From the Upper Peninsula to the Lower Peninsula, here are the most quaint and historical bed and breakfasts in Michigan to enjoy on your next restful retreat.

I am slightly obsessed with bed and breakfasts. I love the entire concept of a bed and breakfast—the history of old, beautiful buildings, the opportunity to retreat from the rest of the world to rest, relax, and rejuvenate, and then waking up to a freshly made, bountiful breakfast. It truly doesn’t get any better than that.

Fortunately for me, Michigan offers a host of lovely historical B&Bs throughout the state, some located in charming small towns and others in the big cities. Whether they’re tucked into the woods or dotting the expansive shorelines, these historic Michigan B&Bs can offer romance, rest, or even a really, really good breakfast.

1. Port Austin Bed & Breakfast

• Where: 8526 Lake Street, Port Austin, Michigan
• Average nightly cost: $220
• Amenities: Daily Gourmet three-course breakfast, walkable distance to beach and downtown

My family and I absolutely adore Port Austin—the endless sandy beach is simply one of the best in the state, and the shallow waters are ideal for families, kayaking, and swimming, and the town is charming. Port Austin is one of the few places I truly feel rested, thanks to the fresh air, sparkling blue waters, and the giant ice cream cones downtown, of course.

One destination I’ve had my eye on for quite some time now is the Port Austin Bed and Breakfast. Located just two blocks from the action of downtown, the family-owned B&B is designed as a couple’s retreat in a restored 19th-century Victorian inn. Your couple’s getaway starts with a delicious, locally-sourced, three-course breakfast before you relax on the wrap-around porch, visit the beach, or stroll downtown for the famous Saturday Farmer’s market with over 150 vendors. Owners Lance and Joanne have a long history with Port Austin, so they are happy to host both locals and visitors who might love the area like they do.

2. The Historic Webster House

• Where: 900 5th Street, Bay City, Michigan
• Average nightly cost: $350 for 2 guests
• Amenities: Spa and sauna, couples’ side-by-side massage, aromatherapy, breakfast in bed, complimentary welcome baskets

As an annual visitor to The Historic Webster House, I can’t sing its praises enough. The town of Bay City may seem unassuming for a charming bed and breakfast, but I promise you, it has everything you could want out of a historic B&B. The rooms are lovely and themed, many have jacuzzi tubs big enough for two, and they offer en-suite massages that are hands-down the best massage you will ever have. You can also choose to enjoy breakfast in the historic dining room or have it delivered to your room.

I’ve visited this B&B on my own for what I call my annual “Mom’s Retreat” (translation: I spend a night alone away from the kids and treat myself to a massage, then get some deep work done, like calendar planning or shopping for the kids). I’ve also gone with my husband for our anniversary, and the innkeepers surprised us with a special anniversary cake in our room.

I haven’t stayed in this particular room, but the B&B has one unique accommodation called “The Keep Room“—it makes up the entire lower level of the inn, with stone walls, five rooms, and an attached spa and sauna. The home once belonged to prominent Bay City resident Thomas E. Webster and features decor matching the area’s heyday, along with eclectic highlights like Scalamandre fabrics and Asian-influenced pieces.

3. Wellington Inn Bed & Breakfast

• Where: 230 Wellington Street, Traverse City, Michigan
• Average nightly cost: $360
• Amenities: 24-hour guest kitchen with complimentary refreshments. Homemade breakfast from local, seasonal ingredients

Is it just me, or does the name Wellington Inn sound incredibly historic and regal? It probably sounds that way because it is—the Traverse City B&B is a 1905 Neoclassical mansion built by one of the area’s first lumber barons and magnificently restored to its original grandeur. It features authentic historic touches, like original built-in bookcases in the library, a turn-of-the-century dining room, and nine guest rooms decorated with 19th-century pieces.

In addition to the nine guest rooms, there are also two two-bedroom Carrige House apartments available for extended stay guests. The Carriage House was originally a stable for the family’s horses and ponies, then used to store their extensive automobile collection, and then converted into elegant apartments. Breakfast is not included when you stay in the Carriage House, but it can be added to your reservation for an additional charge.

4. Big Bay Point Lighthouse

• Where: 4674 County Rd KCB, Big Bay, Michigan
• Average nightly cost: $299
• Amenities: Breakfast Trays available, spa packages, massages, views over Lake Superior, Big Bay Lighthouse Tours available

If you’ve ever wanted to sleep in a lighthouse, you have the chance at the Big Bay Point Lighthouse, located 25 miles north of Marquette. It’s “Up North,” even for Up North, but the drive is worth it for the sunset views over Lake Superior, the truly tranquil environment you’ll find on the over 40 acres of woods, and a stay in one of the most unique and historic B&Bs in all of Michigan.

