101 Best Outdoor Towns

101 Best Outdoor Towns: Unspoiled Places to Visit, Live & Play
by Sarah Tuff and Greg Melville, 2007.

The authors of this book picked small towns from across the country to create their dream list of outdoor towns. Three are in Michigan, one close to Kalamazoo.

Saugatuck, Michigan
population: 1,040

"For nearly a century, Midwestern artists have flocked to Saugatuck to be inspired by its dunes, magnificent white beach, and pastoral surrounding countryside."
They recommend visiting Oval Beach & Mount Baldhead, biking 25 miles to Holland, Mi, hiking or skiing Saugatuck Dunes State Park, skiing Allegan State Game area, and fishing the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan.
Action:
fishing, road biking, hiking, cross-country skiing.
Dining:
Kalico Kitchen Restaurant 312 Ferry St, Douglas (breakfast served all day),
Uncommon Grounds 127 Hoffman St. (coffee),
Saugatuck Drug Store 201 Butler St (soda fountain),
Wally's Bar & Grill 1228 Hoffman St (margaritas, fresh perch)
Boathouse of Saugatuck 449 Water St (happy hour, Mexican & American food)
Gear:
Big Lake Outfitters 640 Water St (canoes & bike rentals, fishing supplies)
Running Rivers, Inc. Wade's Bayou Memorial Park, Douglas (kayak rentals)

Cadillac, Michigan
population 10,167

"For a place that shares its name with a famous car brand, Cadillac sure is foot-power friendly."
They recommend the Mackenzie Pathway and the Cadillac Pathway for x-country skiing and mountain biking, a 26 mile stretch of the North Country Trail, the 100-mile White Pine Rail Trail, and the 7 mile bike path around Lake Cadillac. Fly fishing the Manistee River.
Action:
Mountain biking, cross-country & downhill skiing, fishing
Dining
World Perk Internet Café 5936 East M-55 (espresso)
Terrace Room Restaurant 7880 Mackinaw Trail (Breakfast buffet on Sundays)
Maggie's Tavern 523 North Mitchell (family restaurant)
Lakeside Charlies 301 South Mitchell Dr. (pub)
Hermann's European Café 214 North Mitchell (chef's creations, pastries)

Petoskey, Michigan
population 6,198

"Michigan probably isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think of romantic beachside sunsets, but after a clear evening in Petoskey, it might be."
They recommend biking the lakeshore trail that connects to the 29 mile Little Traverse Wheelway; hiking in Petoskey State Park or on the North Country Trail, looking for Petoskey stones (fossilized coral); fishing local lakes or the Bear River; skiing Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands, or Nub's Nob; and enjoying the plants and wildlife at Thorne Swift Nature Preserve.
Action:
hiking, paddling, fishing, road biking, cross-country & downhill skiing
Dining:
Horizon books 319 East Mitchell (coffee)
City Park Grill 432 East Lake St (steak)
Mitchell Street Pub and Café 426 East Mitchell St (pub burger)
Gear:
Bearcub Outfitters 321 E. Lake St. (camp, hike)
Bahnhof Ski Shops 1300 Bay View Drive (ski, kayak)
Bear River Canoe Livery 2517 McDougall Rd (canoe)

This book is available from Barnes & Noble or perhaps at your local library