Michigan's Inviting Village On The Banks Of Lake Huron Has Exceptional Eats And Downtown Charm

Bordered by Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior, the state of Michigan has tons of coastline to be explored. And one of the best ways to do this is to stay in a charming lakeside village and take in the views. While some of the most popular travel locations in Michigan are up in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula of the state near Mackinaw Island, if you want to get a little off the beaten path and have a quieter vacation, head over to Michigan's Sunrise Coast that borders Lake Huron. One inviting village on the banks of Lake Huron that is a great place to start is Sebewaing (pronounced See-ba-wing).

Located only around 40 minutes from Bay City with its historic downtown and cozy cafes and around two hours from Detroit (which happens to have one of the world's tallest brick buildings), Sebewaing is also easier to reach for out-of-state travelers than many of the other lakeside towns in Michigan, like Ossineke, which sits on Lake Huron's Sunrise Coast and is known for its beautiful beaches and famed dinosaurs. Plus, the town also has plenty of fun things to do from downtown stores to exceptional food. 

As a town with a population of less than 2,000 people, Sebewaing doesn't have much in terms of hotels. However, there is one motel and a few vacation rentals available. If you are up for a more rustic adventure, you can also book a campsite at Sebewaing County Park, which has both tent sites and RV sites available. The park is also within walking distance of the town, has a few hiking trails, and even a fishing dock on the lake.

Downtown Sebewaing is a treasure trove of quiet charm and gastronomic delight. A quaint and charming area, this is the ideal place to spend a day exploring. Mast's Coffee offers guests to the village everything from the best breakfast sandwiches and bagels to the fanciest mochas and macchiatos right from their historic river district location. And if you like their caffeinated products, you can even buy their specialty beans sourced from South and Central America that are roasted in Michigan. For shopping, check out Cornerstone Venture which is just a few feet away from Mast's Coffee. This is a one-stop-shop for everything peculiar in selection, ranging from antiques and lures to candy and ice cream.

Once you are done exploring, you may be hungry. For a quick bite, you can make your way over to the Lamplighter. The Lamplighter provides a no-frills, good-food only energy with signature classics like its burger and stromboli. A recent customer at the restaurant stated on Google that the Lamplighter was "An absolute gem ... The service was fast and friendly. My friend and I already discussed making the hour drive back in the future for lunch dates! I would give 10 stars if I could." For a sweet treat afterwards, check out the nearby Sebewaing Dairy Barn, which offers not just sweet treats like shakes and sundaes but also savory mainstays like chicken nuggets and burgers. For a few drinks in the evening, head to the north side of town to Beeters Brew Pub where you can sit and sip on margaritas with their popular snacks like mini corn dogs, hot pork rinds, and a grilled cheeseburger.

Located on Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron, Sebewaing has access to lots of nature. First, if you'd like to get out on the second-largest Great Lake, head to Sebewaing Harbor Marina. Located just a 10-minute walk from downtown, this marina is the perfect place to go to catch a fishing charter. The area is a renowned spot for walleye. You can't rent boats here, but you can launch your own boat. If you'd like to rent a boat or kayak you can go to Bay City Boat Rental in nearby Bay City.

There are other outdoor activities you could partake in during your time in Sebewaing. Fish Point State Wildlife Reserve is a good place to start. Located on Saginaw Bay, this massive acreage of land offers excellent vantage points from which to see the migratory patterns of birds. If you're into hunting, Canada geese, ducks, and pheasants are the main species that will interest you here. If you're not a hunter, though, you can always choose to rely on fishing, hiking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking to while the time in this sublime space of land. Head north and you can also check out the Sand Point Nature Preserve. This area is also home to some pretty trails suitable for children and adults from which to take in the Great Outdoors and enjoy time birding.