Charlevoix, Michigan

This small town has what must surely be the longest flowerbeds on the planet. They line both sides of US 31, from the north to south boundaries of town. Horticultural Heaven Highway would be an appropriate name for this thoroughfare. As if this wasn't enough, flower baskets and planters also appear inside and outside many of the town's shops, and along numerous sidewalks and street curbs. Call me paranoid if you want, but this could be a conspiracy – all these flowers could soon start sprouting pods like Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Don't say you weren't warned. The town is situated between Lake Michigan and the western end of Lake Charlevoix, which drains into Lake Michigan through the Round Lake/Pine River complex in the heart of downtown. The Charlevoix South Pier Light Station marks the opening of the channel into Lake Michigan. Every drop of this water may be needed to quench the thirst of those damn flowers.
Charlevoix is named after Pierre François Xavier de Charlevoix, a French explorer who travelled the Great Lakes and was said to have stayed the night on Fisherman's Island one night during a harsh storm. Charlevoix bills itself as "Charlevoix the Beautiful" on its promotional literature and on municipal signs around the town. This moniker was also the name of a book by prominent local "stone house" architect Earl Young. Annual festivals in Charlevoix include the Venetian festival, the Apple Festival and the Waterfront Art Fair. It is the county seat of Charlevoix County. EARNS OUR HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.