Who doesn’t love to stroll through the parks, shops, restaurants and bars along our beloved small-town main streets? These are the top 10 go-to downtown cruises in Northern Michigan, according to our readers!

River Street // Elk Rapids
This mini-vacay of a street accesses a fabulous marina, fun shops and eateries, a bridge over a river that leads to an island (and the cutest library ever), and a first-class park on Lake Michigan.

Main Street // Frankfort
This street is studded with a brewery, surf shop, boutiques, eateries and a theater, and it runs parallel with the lovely Betsie Lake, and it ends at one of the most beautiful beaches on Lake Michigan. It’s enough to make other Main Streets green with envy.

St. Joseph Street // Suttons Bay
With its brightly painted Victorian storefronts peeking across to the Suttons Bay Marina, this main drag is simply irresistible.

Explore the best of the best as voted on by 15,349 people who absolutely love Up North.

Main Street // Leland
Browse the shops and galleries then stand on the bridge and look down the Leland River, over the dam (channel the calming white noise of rushing water) and on to picturesque Fishtown. Say aaahhhhhh.

Ludington Avenue // Ludington
Sweet shops, eateries, Victorian homes—classic Americana lives here!

Lake Street // Petoskey
The rockstar businesses of the Gaslight District (Grandpa Shorter’s, Beard’s Brewery, American Spoon …) share curb appeal with classic Midwestern Victorian homes. A street to fall in love with.

Bridge Street // Bellaire
This pretty street with its Victorian buildings and bridge over Intermediate River deserves its own cheering section. Thanks for taking that on, Short’s Brewing.

Bridge Street // Charlevoix
Water on two sides, a drawbridge in the middle, whimsical stone buildings, eclectic eateries and businesses (including a maple syrup shop!) and a waterside park. Charlevoix, our Charlevoix!

Main Street // Harbor Springs
An enchanted street of 19th-century storefronts, shops, eateries and galleries with Little Traverse Bay winking in the back.

Photo(s) by Tess Crowley