The B&B was a working lighthouse on the cliffs of Lake Superior for more than a century, guiding mariners home. In 1941, the Lighthouse was automated, and then further converted into a bed and breakfast in 1986. The B&B is open seasonally, May 10 through November 5, and features five guest rooms, all with private baths. Guests can climb all the way up to the lighthouse lantern, 125 feet above the lake’s surface, to take in the view and enjoy experiences like spa packages at the nearby Serenity Massage Hut, or visit Vango’s, Marquette’s oldest pizza parlor. Lighthouse keeper and inn owner Nick Korstad is even the president of the American Lighthouse Foundation.

5. Montague Inn

• Where: 1581 S Washington Ave, Saginaw, Michigan
• Average nightly cost: $110
• Amenities: Luxurious Jacuzzi tub in some rooms, each room curated for comfort with historic charm

This 1930s Georgian-style mansion, erected during the Great Depression, has a fascinating backstory that history buffs will enjoy. The mansion was built for Saginaw businessman Robert Montague and his family, wife Edwina, and their two children, Mary Sage and Robert. Mr. Montague developed a formula for turning an ingredient from sugar beets into hand soap and lotion, with great success. He constructed his 12,00 square-foot mansion at the height of the Great Depression, when it took two years and cost $125,000 to build—equivalent to roughly $2.3 million today.

The home was one of two mansions the family owned (they summered farther up north), and Mrs. Montague transformed it into a makeshift hospital of sorts during WWII, taking in injured soldiers arriving from Potter Street Station and caring for them until they were well enough to move on. Due to bandage rationing during the war, she had to be secretive about bandaging the soldiers and often snuck them in. Her secrets didn’t end with the war, however—the mansion also had secret rooms in the library that were used to smuggle liquor during Prohibition.

You can now explore those secret quarters as a guest in one of the 17 rooms of the historic B&B, including ones that once housed the mansion’s gardener, maid, and chauffeur. All weekend stays include a continental breakfast, with a hot breakfast available on weekends only. The B&B also offers many specials throughout the year, like a third night free for January-March bookings and a Valentine’s Day package with wine and chocolates.

6. Saravilla Bed & Breakfast

• Where: 633 N. State Street, Alma, Michigan
• Average nightly cost: $250
• Amenities: Spa bath in some rooms, public areas include a 1200 square-foot ballroom, a billiard room, a 24-hour guest kitchen with coffee and tea, a library, a parlor, a wraparound front porch, and decks

Standing tall as a physical demonstration of a father’s love for his daughter, the 11,000 square-foot Saravilla B&B in Alma, Michigan, is said to have been built as a summer home to entice local Sara Wright Lancashire to stay near her father after she married a physician. Her father, wealthy lumberman Ammi Wright, had five children, but Sara was the only one who lived to adulthood, so you can’t really blame the man for wanting to keep her close. His ploy worked—Sara and her husband moved into the mansion (which Ammi dubbed a “modest home,” for the record) in 1895, and she named the home Saraville after herself. The Dutch Colonial mansion was constructed in 1894 and has now operated as a B&B for 30 years.

Unusual for its time, Wright had the mansion constructed with indoor plumbing and electricity, along with many grand features, like a 1,200-square-foot ballroom, seven bedrooms, and seven fireplaces. The loving father even had five gargoyle faces installed in the main living room’s fireplace, representing Sara and her four deceased siblings. Each face features a different expression, said to have matched each child’s personality. Nearly all of the woodwork in the mansion is sourced from Michigan, aside from the library, which features Black Birch shipped straight from France.

Today, you can stay in the room that was once Sara’s bedroom (now called the Lancashire bedroom), which features the original hardwood floor. The B&B is located within walking distance of Alma College and the town’s downtown district, as well as other attractions like nearby Soaring Eagle Casino.

7. The Lamplighter

• Where: 602 E Ludington Ave, Ludington, Michigan
• Average nightly cost: $200
• Amenities: Spa services, Traditional Finnish Sauna, Fireside Dining Experiences, Gold Ludington Stay & Play Packages, Fishing Charters & Coastline Tours

The Lamplighter Bed & Breakfast is an 1894 Queen Anne Victorian built by Dr. George W. Crosby. The house changed hands several times, beginning with Dr. Crosby’s divorce. Some of the owners of the home have included the city mayor, State Senator Charles E. Cartier, and local surgeon Dr. Frederick William Heysett. Before becoming a bed and breakfast, the building housed several different businesses, including operating as a Secretary of State headquarters, a dentist’s office, a beauty parlor, and a real estate office.

