(WWJ) — ‘Tis the season for holiday shopping.
While big box stores and online retailers seem to get all the buzz with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there are still plenty of old-school “main street” holiday shopping scenes across the country.
Present.com says while expansion of online shopping and large malls in the suburbs has “led to a significant decline in popularity,” there are still “hidden gem” traditional main streets dotted all over the country.
The publication recently carried out a survey to determine the country’s best main streets — whether they're actually called that or not — when it comes to Christmas shopping, and it turns out five of the best are right here in Michigan.
Most Michiganders would all but render the list incomplete if it didn’t include a certain city — where it’s “always Christmastime,” as detailed in a Daily J episode — but Frankenmuth’s Main Street came in at No. 29.
“Known as ‘Michigan’s Little Bavaria,’ Frankenmuth’s Main Street offers holiday delights with German-themed shops, decorations, and a festive Christmas market,” the publication wrote.
Frankenmuth has quite the reputation for its Christmas obsession and Bronner’s is a year-round destination for many looking to find decorations.
Butler Street in Saugatuck came in at No. 55 on the list, with Present writing it “lights up for the holidays, with boutique shops, local art, and seasonal decor creating a festive Christmas shopping atmosphere.”
The resort town located on the shores of Lake Michigan just held its annual Christmas tree lighting on Thanksgiving weekend and thousands of shoppers walked up and down Butler on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
Further north, No. 58 Main Street in Harbor Springs “offers a cozy winter shopping experience, with charming shops, local crafts, and scenic lake views perfect for Christmas,” the publication wrote.
Just north of Saugatuck is 8th Street in Holland, checking in at No. 70. Present.com writes “8th Street shines with festive lights and local shops, offering unique gifts and a charming atmosphere inspired by its Dutch heritage.”
No. 83 is Bridge Street in Charlevoix — just across Little Traverse Bay from Harbor Springs — where you can find “a cozy holiday shopping experience, with boutique shops, festive decor, and views of Lake Michigan.”
At the top of Present’s list was Main Street in Aurora, New York.
“Locals described it as a ‘quaint escape brimming with historic charm and holiday spirit’ - think the kind of street you might find in one of the scenes of It’s a Wonderful Life. Nestled in the Finger Lakes region, its boutique shops and artisan stores are the perfect places to find those unique, one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts. During the festive season, it sparkles with twinkling lights, while lampposts are clad in wreaths, which makes for a truly magical destination for holiday shoppers,” the publication wrote.
The full list of America’s top 150 ‘main streets,’ along with other findings of the survey and the publication’s methodology can be found on Present.com.