LENAWEE CO. — A new national survey finds three Michigan Main Streets rank among the country’s most drive-worthy Christmas shopping destinations.
The survey of 3,004 shoppers looked at how far people are willing to travel for festive, small-town holiday shopping. Results show 77% of respondents would drive to another town purely for the Christmas atmosphere, favoring charm and tradition over convenience.
In Michigan, Main Street in Frankenmuth ranked highest, with shoppers willing to travel an average of 3 hours and 40 minutes. Butler Street in Saugatuck and Main Street in Harbor Springs also earned spots, drawing visitors for their seasonal décor, independent shops, and holiday events.
Nationally, the most travel-worthy Christmas shopping streets were led by destinations in New Hampshire and North Dakota, where shoppers reported driving 5 hours or more for the experience.
Overall, respondents said holiday atmosphere, food and drink options, and locally owned shops mattered more than proximity. The findings suggest small-town Main Streets continue to outperform big-box malls when it comes to Christmas shopping traditions.