Michigan's Charming Village Near Detroit Offers Friendly Vibes, A Walkable Downtown, And Tasty Eats

From the smallest of its provinces to its lively metropolis, Michigan is home to some of the most exciting getaways, including beer-brewing towns and music-filled hamlets. Spend a day exploring Detroit and you will know the variety this working-class industrial city is capable of, from Greek food and culture nested in one of its entertainment districts, to the mesmerizing floating paradise of Belle Isle park, with its museum and abandoned zoo. But you don't have to stick with the big city if you're after a unique urban escape. For example, if you are attracted to Michigan's wilder side, the place to go is the lustrous lakeside of Marquette, a small city filled with hiking, sailing, and enchanting Upper Peninsula outdoors.

Another great alternative to Motor City is its suburban playground. Living up to a name that's sure to conjure a romantic feel, the village of Romeo is just north of Detroit and boasts a walkable downtown with delicious eats to be found on every corner. This friendly municipality is known for its preserved historic center and tree-lined streets and great seasonal happenings. The local community organizes plenty of events year-round, including the Romeo Peach Festival with its thrilling fireworks during summertime, and a one-of-a-kind Halloween celebration packed with Victoriana to brighten up the winter.

Just 40 miles — about an hour — north of Detroit, Romeo is within easy reach both on public transport and by driving. If you are planning to fly, it's served by both an international and regional airport, so take your pick between Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Oakland County Airport, about 35 miles from the village.

Whether you are in the mood for a day out from Detroit or exploring the undiscovered marvels of Southeastern Michigan, Romeo is worth a stop in your itinerary. The foundations of the village date back to the 1820s, and you can still see its 19th-century bones perfectly preserved in the historic downtown spanning 38 blocks. Stroll around downtown Romeo, and you will see beautiful Victorian and period homes that have stood since the early days of the town's once-burgeoning lumbering industry. At the height of its golden age, around the 1840s, the village was also home to the largest branch of the University of Michigan.

Start your itinerary taking in the sights on Main Street, from historic buildings to charming boutiques . Housed in a Gothic-style building, MJC Marketplace is the shop to scout vintage finds and memorabilia. Walk to Town Hall Antiques just across the road to check it out, before strolling for about 5 minutes to Old World Nouveau. Both are great spots to look for second-hand, unique bargains. If you want to stop for a quick bites, it's worth looping back to where you started and heading across the road to traditional-style Four Corners Diner. Two minutes' walk away is another Romeo gem worth a stop: RDJ Gallery, which is an emporium of contemporary international art spanning from urban landscapes to magical renditions right on Main Street.

Romeo was also involved in anti-slavery and women's rights campaigns throughout the 1800s, and was a key stop on the Underground Railway. You can take a self-guided tour to discover its rich Civil Rights history and learn about its NAACP chapter. And it starts on Church Street, mere minutes away from the patch you have just walked.

You could spend the entire day wandering through the historic Main Street of Romeo, exploring its historic houses — from the Italianate-style George Washington Brabb House to the sweeping Victorian Gothic Israel Park House of the late 1880s. The richness of this Northern Detroit enclave is sure to make you hungry, and luckily, you are in the right place to find amazing bites.

For a taste of Italy, head to family-run trattoria Buon Appetito in central West Lafayette, just a handful of minutes' walk south of Main Street's attractions. Equally conveniently located, The Office Pub and Cookery has fed Romeo families and hungry visitors classics, including steaks, soups, and burgers since 1980. If you fancy a quiet table in a cozy eatery, Rustic Bluebird, with its unmissable blue facade brightening up North Main St, is the place to be. And it serves not one, but six different types of mac 'n' cheese. 

If you want to see Romeo come alive, make sure you plan your visit around one of its seasonal festivals. To see the turreted Tillson Street filled with extravagant Halloween decorations and spooktacular displays, visit toward the end of October to catch the popular (and free) Terror on Tillson Street event, organized by local homeowners and suitable for families. If carving pumpkins is not your idea of a perfect weekend, but tucking into peach cobbler and sipping peach juice is, head to Romeo for its annual Peach Festival on Labor Day. This fun-for-the-family event features orchard tours, craft stalls, and Carnival rides — as well as its very own fireworks show.