Today, the B&B is operated by Dan and Jen, who live on-site with their two young sons. Jen is the master baker of the property, so you can thank her for the freshly-baked cookies guests can enjoy every day, along with the locally-sourced two-course breakfasts. The property is located only one mile from the Lake Michigan shoreline, and Dan and Jen offer many special packages throughout the year, such as spa, golf, and fishing charters, or a cozy cookie and cocoa package that sounds divine for a Michigan fall night in. (And, speaking of—the B&B is open year-round and makes the perfect place to come back to and curl up next to the fire after a day of snow in Northern Michigan!)

8. Hanson House

• Where: 604 Peninsular Ave, Grayling, Michigan
• Average nightly cost: $165
• Amenities: Grand dining room, multiple sitting rooms for guest use, including the grand dining room, and a meal voucher program

The Hanson House is located in Grayling, Michigan, a town founded on timber, so it’s only fitting that the mansion was constructed by a local lumber baron in 1890 to serve as his family home. The four-guest room B&B is a Victorian Era home that features nods to its history, such as a grand dining room and many sitting rooms decorated in full Victorian splendor.

Stay in the B&B and enjoy nearby towns such as Charlevoix, Petoskey, Traverse City, or Mackinaw. The inn also offers a unique meal program, with meal vouchers you can use to enjoy breakfast or dinner at local restaurants during your stay.

9. Kalamazoo House

• Where: 447 West South Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Average nightly cost: $225
• Amenities: Spa services, room service options available, add-ons such as a gourmet charcuterie box, two-course breakfast, infrared sauna sessions, whole house rental options, access to a dining room, parlor, bar, and porches

Built in 1878 for David and Amelia Lilienfeld and their two children, the Kalamazoo House stands as a beautiful example of Victorian architecture, with Italianate and Eastlake influences and a steadfast piece of Kalamazoo history. The building was saved from destruction in 1985 and has continued serving visitors ever since.

If you enjoy history, you’ll love that the bed and breakfast features authentic pieces, like the original crystal and pewter chandelier in the parlor and the sweeping architecture in each of the eight guest rooms. The B&B is located within walking distance of downtown Kalamazoo and includes free parking and a two-course breakfast every day. I’d definitely recommend checking out the package with Air Zoo tickets if you’re looking for something fun to do in town—the Air Zoo is so much fun, especially if you have kids in tow or are an aircraft enthusiast.

10. Applesauce Inn

• Where: 7296 Michigan 88, Bellaire, Michigan
• Average nightly cost: $225
• Amenities: In-room massage, Guest High Tea with reservations, Weekly Wednesday Luncheons open to the public, and some rooms include sitting areas

As its name may suggest, Applesauce Inn is a bed and breakfast focused on encouraging guests to enjoy all things nature-related. First up? Its location near the Chain of Lakes, a picturesque 75-mile-long waterway comprised of 14 lakes and connecting rivers, provides endless opportunities to enjoy the water. Next, it’s the countless outdoor activities guests can partake in, including skiing, biking, hiking, birdwatching, and fishing.

The inn is open all year round and offers an outdoor pergola and cozy fire pit to match the season of your stay. The inn is a restored 1900s farmhouse with authentic historic details, like vintage quilts and original woodwork. You can also enjoy a hearty farmhouse-fresh breakfast every morning, included in your stay. (Please thank the free-range backyard chickens if you like your eggs.)

11. The Lilley Mansion

• Where: 113 S. Division St, Spring Lake, Michigan
• Average nightly cost: $315-$498
• Amenities: Complete concierge service

Another lumber baron’s home (we’re sensing a theme of big-spending lumber businessmen in Michigan back in the day), the 1876 mansion located in downtown Spring Lake is a luxury bed and breakfast offering private events, house events, or just a retreat for business or personal travel. The inn has four guest rooms, a concierge service available for registered guests, add-on packages, and a full breakfast served every day at 9 a.m. in the dining room.  The Lilley Mansion’s current owner is Patrick Roggenbau, a German-born artist, equestrian, and chef for the bed and breakfast, who curates the mansion’s many events and meals with passion and a detail-oriented eye for excellence.