3 Weekend Getaways Near Detroit

Lexington, Michigan: 83 miles northeast of Detroit (pictured at left) Umbrellas dot the sand, Lake Huron twinkles, and the sweet smell of vacation wafts from Oh Fudge Shoppe. Lexington, which calls itself "the first resort north," is a tiny shore town with a nice lineup of cottage rentals and B&Bs. The mood here is decidedly laid-back, with just a handful of businesses, but isn't that what beach vacations are all about? lexingtonmichigan.org

Monroe, Michigan: 45 miles southwest of Detroit Mellow jazz and happy chatter fill the air during Monroe's biweekly free concert series, which culminates in the River Raisin Jazz Festival in August. Besides an emerging music scene, Michigan's third-oldest city has a new river walk, several restaurants and a surprisingly chic place to crash, the Hotel Sterling. monroeinfo.com