10 Michigan Front Porches That Could Be Featured In Southern Living
When you think of stunning front porches, the South might come to mind first. But Michigan has some hidden gems that would make any Southern Living editor do a double-take! From Victorian beauties in Mackinac Island to cozy lakeside retreats in Harbor Springs, the Great Lakes State boasts porches with both charm and character. Let me walk you through some Michigan porches that could easily grace the pages of America’s favorite Southern home magazine.
1. Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel Porch
You haven’t seen a porch until you’ve seen this behemoth! Stretching nearly 660 feet, the Grand Hotel’s front porch isn’t just impressive: it’s the world’s longest. I practically needed a map the first time I visited.
Horse-drawn carriages drop guests off at this magnificent white-columned marvel where rocking chairs beckon you to sit a spell. The views of the Straits of Mackinac are absolutely breathtaking, especially at sunset when the water sparkles like diamonds.
Fun fact: This porch has welcomed five U.S. presidents and countless celebrities since 1887!
2. Victorian Charm in Bay View
Tucked away in Petoskey’s Bay View Association, these gingerbread-trimmed porches transport you straight to 1875. My jaw dropped when I first wandered through this historic neighborhood of 440 Victorian cottages.
Candy-colored homes boast wraparound porches adorned with intricate lattice work, hanging ferns, and porch swings that sway gently in the Lake Michigan breeze. The residents have preserved every spindle and scrollwork detail with loving care.
Each summer, families gather on these porches just as their great-grandparents did, keeping Michigan’s cottage tradition alive.
3. The Stone Chalet’s Alpine-Inspired Veranda
Who says Michigan can’t do mountain lodge vibes? Ann Arbor’s Stone Chalet B&B sports a porch that makes me want to yodel from the rooftops! Built in 1917 with locally quarried fieldstone, this rustic beauty stands out in a sea of collegiate architecture.
Massive timber beams frame the covered porch where Adirondack chairs invite guests to linger with morning coffee or evening wine. The stone pillars and wooden railings give it that perfect blend of rugged elegance that would make any Southern Living photographer scramble for their camera.
During autumn, surrounded by Michigan’s fiery foliage, this porch becomes pure magic.
4. Lakeside Luxury in Harbor Springs
Money whispers along the porches of Harbor Springs’ Lake Michigan shoreline. I’ve spent hours driving slowly past these waterfront mansions, imagining life on their picture-perfect porches.
One particular showstopper features a wraparound porch with marine-blue decking, crisp white railings, and nautical brass lighting fixtures. Oversized wicker furniture with navy and white striped cushions completes the coastal-chic look that would make even the most discerning Southern decorator swoon.
The unobstructed sunset views from this porch are worth every penny of the property’s multi-million dollar price tag.
5. Frankenmuth’s Bavarian-Inspired Balconies
Willkommen to Michigan’s Little Bavaria! Frankenmuth’s shops and restaurants sport some of the most photographed porches in the Midwest. The town’s signature alpine architecture includes second-story balcony porches adorned with flower boxes that explode with geraniums.
My favorite belongs to the Bavarian Inn, where hand-painted details and intricate woodwork create a storybook setting. The covered balcony porch overlooks the bustling main street, offering the perfect perch for people-watching while enjoying a pretzel and beer.
During Christmas, these porches transform into twinkling wonderlands that would make any Southern Living holiday issue complete.
6. Detroit’s Historic Boston-Edison District Porches
Motor City moguls knew how to build a proper porch! The Boston-Edison Historic District houses over 900 homes, many featuring porches that showcase Detroit’s early 20th-century prosperity. I spend at least one weekend each summer touring these architectural treasures.
My heart belongs to a particular Tudor Revival with a covered stone porch featuring arched entryways, leaded glass windows, and original tile flooring. The current owners have furnished it with period-appropriate wicker and potted palms that transport visitors straight back to the 1920s.
Henry Ford himself would approve of how these porches continue to serve as neighborhood gathering spots.
7. Painted Lady Porch in Saugatuck
Saugatuck’s artsy vibe extends right onto its porches! One particularly fabulous Victorian “painted lady” sports a porch that’s as colorful as a summer garden. The homeowner, a local artist, has transformed every inch into a three-dimensional canvas.
Teal, purple, and golden yellow details highlight the ornate woodwork, while mismatched vintage furniture creates cozy conversation nooks. Stained glass wind chimes and metal sculptures hang from the ceiling, tinkling in the breeze off Lake Michigan.
Southern Living editors would flip for this porch’s fearless use of color and artistic expression: it’s pure Michigan creativity at its finest!
8. Copper Harbor’s Rustic Woodland Retreat
Way up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where cell service goes to die, sits a porch that celebrates the state’s rugged wilderness. I stumbled upon this gem during a fall color tour and nearly drove off the road!
Built from locally harvested cedar logs with stunning Lake Superior stone accents, this porch blends seamlessly into its forested surroundings. A hammock swings between two support beams, while Adirondack chairs crafted from birch branches face the water.
The owners leave blankets in a copper wash tub for chilly evenings when the Northern Lights dance above; Southern comfort with a distinctly northern Michigan twist.
9. Marshall’s Honolulu House Museum Veranda
Tropical paradise in the Midwest? You betcha! Marshall’s Honolulu House boasts a porch that would make Southern Living editors do a double-take. Built in 1860 by a former U.S. consul to Hawaii, this architectural oddity features the most unexpected porch in Michigan.
Towering palm-inspired columns support a sweeping veranda with intricate tropical-themed fretwork. The ceiling is painted sky blue with gold stars, mimicking Hawaiian nights. Rattan furniture and potted palms complete the tropical illusion.
Standing on this porch, sipping lemonade on a July afternoon, you’d swear you were in the South Pacific; or at least somewhere much farther south than Michigan!
10. Charlevoix’s Mushroom Houses Fairytale Entrance
Earl Young’s famous “mushroom houses” in Charlevoix feature the most whimsical porches I’ve ever seen! These storybook cottages look like they’ve sprouted straight from the pages of Tolkien, with undulating stone walls and roof lines that mimic waves on nearby Lake Michigan.
My favorite porch resembles the entrance to a hobbit home, with a curved cedar shingled roof, stone archway, and built-in stone benches. Copper lanterns cast a warm glow on the uniquely shaped stonework, creating a magical atmosphere at dusk.
Southern Living might focus on traditional porches, but this Michigan gem would certainly earn a special feature for its fantastical charm!
