains Township is located in Lake County and includes Baldwin among its communities. Its location makes it perfect for day trips to the Lake Michigan shoreline to towns like Ludington or farther inland to Cadillac.
Near Baldwin, there are numerous outdoor activities and attractions to explore. Visitors can enjoy fishing, canoeing, and kayaking in the scenic surroundings. The Shrine of the Pines and Lake County Historical Museum offer opportunities to delve into the area’s history and culture.
Pleasant Ridge
Nestled within Oakland County, Pleasant Ridge is the fifth smallest city in Michigan by land area. It features two residential historic districts – Pleasant Ridge East Historic District and Pleasant Ridge Historic District – listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Pleasant Ridge is a hop, skip, and a jump from the Detroit Zoo and less than a half hour from Detroit, so Metro Detroit travelers have lots of options to choose from.
Pleasant Valley
Michigan is home to four different places with the name Pleasant Valley.
- Pleasant Valley is a community within Echo Township in Antrim County.
- Pleasant Valley was once a rural post office within Berrien County from 1870 to 1874.
- Brighton Township in Livingston County once had Pleasant Valley as a rural post office in the southeast portion of the township. It operated from 1837 to 1852.
- Pleasant Valley is an unincorporated community in the western part of Jasper Township in Midland County.
Visit One of Michigan’s Happiest Cities Today
Whether you’re already cheerful or seeking a pick-me-up destination, the happiest towns in Michigan are fun and unique, giving residents and visitors alike a reason to smile.
While many of these pleasant places are too small to explore much on their own, they’re close enough to bigger cities to take quick day trips to explore more of what makes Michigan great.