Located right at the tip of the thumb, Port Austin has the perfect location for watching both the sunrise and the sunset over Lake Huron. Great for those who love the outdoors, Port Austin has many hiking trails nearby, including the distinct and gorgeous Turnip Rock. The small downtown has shops, cafes, and a beach.

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Ludington has two lighthouses to visit, plus a ton of antique shops and galleries. And if you want to go to Wisconsin, the car ferry takes off from here.

We love a good lighthouse, and there's a good one here in Tawas Bay. Built in 1876, the Tawas Point Light stands tall next to its distinct red structure. This area offers lots for fans of the outdoors, as the Au Sable River meets Lake Huron. There's also plenty of shops and antique stores to browse through the area.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes offer some of the most spectacular winter vistas in all of Michigan. The little town of Glen Arbor along M-22—which has plenty of restaurants, shops, and galleries—is a great place to stay during your visit.

This sweet little town on the Lake Michigan shoreline is right by Lake Leelanau. Hop on a ferry here to visit either North or South Manitou Island. Stroll around Fishtown, shop the quaint downtown, and make sure to sip on some Leelanau County wine.

Old Mission Peninsula isn't really a town per se, but we recommend visiting the 19-mile long, 3-mile wide peninsula for its beautiful views of the bay and the wineries.

Right across Little Traverse Bay from Petoskey is the smaller town of Harbor Springs. Like many of these places, there’s an adorable downtown area and all kinds of outdoor activities. It’s also a great jumping off point to drive through the Tunnel of Trees or ski at Nub’s Nob.

We have to add the charming Mackinac Island to our list. Ditch the car for a day or two, ride the ferry over, get a bike and some fudge and stop to smell the lilacs. Toursity? Of course! But in the winter, it’s much less so.

Can a town called Paradise live up to its name? If you love big lakes, big waterfalls, shipwrecks, and fishing, then yes. Paradise is a good place to stay if you're going to see Tahquamenon Falls. Visit the Shipwreck Museum to learn more about the Edmund Fitzgerald while you're there.

Munising is where you'll go if you plan on exploring Pictured Rocks. From here, you can hop on a tour boat, see some shipwrecks and waterfalls, and plan your hikes. But there’s also more to do in town than in years past.

The biggest city in the U.P. is also pretty dang charming. Home of Northern Michigan University, it’s got a bit of a college and hipster vibe, which means solid bars and restaurants. But of course there’s plenty to do outdoors as well, including hiking around the 323-acres Presque Isle Park designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted or skiing at Marquette Mountain.

All the way in the Keweenaw Peninsula, there’s a surprising amount to do in Houghton if you’re willing to make the drive. There’s great beer in town and old mines to explore nearby. It’s also a common jumping off point to do some serious backpacking or snowmobiling. The town also hosts its annual Winter Carnival which showcases spectacular ice sculptures.