Between Fort Wayne And Lansing Is Michigan's Affordable Lakeside City With A Walkable Downtown

Michigan has no shortage of small-town gems. With 3,288 miles of waterfront on four of the Great Lakes (according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy), Michigan also has no shortage of charming lakeside cities. There's the well-known Traverse City, pure paradise for beach-loving shoppers, or the under-the-radar Marquette, a small Michigan city on Lake Superior's shores with hidden waterfall hikes. And while the Great Lakes naturally get a lot of attention, with their sugar-sand beaches and postcard-perfect marinas, Michigan also has 11,000 inland lakes that tuck up against small cities. These are home to leafy branches in lakefront parks, docks for family fishing sessions, and promenades with tables to enjoy a summer sunset by the lake. Coldwater, Michigan, is one of those cities.

Centrally located between Lansing to the north and Fort Wayne, Indiana, to the south (and Detroit to the east and Chicago to the west), Coldwater is a historic, thriving city of just under 14,000, according to Census Reporter, and one of the fastest-growing communities in the entire state. Part of that is undoubtedly due to its affordability — the Economic Research Institute says Coldwater's cost of living is significantly lower than the national and Michigan averages (18% and 11%, respectively). It's also highly liveable. Located among a chain of inland lakes, the walkable downtown hosts year-round community events, and the outdoor fun on the water or in scenic parks doesn't stop when the Michigan winter arrives; it adapts.

Take an action-packed summer vacation with the family, a winter ice fishing trip, or a weekend escape for time by the quiet lake. Check out the boutique shops, the high-quality eats, or come for a festival. There's something for everyone in Coldwater, and many reasons it's a lakeside Michigan city on the come up.

For accommodation, Coldwater has plenty of hotel options for a range of budgets, but staying in a lakeside campground is a lovely option as well, like Waffle Farms Campground, Angel Cove Park, Woodland Oaks Campground, and more. Narrows Pontoon and Cabin Rental is another option for a rustic stay near the water. No matter where you sleep, one of the aspects that makes Coldwater truly stand out is its walkability.

The city received 82 of 100 on Walk Score for its walkability, and its downtown city blocks are chock-full of places to shop, dine, and take in some art. In historic central Coldwater, it's easy to grab coffee and breakfast from the lovable 50s-style Jeannie's Diner, and then wander down Chicago Street, crisscrossing back and forth, popping into The Museum Gallery for a unique gift, a trendy second-hand crewneck from Good Better Best Shop, or something from a local artist at Short's Front Porch gift shop. Grab lunch from one of the many restaurants on the main drag, like pizza at Broadway Grille or tacos at El Cerrito, or take something to go and picnic in one of the city's many parks.

In the evening, stop at the famous Capri Drive-in Theater, one of the last remaining drive-ins in the entire state of Michigan, and ranked as one of the best in the nation by The New York Times. The historic Tibbits Opera House is another place to drift back in time. Built in 1882, the opera house hosts professional summer productions, local community plays, magic shows, and concerts. Downtown also features a designated social district centered around Chicago and Monroe Streets, where people can casually stop by participating restaurants and bars, enjoying the warmth and summery tree-lined streets.

Naturally, much of the action in the area centers around the 14-mile string of lakes and channels next to the city and in greater Branch County. Rent a boat to spend a day on the water, take the family to a watery playground at The Aqua Pit, cruise the shoreline on a paddleboard, or just lie on a towel at the Memorial Park beach with a good book and picnic basket. Any season in Coldwater is defined by the lake and spending time outdoors, but life in this walkable city is also about the community events.

In summer, the parks host a free concert series called Entertainment Under the Stars. Come late June, there's the Strawberry Fest & Craft Show, with sunshine, shortcake, live music, and 200 craft vendors selling their unique goods. Then, when harvest season rolls around in the fall, downtown lights back up again with Apple Fest, featuring a distinctly autumn vibe and a wide variety of food.

The family fun and cultural events continue when the days shorten, the parks are blanketed in snow, and a layer of ice builds across the lake. Coldwater is blessed to have preserved its history, not only with its drive-in theater and historic opera house, but also with the local steam locomotive, Little River Railroad. It hosts different themed rides throughout the year, and in December, there's the Christmas Express, with snowy rail rides and Santa on board. In late January, the town hosts the WinterFest, which offers dog-sledding, downhill sled races, and horse-drawn carriage rides, with free hot cocoa to warm the hands. No matter the season, it's easy to find a reason to visit the lakeside city of Coldwater.